The Government is co-ordinating the work of relevant departments and housing related bodies to heighten the community's alertness to the safety of aluminium windows in their premises.
"The recent spate of window failure incidents has highlighted the importance of proper maintenance and use of such windows in the interest of the public. Owners should be aware of their responsibility to keep their windows under proper maintenance and the channels to seek information and assistance," a spokesman for the Government said today (June 29).
Starting from tomorrow (June 30), the Buildings Department (BD) and the Home Affairs Department (HAD) will hold seminars in various districts. Officers from BD and representatives from the Hong Kong Housing Society and Hong Kong Facade Association will give advice to participants at each seminar. Regional seminars will also be held at HAD's four Building Management Resources Centres from July 7.
Apart from the seminars, BD will send letters to over 1.3 million private households, including owners of Home Ownership Scheme and Tenants Purchase Scheme flats, reminding them to pay extra attention to the safety of aluminium windows, and to immediately inspect the windows and carry out necessary repairs if any problems are detected.
The public can also make use of BD's 24-hour telephone hotline, 2626 1616, for advice on maintenance of aluminium windows.
Publicity through various channels including TV and radio announcements will be stepped up to enhance public awareness of safety of aluminium windows. Related leaflets will also be distributed to all property owners, owners' corporations (OCs), owners' committees, mutual aid committees (MACs) and property managers.
In addition, a briefing is being jointly organised by HAD with the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies for property managers on the issue next week.
"Building owners and occupiers have the responsibility to carry out regular checks and timely maintenance of windows in their premises. They are also advised to work with other owners, OCs and management companies to ensure proper maintenance of windows in common areas," the spokesman added.
For public rental housing (PRH) flats, 20 technical teams will be set up by the Housing Department (HD) to implement a proactive inspection programme to check and repair aluminium windows in all PRH estates, focusing on Harmony Blocks built before 2000 and blocks with records of loosen or fallen windows.
PRH tenants should contact their estate management offices of window problems. HD will follow up on repair works within 48 hours from the time of receiving a complaint.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Housing Society has agreed to provide a free aluminium window inspection service for private old buildings, including those without OCs or MACs. Priority will be given to residential buildings complying with the Society's "Building Management and Maintenance Scheme". Owners' groups or individual owners can contact the Society's hotline 3188 1188 to make request for the service.
Ends/Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:10
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