Will government assist owner(s) with financial difficulties to carry out the improvement works required under the Fire Safety Directions and/or Fire Safety Improvement Directions? 

For owners who have financial difficulties to carry out the improvement works required under the Fire Safety Directions and/or Fire Safety Improvement Directions, they can apply for loans under the Building Safety Loan Scheme. For details of the Scheme, please refer to the Buildings Department Homepage.

Why do owners have to comply with the current fire safety standards?

The improved fire safety works will provide better protection to occupants in case of fire. We understand that it may be difficult to comply with all the current standards in old buildings; therefore the owners are expected to carry out only basic or essential improvement works to reduce the cost.

If an owner cannot comply with certain improvement works set out in a Fire Safety Direction and/or Fire Safety Improvement Direction, what can he do? 

The owner should contact the responsible officer in the Buildings Department and/or Fire Services Department to discuss the matter. If necessary, the owner may appoint a consultant or an authorised person to propose solutions so as to overcome spatial or structural constraints.