1. Why is "Hong Kong's Fire" Actually Burning Our Own Communities?

Having run a factory for decades, the two words I fear hearing most are "Fire Disaster."

Machines can be repurchased, buildings can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be brought back. On November 26, 2025, a Level 5 fire broke out at the "Wang Fuk Court" residential building in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. The fire rapidly climbed up the external scaffolding, protective netting, and foam materials, eventually affecting 7 out of the 8 towers. Official statistics confirm at least 159 deaths, dozens injured, and residents missing for extended periods, making it one of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong since 1948.

Subsequent investigations revealed that this fire was not just an "accident":

• The scaffolding protective netting and foam boards used for external wall construction were highly flammable and suspected of not meeting fire safety standards.
• The scaffolding and netting wrapped the entire building, allowing the fire to run straight up and sideways along the exterior wall.
• Construction contractors are suspected of safety negligence and material fraud, with over twenty people arrested, involving fraud and corruption charges.

The Hong Kong government subsequently ordered the immediate removal of problematic scaffolding netting and plastic mesh from all construction sites in the city and suspended related projects for comprehensive inspections.

Many people will say: "That is Hong Kong's business."

But if you are currently a Chairperson, Committee Member, or Property Management Company representative of a community in Taiwan, I beg you to ask yourself a few cruel questions first:

1. When our community undergoes external wall renovation, repairs, or demolition of illegal structures, is the scaffolding often wrapped around the whole building until the windows are invisible?
2. Has anyone actually seen the flame-retardant certification for those protective nets, canvases, or protective boards? Or is it just "the vendor said it's fine"?
3. Has any resident ever actually pulled out and used the community's fire hydrants or hoses? How many times has the Chairperson opened them?
4. Does the Management Committee hold complete inspection records, photos of water testing, and maintenance contracts that can truly protect you when something goes wrong?

The Wang Fuk Court fire is not just international news for Taiwan's communities; it is a cruel mirror. If the location were changed to Taichung, Banqiao, or Kaohsiung, can you say with 100% certainty: "We wouldn't be like that"?

2. Five Warning Signs Seen from Wang Fuk Court: Taiwan Communities Must Not Step on the Same Mines

1. External Wall Renovation and Scaffolding Netting: Once Combustibles Wrap a Building, They Become "Arson Accomplices"

One of the keys to the Wang Fuk Court fire was the fierce burning of the scaffolding netting and foam boards. Once the plastic mesh and foam materials were ignited, the fire shot straight up the outer wall, wrapping entire floors in tongues of flame.

In Taiwan, external wall lifting, granite tile repair, and balcony demolition often feature this combination:

• Bamboo or steel pipe scaffolding covering the entire building.
• The outer layer is wrapped in dense protective netting or canvas.
• Sometimes Styrofoam boards or foam materials are added, allegedly for "collision protection" or "falling debris protection."

As a factory owner, when I see this scene, only one sentence comes to mind:

"This is not construction; this is piling wood on a bonfire."

Minimum requirements for Chairpersons and Property Managers: State clearly in tender documents and contracts:

• Protective netting, canvas, and protective boards must have proof of flame retardancy or fire resistance.
• Construction contractors must attach inspection reports or copies of labels.
• If the use of unidentified materials is found, it is considered a breach of contract, requiring immediate replacement and work stoppage if necessary. You may not understand materials, but you have the right to demand proof. This is the responsibility of a manager.

2. Clutter in Public Spaces Makes Escape and Rescue Difficult

Most of the victims at Wang Fuk Court were found in corridors, stairwells, and inside their homes, indicating that escape time was extremely short. Once a space is blocked, there is no second chance.

Looking back at the most common scenes in Taiwan's communities:

• Stairwells full of shoe cabinets, cardboard boxes, strollers, and old furniture.
• Recycling items, electric fans, and motorcycle batteries piled in front of fire hydrant boxes.
• Underground parking lots turned into warehouses for residents' items they "don't use but can't bear to throw away."

When fire comes, the reality will be: People can't get out, and firefighters can't get in. Fire hoses are installed, but they can't be pulled out, doors can't be opened, or they are stuck by objects.

The sentence I say most often to employees in the factory is:

"Every box you stuff in the aisle today is a 'stumbling block' you will have to step over during a fire."

3. Equipment Installed but Not Used: Alarms, Hoses, and Broadcasts are "Visible but Unusable"

After the Wang Fuk Court case, Hong Kong is also reviewing whether fire alarms and broadcasts were functioning normally and whether residents received warnings immediately.

In Taiwan, after the Cashbox KTV fire, the Standards for Installation of Fire Safety Equipment in All Types of Places strengthened requirements for fire alarm sounding, broadcast volume, and underground space disaster monitoring. But for most community buildings, the most common reality is:

• Annual fire safety inspections are handed over to management companies or outsourced vendors, and residents only see a "Qualified" sticker.
• No one has really tested how loud the alarm is or if the broadcast can be heard.
• The fire hose has never been pulled out; it just hangs there every year as a decoration.

As a hose factory, I must say very bluntly:

If the hose has not been water-tested, it is equivalent to not being installed.

4. Old Buildings and Change of Use Distort Original Fire Safety Designs

Public housing like Wang Fuk Court are mostly old buildings with complex resident structures, and actual usage often differs from the original design. Many major fires internationally involve "old buildings + change of use + lax management."

The situation in Taiwan is actually very similar:

• Old apartments over 30 or 40 years old, with interiors partitioned into more rooms for subletting.
• The first floor becomes a cram school, clinic, or restaurant, while the upper floors remain residential.
• Basements turn into warehouses, gyms, or classrooms, with complex entrances and chaotic circulation.

The Standards for Installation of Fire Safety Equipment in All Types of Places determine which equipment to install based on "place usage," "floor area," "floor height," and "capacity." If the usage changes and the equipment does not change with it, the actual risk has long exceeded the limits. If no one on the Management Committee actively raises this part, no one will be responsible for you.

5. Management Committees and Management Companies: You Cannot Escape Legal or Moral Responsibility

After the Wang Fuk Court fire, more than 20 people, including contractors and consultants, were arrested in Hong Kong for manslaughter, fraud, and corruption. In Taiwan, the Fire Services Act and related bylaws clearly state: Building owners and managers are responsible for the installation, maintenance, inspection, and reporting of fire safety equipment. If they knowingly allow equipment to fail or fail to inspect and report as required, causing a major disaster, they may face criminal liability and high compensation claims.

For you, your identity might be a "Volunteer Chairperson" who has meetings after a long day at work, or a property manager earning a fixed salary. But in the eyes of the law, you are the de facto person in charge.

"The person who has the power to decide the budget cannot be without responsibility."

3. What Does the Law Say? The Framework of "Standards for Installation of Fire Safety Equipment" for Communities

The Standards for Installation of Fire Safety Equipment in All Types of Places are established by the Ministry of the Interior based on the Fire Services Act. For general residential communities, you need to understand at least a few things:

1. Indoor Fire Hydrants and Fire Hoses: Buildings reaching a certain height and floor area must be equipped with indoor fire hydrant equipment. Regulations specify hose length, water pressure, and protection radius, which must be sufficient to cover every corner of the floor. This is not a question of "convenience," but a "legal minimum."
2. Evacuation Facilities and Signage: Stairwells, fire doors, refuge floors, exit signs, emergency lighting, and evacuation direction indicators. After many communities are "beautifully decorated," exit signs are blocked by signboards and cabinets. These will be seen during safety inspections and will be dug up when accidents happen.
3. Equipment Maintenance and Reporting: Building owners or managers are responsible for regular inspection, testing, and reporting to local fire authorities.

For communities, the most realistic sentence is:

"Regulations are just the bottom line; what truly saves lives is that little bit you are willing to do beyond the bottom line."

4. "10-Item Self-Checklist" for Chairpersons and Management Companies

I suggest you print this table directly and paste it in the Management Committee meeting room or on the Property Manager's desk as a "Community Health Check Table after the Wang Fuk Court Fire."

You don't have to be perfect at once, but please choose 3–5 items from these 10 and start doing them this quarter.

5. What Can the Community Do? Action Proposals at Three Levels

(1) Three Things You Can Do This Month

1. Hold a "Hong Kong Fire Special Project Meeting": Print this article and the checklist above, list it as the sole agenda item for the Management Committee meeting, and clarify the situation first.
2. Ask Property Management to Compile Fire Data from the Last 3 Years: Includes: inspection reports, reporting records, drill photos, and attendance records. Fill in any gaps.
3. Conduct a "Clearance Patrol of Stairwells and Fire Hydrants": Take photos during the patrol, list fixed warning and handling procedures, and let residents feel that this time it is "for real."

(2) Three Actions to Complete Within 3 Months

1. Plan a "Hands-on Fire Hose Operation" Fire Drill: Don't just gather, listen, and disperse. Let residents actually touch the hose, open the valve, and feel the water pressure. You can invite local fire departments or professional fire hose factories to assist.
2. Write "Fireproof Material Standards" into the Tender Documents for the Next Exterior Wall or Major Project: Whether there is a project now or not, set the conditions first so you won't be led by the nose by vendors later.
3. Find Professional Engineers or Consultants to Review Change of Use Risks: Especially for basements, rooftop additions, and subdivided suites; if they already exist, they must be faced.

(3) Mid-to-Long-Term Actions to Plan Within 1 Year

1. List "Fire Equipment Health Check" as an Annual Fixed Budget and Project: Don't just patch holes temporarily when safety inspections are rejected; schedule it proactively.
2. Assess Equipment Upgrades Based on Building Age and Resident Structure: For example: Is it necessary to introduce semi-rigid hoses, reflective hoses, or protective covers that are easier to operate? Operation difficulty must be specially considered for communities with many elderly residents.
3. Establish Daily Communication Channels: Use Line groups, electronic boards, and briefing presentations to let residents know about construction risks, drill times, and equipment upgrade information.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — The 6 Questions Most Asked by Chairpersons and Management Companies

Q1: Our building has fire hoses, but they have never been used. Do we really need to water-test them every year? A: Yes, and it is a "Must." If the hose is not used for a long time, the inner rubber will age, the joints will rust, and the pipelines may be blocked by deposits. The Fire Services Act requires equipment to be regularly inspected and reported. It is recommended to have a professional vendor conduct an actual water test at least once a year and record the entire process.

Q2: How should the Management Committee manage materials during external wall construction? We are not experts. A: You don't have to be an expert, but you must "Demand Proof." State in the tender contract: Protective nets, canvases, and protective boards must provide test reports for flame retardancy or fire resistance grades; failure to meet standards is a breach of contract. One of the lessons from the Wang Fuk Court fire is substandard materials and lax supervision.

Q3: What if residents do not agree to an additional budget for fire equipment updates? A: Clarify the "Risks and Responsibilities" first so everyone knows the cost of not doing it. Prepare a presentation using cases like Wang Fuk Court and Cashbox KTV to explain the consequences, and clearly state the "legal responsibilities of the Management Committee and Managers." If the budget is limited, start with low-cost, high-risk items (such as clearing escape routes).

Q4: How can the Management Committee avoid becoming the target of lawsuits when accidents happen? A: Two things — Do it, and leave evidence. Complete inspection reporting according to regulations and establish complete documentation (contracts, reports, photos, test videos, meeting minutes). When you can produce records accumulated over many years, you can at least prove "We did our best."

Q5: What key fire safety points should we confirm with the builder when handing over a new house? A: Make a "Handover Must-Ask List." Includes: Which version of regulations is the design based on? What is the coverage range of indoor hydrants? Equipment list and warranty? Is there handover operation instruction and basic education?

Q6: If we want to change traditional hoses to semi-rigid hoses or upgrade the grade, are there any regulatory restrictions? A: The key is "Performance must not decrease, and it must meet approval criteria." New hoses must meet approval criteria and type test requirements. In practice, semi-rigid hoses are easier to operate in corridors and stairwells and are friendlier to the elderly and general residents. Replacement projects should be planned and reported by qualified vendors.

Conclusion: Don't Wait for the Next "Wang Fuk Court" to Happen in Taiwan Before Checking Inspection Records

As a factory owner who has been making fire hoses in Taiwan for decades, watching the news of Wang Fuk Court, my feelings are hard to describe. I know that those waving for help at the windows did not care which brand that hose was or which supplier made that net. They only cared about one thing:

"Did anyone ever care if I would have a chance to get out alive if this building caught fire?"

The Wang Fuk Court fire proves once again: If regulations are just words on paper, if construction is just about who cuts prices the most, and if management is just "getting by," then a single fire is enough to destroy families in an entire building.

As Chairpersons, Committee Members, and Management Companies, you actually hold the key to "changing the outcome": Starting today, schedule a "Post-HK Fire Fire Safety Health Check Meeting," use the 10-item checklist above to solidly inventory your own community. Find trustworthy professional fire safety partners—fire equipment companies, fire hose manufacturing factories, fire engineers—to patch the holes that need patching together.

Maybe one day, you will see someone say in the community Line group: "It's a good thing you insisted on doing those troublesome things back then." At that time, you will know—That one extra water test you insisted on today, that one extra drill you held, that one substandard material you rejected, was actually saving a way out for the people in the whole building for some night in the future.