In the 2024 Hong Kong policy address, the government proposed a plan to solve the problem of subdivided housing. It proposed to establish a registration system and set standards. Subdivided units that have been certified by professionals as meeting the standards will be named "Basic Housing Unit, BHU" (BHU). ). However, regardless of the name change, fire safety standards remain vital.
Some Basic Housing Unit have limited space and are densely populated, which significantly increases the risk of fire. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every resident to ensure that fire safety equipment is complete and effectively used. As infrastructure, smoke sensors should be installed in every Basic Housing Unit. They can detect smoke and sound an alarm in the early stages of a fire, promptly reminding residents to evacuate.
In addition, the configuration of fire extinguishers cannot be ignored. Water-based fire extinguishers are suitable for extinguishing common combustibles, while dry powder fire extinguishers can deal with many fire types, especially electrical and oil fires. Residents should regularly check the effectiveness of these devices to ensure they can be used quickly in an emergency.
In addition to hardware facilities, residents also need to strengthen their knowledge of fire emergency and be familiar with escape routes and gathering locations. Regular fire drills can help improve residents' response capabilities and reduce losses caused by fires.
In short, although "Sub-divided flats" are renamed as "Basic Housing Unit", the importance of fire safety standards will not change. By implementing effective fire protection measures, residents can better protect themselves and their families and ensure safe living.