Sam Fan guides us through the information in notices that are appearing in five-storey buildings in Sai Kung. As this is important information, but only currently available in Chinese, he has kindly translated for our non-Chinese literate readers.
As the fire safety improvement at the buildings is in progress, the following poster is affixed in relation to the Building Management Professional Advisory Service Scheme (BMPASS) of the Home Affairs Department – Building Management.
This is the translated text of the poster:
Building Management Professional Advisory Service Scheme
Service Organisation: Community Care Association
Service Organisation Partner: Kan On Property Management Limited
Sponsored by: Sai Kung District Office
(07.2024 – 07.2027)
Scope of Services:
- Assist target buildings
- Recruit Resident Liaison Ambassadors
- Form Owners’ Corporations (OC)
- Purchase third-party risks insurance
- Prepare and arrange building meetings
- Provide advice on the daily operation, maintenance, and repair work of the buildings and OCs
- Handle and follow up on orders issued to the buildings by government departments
- Apply for various maintenance subsidies and loan schemes
- Provide advice and consultation on integrated building maintenance
- Handle general complaints and enquiries from owners/occupiers
Service Organisation Hotline
- 8494 8723
- More information on BMPASS can be found on the following website:
- https://www.buildingmgt.gov.hk/en/Support_Services/2_18.html
Moreover, the following translated version of the Property Management Services Authority article is a useful reference for the IoT fire detection system, applicable to five-storey buildings in Sai Kung town.
[New Technology in Property Management] IoT Fire Detection System Assists in Fire Safety Management of Old Buildings
For some older buildings, upgrading fire service installations and equipment often requires significant time and coordination due to factors such as building structure, space constraints, engineering arrangements, ownership, and costs. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Fire Services Department launched a pilot scheme for an “Internet of Things (IoT) Fire Detection System” in 10 old buildings (6 storeys or less) across Hong Kong. This initiative introduced advanced IoT technology and installed portable fire extinguishers on each floor to enhance fire safety in older buildings. The 3-month system evaluation was completed in the first quarter of 2026 with positive test results. The Fire Services Department has officially accepted the “IoT Fire Detection System” and portable fire extinguishers as an alternative solution to help eligible buildings meet relevant fire safety requirements. It has already sent letters to approximately 3,600 eligible buildings across Hong Kong, informing owners of this solution to improve building fire facilities.
Real-time Detection and Notification of Fire Information
The system installs fire detectors in individual units and common areas to detect smoke and carbon monoxide generated by a fire. It transmits fire signals to a “Fire Alarm Gateway” in the corridor. When the system detects a fire signal, it can, in addition to issuing an immediate alarm, transmit relevant information over the network to a monitoring platform and the Fire Services Communication Centre, enabling firefighters to locate the fire and related information more quickly. Furthermore, because the system can issue timely alerts, it helps property management personnel notify residents to evacuate, reducing the potential loss of life and property from fires.
Flexible Installation with Fewer Restrictions
Compared with traditional fire equipment solutions, the “IoT Fire Detection System and Portable Fire Extinguisher” scheme does not require installing water tanks. Additionally, because the components are smaller, there are fewer restrictions on engineering arrangements, and installation time is relatively short—typically completed within one to two weeks. Regarding project costs, the Fire Services Department stated that a traditional system costs approximately $600,000, while the reference cost for the new system during the pilot scheme was around $200,000. However, the actual cost still depends on factors such as the building’s height, number of units, on-site environment, and installation arrangements.
One of the characteristics of IoT technology is its ability to transform traditionally passive management models into more active, real-time monitoring models. In the past, if building facilities experienced faults, they might only be discovered through manual patrols, resident notifications, or periodic inspections. After applying IoT technology, the operational status of relevant equipment can be continuously monitored through a backend platform. Once a component is abnormal, has a low battery, or has an interrupted signal, it can be flagged for early follow-up. For property management companies and practitioners, this type of technology improves the transparency and efficiency of daily management. It can be integrated with maintenance records, contractor follow-ups, and incident reporting processes, thereby making building safety management more systematic.
Making Good Use of Fire Technology to Enhance Building Safety
The application of the “IoT Fire Detection System” reflects that fire technology is gradually integrating into daily property management services, driving building safety management toward intelligence and digitalisation. The Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) hereby appeals that if a building managed by a property management company receives notification from the Fire Services Department regarding plans to improve building fire facilities, they should take this opportunity to review the fire safety status of the properties they manage, and take the initiative to communicate with owners’ organisations, registered fire service installation contractors, and the Fire Services Department to understand the applicability and feasibility of different solutions, and assist owners in selecting appropriate improvement measures under the premise of complying with legal and technical requirements.
The PMSA also encourages the industry to continue paying attention to the latest developments in fire safety technology, make good use of suitable intelligent solutions according to the actual situation of the property, and combine professional judgment, proper coordination, and continuous follow-up to enhance building fire safety levels further, working together with owners and residents to create a safer and more secure living environment.
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