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Application Mechanism for Shutdown of FSI in Scaffolded Buildings

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Application Mechanism for Shutdown of Fire Service Installations in Scaffolded Buildings

 

Background

Existing buildings erected with external wall scaffolding and protective materials (including protective nets, protective screens, tarpaulins or plastic sheets) ("scaffolded buildings") are exposed to a higher fire risk during external wall renovation, major repair or alteration works. To strengthen the management of such risk, the Fire Services Department (FSD) will implement an application mechanism with effect from 20 October 2026. Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors (RFSICs) must obtain FSD's approval and implement the required interim fire safety measures before shutting down any fire service installations (FSI) in a scaffolded building. For details, please refer to FSD Circular Letter No. 8/2026.

 

Scope of Application

An RFSIC shall make an application for the shutdown of FSI in a scaffolded building* where all of the following conditions are met:

  • the FSI is to be shut down for non-emergency installation, maintenance, repair or inspection works;
  • the system concerned is one of the nine types of FSI listed in FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2021; and
  • the works are expected to be carried out overnight or to last for more than 24 hours.

* Scaffolding covering three or more consecutive storeys, including a full elevation of those storeys (even where only a single elevation of the building is covered) and scaffolding covering the full height of light wells or re-entrant corners of the building. Cantilevered truss-out scaffolding for repair works of individual units is excluded.

Shutdown of FSI in emergency situations, and shutdown of FSI in buildings other than scaffolded buildings, will continue to be handled in accordance with FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2021.

 

Application Procedure

Step Details
(1)
Submission of Application
  1. Before the proposed FSI shutdown, the RFSIC shall complete the “Application Form for Shutdown of Fire Service Installations in Buildings with External Wall Scaffolding and Protective Materials” (Form A) and submit it, together with the required supporting documents, to FSD for approval;
  2. FSD will normally notify the result within three working days upon receipt of a complete application. RFSICs are advised to allow sufficient time for their applications.
(2)
Vetting
  1. FSD will conduct an on-site risk assessment and documentary vetting;
  2. If the application is approved, FSD will issue the “Approval Conditions” (Form B), setting out the approved period and extent of the FSI shutdown, as well as the interim fire safety measures and other conditions to be complied with at all times;
  3. The “Approval Conditions” (Form B) are valid until the 14th calendar day after the date of issue. The shutdown shall commence within the validity period; otherwise, a fresh application shall be made.
(3)
Verification and Permission
  1. After confirming that the interim fire safety measures and other conditions stipulated in the “Approval Conditions” (Form B) have been properly implemented, the RFSIC shall notify FSD by the “Notification of Implementation of Interim Fire Safety Measures for Scaffolded Buildings” (Form C);
  2. FSD will conduct an on-site verification before the scheduled FSI shutdown;
  3. Upon confirming that the measures and conditions are met, FSD will issue the “Permission for Shutting Down Fire Service Installations” (Form D);
  4. If the measures or conditions are found not properly implemented, no Permission will be issued. The RFSIC shall rectify the irregularities and notify FSD again.
(4)
Shutdown and Resumption
  1. The FSI shall only be shut down after the Permission is obtained. Before the shutdown, the RFSIC shall submit the “Notification of Fire Service Installations Shutdown / Resumption for Scaffolded Buildings” (Form E), together with the “Permission for Shutting Down Fire Service Installations” (Form D) and the relevant F.S. 251;
  2. All interim fire safety measures and approval conditions shall remain effective throughout the shutdown period. FSD may revoke the Permission if the measures are no longer effective or the conditions are not complied with;
  3. Upon completion of the works, the RFSIC shall resume the FSI to normal operation immediately and submit the same notification forthwith.

 

Supporting Documents Required

  • Certificate of Fire Service Installations and Equipment (F.S. 251), or the content to be inserted therein;
  • Proof that materials and spare parts are ready, e.g. purchase orders, delivery notes or proof of arrival;
  • A detailed work schedule showing that the FSI shutdown period has been minimised;
  • Consent of the owner of the premises or the person having management or control over the FSI concerned (Part V of the application form may be completed for this purpose).

Incomplete applications will not be processed.

 

Submission and Download of Forms

RFSICs shall submit the relevant forms at different stages as set out below:

Stage Form Means of Submission Download
(1)
Submission of Application		 “Application Form for Shutdown of Fire Service Installations in Buildings with External Wall Scaffolding and Protective Materials” (Form A), together with the required supporting documents By email to fsi_shutdown_apply@hkfsd.gov.hk pdf
(2)
Vetting		 “Approval Conditions” (Form B) (issued by FSD; no form to be completed) Issued to the RFSIC by FSD by email  
(3)(a)
Request for Verification		 “Notification of Implementation of Interim Fire Safety Measures for Scaffolded Buildings” (Form C), signed by the authorised signatory of the RFSIC and the authorised representative of the property management company / owners' corporation / owner(s), together with a copy of the “Approval Conditions” (Form B) By email to the local fire station (the email address is set out in the “Approval Conditions” (Form B)) pdf
(3)(b)
Issue of Permission		 “Permission for Shutting Down Fire Service Installations” (Form D) (issued by FSD; no form to be completed) Issued to the RFSIC by email by the local fire station after verification  
(4)(a)
Before FSI Shutdown		 “Notification of Fire Service Installations Shutdown / Resumption for Scaffolded Buildings” (Form E) (Part A), together with the “Permission for Shutting Down Fire Service Installations” (Form D) and the relevant F.S. 251 By email to scaf_fsi_fscc@hkfsd.gov.hk pdf
(4)(b)
Upon FSI Resumption		 “Notification of Fire Service Installations Shutdown / Resumption for Scaffolded Buildings” (Form E) (Part B) By email to scaf_fsi_fscc@hkfsd.gov.hk  

 

Related Circular Letters

Item File
FSD Circular Letter No. 8/2026 — Application Mechanism for Shutdown of Fire Service Installations in Buildings with External Wall Scaffolding and Protective Materials pdf
FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2026 — Enhanced Measures on Transparency of Defect and Power Supply Management of Fire Service Installations (FSIs) pdf
FSD Circular Letter No. 2/2026 — Reporting Chain Effects of Shutdown of Fire Service Installations (FSIs) and Revised Measures for Building Notices pdf
FSD Circular Letter No. 6/2026 — The Provision of Temporary Manual Fire Alarm Devices (TMFAD) as a Standby Means for Fire Alarm Systems pdf
FSD Circular Letter No. 1/2021 — Shutdown of Fire Service Installations for Maintenance, Inspection, Modification or Repair pdf

 

Contact Us

For enquiries about the application mechanism, please contact the Fire Protection Facilities Supervision Division at 2733 1567. To report suspected unauthorised shutdown of FSI, please call 2723 8787.