Close to 90% of Taizoom elevators missing fire-resistant door frames

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department found close to 90% of elevators installed by Taizoom Elevator Company are missing fire-resistant door frames.

This as the owners' corporations of some affected buildings raised concerns about Taizoom not being able to complete their elevator installation work.

Some engineers believe the EMSD may require relevant contractors to record videos in the future for proof of proper installation of fire-resistant door frames.

Located in Kwun Tong, Ho King Building has been using elevators installed by Taizoom Elevator Company for the past three years.

The building was notified by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department in recent days about large numbers of the latter's elevators missing fire-resistant door frames.

It was later discovered one of the elevators in the structure was missing the essential component.

This local resident said the elevators would occasionally stop working, adding she always wondered why a new elevator would be so prone to malfunction.

This as the head of the building's owners' corporation said Taizoom won the bid for elevator installation work owing to its relatively cheap price.

He is now concerned whether Taizoom is capable of fixing all the affected elevators without the risk of closure.

According to its latest inspections, the EMSD found 88% of elevators installed by Taizoom were missing fire-resistant door frames, while the same issue was not found in elevators installed by other registered contractors.

The latest incident led some to question why the EMSD issued licenses for the problematic elevators.

Engineering expert Cheung Nin-sang said engineers must submit relevant elevator safety reports, documents proving fire-resistance as well as photos taken during the installation process.

But given the limitations of photos, he suggested the sector should film future installations while also indicating the date.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Institute of Safety Practitioner suggested independent third parties to assess fully installed elevators.