Secretary for Security Chris Tang on Friday said the government was planning to enlist tenants and other regular users of buildings as "fire-safety ambassadors" to help ensure more effective and comprehensive preventive monitoring.

The suggestion is among a raft of fire-safety reforms that officials are proposing following the Tai Po inferno that took 168 lives.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Tang noted that some tenants would only comply with fire-safety regulations during checks and inspections by firefighters and return to bad habits and practices soon after they are gone, such as those that result in blocking off a means of escaping in the event of a fire breaking out.

"We hope to enlist building tenants and users as fire ambassadors and offer them simple tips to watch out for," he said.

"For example, make sure smoke-stop doors are not wedged open, fire-escape routes are not obstructed and they conduct checks and see if the fire hose functions properly.

"These problems can be easily identified and rectified either on their own or by informing the management company.

"For more serious cases, they can report to the Fire Services Department so officers can follow up immediately, including initiating prosecutions. I think this is much more effective than solely relying on their inspections."

While the department will step up checks and inspections, Tang said it was impossible to do so on a daily basis and that the government had to get property-management firms to step up their preventive measures as well.

For instance, he added, it is considering getting companies to arrange an annual fire drill and conduct checks for its fire-alarm system every six months instead of just once a year.

The administration is also mulling harsher punishments for registered contractors who submit false or misleading information.

Tang made it clear that the current penalty of up to HK$50,000 was "far from enough".

Officials will look into increasing the fines involved, as well as consider imposing prison terms, he warned.