The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) said on late Thursday it has referred a registered lift contractor to the police for possible fraud after inspections found that fire-resistant door frames were missing from 48 newly installed lifts at two public housing estates.

The contractor, Taizoom Elevator Company (HK) Limited, carried out replacement works on 39 lifts at Pok Hong Estate in Sha Tin and nine lifts at Tsui Ping (North) Estate in Kwun Tong between February last year and July this year. Although the company submitted fire-resisting rating certificates for the doorsets, only the fire doors themselves had been installed – the corresponding door frame components were missing, the EMSD said.

While the lifts can continue to operate safely, the absence of the door frame components is a non-compliance, the department said. It added that preliminary evidence suggests the company was guilty of serious negligence or misconduct, and that the case may involve criminal offences including fraud and making false statements.

The EMSD said it has instructed Taizoom to install the missing components within a month at its own cost. Each lift will need to be suspended for one to two days, with work scheduled during non-peak hours to minimise disruption.

The department will complete inspections on all lifts installed by Taizoom citywide within three days, and will require other registered contractors to conduct similar checks. And it has started a comprehensive review of the lift regulatory and supervision system, to be completed within the year.

The Housing Authority (HA) said it was "highly concerned" about the incident and would pursue Taizoom's liabilities.

The HA said no other lift replacement works on other Tenant Purchase Scheme estates were undertaken by the same company. But it has told the incorporated owners of Fu Heng Estate, another public housing estate that is preparing for lift replacement, to suspend the tendering process.

The authority said it will provide all necessary support to safeguard residents' interests and safety.


Edited by Aaron Tam