Press in November 1995
| Press November 18, 1995 | |
| Headline : | HA's lifts and escalators attained world class standardHA Mobile Exhibition Van (MEV) visits to schools |
| Content : |
The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority : The Housing Authority has attained world class standard in the design, quality assurance,maintenance and safety of its lifts and escalators, the Senior Assistant Director/New Development of Housing department, Mr S C Poon, said today (Saturday) at the prize presentation ceremony of a lift and escalator safety contest. He attributed the achievement to the Authority's comprehensive and well-organised system in monitoring the performance of contractors. Mr Poon said: " We require all our contractors to acquire ISO9001 certification in quality management before they are eligible to tender for the Authority's contracts." "A Performance Assessment Scoring System (PASS) and a Maintenance Performance Assessment Scoring System (MASS) are also in place for the management of listed contractors. The systems provide an incentive for contractors to improve on both new works and maintenance projects," he added. PASS was fully implemented on all Housing Authority lift and escalator installation projects in 1993. Measuring contractors' performance against defined benchmarks, the system ensures that the materials, workmanship and progress of all installation works are in compliance with the Department's specifications. Assessments are also made regularly on contractors' management input and cooordination skills. Data thus collected will be used in the selection of contractors in future tendering exercises. Speaking at the same occasion, the Director of Housing, Mr Fung Tung, said that apart from the safety provisions required under the relevant ordinance, the Authority have incorporated additional safety measures and devices into its lifts and escalators to further raise the safety standards. This includes among the others, the display of safety signages in lift cars and lift lobbies, the tightening of levelling accuracy, the provision of mechanical car door lock, the installation of re-levelling devices in lifts with higher speed, and the provision of bristle type brush deflector and yellow demarcations on escalator step borders to prevent passengers from standing too close to the skirting panel. Besides, modern energy-efficient lift drive systems are being introduced to replace previous less efficient models. Mr Fung assured that the living environment in public housing estates will be improved continually through enhanced maintenance programmes and the introduction of advanced lift and escalator technologies. He appealed to all parents for their cooperation in teaching their children how to use lifts and escalators properly. Targeted at primary school students, the lift and escalator safety contest is part of a large scale publicity campaign organised by the Housing Authority to drive home safety messages on the proper use of lifts and escalators. A safety handbook and a writing pad imprinted with safety hints are produced for distribution to parents and their children. Note to Editors: A photograph taken at today's ceremony will be boxed at GIS later in the day. End/Saturday, November 18, 1995 NNNN |