Hong Kong Fire: At least 94 people have died and dozens are still missing in a fire at a huge apartment complex in Hong Kong. It is being considered as the worst fire accident in the city in almost 80 years. Earlier in 1996, 41 people were killed in the fire in Garley Building. It was considered the worst fire in the history of Hong Kong. In fact, incidents like the fire that broke out on Wednesday are rare in Hong Kong. The Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China has a strong record in building safety. Because high quality construction and building construction rules are strictly followed here.
The fire broke out just before 3pm local time on Wednesday at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the northern district of Tai Po. This residential complex has 2,000 apartments and eight buildings where more than 4,600 people lived. Repair work was going on there at the time of the tragedy. When the fire broke out and spread rapidly, the buildings here were covered with bamboo scaffolding and green netting. These apartment blocks have 31 storeys and were opened for occupancy in 1983. Fire fighters have almost brought the fire that destroyed the residential complex under control. Hong Kong fire officials said they were expecting the search and rescue operation to end. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown.
bamboo scaffolding city identity
Bamboo scaffolding has been the hallmark of this city for centuries, but why? The answer lies partly in history, partly in engineering and partly in economics. But recent tragedies have focused attention on fire safety, and when and where bamboo should be used. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass with hollow, tube-like stems (called culms). These tubes give it a high power-to-weight ratio. A stick is so light that it can be carried up the stairs. Then if it is tied properly then it is so strong that it can support the platforms and workers.
Bamboo scaffolding installed in several buildings in Wang Fuk Court Housing Estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong caught fire. reuters
The artisans bind the pillars tightly to each other and attach them to the buildings with the help of brackets and anchors. A properly designed bamboo scaffold is capable of withstanding wind and the weight of workers. The Building Department and Labor Department of Hong Kong publishes clear guidelines on the design and construction of bamboo scaffolds. Bamboo scaffolding is also used in mainland China, India, and parts of Southeast Asia and South America.
Inexpensive and flexible material
There are three main reasons why bamboo scaffolds are used in Hong Kong. First, speed. An experienced team can ‘wrap’ a building quickly as the pillars are lightweight and can be cut to fit irregular shapes. This is important in narrow streets where crane access is limited. Second, cost. Bamboo costs much less than metal poles, so contractors can bid lower. This material is easily available locally, which keeps regular repairs and painting work within the budget. Third, tradition and skill. Hong Kong trains and certifies bamboo scaffolders and the craft remains part of the city’s construction culture. These factors explain why bamboo continues to appear on the city’s horizon, while metal systems dominate elsewhere.
What are its dangers?
There are two main dangers of bamboo scaffolding. The first event, as highlighted in this tragedy in Hong Kong, is fire. Dry bamboo is flammable and the green plastic netting often placed on scaffolds can also burn quickly. In the Tai Po fire, footage and reports show that the fire quickly spread through the scaffolding and netting and reached the facades of the buildings. Non-combustible materials are demanded for temporary construction on occupied towers. If bamboo is used, at least fire retardant mesh or treated bamboo should be used. There should be such gaps in the design of the scaffolding that fire cannot spread easily from one area to another. Hong Kong has updated its guidelines to control this risk.
How serious is this fire?
Pictures of the fire went viral on social media soon after the fire broke out, and local media even reported that explosions could be heard inside the building. According to the Hong Kong Fire Department, this fire has been categorized as level five, which is the most severe. In fact, this has happened 17 years after the level five fire in Hong Kong. A total of 128 fire engines, 57 ambulances and around 400 police officers were deployed at the site of the fire. However, in March the government said it would phase out the use of bamboo due to safety concerns. At least 23 people have died in industrial accidents involving bamboo scaffolding since 2018.
