Hong Kong authorities have launched a pilot scheme to install a new smart fire alarm system that can detect and report a blaze in minutes, with a target to install it in 3,600 old buildings that have yet to be fitted with adequate firefighting facilities.
The Fire Services Department said on Friday it started installing a fire detection system that utilises Internet of Things technology in 10 buildings that were up to six storeys tall across 10 districts, with a three-month trial on the selected structures to commence next year.
“When developing this system, we have conducted extensive scientific reasoning, with computer models on a theoretical level and real fire trials to further prove its effectiveness,” said Wong Yuk-ping, deputy chief fire officer for building improvement.
The department said it aimed to roll out the installations to 3,600 old buildings that were six storeys or under and lacked traditional fire safety systems, starting from the second quarter of 2026.
But it said the plan depended on the results of the three-month trial.
It added that the new system would reduce installation costs and time for old buildings below six storeys, requiring only a fitting period of two weeks and an estimated cost of about HK$200,000 (US$25,730).
According to Wong, traditional fire alarm systems with fire hose reels for this type of building would take about five to six years to be fully installed, costing around HK$600,000.
