Hong Kong approves smart IoT fire alarms for 3,600 old buildings after pilot scheme

Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department has given approval for 3,600 old low-rise residential buildings to install a new Internet of Things (IoT) smart fire alarm system as an alternative to traditional fire-safety equipment, following a successful pilot scheme in the first quarter of this year.The IoT-enabled system consists of detectors installed in individual flats and public areas of the building, which send warning signals to the department within 60 seconds of detecting carbon monoxide or smoke“The gateway in the building’s corridors, once receiving the detector’s signals, will activate a synergising effect where if one fire alarm sounds, the rest of the alarms in the building will also sound,” Simon Sze Man-yuk, divisional officer for building improvement strategy and special operations, said on Thursday.