On Thursday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government unveiled a new set of safety rules for external scaffolding nets, aiming to boost fire-resistance standards across construction sites.
Under the new regulations, all external scaffolding nets used in repair, maintenance, new building construction and demolition projects must come with certification and test reports proving their fire-retardant performance. Designated samples will be collected by regulators and sent to HKSAR laboratories for testing. Only nets that pass these stringent checks can be deployed, and random on-site inspections will verify ongoing compliance.
“Some flexibility will be allowed for scaffolding nets on newly built structures, since they are unoccupied and pose lower risks,” Bernadette Linn, HKSAR secretary for development, explained. To support the transition, the government plans to set up multiple testing centres capable of delivering results within one week of sample submission.
The Construction Industry Council is stepping in to coordinate bulk procurement and testing services. It will also offer 5,000 subsidized training places for industry practitioners to ensure a smooth rollout. In addition, the council will introduce a source-tracking labelling system, recording every net’s journey from manufacturing to site deployment and helping to professionalise industry practices.
This initiative reflects a broader trend in 2025, as cities worldwide tighten construction safety and sustainability standards. By raising the bar for scaffolding net performance, Hong Kong aims to protect workers, residents and passersby while setting a new benchmark for the region’s building sector.
Reference(s):
HKSAR government introduces new rules to ensure scaffolding net safety
cgtn.com
