Media

Haking Wong Building temporarily closed

07 Jan 2014

 

The Haking Wong Building of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has been temporarily closed after asbestos-containing debris was found in several maintenance rooms in the building. Occupants and users of the building were advised to leave the building at 3:00pm today (January 7) for collection of air quality sampling and other investigations to be carried out extensively in the Building. The incident has been reported to the Environmental Protection Department.

During a recent regular survey in the Building, some asbestos-containing debris was observed on the floor in several maintenance rooms on the first to third floors, and sixth to eighth floors. Since the maintenance rooms concerned also serve as an air conditioning system that receive and distribute air from and to other rooms on each floor, there is a potential risk for the asbestos fiber to be transferred to other rooms.

A Task Force led by HKU Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance) Dr Steven Cannon, and comprises the Director of Estates, Director of Safety, Director of University Health Service, the Acting Director of Human Resources, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dean and Faculty Secretary of the Faculty of Engineering, met to discuss the matter today. Although the risk is not perceived to be high, the Task Force has agreed that it is prudent for the University to take the precautionary measure to stop people from entering the affected areas to allow tests to be carried out. Preliminary test results will be known tomorrow.

The Union Restaurant on Level 4 of the Building is unaffected and will remain open.  The lift area is unaffected and elevator service from G/F to 4/F (West Gate) will remain.

For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 email: pychoy@hku.hk; Ms Melanie Wan (Senior Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 email: melwkwan@hku.hk; or Ms Rhea Leung (Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2857 8555 email: rhea.leung@hku.hk.