Department of Urban Development, Taipei City Government

Press Release Agency: Department of Building Affairs, Taipei City
Press Release Date: 2012/2/24
Contact Person: Chief Secretary Gao, Wenting
Contact Number: 1999#8351, 0936-772-225
Public safety inspection on buildings in Taipei has rated “premium”. Ministry of Interior hosted award ceremony at Taipei City Hall on February 29th.
In order to enhance public safety implementation within the country, Ministry of Interior has started the evaluation on public safety implementations among counties and cities in 2011. The evaluation result will be announced at the award ceremony and project observation in Liu Ming-Chuan Hall, Taipei City Government at 14:00 on February 29th. Taipei City has been rated “premium”. Taipei City Government will be sharing public safety experience with other counties and cities during the ceremony.
The Chief of Department of Building Affairs of Taipei City, Wang Rongjin, explained that Construction and Planning Agency has finished evaluating administration activities from local governments from July 1st 2010 to June 30th 2011. Construction and Planning Agency hoped such action would ensure all building authorities to carry out sturdy public safety inspection on buildings. The evaluation result for Taipei City is “premium”, which encouraged the effort on public safety and collaboration among all related agencies under the leadership of mayor Hau.
The Chief of Department of Building Affairs of Taipei City, Wang Rongjin, further explained that during the evaluation period, the tragedy occurred in nightclub A-La has brought the building’s public safety inspection and certification application system to the greatest challenge in 10 years. Taipei City Government has been creating brand new project implementations never seen before in the country, while coordinating to the Ministry of Interior’s policies. For instance, establishing a government level inspection team that raised the building’s public safety level, promoting the certification system that gives out certified labels to qualified places, posting unqualified stickers to places that don’t meet the standard, and entrusting the nongovernmental professional agencies to take reported cases.
Chief Wang especially pointed out the hard work from the colleagues at the front line. Ever since the establishment of the government level inspection on May 2nd 2011, a total of 856 businesses were inspected. 117 businesses were unqualified, 103 businesses were improved to standard, and those yet to improve business are still under supervision. In 2011 the number of businesses applied for certification has raised 17% from 2010 and the number of business inspected has raised 67%. Getting awarded “premium” from the Ministry of Interior not only stimulate the spirit of those who are doing the inspections, but also encourage Taipei City’s public safety management. Most importantly, it created a safe living environment for beloved citizens.