Tai Po Fire Bamboo Scaffolding: Do We Need to Transition?
- Coral King Ltd
- Dec 24, 2025
- 9 min read
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Tai Po Fire Bamboo Scaffolding: A Centuries-Old Tradition Under Scrutiny
The Hong Kong residential towers engulfed by smoke and flames on November 26, 2025 were surrounded by an ancient construction material familiar to anyone who's spent time in one of the world's most densely packed urban hubs. It's nearly impossible to walk down the streets of Hong Kong and not see buildings surrounded by green netting and bamboo scaffolding—a construction material celebrated for its flexibility, low cost and sustainability. Bamboo scaffolding dates back to at least the Han dynasty around 2,000 years ago, and has been used to build some of the city's tallest and most iconic skyscrapers, like Norman Foster's HSBC headquarters.
In the aftermath of the Wang Fuk Court tragedy—where flames spread from one tower to seven, killing at least 161 people—Hong Kong residents, construction professionals and former senior officials are pushing back against the idea that the in the Tai Po fire, bamboo scaffolding was a main reason flames spread so quickly.
"Based on what we know so far, it was the flammable materials on the exterior walls that ignited the safety nets, not the bamboo itself," said Lee Kwong-sing, chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Safety Practitioners.
Yet the tragedy has intensified a debate that was already underway: should Hong Kong—one of the last places on Earth to use bamboo scaffolding extensively—finally make the transition to metal?
What Experts Say: Bamboo Was Not the Cause
Experts have found that some of the green netting wrapped around the scaffolding was substandard and that flammable foam boards were used to seal windows during the months-long renovations. Those were the main factors causing the fire to spread to seven of the eight buildings in the Wang Fuk Court complex, said Secretary for Security Chris Tang.
"I would be very cautious about blaming bamboo itself before the full investigation reports are published," said Kristof Crolla, an associate professor of architecture at the University of Hong Kong.
"Switching materials alone (from bamboo to metal scaffolding) won't address underlying problems around specification, enforcement, and site supervision," said Endrizzi of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Chau Sze-kit, Chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union, offers a crucial perspective: the core issue isn't necessarily the materials, but how construction sites are managed and supervised.
Importantly, the bamboo used in Hong Kong scaffolding is not raw, untreated material. Mao bamboo (毛竹) used by Hong Kong scaffolders typically undergoes treatment with borax or other fire-retardant chemicals, significantly improving its resistance to ignition. This treated bamboo is far less combustible than the substandard netting and expanded polystyrene foam boards that investigators have identified as the primary accelerants in the Wang Fuk Court fire.
Why Hong Kong Still Uses Bamboo Scaffolding
Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction. It's flexible, strong and cheaper than steel and aluminium—metal alternatives that are now more commonly used in mainland China and elsewhere in Asia. In Hong Kong, skilled armies of scaffolders can erect enough bamboo to engulf a building in a day—even hours—using techniques that are thousands of years old, and have been passed down through generations.
The case for bamboo scaffolding rests on several compelling factors:
Speed and Adaptability
Speed is a key advantage. An experienced team can "wrap" a building quickly because poles are light and can be cut to fit irregular shapes. That matters in tight streets with limited crane access.
Compared to steel, bamboo is much lighter, six times faster to erect and 12 times faster to dismantle. It's also a fraction of the cost. Bamboo scaffolding doesn't require sophisticated machinery or complex tools to erect, just skilled workers with nylon ties. If properly erected, bamboo scaffolding can be stronger than steel and far more flexible.
The two cannot be easily substituted, said the University of Hong Kong's Crolla. "Bamboo scaffolding (can) be threaded through very tight urban conditions and irregular façades in ways that metal systems often cannot."
Cost Effectiveness
Bamboo costs half or less than metal scaffolding, said Ho Ping-tak, chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Bamboo Scaffolding Workers Union. He questioned how willing residents at older buildings needing external renovations would be to pay more.
Research has found that bamboo scaffolding is relatively cheaper with a price of HK$100/m² while metal scaffolding is more expensive with a price of HK$210/m², partially due to its small market share.
The rent of metal scaffolding is generally 2-2.5 times that of bamboo scaffolding. The payback period of bamboo scaffolding is shorter and the risk is lower, while the payback period of metal scaffolding is longer and the risk is higher.
Sustainability
Unlike metal made in blast furnaces, bamboo also grows back, and turning a stalk into a pole takes little processing. This means its overall climate impact is smaller.
According to the Journal of Green Building, "Bamboo scaffolding has a lower carbon footprint than steel scaffolding, with an ability to sequester carbon during its growth phase being a significant contributing factor. Additionally, bamboo functions as a buffer, delaying the release of CO2 after the use phase."
Cultural Heritage
In Hong Kong, the traditional technique using bamboo scaffolding to build temporary Chinese opera theatres is recognized as an item of Intangible Cultural Heritage. West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre and Tsing Yi Bamboo Theatre serve as examples of the technique being used.
The "bamboo shed theatre building technique" has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage. It is closely tied to the livelihoods of bamboo scaffolders across Hong Kong and should not be abandoned lightly.
The Bamboo Theatre Building Technique is an item listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong. Bamboo theatres, built of bamboo, fir and galvanised metal sheets, are used by local communities as temporary venues to stage Shengong opera during the birthdays of deities, Jiao festivals or Yu Lan Festival.
The Case for Metal Scaffolding
While bamboo's defenders are vocal, there are arguments for transitioning to metal systems in certain contexts.
Non-Combustible Properties
Ehsan Noroozinejad, a senior researcher focusing on construction and infrastructure at Western Sydney University, said aluminum or steel scaffolding is non-combustible and could last longer. But it's also heavier and can take more time to set up and dismantle.
While treated bamboo used in Hong Kong has improved fire resistance, metal scaffolding eliminates combustibility concerns entirely. In situations where substandard netting or other flammable materials might be used—as occurred at Wang Fuk Court—a non-combustible scaffolding structure could potentially slow fire spread.
Worker Safety Record
On 17 March 2025, Hong Kong government authorities announced that they would begin to phase out the use of bamboo and replace it with metal scaffolding, stating that bamboo deteriorates over time and has contributed to 23 deaths in scaffolding-related accidents since 2018 up to that date.
There were 24 deaths related to bamboo scaffolding from January 2018 to August 2025, according to Hong Kong's Labour Department. These incidents were primarily related to falls and structural collapses rather than fire—highlighting that the safety concerns driving the government's transition policy predate the Wang Fuk Court fire.
Modern Standards
Some advocate that as an international city, Hong Kong should gradually replace bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives to meet modern construction safety standards.
In January 2022, China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued regulations explicitly prohibiting the use of "bamboo (wood) scaffolding" as construction equipment, with the ban covering all housing construction and municipal engineering projects nationwide.
Government Policy: A Gradual Transition
Hong Kong's Development Bureau earlier required that half of government construction contracts tendered after March 21, 2025 adopt metal scaffolding—though this does not apply to exterior wall repair projects.
Based on this year's tender numbers, only one or two projects would actually use metal scaffolding. The government currently has no intention of banning the use of bamboo scaffolding.
From an industrial safety perspective, provided that the requirements of the legislation and relevant codes of practice are complied with, work safety can be ensured irrespective of what kind of scaffolding materials are used. Metal scaffolds have been widely adopted in the construction industry in advanced economies in the world and the Mainland.
Challenges of Transitioning to Metal
A wholesale shift to metal scaffolding would present significant obstacles for Hong Kong's construction industry.
Workforce Impact
Currently, Hong Kong has approximately 3,000 bamboo scaffolders and 2,000 workers trained in metal systems. While retraining could potentially occur quickly—perhaps within a week for experienced workers—economic concerns loom large. Metal scaffolding work is considered less technically demanding, which could translate to substantial daily wage reductions, potentially creating resistance among workers.
Pay for bamboo scaffolders varies depending on experience, from about HK$800 (US$101) a day to more than HK$2,000 a day (US$254).
Urban Constraints
Hong Kong's unique urban landscape introduces additional complexity to this transition. The city's narrow streets and densely packed construction sites create significant logistical challenges for metal scaffolding. Unlike nimble bamboo systems, metal structures are heavier, bulkier, and often cannot reach the same heights, limiting their applicability in high-rise projects and older residential estates.
"The industry considers bamboo scaffolding cheap, efficient, and fast to erect. It saves money, labor, and time, making it ideal for renovating old buildings in Hong Kong's densely populated neighborhoods. Compared with metal scaffolding, bamboo is lighter, requires no heavy machinery, occupies little space, and can be assembled with simpler procedures—an advantage in a compact city with many aging buildings and frequent renovation needs."
Metal Has Its Own Risks
While metal scaffolding presents clear advantages in being non-combustible, experts caution against viewing it as a universal solution. Under extreme heat, metal structures can unexpectedly lose structural integrity and collapse, presenting their own set of risks.
Impact on Hong Kong's Property Development Market
A transition to metal scaffolding would have significant implications for Hong Kong's property and construction sectors.
Rising Renovation Costs
With roughly 60% of Hong Kong's buildings over 30 years old and subject to mandatory inspection and renovation orders, the cost impact could be substantial. Metal scaffolding is more than twice the cost of bamboo at HK$210/m² versus HK$100/m². For a typical 30-storey residential building requiring facade renovation, this could add hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of Hong Kong dollars to project costs.
The wages of scaffolding workers in Hong Kong are likely to increase as plastic meshes that have passed a new mandatory fire safety test are expected to be installed at more than 200 buildings from next month, according to a construction industry representative. But another construction industry leader said that the cost of scaffolding nets would not rise significantly due to collective bulk procurement.
Extended Project Timelines
Bamboo is six times faster to erect and 12 times faster to dismantle than steel. A transition to metal would extend renovation timelines, potentially inconveniencing building residents and delaying project completions.
Impact on Older Buildings
The owners' corporations managing Hong Kong's aging housing stock—many of whom already struggle with the costs of mandatory renovations—would face additional financial pressure. This could lead to deferred maintenance, creating a vicious cycle of building deterioration.
Industry estimates suggest roughly 80% of Hong Kong scaffolds are still bamboo as of early 2025, reflecting entrenched practice, cost, and site-specific advantages.
Market Growth for Metal Scaffolding
The aluminum scaffolding market valued at HK$13.65 billion in 2025 is projected to grow at 8.96% CAGR, driven by safety upgrades and urban development demands.
Global firms like Layher and local innovators are advancing modular systems and digital tools, while labor displacement risks and cost barriers persist for private-sector adoption.
A Balanced Path Forward
Lawrence Ng San-wa from the Hong Kong Construction Sub-contractors Association advocates for a measured, phased approach. His recommendation involves initially mandating metal scaffolding on spacious new construction sites where logistical challenges are minimal, while maintaining bamboo usage in more complex environments until viable alternatives emerge.
The lesson from Hong Kong is not that bamboo is "good" or "bad" for scaffolding—it's about context and proper oversight. Treated bamboo has clear advantages for small-scale, short-duration, ground-anchored work where streets are tight and budgets are lean. The Wang Fuk Court tragedy was not a failure of bamboo scaffolding itself, but of the materials wrapped around it and the regulatory systems meant to ensure compliance.
This is why there are calls for stricter enforcement of material standards—particularly for netting and protective coverings—rather than an outright replacement of bamboo. Flame-retardant nets, proper material verification, and genuine regulatory oversight would address the actual causes of the fire far more effectively than a wholesale scaffolding transition.
"I believe the potential solutions lie in two core areas: Management and technology. Stronger regulation is essential as well. Only when safety, quality, and urban governance are prioritized can regulation truly play its foundational role. Between bamboo and metal, and between tradition and safety, Hong Kong should find a path of its own."
Conclusion: The Real Issue Is Oversight, Not Materials
The Wang Fuk Court fire was a tragedy born of regulatory failures, substandard netting, flammable foam boards, and inadequate oversight—not bamboo scaffolding. Treated bamboo used in Hong Kong construction has fire-retardant properties, and experts have consistently pointed to the illegal netting and expanded polystyrene as the primary accelerants.
While the shift to metal scaffolding may be appropriate in certain contexts, it does not address the underlying problems that led to 161 deaths. Whether bamboo or metal, scaffolding systems must be properly designed, installed, and maintained—and the materials surrounding them must meet genuine fire safety standards, not fraudulent certifications.
The phasing out of bamboo scaffolding in public works reflects legitimate worker safety concerns around falls and collapses, but conflating these issues with the Wang Fuk Court fire risks missing the real lessons. The fire spread because of substandard materials that passed inspection 16 times, because residents' warnings were dismissed, and because a renovation industry plagued by bid-rigging prioritised cost-cutting over safety.
For Hong Kong's property market, the implications are significant regardless of which scaffolding material prevails: renovation costs will rise as material standards tighten, project timelines may extend, and owners' corporations managing aging buildings will face tough choices. The path forward requires not just better materials, but better enforcement—ensuring that what's installed on Hong Kong's buildings actually matches what's written on the certificates.