Installing a new domestic gas water heater often requires the removal of sealant that secures exhaust hood penetrations and fittings on an external wall. Traditionally, this work required access from the outside of high-rise building façades, with technicians relying on scaffolding or suspended working platforms to reach the sealant. This approach not only introduced fall-from-height risks but also increased installation time, work delays due to unstable weather, generated noise, and created
inconvenience for customers.

To eliminate these hazards and streamline the job, Towngas developed the “Safety Sword”, a compact toolset that enables technicians to remove external sealant from within the customer’s premises. The kit includes a foldable, extendable “Sword” capable of reaching and cutting sealant, together with a quick-fit mounting mechanism that secures the tool to the existing exhaust hood within seconds, providing a stable working position without external access.

The integrated system can be deployed in just a few simple steps and incorporates an “Extractable Net” to capture debris and prevent it from falling, reducing the risk of injury and property damage below, while minimising cleaning requirements. As the entire operation is conducted indoors, exposure to wind, rain, and façaderelated hazards is eliminated.

This results in safer, faster, and less disruptive work. Scaffolding can be avoided, saving customers cost and inconvenience while improving operational reliability. Adopted as a well-established safety practice at Towngas, the Safety Sword was deployed more than 300 times in 2024, significantly reducing both the number of scaffolds erected and the need to work at height.

This article is contributed by Ir Cheung Pak Kin with the coordination of the Safety Specialist Committee.