APP-1 11
Buildings Department
Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance, Cap. 7 Demolished Buildings (Re-development of Sites) Ordinance, Cap. 337 Validity of Approved Plans Approved plans forming the basis of an Exclusion Order under the Landlord & Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance are normally excluded by Buildings Ordinance section 16(3A) from the application of Buildings Ordinance section 16(3)(d). Consent applied for after more than two years of approval will be given if it is still practical for the work to be completed within the Re-development Order period. Material Variation 2. For a project affected by an Exclusion Order, amendments as follows to the approved plans would be deemed to be a "material variation" : (a) (b) (c) a reduction in floor space of more than 10%; or a change in use of any part of the proposed building; or the involvement of other premises also subject to the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (e.g. by extension of the project).
The authorized person (or his client's solicitors) must apply to the Lands Tribunal (Registrar, Lands Tribunal, Wanchai Law Courts, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Hong Kong) for an amending Exclusion Order. 3. Any approval given by the Building Authority under the Buildings Ordinance does not imply that the plans will also be accepted under the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance. Penalty-Free Extension 4. In case of delays to commencement of building works by the date laid down in an Exclusion Order, penalty-free extension of one month may be granted by the Building Authority upon request before expiry of the commencement period. /5. Examples ....
- 2 5. (a) Examples of circumstances which may justify penalty-free extensions are : inability to obtain vacant possession, subject to the applicant having commenced legal proceedings and pursuing such proceedings with due diligence; inability to obtain entry to adjacent property to construct adequate shoring or other precautionary works required; and inability to obtain consent to commence demolition works for other reasons beyond the control of the applicant.
(b) (c)
Ref. : BD GP/LEG/lO First issued December 1974 This revision March 1994 (AD/D) Index under : BO s16(3A) - Approved Plans Demolished Buildings (Re-development of Sites) Ordinance, Cap. 337 Exclusion Orders Landlord & Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance, Cap. 7 Material Variation Re-development Orders
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-2 13
Buildings Department
Calculation of Gross Floor Area and Non-accountable Gross Floor Area Building (Planning) Regulation 23(3)(a) and (b) Calculation of Gross Floor Area Building (Planning) Regulation (B(P)R) 23(3)(a) stipulates that gross floor area (GFA) is the area contained within the outer surface of external walls of a building measured at each floor level. Any portions of this area not floored over must be included in the plot ratio calculations. 2. However where large voids occur, a modification of B(P)R 23(3)(a) may be granted on application in the following circumstances : (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) in front of cinema and theatre balconies; in banking halls and shopping arcades; in single-staircase buildings in which cockloft floors are provided in the ground storey; in auditoria, sporting halls (including squash courts), school halls and religious institutions; and in main common entrance lobbies.
3. In the case of "split level" designs where the difference in level between adjoining floors is less than 1 m, the floor may be regarded as being level for the purposes of this regulation. For greater differences in level, the authorized person should clarify with the Buildings Department before embarking on the project. 4. Subject to the special circumstances of each case, the Building Authority (BA) is in general prepared to consider favourably application for modification in respect of : (a) chimney shafts forming an integral part of a new building; (b) (c) fire refuge areas which observe the stated criteria (see Code of Practice for Means of Escape); covered areas clearly intended for and designed as playgrounds (see Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers (PNAP) 116); swimming pool filtration plant rooms; and genuine and properly designed pipe-ducts with adequate access for inspection and maintenance. /5. Where .
(d) (e)
-25. Where a curtain wall system forms the external face of a building, the BA is prepared to accept the outer face of the structural elements, e.g. beams, columns and floor slabs, as the external wall for the purpose of measurement of GFA and site coverage where : The curtain wall system itself does not form part of the structural system of the parent building; The system does not result in any additional floor area at a floor level; and The projection of the system from the outer face of the structural elements does not exceed 300 mm.
6. Cladding may take a variety of forms and as a general rule, should be considered individually for the purpose of measuring GFA. In the case, however, of a form of cladding which may be equated in its design to a curtain wall system, the method of measure of GFA and site coverage given in paragraph 5 above may be adopted as indicated in the sketches illustrating the above principle for the measurement of GFA and site coverage at Appendix A. 7. External wall finishes may be disregarded for the purpose of measurement of dimensions under B(P)R 23(3). However, no part of any wall finishes should project beyond the site boundaries. Non-accountable Gross Floor Area 8. Under B(P)R 23(3)(b), the BA may exclude from GFA calculation floor space occupied solely by machinery or equipment for lift, air-conditioning, heating system or any similar service. The phrase "any similar service" may generally be interpreted to include water tanks, boiler rooms, electrical switch rooms, meter rooms, transformer rooms, generator rooms, pump rooms, telephone equipment rooms, cable riser duct room, CO2 rooms, hose reel closets, sewage treatment plant rooms and ducts for central ventilation or smoke extraction system. In each case, both the premises for and the size of any such feature should be justified. To guard against possible abuse, the BA will take the following into consideration when considering exclusion of the above features from GFA calculation for single-family residence or house type developments: (a) (b) There should not be any duplication in the provision of services when GFA exclusions are also being separately applied for; and Only the minimum amount of GFA necessary for accommodating and maintaining the services and commensurate with the development would be allowed to be excluded. The authorized person may be required to demonstrate why it is not possible to consolidate the provision of all related services into multi-purposes or centralised rooms such that the area which is excluded from GFA could be used for efficiently. /9. For .
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9. For plant rooms and other features that are excluded from GFA calculation, the enclosing walls/columns and the associated protected lobby, if any, solely serving the said rooms or features and do not serve any other function in accordance with paragraph 11, may also be excluded from GFA calculation. 10. Air-conditioning plant rooms to be excluded from GFA calculation should as a rule be located outside the individual residential units. For an air-conditioning plant room proposed with access within an individual residential unit, the authorized person should justify why access to such room cannot be located outside the unit. In any event, the provision and size of such rooms need to be justified before consideration for exclusion from GFA will be given. In the event that such room is permitted to be provided with access within the individual unit, such plant room should meet the following criteria before it can be considered for exclusion from GFA calculation under B(P)R 23(3)(b) :(a) (b) The floor of the plant room should have a level difference of a minimum of 500 mm with the floor of the main accommodation; The plant room should have at least one side open, but railing, open grille and lourve on the open side to parapet level are acceptable. Enclosure above parapet level may be allowed where there is a need to separate the intake air and exhaust air. Enclosure for the purpose of compliance with paragraph 12.3 of the Code of Practice for Fire Resisting Construction may also be allowed on the open side; and The open side should face into open air.
(c)
Where an air-conditioning plant room is not proposed, air-conditioning platforms, complying with the requirements set out in PNAP 68, provided on the external elevations of the building are not accountable for GFA calculation under regulation 23(3) of the B(P)R. 11. The horizontal area of staircases and lift shafts should normally be measured for GFA together with the floor through which they pass. However, where these features pass through a floor accepted as not being accountable for GFA (by reason of the captioned regulation), the area of the features may also be discounted, with one exception. The exception is that entrance lobbies, lifts, staircases and exit corridors, other than those solely serving the non-accountable floors, at the level(s) of main access to a building from the street(s) should always be included in the measurement for GFA. In such locations, these features have a local function and do not merely pass through a floor. For the features passing through a floor that is partly accountable and partly non-accountable for GFA, their exclusion from GFA either in its entirety or parts thereof will be considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account their locations and functions. The principle is that such features on a particular floor should be counted for GFA if the area they serve at that floor is accountable for GFA calculation.
/Carparking .
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Carparking and Loading and Unloading Areas 12. Under B(P)R 23(3)(b), the BA has the discretionary power to disregard from GFA calculations any floor space that he is satisfied constructed and intended to be used solely for, inter alia, parking motor vehicles and loading and unloading of motor vehicles. The BA generally accepts that public and private car-parks, and public transport termini provided in buildings are space for parking or loading and unloading of motor vehicles falling within the meaning of B(P)R 23(3)(b). In exercising his discretionary power under B(P)R 23(3)(b) to disregard or not to disregard such area or any part thereof from GFA calculation, the BA will determine each case on its merits and take into account all relevant considerations including the design of the car-park and the effect on public interest such as impact on infrastructure, density and building bulk. In general, the BA will follow the following lines in his exercise of discretion :(a) Carparking spaces (i) When a lot is subject to lease/grant conditions requiring the provision or incorporation of a public carpark within a building or buildings, all the required facilities and associated works, including service core areas of such public carpark should be accountable for GFA calculation. For private carparking spaces which are intended for the use of the occupants and their bona fide visitors of the parent building, the BA may allow their exclusion from GFA calculation under B(P)R 23(3)(b). In deciding on the number of car-parking spaces that could be excluded, the BA will make reference to the standards set out in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG), the design and layout of the car-park as well as the advice of the Commissioner for Transport. For the avoidance of doubt, associated ramps and facilities passing through floors accountable for GFA may be excluded from GFA calculation if they are physically separated from and do not provide access to the accommodation on the floors they pass through.
(ii)
(iii) Where both private and public carparking spaces are proposed in the same building and upon being satisfied with the design of the carpark, the BA will assess the accountability of GFA on the following basis: Where private and public carparking spaces are provided on separate floors, the floor space exclusively provided for private carparking purposes on that floor will not be accountable for GFA and the floor(s) provided exclusively for public carparking purposes would be accountable for GFA under B(P)R 23(3)(a).
/ Where .
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Where both private and public carparking spaces are provided on the same floor, only the areas, including carparking spaces, driveways, ramps, lift halls and staircases solely serving the private carpark would be considered for exclusion from GFA calculation under B(P)R 23(3)(b). Those public parking spaces, associated driveways, lift halls, staircases, ramps which serve either the public carpark or both the public and the private carparks will not be excluded from GFA calculation. Moreover the areas used by the public carpark and its associated facilities should be delineated on plans. The area of driveways, ramps, staircases and lift halls at the level(s) providing access to/ from a building for use by both private and public carparks should be included in the GFA calculation. For the avoidance of doubt, any parking provision on open areas of a site, or on an open podium roof, need not be measured for GFA.
(iv)
(v) (b)
Public Transport Terminus (PTT) The BA would take the advice of the Planning Department in determining the effect of excluding PTT from GFA calculation on the infrastructure, density and building bulk. As Planning Department has advised that the town planning intention is that all PTT should count for GFA calculation unless otherwise provided for in the relevant town plan, hence as a general rule, unless otherwise specified in the relevant town plan or any specific planning approval for the site, all PTT should be accountable for GFA.
(c)
Loading and Unloading Areas Areas for loading/unloading purposes would only qualify for exclusion from measurement of GFA if they are directly associated with spaces specifically earmarked for parking of motor vehicles for loading and unloading purposes and in accordance with the minimum requirements as specified in lease conditions or the HKPSG, whichever is the less. For instance, areas set aside for loading/unloading detached container boxes in a container yard should be measured for GFA.
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Ref. : BD GP/BREG/P/9 (VII) First issue December 1974 Last revision July 2006 This revision April 2007 (AD/NB1) (Paragraph 12 revised) Index under : B(P)R 23(3) Calculation of Gross Floor Area and Non-accountable Gross Floor Area Cladding Curtain wall system Gross Floor Area Calculations Gross Floor Area Exclusions Non-accountable Gross Floor Area
APP-2
EXTERNAL WALL OF THE BUILDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEASUREMENT OF G..F.A./SITE COVERAGE
EXTERNAL WALL OF THE BUILDING FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEASUREMENT OF G..F.A./SITE COVERAGE
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-3 14
Buildings Department
Nomination of an Authorized Person, Registered Structural Engineer or Registered Geotechnical Engineer to act in stead When an authorized person (AP), registered structural engineer (RSE) or registered geotechnical engineer (RGE), who has been appointed in respect of building or street works, is incapacitated by illness or proposes to be temporarily absent from Hong Kong, a temporary replacement should be nominated by submission of Form BA21 within 7 days. Buildings Ordinance section 4(2) and Building (Administration) Regulation 23(2) refer. 2. While an AP, RSE or RGE may be appointed in respect of more than one active project (i.e. with works in progress and/or applications currently or about to be lodged with the Buildings Department (BD)), the AP, RSE or RGE nominating a temporary replacement should (a) complete and submit one Form BA21 for all active projects as defined above, a list of which is to be given in the Form to be submitted in duplicate; in the case of a RSE or a RGE appointed in respect of more than one project under different APs, submit one Form BA21 for all active projects under each AP. A list of the respective projects is to be given in the Form which should be signed by the AP concerned; advise the nominee that if it is necessary for him to communicate with BD in respect of any of the listed active projects he should on every such occasion make brief reference to the fact that he does so under the authority of an earlier submission of Form BA21; advise the nominee that he cannot further nominate another AP/RSE/RGE to act in his stead, and advise BD by letter within 7 days that the arrangements covered by Form BA21 have ceased if he recovers from illness, or return from overseas before the expiry date of the temporary replacement given in the Form.
(b)
(c)
(d) (e)
3. Under section 4(2) of the Buildings Ordinance, an AP/RSE/RGE may nominate another AP/RSE/RGE to act in his stead ONLY under the following circumstances :(i) (ii) the period must be temporary; AND he is unable to act by reason of his illness or absence from Hong Kong /4..
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4. To avoid ambiguity and abuse of the Buildings Ordinance, Building Authority (BA) considers that an acting period exceeding 3 months or at frequent intervals is not temporary and such nomination may not be accepted by BA. Under such circumstances, the owner may be advised to appoint another AP/RSE/RGE. 5. Upon receipt of an application, Buildings Department will formally acknowledge the Form BA21 with a copy to the owner informing him the period and reason of acting.
Ref : BD GR/CC/21 BD GP/BORD/75 First issue December 1974 Last revision August 2002 This revision December 2005 (AD/Sup) (General amendments to include RGE) Index under : AP, RSE or RGE - Nomination thereof to act instead B(A)R 23(2) - Nomination of an AP, RSE or RGE to act instead BOs 4(2) - Nomination of an AP, RSE or RGE to act instead Nomination of AP, RSE or RGE to act instead
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-4 17
Buildings Department
Practice Note for Authorised Persons and Registered Structural Engineers Water Supply and Wells
Where a development depends on a source of water supply other than from the waterworks, the adequacy and probable effects of the supply should be closely investigated before any design work is started. Application to the Water Authority for the issue of a Certificate Regarding Water Supply Availability should be made early and such certificate should be submitted together with the first submission of building plans. 2. Where the Water Authority certifies (on Form WWO 1004 or current equivalent) under Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulation 10A(5) that a supply of water from the waterworks is not available, permission may be considered upon application to obtain water from a well or other sources. Assessment of Demand 3. Demand for flushing and potable water should be assessed with regard to Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulation 10A(4). "Potable water" refers to a supply of water for the purposes of Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulation 10A(2). Flushing Supply 4. The quantity of flushing water required should be assessed in accordance with the following standards : User Domestic buildings Offices, factories, department stores, shops, public buildings and other nondomestic buildings of a like nature Restaurants Cinemas Schools Hotels and boarding houses Unit per number of required soil fitment per day per number of required soil fitment per day per seat per day per seat per day per head per day per room per day Average Demand 450 450 litres litres
/Potable Supply ..
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Potable Supply 5. In view of the diversity and degree of fluctuation in demand, potable supply should be assessed on individual merits and should be satisfactory and sufficient in all respects for the purposes for which potable water is supplied. Where in doubt, the Water Authority should be consulted. For Air-conditioning 6. The Water Authority has advised that neither a fresh nor a salt mains water supply will be provided for evaporative type air-conditioning, except where required in connection with a specific industrial process, and then only for the immediate needs of that process. Wells 7. Normally, wells may not be sunk on government land. Permission under Building (Construction) Regulation 85 to sink a well in private land will be given only where : (a) (b) 8. following : (a) the well yield is adequate; and the water abstraction will not adversely affect nearby services, buildings, structures or land. An application for permission to sink a well should be accompanied by the a plan, including cross-sections, showing the proposed well relative to any services, buildings, structures and land within the area of groundwater drawdown likely to be caused by the water extraction, existing ground conditions in the area and any changes to such conditions to result from the development for which this well is required; a plan showing details of the well design, including well screen and electrode switching devices, if any, and a statement of the proposed well development method; a statement of the proposed rate and duration of water extraction per day; and a proposal for carrying out a well yield test.
(b)
(c) (d)
9. If these cannot demonstrate that the nearby services, buildings, structures or land will not be affected, the following additional particulars prepared by a Registered Geotechnical Engineer shall be required : /(a) a site..
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(a)
a site investigation report specific to the proposed well construction, with drillhole logs embracing the site area, including measurement of groundwater/piezometric levels and field permeability tests; a geotechnical assessment, supported by calculations, of the effect of the proposed water extraction, in both the short and long term, on affected services, buildings, structures or land. The assessment should include groundwater changes, ground movements and stability of adjacent buildings, structures and land as appropriate; and if necessary, a detailed proposal for conducting field tests either separately or in conjunction with the yield test, to verify assumptions and predictions made in (b) above.
(b)
(c)
10. There are certain areas in the territory where, because of the geological conditions, it is not advisable to sink wells to extract groundwater as this is likely to cause excessive settlement. The Water Authority has agreed that flushing water will normally be supplied whenever possible within these areas, which at present include Yuen Long Town in Area Number 2 and Ma On Shan in Area Number 4 of the Scheduled Areas. Well Yield Test 11. Where the period of pumping is to be less than 12 hours per day, the manner and method of testing described in Appendix A are approved for the purposes of Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulation 10A(7). Where the required quantity of water cannot be obtained with less than 12 hours pumping per day or where there is concern over the long-term yield of a well, a more sophisticated test may be required. For such cases, approval may be sought for other methods, as recommended in BS 6316:1983, to be used. 12. Both the Buildings Department and the Geotechnical Engineering Office should be notified in writing at least one week before the commencement of any well yield test. Certificates as to Supply of Water 13. The Certificates required to be made by authorized persons under Building (Administration) Regulation 25A will be accepted in the model forms suggested at Appendix B (for permanent connection) and Appendix C (in accordance with Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulation 10A(7)). One extra copy of reports on well yield tests should be submitted for the Geotechnical Information Unit of the Civil Engineering Library via the Geotechnical Engineering Office. /The water..
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14. The water quality of potable water supply should be to the satisfaction of the Building Authority. In this connection, a water sample examination report (obtainable from the Water Authority on application), or other acceptable evidence, may be required.
Ref. : BD GR/BL/P/3 GC 4/16/21 BD GP/BORD/75 First issue January 1975 Last revision March 1994 This revision December 2005 (AD/Sup, DH(I)/CEDD) (Paras. 9 & 10 and Annex I to Appendix A amended) Index under : B(A)R 25A - Water Supply Certificate B(SSF,P,DW&L)R - Water Supply Flushing Water Demand, Assessment of Water Supply, from Well or Other Sources Well Yield Test
1. A yield test on a well shall be carried out only during the period from 1 December to 30 April. 2. The well yield test shall be carried out over a period of seven consecutive days. The rate of pumping for the first to the sixth day shall be the proposed daily yield averaged over the proposed daily pumping period for the well. This shall not be more than 12 hours per day, to permit at least a 12 hour daily recovery period. (See paragraph 5 for the pumping rate on the seventh day). 3. The actual quantity of water pumped each day shall be measured by a water meter. The quantity pumped shall not be calculated from the rated output of the pump. 4. The water level in the well, measured from the ground surface, shall be read at least 24 hours before the start of the test, immediately before the start and immediately before the end of pumping each day. For the first and the sixth day of pumping, the water level shall also be measured, with respect to the time when pumping commences, at 1-minute intervals for the first 10 minutes, every 10 minutes from 10 to 120 minutes and every 1 hours thereafter for the duration of pumping. 5. An examination for suspended soil particles in the pumped water shall be made on the seventh day, at the full discharge rate of the installed pump and at the maximum drawdown level. 6. The water pumped from the well shall be discharged into a proper drain or water course and not into any position where it can percolate back into the well or the aquifer. Notes (a) This test is used only to ascertain that the quantity of water required is available, to test the recharge and recovery of groundwater and to test the adequacy of the well screen and filter pack to prevent excessive soil loss. The duration of pumping per day should be long enough to provide the required daily well yield. Under no circumstances should it be assumed that, because the required flow can be met for part of a 24-hour period, it can continue to be met for a 24-hour day for 7 days per week. The test results are acceptable if the quantity of water pumped each day is not less than the required daily quantity and there is adequate recovery of groundwater after the pumping is stopped each day, and the pumped water is clean when examined as in paragraph 5 above. Well yield test results should be recorded in the form at Annex I.
(b)
(c)
(d)
Annex I to Appendix A (PNAP 17) (APP-4) RECORDS OF WELL YIELD TEST 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. on 6. Quantity of flushing/potable* water required per day = Depth of well = bottom of screen Diameter of well = m. (Depth to : top of screen = = m.) mm. ). m. (taken litres. m.)
Type of pump : surface/submersible* (Make/Model No. Groundwater level at 24 hours before test = ).
For test carried out in accordance with the procedure described in Appendix A to PNAP 17. Quantity of water abstracted (litres)
Date
Hours pumped
* Delete as appropriate.
(Rev. 12/2005)
(Model Certificate) Certificate by an Authorized Person Regarding Connection of Water Supply Building (Administration) Regulations Regulation 25A (1)(b)(i)/(1)(c)/(2(b)(i)/(2)(c)* To : The Building Authority BD Ref. : _______________________________ Address : _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Lot No. : _______________________________
Date : ______________________
Connection of (Flushing/Potable)* Water Supply from (Well/Source other than Well)* I hereby certify that a permanent connection to the above building of a supply of water from (a well/other source (state source)* has been made in accordance with Regulation 10A(1)/(2)* of the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations.
Signed __________________________________________ Authorized Person Full Name in block letter __________________________________________ Certificate of Registration No. ________________ Expiry date _______________ * State as appropriate.
Appendix C (PNAP 17) (APP-4) (Model Certificate) Well Yield Test Certificate Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulation 10A(7)(c) To : The Building Authority BD Ref. : _______________________________ Address : _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Lot No. : _______________________________ Date : ____________________
I hereby certify that a Well Yield Test has been carried out in accordance with the approved well plan and the standard procedure described in Appendix A of Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers No. 17 (or state other approved alternative method)* and that the results shown in Annex I attached are a true record.
Signed __________________________________________ Authorized Person Full Name in block letter __________________________________________ Certificate of Registration No. ________________ Expiry date _______________ * State as appropriate.
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-5 27
Buildings Department
Height of Storeys Building (Planning) Regulations 3(3) & 24 This practice note clarifies the measurement of storey heights for the purposes of Building (Planning) Regulations (B(P)R) 3(3) and 24. 2. It is the established practice of the Buildings Department to measure storey heights, in terms of B(P)R 24, between structural members regardless of finishes such as false ceilings, screeding, plastering and flooring. The same principle applies in measuring the clear height of balconies in terms of B(P)R 3(3). 3. In the case of peripheral beams in walls, it may be difficult to adhere to the required minimum height of 2.3 m to the underside. Accordingly, where beams project internally from the face of external walls, a height of 2 m is permissible. Similarly, the regulation should not inhibit provision of beams over doorways. These may be provided at the required door height. 4. Although the minimum height applies generally to any part of building used as an office or for habitation, it is recognized that the minimum clear height in staircases is 2 m and that beams across narrow corridors (where a doorway could have been provided) need only be at the appropriate door height. This is the "notional doorway" situation. 5. Please note that 2.5 m is the minimum height for environmental reasons. A greater height would be preferable for occupants, especially in domestic buildings.
(Helen C P Lai YU) Building Authority Ref. : BD GP/BREG/P/14 First issued February 1976 This revision May 1994 (AD/D) Index under : B(P)R 3 & 24 - Height of storeys Height of storeys - B(P)R 3 & 24
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE PRACTICE NOTE FOR AUTHORIZED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
APP-6 41
Shops and Department Stores Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulation 5 By virtue of sub-regulation (5)(a) of this regulation, the number of persons employed or likely to be employed in a shop or department store shall be a matter for the Building Authority to determine. 2. Accordingly, for the purposes of determining the number of persons for whom sanitary fitments should be provided in shops and department stores the determination shall be at the rate of 1 person for every 15 square metres of usable floor area. 3. The ratio of males to females for the purpose of sub-regulation (5)(c) should be assumed to be 1:1 except that where a department store is designed for a particular company or firm and it is known that the number of males to females which will be employed by them is other than 1:1, this may be so stated in the schedule of sanitary fitments incorporated in the plans and provision made accordingly. 4. For the purpose of assessing usable floor area any storage space over part of a shop need not be included, where, however, there is a complete floor over a shop accessible only from the shop the area of this should be included in the area of the shop for determining the sanitary fitment facilities to be provided.
Ref. : BLD(B) GP/BREG/SF/2 First issued July 1977 This update January 1990 (GBS/D) Index under : B(SSFPDW&L)R 5(5)(a) - Shops and Department Stores Shops and Department Stores - assessment of sanitary fitments
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-7 43
Buildings Department
Application for Registration as Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers Under section 3 of the Buildings Ordinance (BO), the Building Authority (BA) shall keep an authorized persons register, a structural engineers register and a geotechnical engineers register. This practice note sets out the registration requirements for authorized persons (AP), registered structural engineers (RSE) and registered geotechnical engineers (RGE). Requirements for Registration as AP/RSE/RGE 2. Under section 3(7) of the BO, a person must not be included in the AP/RSE/RGE register unless: (a) (b) he has obtained the prescribed qualifications; and he is recommended by the respective Registration Committee for inclusion.
Qualifications for Registration as AP/RSE/RGE under Building (Administration) Regulation 3 3. follows: The prescribed qualifications for registration as AP, RSE or RGE are as (a) A person shall not be included in the AP register unless he is a registered architect, a registered professional engineer (RPE) in the structural or civil engineering discipline or a registered professional surveyor; A person shall not be included in the RSE register unless he is an RPE in the structural or the civil engineering discipline, and in the latter case unless he has such practical experience in structural engineering as may be approved by the Registration Committee; or Save for the transitional arrangements described in paragraphs 8 and 11 below, a person shall not be included in the RGE register unless he is an RPE in the geotechnical engineering discipline; and /(d) ..
(b)
(c)
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(d)
In addition the person should have, for a continuous period of 1 year within the 3 years preceding the date of his application, had such practical experience gained in Hong Kong as the Registration Committee considers appropriate.
Registration Committees 4. Under section 3(5) of the BO, the BA is to establish 3 panels with sufficient members from whom he is to appoint committees to be known respectively as Authorized Persons Registration Committees (APRC), Structural Engineers Registration Committees (SERC) and Geotechnical Engineers Registration Committees (GERC). 5. The function of the Registration Committee is to assist the BA in considering applications for inclusion in the relevant register. The Registration Committee will examine the qualifications and experience of the applicants and conduct professional interviews with the applicants. Professional Interviews 6. The scope of professional interviews for AP, RSE and RGE is detailed in Appendix A. Application for Registration as AP/RSE/RGE 7. Application for registration as AP, RSE and RGE should be submitted in the specified form (Form BA 1) together with the prescribed application fee. In preparing the application documents, applicants should make reference to the Advisory Notes for Completion of Form BA 1 which is distributed with the specified form. Transitional Arrangement for RPE in the Structural or Civil Engineering Discipline to Apply for Registration as RGE 8. The registration system for RGE is established under the Buildings (Amendment) Ordinance 2004. Upon commencement of this new registration system for RGE on 31 December 2004, an RPE in the structural or civil engineering discipline may, within 12 months, i.e. on or before 30 December 2005, apply for registration as RGE under section 53I of the BO, so long as the applicant complies with the following conditions: (a) He has such practical experience in geotechnical engineering as may be approved by the GERC; and /(b) ..
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(b)
For a continuous period of 1 year within the 3 years immediately preceding the date of his application, he has had such practical experience in geotechnical engineering gained in Hong Kong as the GERC considers appropriate.
9. Applicants complying with paragraph 8 above shall be deemed to have satisfied the prescribed qualifications for registration as RGE. The applicants are required to attend a professional interview conducted by the GERC. The scope of the professional interview is detailed in Appendix A. 10. Upon registration as RGE through the above transitional arrangement, the registration shall be valid for 3 years provided that he remains as an RPE in the structural or civil engineering discipline. However, RGE registered through this arrangement shall, within 3 years from the date of registration as RGE, obtain the qualification of RPE in the geotechnical engineering discipline in order to apply for renewal of his registration. Transitional Arrangement for AP in the List of Engineers and RSE to Apply for Registration as RGE 11. Upon commencement of the registration system for RGE on 31 December 2004, AP in the list of engineers and RSE may, within 12 months, i.e. on or before 30 December 2005, apply for registration as an RGE under section 53I of the BO. If the applicant complies with the conditions specified in section 53I(2)(a) of the BO and the detailed requirements as stipulated in PNAP 293 on Registration of Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers as Registered Geotechnical Engineers, the applicant shall be deemed to have satisfied the prescribed qualifications for registration as RGE. The BA will consider the applications without seeking the advice of the GERC. Attendance of professional interview with the GERC is therefore not required. Upon registration as RGE through this arrangement, the registration will be valid for 5 years which is renewable as long as his name remains in the register of AP/RSE. Retention and Restoration of Names in the Registers 12. Save for the RGE registered through the transitional arrangement mentioned in paragraphs 8 to 10 above, the registration of AP, RSE or RGE shall be valid for 5 years. 13. An application for retention of name in a register (i.e. renewal of registration) should be submitted in the specified form (Form BA 1A) in accordance with sections 3(9B) and 3(9C) of the BO. Retention applications received by the BA outside the specified time limit (i.e. not earlier than 4 months and not later than 28 days prior to the date of expiry of the relevant registration) under section 3(9C)(b) of the BO will not be accepted. /14. ..
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14. A person whose name is removed from a register under section 3(11A), 3(11B) or 3(11C) of the BO may, within 2 years beginning on the date the relevant registration expires, apply for restoration of his name to the relevant register. Application for restoration should also be submitted in the specified form (Form BA 1B) in accordance with sections 3(12) and 3(13) of the BO.
Ref: BD GR/AP/21 BD GR/CC/57 First issue: August 1977 Last revision: July 1994 (AD/SE, AD/LM) This revision: effective from 31 December 2004 (AD/Sup) Registration of RGE added. Overall content revised. Index under: Registration of AP, RSE & RGE AP, SE & GE Registration Committees BOs3(5A)(c) Professional Interview Scope of Professional Interviews for Registration as AP, RSE & RGE Transitional Arrangements for Registration as RGE Retention and Restoration of AP, RSE & RGE
Appendix A (PNAP 43) (APP-7) Scope of Professional Interviews for Registration as AP, RSE and RGE An applicant must satisfy the Registration Committee on his suitability for inclusion in the relevant register for which he applies. In this context, an applicant has to demonstrate that he has adequate practical experience and general knowledge in his profession to meet local requirements and to discharge his duties in Hong Kong. He will also be expected to have acquired a working knowledge of the BO and allied matters: the main criterion is a thorough understanding of general principles and fundamental requirements. 2. The principal subjects upon which the Registration Committee is likely to test an applicant's knowledge include: (a) (b) The objectives of the BO and Regulations and the mechanism of control; The statutory role, functions and duties of an AP, RSE or RGE, as the case may be, and those of the BA in respect of private building development in Hong Kong; Sufficient general awareness of local conditions to practise efficiently and effectively in Hong Kong without having to make frequent enquiries on matters of common local knowledge; For registration as AP: A working knowledge of the BO and Regulations, relevant codes of practice and such allied matters as the Town Planning Ordinance and outline zoning plans, lease conditions and the usual requirements of other authorities relevant to an AP in Hong Kong; (An applicant should therefore be familiar with all the processes from the evaluation of development potential of a private lot through to the issue of an occupation permit.) (e) For registration as RSE: A working knowledge of the BO and in particular those Regulations and relevant codes of practice pertinent to the design and supervision of structural works;
(c)
(d)
/(f) ..
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(f)
For registration as RGE: A working knowledge of the BO and in particular those Regulations, relevant codes of practice, geotechnical standards and technical guidance documents pertinent to the design and supervision of geotechnical works;
(g) (h)
The procedures for an AP, RSE or RGE to follow in order to meet local statutory requirements; and Practice notes, circular letters and other advisory information published by government departments which are relevant to an AP, RSE or RGE.
Reference Materials 3. A list of legislation and publications affecting the building industry can be found in Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 115.
(Rev. 12/2004)
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Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-8 45
Buildings Department
Chimneys and Flues A chimney is a building as defined in the Buildings Ordinance. Chimneys and flues should not only be structurally stable but also be protected from corrosion. Structural Design 2. For the structural design of a chimney, special attention should be given to the following points : (a) Wind load Provision for wind-excited oscillations should be given and analyzed by aerodynamic methods. For circular chimneys the simplified method in Appendix A may be adopted. (b) Steel chimneys (i) Design should be in accordance with the appropriate provisions in the Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel with the modifications given in BS 4076:1989. To control buckling, the allowable compressive stress in the chimney structure should be taken as 115 MPa in the case of a chimney with effective height to diameter ratio of less than 21 and diameter to thickness ratio of less than 130; it should be further reduced for higher aspect ratios. The 25% increase in allowable stresses due to wind load should not be applied to the design of the chimney. (iii) Reduction coefficient should be applied to the allowable stresses in steel where the temperature is higher than 315C. Guys ropes provided as anchorage to a chimney should be positioned at a minimum distance of 3 m below the outlet of the chimney to avoid the corrosion action of the emergent combustion products. /In....
----
(ii)
(iv)
In view of the practical problems associated with examination and maintenance, the guy ropes should not be considered in strength and stability calculations. (v) Brackets constructed to provide resistance to lateral displacement of the chimney and/or supporting part or all of the weight of the chimney should be positioned at distances not exceeding 6 m apart. Materials, design and construction of the brackets should comply with the appropriate provisions of the Building (Construction) Regulations.
Construction and Corrosion Protection 3. For construction and corrosion protection of chimneys and flues, the relevant parts of BS 4076:1989, BS 4543:Part 2 and Part 3:1990 and BS 5854:1980 should be followed. Attention should also be given to the following points : (a) Height of chimney and flue A chimney or flue should terminate in such a position that the products of combustion cannot enter nearby windows or other openings, fresh air inlets, mechanical ventilation inlets or exhausts. The disposition is considered satisfactory if its height is approved by the Director of Environmental Protection under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, Cap. 311, subject to a minimum of 3 m above the highest point of its own roof or of any adjoining structure, whichever is the higher. (b) Heat transmission A chimney or flue should be so placed and shielded as to be accessible by maintenance personnel only. It should also be so placed, shielded and as necessary insulated that the temperature of the exposed faces would not cause danger to any person or any part of any building. The acceptable temperature is different in each case according to the materials of the nearby parts of any building and the use of the surrounding areas. The insulation required depends on the acceptable temperature and the type and rate of fuel used. It is impossible to specify common standards. Calculations and justification should therefore be provided in each case to verify compliance with the Building (Construction) Regulations. In this connection, BS 5854:1980 provides some guidelines. /(c) Corrosion ....
Both the exterior and interior surfaces of a steel chimney or flue should have satisfactory protective treatment in accordance with BS 4076:1989. Allowance for corrosion should be made in the shell in addition to the thickness obtained from calculations for structural stability. Normally, allowance of 3 mm would be required for chimneys externally fitted with waterproof insulation or cladding and internally lined and protected. For unprotected chimneys, 4.5 mm should be provided for a design life of ten years and 8 mm for 20 years. Unprotected oil-fired steel chimneys are not recommended. (d) Bimetallic action Bimetallic action could adversely affect a chimney or flue, and should be avoided. If it is essential in the design that two dissimilar metals have to be connected, a suitable nonconductive and water-impervious film or agent should be placed between them.
Ref. : BD GP/BREG/C/12/A First issued September 1977 This revision July 1994 (AD/SE) Index under : Chimneys
PNAP 45 Appendix A APP-8 Wind-excited Oscillations of Circular Chimneys Flexible slender structures are subject to oscillations due to wind action. It has been found that chimneys of circular cross section oscillate more strongly across wind than along wind. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the along wind oscillation will not cause stresses greater than those calculated for the forces in the 1983 edition of the Code of Practice on Wind Effects. For across wind oscillation, the following simplified approach adapted from BS 4076:1989 may be applied : (a) The Strouhal critical velocity V cr for the chimney is to be determined by :Vcr = 5Dt where is the natural frequency of the chimney on its foundations (in Hz), to be calculated analytically or by the following approximate formula in case of a regular cone : Ws 500 (3Db-Dt) W = h2 and h Dt Db W Ws (b) is the height of chimney (in m) is the diameter at top (in m) is the diameter at bottom (in m) is the mass per meter height at top of structural shell including lining or encasing, if any (in kg) is the mass per meter height at top of structural shell excluding lining (in kg)
If Vcr exceeds the design wind velocity given by equation (4) in the 1983 edition of the Code of Practice on Wind Effects, severe oscillation is unlikely and no further calculation is required.
- 2 (c) If V cr is less than the design wind velocity, the tendency to oscillate C may be estimated by the following empirical formula : 10Dt2 0.6 + K W 1.5 + Dt
where K
is the calculated deflection (in m) at the top of the chimney for unit distributed load of 1 kPa is 3.5 for all welded construction, 3.0 for welded with flanged and bolted joints and 2.5 for bolted riveted or all riveted.
(d)
If C is less than 1, severe oscillation is unlikely. If C is between 1 and 1.3 the design wind pressure for the chimney should be increased by a factor C If C is above 1.3 the fitting of stabilizers or dampers should be provided to control oscillations.
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE
APP-9 47
Country Parks Ordinance, Cap 208 Buildings Ordinance section 16(1)(d) Since the first publication of this practice note the Country Parks Authority has considerably increased the number of designated or proposed country parks and special areas to which section 10 (1) of the Ordinance applies. 2. Authorized persons (APs) and registered structural engineers (RSEs) are also reminded that section 10(1) provides that : "After the publication of a notice by the Authority under section 9(1), no new development shall be carried out within the area of the proposed country park shown in the draft map without the prior approval of the Authority." 3. Notwithstanding any action which the Country Parks Authority may take in respect of proposals for new development of land that falls within a designated or proposed country park or special area, Buildings Ordinance section 16 (1)(d) may be invoked to reject any such proposals unless and until the prior approval of the Country Parks Authority has been obtained. Failure to comply with any conditions attached to the Country Parks Authority's approval may likewise result in the proposals being so rejected. It is therefore in the interest of all concerned that, upon application in respect of the development of a site to which the Country Parks Ordinance applies, that the Country Park Authority be consulted as soon as possible. 4. APs and RSEs should therefore familiarize the locations of all country parks and in this respect copies of plans, showing the locations and boundaries of such, may be purchased from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
(A.G. Eason) Building Authority Ref. : BLD(B) GP/LEG/23 First issued March 1978 This update January 1990 (GBS/D) Index under : BO s16(1)(d) - Country Parks Ordinance, Cap 208 Country Parks Ordinance, Cap 208
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-10 48
Buildings Department
Oil Storage Installations Building (Oil Storage Installations) Regulations An oil storage installation is defined in section 2(1) of the Buildings Ordinance as any tank having a capacity of not less than 110,000 litres or a group of tanks (within the same cluster or bunded area) any one of which has a capacity of not less than 110,000 litres, constructed above ground level for the purpose of storing petroleum products. 2. The construction of an oil storage installation should not commence without having first obtained approval and consent under section 14(1) of the Buildings Ordinance. 3. An above-ground oil storage installation will be deemed to satisfy the requirements of the Building (Oil Storage Installations) Regulations (the 'B(OSI)R') if it meets the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Oil Storage Installations 1992. 4. An oil storage installation should not commence operation before a licence to do so has been granted under the Regulations. 5. All existing oil storage installations and their associated works should have been licensed under the Regulations. Any new installation and its associated works will require a licence. Any alterations and additions (including a new tank) to an existing installation or its associated works will require an endorsement in the licence for the installation. As a prerequisite to the granting of a licence for a new installation, the following documents in respect of the proposed operation instructions of the installation and its associated works should be submitted for agreement : (a) six copies of the proposed operation instructions in English and one copy in Chinese (Although for licensing purposes the operation instructions are written in English, it is essential that they should also be written in Chinese to ensure clear understanding of the operation by each grade of personnel); and one set of the general arrangement plans.
(b)
In the case of an endorsement of alterations and additions in the licence of an existing installation where operation changes are proposed, amended operation instructions and general arrangement plans should also be submitted for agreement.
/6.It should
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6. It should be noted that an occupation permit and a certificate of general inspection are required prior to the granting of a licence for new installations. For new tanks in an existing licensed installation, the original licence should be returned with the application for endorsement. The licence is renewed annually and the application must be accompanied by the certificates of external inspection of the tanks as required under Regulation 8(1)(b) of the B(OSI)R, in the form as attached at Appendix B, and certificate of inspection of the associated works as required by Regulation 8(1)(c) of the B(OSI)R, in the form as attached at Appendix C. 7. In addition, in accordance with Regulation 8(1)(a) of the B(OSI)R, a general inspection must be carried out of all tanks internally not later than the tenth year in the life of the tank. Thereafter, such inspection shall be carried out once in the fifth year after the year in which the first inspection was carried out. Each certificate of general inspection of a tank must be issued immediately after the inspection, in the form as attached at Appendix A, to the licensee who shall then deliver it to the Building Authority. 8. For the repair of or the alteration and addition to an existing installation, two copies of the proposals, signed by a registered structural engineer, should be submitted in order to obtain written authorization, as required under Regulation 10 of the B(OSI)R. Where the repair works are considered to be extensive on the basis of the fact and special circumstances of the particular case, or where the alteration and addition involve non-exempted building works, approval under section 14(1) of the Buildings Ordinance should also be sought. The normal requirements and procedures under the Buildings Ordinance for carrying out building works apply. 9. There have been cases where partially constructed tanks are damaged during a typhoon. Suitable precautionary measures should therefore be adopted during the construction or repair of tanks in anticipation of unfavourable weather conditions. 10. Demolition of the whole or any part of an oil storage installation must be carried out in such a manner as to minimize the risk of environmental pollution, fire or explosion. A clear statement of the method of demolition to be employed should be submitted for agreement and be to the satisfaction of the Building Authority before, or with, the application for consent to commence work or the application for written authorization, as the case may be. The guidelines and procedures as stipulated in the attached Appendix D (Guidance Notes on Demolition Methods of Oil Storage Installations) and Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 71 (Demolition Works - Measures for Public Safety) should be taken into account in the design of the demolition methods. ( CHEUNG Hau-wai ) Building Authority Ref. : BD GP/BREG/A/6/1 (II) First issue May 1978 Last revision March 1996 This revision August 2007 (AD/NB2) - Sections 1(a) and 12 in Appendix D revised Index under : Building (Oil Storage Installations) Regulations Oil Storage Installations
APP-10
APP-10
Appendix C (PNAP 48) AUTHORITY OF HONG KONG BUILDINGS ORDINANCE (Chapter 123) BUILDING (OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS) REGULATIONS Regulation 8(1)(c) Certificate of Inspection of Associated Works
(APP-10)
To the Building Authority, In accordance with the provisions of Regulation 8(1)(c) of the Building (Oil Storage Installations) Regulations, I Structural Engineer, hereby CERTIFY that I have inspected/supervised the , Registered inspection on
_____________________
fit for use for a further twelve months and the repairs listed in paragraph 2 below are required. unfit for use until the repairs listed in paragraph 2 below are completed to my satisfaction. 2. The following repairs to the associated works are required :
Appendix D (PNAP 48) (APP-10) Guidance Notes on Demolition Methods of Oil Storage Installations Environmental Impacts 1. In order to minimize the environmental impacts arising from the demolition of oil storage installations, the guidelines and procedures stipulated in the following documents should be taken into account in the design of the demolition methods : (a) Environmental Protection Department Guidance Note for Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation, Professional Persons Environmental Consultative Committee Practice Note 1/93 and Practice Note 2/93 on Noise from Construction Activities, obtainable from the Technical Secretary of the Environmental Protection Department; Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 144 on Control of Environmental Nuisance from Construction Sites; and The Air Pollution Control Ordinance on the submission of Asbestos Investigation Report and Asbestos Management Plan, if disposal of asbestos waste is involved.
(b)
(c)
Protection Hoarding 2. The work area is to be enclosed with a suitable hoarding to prevent unauthorized access. Where only part of an oil storage installation is to be demolished, or where the oil storage installation is to be demolished in stages, a fire screen should be erected to separate the part being demolished from the remainder of the storage facility in operation. Gas Freeing 3. Full precautionary measures as recommended in the Institute of Petroleum Marketing Safety Code should be carried out. A formal system of permit-to-work must be exercised on site by the demolition contractor. Precautions should be taken to prevent fire or explosion caused by gas and vapour particularly when removing tanks or pipes which might have contained flammable liquid or gas. 4. All pipes and tanks should be certified gas-free by a competent person. A competent person in this respect is a person who has successfully completed a training program established and maintained in accordance with standard industry practices. /This ..
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This training program can be conducted by qualified industry personnel within a company or by a qualified commercial firm. In either case, the company contracting/hiring/utilizing the competent person will be responsible for the judgement of the competency of an individual. The qualification course should include a specific program of training skills to be developed; a regular course of instruction; a means to evaluate the successful completion of the course; and a formal certification process to confirm that the individual is competent to perform the gas-freeing of an oil storage tank prior to demolition. The evaluation can consist of a written test; hands-on performance to pre-determined skill standards; or a combination of the two. The Standing Advisory Committee established by regulation 4 of the Building (Oil Storage Installations) Regulations may review the adequacy of the training. Sludge and Chemical Waste 5. The type of sludge and chemical waste that will arise from the demolition work should be identified and arrangements made for its disposal. Disposal will have to comply with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulations. Discharge of Waste Water 6. Where tanks or pipes are to be emptied or removed, precautionary measures should be taken to avoid the spillage of any petroleum products which may cause contamination to the ground. Any contaminated materials such as absorbent or cleaning stuffs should be disposed of properly. The drainage system and the oil interceptors should be kept intact and maintained in a serviceable condition until all the tanks, pipes and sludge have been removed. 7. Except during discharge of effluent in accordance with the operating procedures of the oil interceptors, the seaboard valves on the oil interceptors should remain closed and locked at all times during demolition until all the tanks, pipes and sludge have been removed. Discharges of effluent from oil interceptors must comply with the conditions of any licence under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance governing the standard and quantity of effluent discharged from that oil storage installation. Bunded Areas 8. As far as possible the demolition of floors and walls of the bunded area should not commence before all tanks and pipes spills have been removed. Where this is not possible adequate precautions must be taken to prevent the possibility of petroleum products escaping to the environment. Programme of Work 9. When part of the oil storage installation will be in operation during demolition work, due safety consideration must be taken for the operating environment and the demolition work should be programmed accordingly. The agreed operation instructions should be complied with at all times. /Drainage ..
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Drainage 10. Precautions should be taken to avoid contaminated washing water or other liquids from entering the storm drainage system, either accidentally during heavy and violent rainstorms or deliberately as a result of washing down. A plan of the storm drains should be available on site at all times. Extreme Weather Conditions 11. Consideration should be given to the possibility of extreme weather conditions occurring during demolition of the tanks, and suitable precautionary measures should be adopted. Contamination Assessment Report 12. A contamination assessment report is required before the work commences. Guidelines on the preparation of a contamination assessment report are set out in Environmental Protection Department Guidance Note for Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation. The report shall include the following :(a) (b) information on activities carried out on site including those in the past if there were changes; an inventory of chemical/hazardous substances stored/used on site with the locations clearly shown on site diagrams and composition of hazardous substances precisely given; details of manufacturing processes if there are any; and soil sampling plan and analytical method that will be adopted.
(c) (d)
13. The contamination assessment helps to identify the specific lots of soil which are contaminated and need treatment or special disposal, or which can be disposed of in the normal manner. Relevant remedial work will be required wherever necessary. Soil Samples 14. After demolition of the above ground structures and facilities, tests on soil samples for hydrocarbons and lead content should be carried out as specified in the contamination assessment report.
(Rev. 8/2007)
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Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-11
49
Street Improvement Schemes Submission of Building Plans in respect of Lots affected thereby Notwithstanding the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance, Cap 370, any street improvement scheme approved before its enactment in 1982 remains valid. The following principles continue to apply to such schemes and lots affected thereby. Street Improvement Plans 2. Street improvement plans are only an indication of desirable improvements. They do not constitute any representation by Government that they will be implemented nor are they indicative that Government will resume the whole or any part of any property to implement any street improvement. 3. In this respect, the existence of an approved street improvement plan which may affect a property cannot be regarded as providing a basis upon which a property owner can claim for compensation or damages. Building Plans 4. The approval under the Buildings Ordinance of building plans which conform to an approved street improvement plan does not imply that the latter plan will be implemented, or that compensation or damages will be paid. 5. The approval under the Buildings Ordinance of building plans which do not conform to an approved street improvement plan must however be regarded as entirely without prejudice to any action Government may take under any other enactment, including resumption of the whole or any part of the affected property. Generally 6. For development or re-development of a lot which appears to be affected by an approved street improvement scheme, it may save time and obviate possible abortive work if the authorized person makes an enquiry to the Highways Department to ascertain Government's intention, before embarking upon formal submission of building plans for approval. (A.G. Eason) Building Authority Ref. : BLD(B) GR/BL/TP/4 First issued May 1978 This update January 1990 (GBS/D) Index under : Street Improvement Schemes
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-12 50
Buildings Department
Prestressed Ground Anchors in Building Works The use of permanent prestressed ground anchors in a project imposes a long-term monitoring commitment on the maintenance parties which usually involves appreciable recurrent cost and, should deficiencies be revealed, remedial works may be difficult and expensive. The past records show that compliance with this criterion by the owners is not practically viable. For these reasons, Buildings Department takes the view that the permanent ground anchors requiring long term monitoring are short-lived temporary building works and the Building Authority has the power to refuse to accept such temporary building works for incorporation into a permanent building under the Buildings Ordinance. 2. In the exceptional circumstances where permanent prestressed ground anchors are considered acceptable, their provision and installation in building works should be in accordance with the requirements and procedures given in Appendix A.
Ref : BD GP/GEO/5 BD GP/BORD/A/19 First issue June 1978 Last revision October 1996 This revision January 1999 (AD/SE & GGE/I) - Para. 2 & Appendix A amended Index under : Ground Anchors Prestressed Ground Anchors in Building Works
In the exceptional circumstances where permanent prestressed ground anchors are considered acceptable, their provision and installation in building works should be in accordance with the requirements given in the Model Specification for Prestressed Ground Anchors (GEOSPEC 1). In conjunction with the publication of GEOSPEC 1, a Prior Approval System for Permanent Prestressed Ground Anchors (PASA), operated by the Geotechnical Engineering Office came into effect. The PASA confers a level of acceptance on proprietary ground anchor systems (Approved Anchor Systems) and on different types of ground anchors (Approved Anchor Types) within each Approved Anchor System. The object of the PASA is to ensure consistent and satisfactory standards in the provision of ground anchors and to save time for designers, contractors, suppliers and approving authorities in avoiding repetitive checking of the design of components and assembly details. The PASA therefore simplifies the processing of submissions for building works incorporating ground anchors. It must however be pointed out that the PASA does not remove any of the responsibilities of the authorized persons (AP) and registered structural engineers (RSE) under the Buildings Ordinance. Submissions including anchor systems not under the PASA may still be made in the usual way. Further details of the PASA, and definition of terms, are given in GEOSPEC 1. 2. A list of the current Approved Anchor Systems and Approved Anchor Types is available free from the Geotechnical Information Unit of the Civil Engineering Library. Copies may also be obtained by writing to the Technical Secretary of the Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering Department. 3. Approved Anchor Types in the Prior Approval list when supplied and installed in compliance with the relevant Prior Approval Documents are considered technically acceptable to the Building Authority. Where permanent prestressed ground anchors under the PASA are to be used in a private project, the RSE would normally be required to provide the following information in relation to the anchors in the submission for approval : (a) (b) a plan showing the location, inclination and length of the anchors required; the Anchor Class (as defined in GEOSPEC 1), design working load and design free anchor length of each anchor together with supporting justification including geotechnical information and design calculations; which anchors are to be subjected to Suitability Tests and Extended Acceptance Tests; the compressive movement which must be allowed for between the anchor pad and the fixed length during stressing; details of the anchor pad provision; and /(f).... -1-
(f)
arrangements for long-term monitoring, including the schedule for future monitoring, provision of access and the agreement of the relevant maintenance party that it is willing to undertake the required long-term monitoring and maintenance.
4. In addition, the RSE will be required to submit plans and sections of the proposed anchored structure showing site boundaries and geotechnical information together with his own anchor design calculations. The RSE will also be required to furnish with the submission, plans of all adjacent buried and surface public utility services and adjacent buried and surface structures and to demonstrate that anchors will not cause damages. Plans and design calculations relating to other works not related to anchors should be submitted in the usual manner. 5. Prior to consent application for works in relation to the anchors, the RSE should submit additional plans for approval, giving the name of the Approved Anchor System and the Approved Anchor Types adopted, the specification of any materials which may need to be replaced, the schedule and procedures for future monitoring and guidelines on the interpretation of future monitoring results; the name and experience of the anchor installation contractor to be employed should also be submitted. The installation contractor must be suitably experienced in the installation of the adopted Approved Anchor System and should therefore be selected from the list of Nominated Anchor Contractors as specified in the Prior Approval Documents for the Approved Anchor System. Conditions and requirements under Buildings Ordinance section 17(1) may be imposed for such standards of workmanship and qualified supervision as appropriate, and consent to the anchoring works may be refused if any of the above information is not provided to the satisfaction of the Building Authority or is in conflict with the requirements of the PASA. 6. For the purpose of checking on site the adequacy of the ground anchors, RSEs are advised to maintain a certified true copy of the full set of the Prior Approval Documents on site prior to commencement of the approved anchor works. The RSE shall ensure that the provision, installation, testing and monitoring of the anchors is in accordance with the Prior Approval Documents. 7. After installation of any anchor system, the RSE should submit to the Buildings Department (BD) an as built location drawing showing the full length and details of each anchor installed together with the following information, which may have been shown in the approved plans or required as conditions to consent : (a) (b) (c) (d) the name of the Approved Anchor System and Approved Anchor Type; the specification for any materials which may need to be replaced; the design load of each anchor; a summarized as built record of total length, bond length, free length, angle of inclination, descriptions of all strata encountered in drilling, quantity of grout injected and pressures, used for each anchor; /(e).... -2-
(e) (f)
the dates of all stages of installation, testings and monitoring; all anchor stressing records and test records including those for trial anchors, Suitability Tests, Acceptance and/or Extended Acceptance Tests; a record of the monitoring results taken to date; the schedule and procedures for future monitoring; and guidelines on the interpretation of future monitoring results.
8. Monitoring of prestressed ground anchors is essential throughout their service life to ensure their continued satisfactory performance. The requirements for monitoring are given in GEOSPEC 1. It is therefore essential that the parties responsible for subsequent maintenance are consulted and their agreement obtained before prestressed ground anchors are adopted and that they are provided with complete as built details. 9. In accordance with GEOSPEC 1, testing of existing grease in the anchor heads is to be undertaken during anchor monitoring, in addition to the normal anchor inspections and residual load measurement. During the past few years, the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) has received some queries on the method of determination of the chloride, nitrate and sulphide ion contents in the grease. The GEO has issued Corrigendum 1/98 (May) and Corrigendum 2/98 (September) to clarify the method of extraction of water-soluble ions and of the method of calculation of the soluble ion contents. These corrigenda are attached to the Appendix and AP/RSEs are requested to take these into account when undertaking work in the monitoring of prestressed ground anchors. 10. In the past, submissions have sometimes proposed the provision of ground anchors extending outside the site boundary into public or private streets, government land or adjacent private land. Ground anchors can give rise to unacceptable consequences such as the obstruction of new works or new public utility services, and, in addition, their existence could inhibit the development of land. Furthermore, an undesirable situation could result should damage to property or public utility services be caused during installation. Therefore only in exceptional circumstances will approval be given to submissions of any new development incorporating ground anchors outside the site boundary. 11. If it is intended to extend the ground anchors outside the site boundary into government land, application to the Land Authority (Lands Department) for permission should be made at the early stages of design. Where it is intended to extend the anchors into adjacent private land, the specified Form BA5 for the site formation works should include the lot number of the adjacent private land, to indicate the acquiescence of the adjoining owner.
This revision January 1999 (Para. 9 added & paras. 10 & 11 re-numbered) -3-
Replace Note 3(a) with the following : (a) Weigh, accurate to 0.001g, about 5g of grease into a separating funnel, add 70ml of hexane and shake the mixture until the grease is completely dissolved. Add Note 3(g) at the end of the table : (g) For the purpose of calculating the chloride, nitrate and sulphide ion contents, the concentration should be determined as parts per million by mass of the final aqueous extract.
Notes :
(1)
Note 3(a) is amended to specify the use of hexane as the organic solvent. This revision is to enable more effective separation of the organic solvent from the aqueous extract in the extraction process during the grease testing. Note 3(g) is added to clarify for users the intended calculation method for chloride, nitrate and sulphide ion contents.
(2)
-1-
Replace 3(a), 3(d) and 3(f) with the following : (a) Weigh, accurate to 0.001g, 5g0.05g of grease into a separating funnel, add 70ml of hexane and shake the mixture until the grease is completely dissolved. (d) Add, to the second separating funnel containing the combined water extract, about 20 - 30 ml of hexane, gently swirl the mixture and again allow for complete separation of the 2 layers. Carry out a blank determination, following the same procedures, with the same amount of reagents, as the sample determination. Subtract the corresponding blank value, if any, from each of the water-soluble ion determinations to obtain the corrected values of these ion determinations.
(f)
Notes :
(1)
Note 3(a) is amended to prescribe the acceptable tolerance in the weighing of the grease sample. Note 3(d) is amended to using hexane as the organic solvent consequent to revising Note 3(a) in Corrigendum No. 1/98 (May). Regarding Note 3(f), it is necessary and common practice to conduct a corresponding blank determination to obtain a real value of the target analysis determination. Regarding Note 3(g) in Corrigendum No. 1/98 (May), the term mass of the final aqueous extract shall be interpreted as the mass of deionized water used for the extraction of water-soluble ions in the grease sample. The mass or the volume of organic solvent (hexane) for dissolving the grease sample shall not be included in the calculation of water-soluble ion contents.
(2)
(3)
(4)
-2-
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-13 53
Buildings Department
Submission of Certificate of Completion of Building Works Application for Occupation Permit (OP) and Submission of Record Plans and Information Submission of Certificate of Completion of Building Works Upon the completion of buildings works, a certificate of completion of building works not resulting in a new building, (Forms BA14/14A), or resulting in a new building (Form 12/13) should be submitted in accordance with Building (Administration) Regulation 25. While there is no statutory time limit under the Buildings Ordinance for processing such certificates, the Buildings Department will generally provide a reply to Form 14/14A within 28 days advising on the acceptance of the completed works or the outstanding issues to be rectified. As a certificate of completion of new buildings and application for OPs are usually submitted together in Form BA12 or 13, they will be processed together within 14 days in accordance with section 21 of the Buildings Ordinance. 2. If the same contractor is employed for both the foundation works and the superstructure works for a new building or in the alteration and addition works to an existing building, where spread footing foundation with excavation depth not exceeding 4.5m is adopted, the certification of completion of both the spread footing and superstructure works in such cases may be made in the Form BA12/13 or a single Form BA14, as the case may be, and a separate Form BA14 for completion of the spread footing works is not required.
Simultaneous Submission of Amended Building Plans and Application for OP 3. A Form BA 12/13 is sometimes submitted at or about the same time as the submission of amended plans for approval. This would complicate the processing process. In line with the declaration on Form BA 12 or 13 that the new building has been erected in accordance with the plans approved, the Building Authority (BA) takes the view that authorized persons (AP)/registered structural engineers (RSE)/registered geotechnical engineer (RGE) should submit and secure approval of amendment plans in advance of an application for OP. The exception is that minor positional deviations from the approved plans which do not contravene the Buildings Ordinance, Cap. 123 and Regulations may be acceptable. /Submission ..
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Submission of Record Plans 4. Where several alterations have been made to the original design, the BA may require, under Building (Administration) Regulation 46, the submission of "new plans" showing the building as completed. 5. However, for those projects where amendments to the original building plans have subsequently been approved, APs should submit a set of general building plans with the application for occupation permit, amalgamating all the plans approved by the BA and thereby representing the building as completed. Each of those plans should bear either the signed and dated approval chop applied by the BA or a chop giving the AP's personal certification of the plans being identical to those approved by the BA on the date specified. To limit the volume of paper, the BA would accept plans photographically reduced to not less than a ratio of 1:200. 6. approved. Record plans should not contain any amendments which have not been
7. In addition, the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation (CRV) has requested that, for all newly completed buildings, one set of record plans be supplied to him for rating purposes. As record plans are now mostly produced from computer softwares such as AutoCAD or Microstation, the CRV would welcome if AP could also submit, on a voluntary basis, a CD-ROM containing the softcopy of the record plans in AutoCAD or Microstation format. The CRV has committed that the CD-ROM and the softcopy of the record plans will only be used for relevant rating purposes and will not be released to other Departments or parties. If AP is willing to facilitate CRV in discharging his duty, the additional set of plans, together with the CD-ROM (the frontage is marked with CD-ROM containing plans for the CRV) if any, may be included in the submission to the Buildings Department for transmission to the CRV. Submission of Schedule of Building Materials and Products 8. Under the Buildings Ordinance, the AP, RSE, RGE and registered contractor (RC) have responsibilities to supervise building works including the selection and application of building materials and to certify compliance with relevant provisions of the Buildings Ordinance upon completion of works. To expedite the processing of an application for OP, the BA requires the submission of a schedule under Building (Administration) Regulation 44, confirming the use of accepted building materials and products in construction. 9. The schedule should be submitted with an application for OP. The AP should confirm and certify in the schedule the application and performance of building materials and products in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Buildings Ordinance and Regulations; the RC should confirm the use of those building materials /and ..
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and products in construction. Except for regularly used building materials, the schedule should cover all materials and products not specified on the approved plans, the application of which would involve the structural integrity and fire safety of the building, and the cast iron pipes and fittings as stipulated in Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 282. A sample schedule is provided at Appendix A. 10. Where appropriate, a schedule should also be submitted on completion of building works not resulting in a new building, such as alteration and addition works to an existing building.
Ref. :
First issue July 1978 Last revision August 2006 This revision November 2007 (AD/NB1) (new para 2 added) Index under : Record Plans Schedule of Building Materials and Products Submission of Amended Building Plans and Application for an Occupation Permit Simultaneous Submission of Record Plans Submission of Schedule of Building Materials and Products Form BA 14 Form BA14A
Re : __________________________________________________________ (Address of development site) To the Building Authority, Part A (to be certified by AP) I, (name in full) _______________________________, authorized person, confirm that accepted building materials and products have been specified in the above building construction. Pursuant to Building (Administration) Regulation 44, I duly endorse the attached Schedule of Building Materials and Products (Annex A. 1 & A. 2). 2. I hereby certify that the building materials and products listed in the attached Schedule are acceptable products under relevant building regulations and that I am satisfied with the application and performance of these products.
Signature of authorized person Certificate of Registration No.: Date of expiry of registration: Part B (to be certified by RC) 3. *I/We, (name in full) __________________________________________, * registered general building contractor/registered specialist contractor in the **________________category, hereby confirm that the accepted building materials and products listed in the attached Schedule have been used and properly applied in the above building construction. Name of the person appointed to act for the registered contractor for the above works
Signature Certificate of Registration No.: Date of expiry of registration: * Delete whichever is inapplicable ** Enter the name of the sub-register for the category of specialized work (Rev. 12/2005)
Annex A. 1 Schedule of Building Materials and Products Re : ____________________________________________________________________ (Address of development site) (A) Fire Resisting Products
Building Product Product Name Name of Manufacturer and Place of Manufacture (City and Country) a) Fire resisting doorset * * * Fire Resisting Performance# (minutes) Integrity Insulation Compliance with Relevant Building Regulations & Codes of Practice Name of laboratory accreditation body Name of laboratory / assessing organization Report no. Date of test / Validity assessment report date Details of Test or Assessment Report Remarks/ Comments
d) Fire-stop or sealing system in wall/floor/curtain wall, etc e) Others (e.g. proprietary products, fire shutter, etc)
# The performance on stability has to be demonstrated where applicable. * Corresponding legend in approved plan should be specified where applicable _________________________________ Signature of Authorized Person ___________________ Date
Annex A.2 Schedule of Building Materials and Products (contd) (B) Other Building Materials and Products
Building Product Product Name Name of Manufacturer and Place of Manufacture (City and Country) a) Glazing barrier Compliance with Relevant Building Regulations & Codes of Practice Name of laboratory Name of laboratory / Report no. accreditation body assessing organization Date of test / Validity date assessment report Details of Test or Assessment Report Remarks/ Comments
I confirm that the above mentioned building products have been tested or assessed as stated and hereby certify that the application and performance of these products comply with the relevant Building Regulations.
Buildings Department
Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-14
Cinemas and Other Places of Public Entertainment in Non-domestic Buildings or Composite Buildings Cinemas Under regulation 49B of the Building (Planning) Regulations (B(P)R), a cinema or cinemas accommodating not more than 2,000 people in aggregate may be situated in any storey or storeys of a non-domestic building or the non-domestic part of a composite building. A pair or group of such cinemas may share exits, foyers, waiting spaces, vestibules and projection rooms. Apart from the relevant provisions of the Buildings Ordinance and the requirements in the Code of Practice for the Provision of Means of Escape in Case of Fire (the MOE Code), the Code of Practice for Fire Resisting Construction (the FRC Code) and the Code of Practice for Means of Access for Firefighting and Rescue (the MOA Code), the requirements stipulated in this practice note shall also apply to such cinemas. Shared Exits General Requirements 2. Notwithstanding paragraph 23.2 of the MOE Code, cinemas in a nondomestic building or non-domestic part of a composite building may share the exit routes with other accommodations of non-domestic use in the same building, subject to compliance with the following requirements: (a) all cinema boxes should be provided with a dedicated smoke extraction system and other fire services installations to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services; all cinema boxes should be separated from other accommodations with fire resisting walls and floors having adequate fire resistance period (FRP) as specified in the FRC Code. Every door to a cinema box should have an FRP of not less than that required for the walls of the cinema box. Door openings at cinema boxes giving access to the cinema foyer(s) or the adjoining non-domestic accommodations are not required to be provided with a protected lobby under this situation; Fire separation should be provided between the cinema boxes and the cinema foyers in accordance with the requirements in (b) above. Such fire separation is not required if the smoke extraction system is also provided to the cinema foyer(s) to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services and, in such case, adequate fire separation /should ..
(b)
(c)
-2-
should be provided between the foyers and other accommodations of the building. Any opening made in the separating walls between the cinema foyers and the adjoining non-domestic accommodations for communication should be protected by a door or a fire shutter with the same FRP as the wall; (d) The exits that serve both the cinema and the adjoining accommodations should be accessible from the common circulation area of the building without having to pass through other private premises; If a staircase is directly connected to a cinema or a group of cinemas at any one storey where occupants of the cinemas do not need to pass through the adjoining non-domestic accommodations to reach the staircase, the entire staircase should be constructed in compliance with the requirements set out in paragraphs 17.2 (b) and 26.2 of the MOE Code; The shared exits should have adequate widths and sizes, based on the total capacity of the cinemas and the adjoining non-domestic accommodations in accordance with the requirements set out in paragraphs 4 to 7 below; In a composite building, the exit routes of the cinemas must be separated from the exit routes of the domestic parts of the building; The exit routes of the cinemas including those shared exits should discharge to streets of not less than 4.5m wide. Two of the exit routes from each floor should discharge into different thoroughfares; and The cinemas are not situated at basement.
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
Entrance to a Cinema 3. The entrance to a cinema or to the cinema foyer may be provided through the circulation areas of the adjoining non-domestic accommodations, such as shopping arcade, subject to compliance with the requirements mentioned above. Width of Exit Routes 4. The width of each exit route and the total width of all the exit routes from the cinemas should be not less than the width shown in Table 2 of the MOE Code. In the case of any cinemas or portion thereof which are 12m or more above pavement level, the width of each exit route and the total width of all the exit routes should be not less than that required in paragraph 25.1, 25.3 and 25.4 of the MOE Code. /5. ..
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5. Where a cinema or a group of cinemas share the exit routes with any part of the adjoining non-domestic accommodations at the same storey of the building, the total numbers and minimum width of the exit routes required for the cinemas and that part of the adjoining accommodations designated to share the exit routes with the cinemas should be determined in accordance with the requirements specified in paragraph 4 above, based on the total number of persons of both the cinemas and the relevant part of the adjoining accommodations. 6. If the required width of a shared exit route on a particular floor is greater than that required for the floors below, the exit staircase from that particular floor downward to the ground level should be of the width not less than that required for that particular floor. Horizontal Exits 7. Subject to the following requirements, some of the exits from the cinemas may discharge through the adjoining non-domestic accommodations (e.g. shopping arcade) to the protected staircases or routes on the same floor provided that: (a) the width of such exits from a cinema should be not more than half of the total width of exits required for that cinema; and the common circulation areas of the adjoining non-domestic accommodations, including the cinema foyer through which exits from the cinemas will discharge, should have a floor area of not less than 0.5m2 per person based on the sum of: (i) the total number of persons in the cinemas which is allowed in the design for evacuation through such exits to the adjoining non-domestic accommodations, calculated on a pro-rata basis by reference to the width of such exits and the total width of the exits required for the cinemas; the number of persons in the cinema foyer calculated at a ratio of one person per 0.5m2 of the floor area of the foyer; and the number of persons in the circulation areas of the adjoining non-domestic accommodation calculated in accordance with Table 1 of the MOE Code.
(b)
(ii)
(iii)
Gangways and Seatways 8. The seating layout of the cinemas should comply with the following requirements: (a) The maximum length of a row of seats in a cinema box should not exceed 12m for a seatway with gangway on one side only, and 24m for a seatway with gangways on two sides; and /(b) ..
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(b)
The number of seats in a row should not be more than that set out in Table A in accordance with the width of seatway. Table A Maximum number of seats in a row Width of Seatway (mm) 300 to 324 325 to 349 350 to 374 375 to 399 400 to 424 425 to 449 450 to 474 475 to 499 500 or more Maximum number of seats in a row Gangway on one side Gangway on two sides 14 7 15 8 9 18 10 20 11 22 12 24 12 26 28 12 Limited by the maximum Limited by the maximum length of seatway of 12m length of seatway of 24m
The width of seatway is the minimum clear horizontal distance between the back of one seat unit and the nearest projection of the seat unit in the row behind. Where seats tip up automatically, the width of seatway should be measured between the back of one seat unit and the maximum projection of the seat unit behind when the seat is in the tipped-up position. 9. Gangways of not less than the width shown in Table B should be provided. Table B Minimum width of gangways No. of persons served Less than 500 501 1000 1001 1500 over 1500 Projection Rooms 10. All projectors and the associated equipment shall be placed within a projection room or projection rooms which are separated from the cinemas and other accommodations by walls and floors having an FRP of not less than 1 hour. Every door to a projection room shall have a leakage rate of not exceeding 3m3/hour/m(head and jambs only) when tested at 25 Pa under BS 476: Section 31.1 and with FRP of not less than 1 hour. The above requirements shall not apply to cinemas where no film projector, or electric arc, xenon, or other light source projection equipment which generates hazardous gases, dust or radiation, is used. /11. .. Minimum width of gangways 1 100 mm each 1 200 mm each 1 350 mm each 1 500 mm each
-5-
11. The exit routes from the projection rooms should comply with requirements in the MOE Code. However, an elevated projection room associated to one cinema box only may be provided with only one exit if the sum of its direct distance and travel distance complies with paragraph 14(3)(b) of the MOE Code. The exit or one of the exits from such projection room may discharge through the seating area of the cinema box it serves to the exit staircase. 12. A projection room suite, if not provided with natural ventilation, must be mechanically ventilated to the open air by an independent system. Cinema Foyers 13. Accommodation for persons awaiting admission required under regulation 49E of the B(P)R shall be provided on the basis of 0.5m per person at a ratio of one in six persons for whom seating accommodation is provided. Cinemas in Basements 14. Cinemas in basements should comply with the requirements in paragraph 23.3 of the MOE Code. In addition, the following requirements apply: (a) Foyers The foyers shall be located on the ground floor. The minimum size of the foyer shall be based on 0.5m per person at a ratio of one in three persons for whom seating accommodation is provided. (b) Lifts All lifts serving other floors may open into the cinema or cinemas through a protected lobby. The fireman's lift shall open into the ventilated lobby in the firefighting and rescue stairway and such lobby shall give access to the cinema boxes. (c) Separation All parts of a cinema or cinemas must be separated from other parts of the buildings by walls, floors or other elements of construction having a FRP of not less than 4 hours. Reference should also be made to paragraph 6.2 and 15 of the FRC Code. Installation of Cinema Seats 15. It is acknowledged that extensive renovation and fitting out works will usually be carried out by the cinema operators after the issue of the occupation permit (OP) for the building in which the cinema is situated or after completion of A&A works to /the ..
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the cinema premises. In order to minimize unnecessary waste in the replacement of seats, the Building Authority will not require the installation of cinema seats prior to the issue of OP, or the submission of Form BA14 certifying completion of A&A works, as the case may be, provided that the overall layout of gangways and seatways are properly demarcated on site and an undertaking from the developer/Authorized Person is submitted confirming that the seats would be installed before an application for the cinema licence is made. Other Places of Public Entertainment 16. The requirements set out in the preceding paragraphs may also be applicable to and shall be acceptable for other places of public entertainments (PPE) as if it is a cinema provided that the conditions set out in the preceding paragraphs for cinemas are complied with. 17. Where the aggregate population of all other PPE (i.e. there is no cinema or theatre) in the building is not more than 500 persons in a non-domestic building not having polluting industrial undertakings or the non-domestic part of a composite building, the site of such PPE premises may be permitted to abut on one thoroughfare if the said thoroughfare is an acceptable Emergency Vehicular Access and Director of Fire Services does not have any adverse comment on the arrangement. Similarly, modification of the requirement of the Building (Planning) Regulation 49A may be considered for such PPE premises with a total capacity in aggregate not more than 500 persons in such buildings. Cinema and other Places of Public Entertainment with Capacity of Less Than 50 persons 18. A PPE including cinema with a capacity not exceeding 50 persons may share the exit routes with other non-domestic accommodations in the same building and the requirements stipulated in this PNAP and in Part III of the MOE Code on means of escape for places of public entertainment do not apply to such a premises, provided that: (a) the total capacity in aggregate for all such premises, each having a capacity not exceeding 50 persons, in the same building is not more than 150 persons; such premises is not situated in basement; any projection room, if provided, shall comply with the requirements specified in paragraphs 10 to 12 above; and a cinema foyer, where applicable, is provided in accordance with paragraph 13 above.
(b) (c)
(d)
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Ref. : BD GP/LEG/2 (V) This PNAP is previously known as PNAP 54 First issue July 1978 Last revision September 2005 This revision April 2010 (AD/NB1) - Paras. 16 & 17 added, paras. 15 & 18 amended.
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-15 55
Buildings Department
Practice Note for Authorised Persons and Registered Structural Engineers Site Formation Temporary or Permanent Filling Work
Authorized persons (APs), registered structural engineers (RSEs) and registered geotechnical engineers (RGEs) should be aware of the potentially disastrous consequences of flowslides of loosely placed, unretained earth fill. Regrettably, examples of inadequate compaction are still found on or adjacent to construction sites. 2. Where in the opinion of the Building Authority (BA) the failure of a fill slope arising from private building works could endanger the public, the BA will require the AP/RGE to submit for approval suitable drawings of the filling work. These drawings should specify the standards laid down in Appendix A attached. The RGE appointed shall give periodic supervision and make such inspections as may be necessary to ensure that the filling works are being carried out in general accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance and regulations and with the plans approved by the BA, and the supervision plan prepared in compliance with the technical memorandum issued under section 39A of BO, and qualified supervision imposed under BO s.17(1)(6)(e) as set out in PNAP 83. 3. Prior to filling work, the AP/RGE should give notice to the BA of the date of commencement of the work. 4. During construction, the AP/RGE should submit monthly reports to BD giving records of tests on compaction of fill slopes together with a covering assessment on the adequacy of compaction. The RGE should ensure that the soil at test location of the in-situ density test shall be of the same type and source to the material used for maximum dry density determination. The reports should be signed by the RGE. The contents of the covering assessment should include : (a) a summary of the results of in situ density tests, laboratory compaction tests and relative compaction of the fill, highlighting areas of non-compliance with the specified compaction standards; and details of any corrective measures taken to rectify areas of inadequate compaction.
(b)
Records of compaction tests in accordance with Appendix A should also be kept on site for inspection by the officers of the Buildings Department (BD) and Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO). /5. Where.
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5. Where there is reason to believe that the placed fill may be loose, the BA will arrange for field checks to be carried out, initially by GCO probes, and supplemented by observations of fill materials in trial pits if an appreciable cobble and boulder content in the fill is suspected. The AP/RGE will be required to arrange for labourers to carry out the GCO probes and trial pit excavation. 6. If loose fill is detected, the AP/RGE must arrange for the in situ density tests of the loose layer to be carried out in the presence of officers of BD and GEO. Where extensive loose fill is found which could pose a significant threat if not rectified, the BA will issue a Cease Works Order under Buildings Ordinance section 23 or 24A. 7. Upon completion of the filling work and prior to submitting certificate of completion of site formation works and seeking an occupation permit, the AP/RGE should submit to the BD: (a) (b) "as-built" plans and sections of the work showing its relationship to existing and proposed buildings; and complete records of in situ density tests and laboratory compaction tests and relative compaction of the fill, all to be in accordance with Appendix A.
8. If structural works are involved, the RSE is to sign the structural calculations and structural assessment reports. The RSE is also to certify completion of the structural works. 9. The issue of an occupation permit will normally be refused under Buildings Ordinance section 21(6)(a) if temporary fills have not been removed from site or if permanent fills, the failure of which would endanger the public, have not been formed in compliance with Appendix A.
( H W CHEUNG ) Building Authority Ref.: BD GP/GEO/3 BD GP/BORD/75 First issue December 1981 Last revision June 1994 This revision December 2005 (AD/Sup, DH(I)/CEDD) (Paras.1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and Appendix A amended, para. 8 added) Index under : Filling work Site formation
Appendix A (PNAP 55) (APP-15) Standards for Filling Work (1) The in situ field dry densities of compacted materials forming the peripheral portion of an earth fill slope shall be not less than 95% of the maximum dry density described in item (2) below. The maximum dry density and optimum moisture contents shall be determined in accordance with the standard given in Geospec 3 Model Specification for Soil Testing. Each soil type shall be tested when first used and thereafter at the same time as every set of field density tests are obtained. Records shall be kept, identifying on drawings the soil type, plan location and elevation reference to Principal Datum of each test together with the maximum dry density and optimum moisture contents. Graphs of dry density vs moisture contents, laboratory test record sheets and a complete soil description are to be kept in a companion folder. The in situ field density and moisture contents shall be determined in accordance with the standard given in Geospec 3 in determination of the relative compaction achieved. The number of determinations for each batch of fill material shall be as stated in Table 1 below. Records shall be kept, identifying on drawings the soil type, plan location and elevation reference to Principal Datum of each test together with dry density of soil tested, moisture contents and relative compaction achieved (%). The field sheets, calculation sheets and a complete soil description are to be kept in a companion folder. When only a small amount of fill (depth less than 1 m and total volume less than 300 m3) is proposed, the frequency of in situ density testing may be reduced if the in situ density tests are supplemented by the results of penetration tests. The relative compaction of fill material shall be determined in accordance with the standard given in Geospec 3. As a general principle, it is essential that the maximum dry density determination was carried out on same batch of soil type and source corresponding to the test location of the in-situ density test. When the tests in (2) and (3) above are to be carried out, only laboratories accredited under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) for the relevant tests shall be employed.
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
/Table 1
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Table 1 Number of Determinations for Moisture Content and Relative Compaction Achieved Description Area of fill in excavations for structures, pits and trenches and on formations Size of area of fill in batch * 0 - 100 m No. of determinations per batch * 3
2 for each 100 m or part thereof 1 for each 100 m or part thereof 4 for each 1000 m or part thereof 3 for each 1000 m or part thereof 2 for each 1000 m or part thereof
A batch of fill material is any quantity of fill material of the same type and has similar properties throughout.
(Rev. 12/2005)
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Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-16 59
Buildings Department
Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers Cladding Works
This practice note amalgamates Practice Notes for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers (PNAP) 59 and 256 in respect of cladding works. PNAP 256 is withdrawn with immediate effect. 2. Cladding means a facing or architectural decoration additional to the external walls of building: e.g. aluminium or metal cladding, polished granite slabs or limestone cladding, marble facing and the like. Cladding should comply with the performance requirements stipulated in the Building (Construction) Regulation 39 in respect of material type, fixings, strength and durability. 3. Cladding shall be provided with sufficient permanently flexible joints horizontally and vertically to cater for differential movement in the cladding and in the structure to which it is attached. All external anchors, dowels and fixings should be of stainless steel or other corrosion resistant materials. Any metal dowels and fixings securing the cladding panels should be suitable, permanent and adequately protected from corrosion. For testing of anchors and cladding panels, see paragraphs 9 to 15 below. Submission of Cladding Plans 4. Where cladding is to be affixed to any part of the exterior of a building, details such as the location and material should be shown in the general building plan for approval by the Building Authority. When the cladding to be installed is above 6 metres from the adjoining ground level, in addition to the building plans, details such as the thickness, strength, durability, and type of the cladding, material of fixings and sequence of support should also be shown in the structural plans. Failure to do so may result in delay or refusal to give approval to the cladding submission. As regards the fixings of stone cladding, sand/cement bedding and/or epoxy bonding alone is not considered a suitable and permanent fixing. 5. The following details are required to be included in the structural plans for cladding for submission to the Building Authority for approval: (a) structural framing and details of structural elements excluding any unnecessary shop fabrication details; (b) (c) (d) elevations including location of expansion joints; anchors and support details; design standards and codes of practice; /(e) ..
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material specifications for structural steel, aluminium alloy, granite/marble and anchors; workmanship specifications for welding, galvanization and measures to overcome bi-metallic effects; and structural calculations comprising design check on the parent structure, analysis on the structural adequacy and stability of the proposed cladding system, element design for granite/marble, aluminium or metal cladding and deflection check on major load carrying members, if applicable.
Separate Registered Structural Engineer 6. In view of the speciality of cladding works, a separate Registered Structural Engineer (RSE) may be appointed to prepare the design and to supervise the carrying out of such works. Under such circumstances, the specified Forms BA4 and BA5 indicating the appointment of the separate RSE and the scope of works for which he/she is responsible are required to be submitted together with the plans submitted for approval. Upon completion of the works, the separate RSE so appointed is required to certify satisfactory completion of the works in accordance with Building (Administration) Regulation 25(3). 7. When structural details for cladding works are submitted by the separate RSE, the submission should be accompanied by an assessment report prepared by him/her giving an account of the effect of the proposed works to the parent structure. The assessment report should be appended with a statement signed by the project RSE to confirm that he/she is fully aware of the connection details and the effect of the works on the parent structure. 8. The separate RSE who is appointed for the cladding works shall be responsible for the supervision of the construction of such works, including the installation of any cast-in anchorage e.g. anchor plates, cast-in embeds and through bolts, etc., in the parent structure except in the event where the cast-in anchorage has been pre-installed in the parent structure prior to his/her appointment. For such cases, the structural details and layout of the pre-installed parts should be given in the superstructural plans to be submitted for approval by the project RSE who shall then be responsible for the supervision of the installation of such parts. The separate RSE should refer to the pre-installed connection details when designing the cladding works and should co-ordinate with the project RSE for necessary amendment if different connection details are to be used.
/Tests ..
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Tests on Anchors 9. On-site strength tests should be carried out on a representative number of each type and size of drilled-in anchors for those parts of the cladding above 6 metres from the adjoining ground level. Such tests are necessary to verify the performance and workmanship of the anchors installed and should be carried out under the direction of the RSE or Authorized Person (AP). 10. Each representative anchor should be tested by pull-out test to demonstrate that its pull-out capacity is not less than 1.5 times the recommended tensile load as specified by the anchor manufacturer. The tested anchor should be considered satisfactory if it does not show any signs of separation, plastic deformation or deleterious effect during the test. Tests on Stone Cladding Panels 11. Stone cladding is a natural material. The mechanical properties, physical properties and chemical properties can vary considerably between different types and grades of stones. Tests on stone cladding panels are required to be carried out to verify the characteristic strengths adopted in the design and to form part of the quality assurance during construction. The characteristic strengths shall be not less than three times that of the designed strengths used. 12. When stone cladding is to be used, the following tests are required to be carried out for each type of stone: (a) flexural strength test of dimension stone to ASTM C880 Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone or to BS EN12372 Natural Stone Test Methods, Determination of Flexural Strength under Concentrated Load or to other appropriate equivalent standards; and strength test of individual stone anchorage to ASTM C1354 Standard Test Method for Strength of Individual Stone Anchorages in Dimension Stone or to other appropriate equivalent standards.
(b)
13. As limestone is highly susceptible to acid rain and may deteriorate quickly when being used as exterior cladding material, in addition to paragraph 12 above, aged strength testing to simulate weathering due to extreme temperature change and extreme moisture content change should be carried out for limestone cladding to demonstrate that the residual flexural and anchorage capacities are not less than 80% of those obtained in the standard tests specified in paragraph 12 above. The aim of aged strength testing is to simulate the conditions in which limestone panels are fully saturated and return to their driest conditions and to simulate the critical temperature changes during their intended life. /14. ..
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14. At least 5 test specimens are selected at random from batches of stone delivered to site for each of the test specified in paragraphs 12 and 13 above. 15. The test should be carried out by or under the direction and supervision of a testing agency independent of the supplier of the stone cladding. The test results should be certified by the testing agency, and endorsed by the AP/RSE to confirm that the test results have reached the required characteristic strengths adopted in the design. No consent for the commencement of the stone cladding works will be given until the test reports specified in paragraphs 12(a), 12(b) and 13 above for each type and grade of stone, selected randomly from the first batch of stone delivered to site, have been submitted and found to be satisfactory by the Building Authority. However, if there are difficulties in arranging test specimens to be delivered to site, specimens may be selected from the blocks of stones at the quarry that are to be used on the proposed project. Design and Construction Standards 16. Standards commonly used for the design and construction of cladding works, which are acceptable to the Building Authority, are given in Appendix A.
Ref. : BD GP/BREG/C/6(IV) First issue May 1979 Last revision March 2003 This revision June 2006 (AD/NB2) (amalgamating PNAP 256; paragraphs rearranged) Index under : Cladding Stone Cladding Structural Plans for Cladding
Appendix A (PNAP 59) (APP-16) Standards Commonly Used for the Design & Construction of Cladding Works Acceptable to the Building Authority Reference Standards The standards listed in this appendix are intended to provide reference information only for the purpose of design and construction of cladding works. It should be noted that: (a) (b) the standards listed are not meant to be exhaustive; national standards and codes of practice of various countries, though similar in major aspects, do not have exact equivalence to one another; should a certain design standard be adopted, it should be applied to the design consistently; and Building Regulations shall always take precedence over other design standards should there be a conflict between them.
(c) (d)
A. Material & Workmanship Material & Workmanship Steel Aluminium Standard Hong Kong Code of Practice BS 1161:1977(1991) BS 1470:1987 Title Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2005 Specification for aluminium alloy sections for structural purposes Specification for wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys for general engineering purposes: plate, sheet and strip Specification for wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys for general engineering purposes rivet, bolt and screw stock
BS 1473:1972(2002)
-1-
BS 1474:1987
Specification for wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys for general engineering purposes: bars, extruded round tubes and sections Specification for MIG welding aluminium and aluminium alloys of
Structural use of aluminium Specification for materials, workmanship and protection Specification for stainless and resisting steel plate, sheet and strip heat-
Specification for corrosion-resistant stainless steel fasteners Specification for fusion austenitic stainless steels welding of
B. Design Design Steel Aluminium Standard Hong Kong Code of Practice CP 118:1969 BS 8118-1:1991 Natural Stone BS 8298:1994 Title Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2005 The structural use of aluminium Structural use of aluminium Code of practice for design Code of practice for design and installation of natural stone cladding & lining
/C. Testing ..
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C. Testing Testing Sealant Standard BS 3712: Part 1:1991(1996) Part 2:1973(2000) Part 3:1974(2000) Part 4:1991(1996) Anchors BS 5080: Part 1:1993 Part 2:1986(1993) Title Building and construction sealants: Methods of test for homogeneity, relative density and penetration Methods of test for seepage, staining, shrinkage, shelf life and paintability Methods of test for application life, skinning properties and tack-free time Method of test for adhesion in peel Structural fixings in concrete and masonry: Method of test for tensile loading Method for determination of resistance to loading in shear
(6/2006)
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Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-17 61
Buildings Department
Rock Faces Building (Planning) Regulations 27 and 47 For the purposes of Building (Planning) Regulation 47, only a widely-jointed (spacing over 600mm) rock face having no unfavourably oriented joints or other discontinuities or other defects will be regarded as a massive rock face. For slopes other than massive rock face, the provisions of Building (Planning) Regulation 27 will apply. 2. The Appendix of this PNAP elaborates on the requirements on submission of site formation plans involving rock faces and the standard of good practice to enable safety of rock faces. The importance of engaging qualified geotechnical engineers in the rock face survey is stressed and the lessons learnt from past rock face failures including the Fei Tsui Road fatal landslide are incorporated. 3. Adequate measures should be taken to prevent uncontrolled rockfalls during construction. This is particularly important for works on existing rock faces that affect public safety.
(CHOI Yu-leuk) Building Authority Ref. : BD GP/BREG/P/28 First issued June 1979 Last update May 1994 This update December 1996 (AD/SE,GGE/I) Index under : Blasting B(P)R 27 & 47 Rock Faces Rock Faces - B(P)R 27 & 47
Appendix to PNAP 61 Appendix to APP-17 Requirements on Submission of Site Formation Plans Involving Rock Faces The purpose of this Appendix is to lay down the requirements on submission of site formation plans involving rock faces and to elaborate on the standard of good practice to enable safety of rock faces both during construction and in the long term. The importance of engaging qualified geotechnical engineers in the rock face survey is stressed and the lessons learned from past rock face failures including the Fei Tsui Road Fatal Landslide are incorporated. 2. As for design of other types of slopes, design of rock faces starts with site investigation which may include site reconnaissance, aerial photograph interpretation, engineering geological field mapping and drillhole investigation. Rock mass condition including information on discontinuities could be obtained by appropriate field and laboratory testing such as packer (water absorption) tests, impression packers and close circuit television surveying, etc. Useful information on this aspect is contained in the Geotechnical Manual for Slopes, Geoguide 2 - Guide to Site Investigation and Geoguide 4 - Guide to Cavern Engineering. Some guidelines on shear strength of rock mass and rock joints can be found in Geoguide 1 - Guide to Retaining Wall Design. 3. Methods of stability analysis and principle stabilisation measures for rock slopes are summarised in Tables 5.6 and 5.7 of the Geotechnical Manual for Slopes. 4. Persons responsible for the formation of rock faces will rarely be able to assess the full extent of the stability problem until excavation is nearly completed. Only then will the spacing, persistence, orientation and other characteristics (such as nature of constituent infill materials, roughness and aperture size) of discontinuities and other planes of weakness in the rock be revealed. It is, therefore, frequently necessary to make assumptions about the jointing pattern an other characteristics in order to evaluate the overall stability of the rock slope and to make provision for local support of the final face and, as appropriate, general support of the rock slope. These assumptions and the basis for them must be clearly and fully stated on the site formation plans submitted for approval. 5. Such plans should also contain notes on observance of the following standard of good practice : a) any blasting to be carried out shall be controlled to avoid damage to the final face. Pre-split or smooth-face methods shall be used to form the final face in suitable geological conditions; if expanding agents are to be used for rock splitting, the method to prevent the uncontrolled flow of the expanding agents shall be stated, and any adverse effect on the stability of rock faces shall be assessed;
b)
-2c) immediately after excavation, the intended final face shall be scaled by removing loose material and shall be surveyed by a qualified geotechnical engineer or engineering geologist, e.g. Registered Professional Engineer (Geotechnical) with adequate experience in the design and construction of rock faces. The survey shall include the identification of any water seepages and weak or relatively impermeable geological zones or structures which may have adverse effect on the stability of the slope (for example, unfavourably oriented persistent layers of kaolinitic clay in altered or weathered rocks). Results of the survey shall be used in the design and detailing of support measures, rockfall control measures and drainage measures; and large-scale engineering geological drawings (marked-up transparent overlays to photographs or otherwise), showing all salient rock features including any weak or relatively impermeable geological zones or structures together with appropriate descriptions in accordance with Geoguide 3, the dimensioned location, dimensioned extent and details of all support and drainage measures, shall be submitted for the approval of the Building Authority. Documentation will also be required on : i) ii) calculations and supporting data to justify the design of all support measures and to confirm overall stability; photographs of the scaled rock faces, where physically possible.
d)
6. With regard to para 5(c), your attention is drawn to the Geotechnical Engineering Office Investigation Report on the Fei Tsui Road Fatal Landslide of 13 August 1995. The existence of an unfavourably oriented persistent layer of weak and relatively impermeable material in the ground is a principal cause of failure. A copy of the report is available for inspection in the Civil Engineering Library of the Civil Engineering Building at 101 Princess Margaret Road, Homantin, Kowloon.
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-18 66
Buildings Department
Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers Pile Foundations
To facilitate the processing of pile foundation submissions and to ensure proper design and construction of pile foundation works, the following guidelines should be observed. Recognized Types of Pile Foundation 2. A recognized type of pile foundation is regarded as the piling system recognized by the Building Authority (BA) prior to the approval of piling plans through the submission of relevant technical details for assessment, normally by the registered structural engineer (RSE) in conjunction with the registered specialist contractor experienced in such system. A list of recognized types of pile foundation is available from the Buildings Department (BD). 3. Where it is proposed to use a piling system, which is not a recognized type, the RSE is advised to prove its acceptability to the BA before detailed piling plans are submitted for approval. To enable the BA to fully consider the system, all relevant technical details on materials, manufacturing process, structural design, method of installation, method of assessing foundation capacity and applicability relating to ground conditions and selected examples of the use of the system elsewhere, if applicable, should be submitted following which a demonstration of the system may be called for. Piling Plans Submission 4. The following particulars are required, under Building (Administration) Regulations 8 and 10, to be included in the pile foundation submission for approval: Particulars to be shown on the piling plan (a) (b) a block plan showing the location of the site; details showing the characteristic features of the site and environments, including locations of ground investigation boreholes, slopes, existing foundations, nullahs, retaining walls and the like; layout arrangement, identification, expected depths and cut-off levels of the piles; layout arrangement of the pile caps; size, shape and structural details of the pile element, including details of the shoe, head, splices and cap/pile connection; pile bearing capacity and method of verification on site; /(g) ..
-2-
specification of structural materials; magnitude of characteristic dead, imposed and wind loads and their critical combinations acting on each pile or each group of piles; installation specifications, such as founding criteria, method of installation, method of overcoming underground obstruction; method of controlling and monitoring the verticality, inclination and alignment of piles during installation; details of monitoring requirements for adjacent and nearby buildings, structures, land, streets and services; and Where dynamic pile driving formula is used, the parameters for the assessment of the ultimate pile capacity, such as the effective energy per blow, efficiency of blow and penetration of pile for a hammer blow. Particulars to be given in separate documents
(m)
site investigation report including results of ground investigation, necessary field and laboratory tests and photographs of all the soil samples and rock cores taken; design calculations based on recognized foundation engineering principles; and appraisal report on the effects of the piling works on adjacent and nearby buildings; structures, land, streets and services, including any proposal of precautionary and protective measures.
(n) (o)
5. The RSEs attention is drawn to Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers (PNAP) 289 in preparing the piling plan submission, in particular for items (k) and (o) of paragraph 4 above. In addition, the geotechnical reports and supporting documents if required should be prepared and signed by the registered geotechnical engineer. Design of Pile Foundations 6. In the design of pile foundations, the general guidelines provided in the Code of Practice for Foundations should be followed. Pre-design Ground Investigations 7. Prior to the design of the pile foundation, sufficient ground investigations should be carried out so that adequate information on the geology of the site can be obtained and hence the general founding levels of the piles can be estimated. For further guidelines on ground investigation works, please refer to PNAP 132. /Pre-drilling ..
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Pre-drilling 8. For piles founded on rock, sufficient pre-drilling should be carried out prior to the installation works, such that the quality of the founding rock can be identified and the appropriate founding levels can be determined. The pre-drilling should be sunk to at least 5 m below the rock head of the specified grade. 9. Pre-drilling should be carried out for each of the large diameter bored piles, barrettes and the like, and the records of the pre-drilling should be submitted to BD at suitable intervals during the construction of the piles. 10. For minipiles, socketted steel H-piles and similar small diameter bored piles founding on rock, pre-drilling at location in close proximity of the piles should be made. The number of pre-drilled boreholes required should be such that the pile tip of every such pile should be within 5 metres from a pre-drilled hole. The predrilling should be sunk into the rock mass for at least 5 m below the rock head of the specified grade or the designed length of the rock socket of the nearest pile, whichever is the deeper. Post Construction Proof Drilling 11. When large diameter bored piles, barrettes and the like are completed, core-drilling should be carried out at the concrete/rock interface for each of these piles. To facilitate successful core-drilling at the interface, a pipe of not less than 150 mm diameter may be left in at about 1 m above the interface. The core-drilling should be carried down to at least 1 m below the interface. 12. It is always expected that the concrete should be in good contact with rock at the interface and the rock is consistently of the required grade beneath the pile base. However, minor imperfection observed during the interface core-drilling, such as a thin layer of sediment, segregated concrete or weathered seam in the rock beneath the pile base, may be considered acceptable provided that the RSE can demonstrate his acceptance with justifications. As an alternative, the RSE may include in the foundation plans, proposals of remedial works for rectifying any such imperfections at the interface if found. The proposals should provide details of the method statement and the supervision required by the RSE. 13. For minipiles, socketted steel H-piles and the like, there would be practical problem for core-drilling at the concrete/rock interface. To verify the rockhead profile and hence assess the adequacy of the socketted length for these types of piles, some additional proof drill holes should be sunk into the rock mass and down to at least 5 m below the as-built top level of the rock socket of the nearest pile or to the as-built bottom level of the rock socket of the nearest pile, whichever is the deeper. The number of post-installation boreholes should be at least 2 for sites with /100 ..
-4-
100 piles or less; or 1% of the number of piles for sites with more than 100 piles (any fraction of a borehole so calculated should be construed as one additional borehole). The RSE should determine the location of the boreholes. When submitting the certificate on completion of the piling works (Form BA 14), the RSE should submit an assessment report with a rockhead contour plan based on the ground investigation, the pre-drilling and the post-installation drilling, together with the piling record plan. Registered Specialist Contractor in the Ground Investigation Field Work Category 14. All ground investigation works, pre-drilling, interface core-drilling, postinstallation drilling and proof test core-drilling must be carried out by a Registered Specialist Contractor in the Ground Investigation Field Works category. The contractor who is appointed to carry out proof test core-drilling required under Building (Construction) Regulation 30 should make declaration on its connection with the foundation contractor, including whether or not it is a holding/subsidiary/an associated company of the foundation contractor, or has financial relationship with it (e.g. cross-directorship), or has financial interest in the foundation works. Quality Supervision for Piles Foundations 15. Adequate supervision should be provided for the pre-drilling, construction and proof test of pile foundations to ensure built quality. Requirements for quality supervision to be provided for pile foundation works are stipulated in the Code of Practice for Site Supervision. PNAP 242 stipulating the quality supervision requirements for foundation works is hereby withdrawn. Ground-borne Vibrations Arising from Pile Driving and Similar Operations 16. Adequate control of ground-borne vibrations should be provided for the pile driving and similar operations. In this connection, requirements are stipulated in PNAP 289. Pile Foundations in the Scheduled Areas 17. Some special requirements for pile foundations in the Scheduled Areas are given in PNAPs 77, 85, 161, 165 and 279. Form BA 14 18. Upon completion of the piling works, a specified Form BA14 certifying the completion should be submitted in the manner prescribed in Building (Administration) Regulation 25. For exceptionally large sites, foundation works may be suitably phased and separately considered for proof testing. BD should be consulted as early as possible on such special arrangement. To expedite the selection of piles for proof tests, piling record plans and reports may be separately submitted prior to the submission of the specified Form BA14. /Piling ..
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Piling Record Plan and Reports 19. Upon completion of the piling work two sets of piling record plan and reports should be submitted as may be required under Building (Administration) Regulation 10 to certify the satisfactory completion of the piling works. These should include: (a) a plan showing characteristic features of the site and the identification, location, depth and size of each pile as constructed;
(b) a report listing the date of construction, the quality and quantity of materials used and driving performance or excavation record of each pile; (c) reports on any tests as required for the particular piling system; and
(d) an assessment report with rock head contour plans, as appropriate. Within 14 days of the receipt of these documents, BD would inform the AP/RSE of the representative piles identified for proof tests. To avoid unnecessary delay, the AP/RSE should ensure that full information on the completed piles is included in the piling record plan and reports. Proof Tests 20. Proof tests on foundation units are required under Building (Construction) Regulation 30. Except in special circumstances where the standard of acceptance is to be determined according to the design and factor of safety, the BA will normally be satisfied if the procedures and criteria described in the Code of Practice for Foundations are followed. Alternative procedures and acceptance criteria, supported by justification based on recognized foundation engineering principles and relevant to a particular site and building may also be adopted. 21. Alternative procedures and acceptance criteria, or methods other than test loading or core-drilling, which can demonstrate the performance of the foundation under loads or verify the integrity and the load-response interaction between the foundation unit and the bearing stratum may also be adopted. In this connection, the following should be submitted well in advance of the completion of the foundation works so that the BA may fully consider the suitability of the proposed method of testing: (a) relevant recognized engineering principles and theories for the proposed method of testing; (b) detailed procedures of testing; (c) acceptance criteria; /(d) ..
-6-
(d) interpretation of the test results; and (e) any verification tests performed to justify the parameters to be used in the proof test. Further On Site Tests 22. Whenever doubt exists as to the design assumption or load carrying capacity of any pile foundation, further on site tests may be required under Building (Construction) Regulation 29. Amendments to Approved Plans 23. For submission of amendment plans and their related consent applications, the fast track procedures for securing consent for amendments outlined in PNAP 215 shall apply. 24. Consent to the commencement of the pile cap and superstructure works will not be given until: (a) satisfactory piling records have been submitted; (b) specified Form BA14 has been submitted; (c) the required proof tests have been satisfactorily carried out; and (d) all relevant imposed conditions including materials testing requirement have been complied with. Concurrent Processing of Applications 25. Procedures are in place in BD for concurrent processing of applications for approval and consent in respect of new foundation works. Except in cases where any imposed condition should require to be first met, e.g. shoring to adjoining buildings to be completed before piling works may commence, BD will consider giving approval of plans for foundation works and consent for such works at the same time. If an AP or RSE wishes to take advantage of these procedures, he should co-operate with the department by ensuring that an application for consent is not submitted before the 32nd day of the submission of plans for approval, to avoid unnecessary complications in administrative work. 26. To minimize the idling time on construction sites, applications may also be made for consent to commence excavation works for substructures prior to the final completion of foundation works, provided that the supervision plan for the excavation works is submitted and any earth-retaining elements (such as sheet piles) have been satisfactorily installed. These procedures mean that earth-retaining elements may be /installed ..
-7-
installed concurrently with the foundation works, thereby allowing excavation works for substructures to be carried out while foundation record plans are being examined and proof tests arranged. Consent for the construction of substructure elements (pile caps, for example) will be given only after satisfactory completion of the required proof tests.
Ref.: BD GP/BREG/C/11 First issue February 1980 Last revision December 2005 This revision February 2006 (AD/NB2) (Para 15 and 17 amended) Index under: Pile Foundations Pre-drilling Core-drilling Test Quality Sueprvision
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-19 68
Buildings Department
Projections in relation to site coverage and plot ratio Building (Planning) Regulations 20 & 21 In accordance with Building (Planning) Regulation 2, site coverage means the area of a site that is covered by the building(s) erected thereon. In simple terms, the site coverage is the shadow cast on a site with the sun directly overhead. Hence all components of a building, including all projections, should be accountable for site coverage. However, site coverage is also a measure to control the building bulk. 2. In the case of plot ratio, the definition of gross floor area uses the term external wall. Clearly wall does not just mean concrete or brick material, and windows and parapet railings should obviously also be included. For projections from a building, it is accepted that if the projections are not at a floor level, or potential floor level, and do not dominate the face of a building, measurement as accountable gross floor area is not required. 3. It follows from the above that the following projections from the face of a building, having no significant impact on building bulk, need not be counted for site coverage and plot ratio: (a) pitched roof eaves and flat roof overhangs complying with B(P)R 7(1) (provided these are not contained within parapet walls as part of an accessible flat roof); (b) individual air-conditioner boxes and platforms of reasonable size which have a built-in system for condensate disposal; (c) individual canopies, window hoods complying with B(P)R 7(1) and porches having projection no exceeding 1.5m; (d) window cills and window surrounds projecting not more than 100 mm; (e) string courses, fins and architectural mouldings complying with B(P)R 7(1) (but not structural beams and columns); (f) window flower boxes not exceeding 500mm in width; (g) external drainage pipes and gutters complying with B(P)R 7(1); and (h) sunshades solely used for the purpose of energy conservation projecting not more than 1.5m from the external wall. 4. It is emphasized that, notwithstanding paragraph 3 above, if any of the listed features is so exaggerated, excessive in scale, or defeats the provisions of the Ordinance (for example, a structural beam doubling as a flower box) or is provided or designed in an unusual way, that feature will be counted for site coverage and, if appropriate, also for plot ratio. /5. ..
-25. It follows from the above that all other projections must be included in site coverage and plot ratio calculations. However projecting windows may be accepted as not counting for plot ratio provided they satisfy all the following criteria within the storey from which they project : (a) the projecting window is from domestic accommodation only; (b) only one such projecting window is located on one external wall and situated in any one room; (c) the total areas of the projecting windows together with the louvres/open grilles, if any, for the purpose of shielding of air-conditioning plants placed underneath or above the projecting windows, do not exceed 50% of the total areas of the faade of the said floor on the same elevation; (d) the extent of the projection is not more than 500 mm from the face of the main external wall; (e) the base is not less than 500 mm above finished floor level; (f) the top is not less than 500 mm from the underside of the finish ceiling; and
(g) the window complies fully with Building (Planning) Regulation 3A. For the purposes of this requirement, the height of 1100 mm protective barrier will be measured from floor level and any part of the window within this dimension should be fixed or otherwise suitably protected in line with clause (2) of the Regulation. 6. Except those complying with Part II of the Building (Planning) Regulations, no projections will normally be allowed over streets unless they can be justified in the public interest. In this context the projection of individual air-conditioning boxes/platforms and window hoods may be allowed, provided they do not project more than 500 mm over a street and are at a height of not less than 2.5 m above ground (please also see PNAP 116).
( Marco M H WU ) Building Authority Ref. : BD GP/BREG/P/2 (III) First issue March 1980 Last revision March 2000 This revision May 2004 (AD/NB1) (General revision) Index under : B(P)R 20 & 21 - Projections in relation to site coverage and plot ratio Bay Windows Projecting Windows Projections
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-20 70
Buildings Department
Building Proposals affected by Street Widening Building (Planning) Regulation 22(2) When part of a lot is to be acquired by Government for the purpose of street widening, the owner may be given one or a combination of the following forms of compensation : (a) (b) (c) Bonus plot ratio and/or site coverage under Building (Planning) Regulation 22(2). Cash settlement (negotiated by the Lands Department). An exchange of Land (negotiated by the Lands Department).
2. In the event of (a) being adopted, the interpretation of Building (Planning) Regulation 22(2) will be of concern to land owners and authorized persons (APs) and its implications will require to be ascertained on other related Building (Planning) Regulations. It is for the purpose of avoiding doubt that this practice note is issued so that APs may acquaint themselves and the owners with the method by which compensation in terms of development potential may be quantified. 3. In considering whether or not to permit the bonus under Building (Planning) Regulation 22(2), the Building Authority will be prepared, subject to paragraph 4 below and the provisions of Building (Planning) Regulation 23(2)(a), to accept the part or parts of a lot required for street widening to count also as site area, in respect only of the first building subsequently erected on the reduced site area, for the purposes of arriving at the permitted plot ratio and site coverage for the building. 4. The statement in paragraph 3 above is made with the proviso that : (a) all claims for bonus under the Regulation will be dealt with individually according to the special circumstances of each case; the additional plot ratio referred to in Building (Planning) Regulation 22(2)(b) may only be given where the Building Authority is satisfied that the density of the development or redevelopment is not excessive; /(c) ..
(b)
-2(c) a separate block plan (in quadruplicate) indicating the area to be surrendered accompanies the building plan submission claiming bonus under Building (Planning) Regulation 22(2); the building plans are suitably endorsed to indicate the areas to be surrendered; and a formal Agreement to Surrender to the satisfaction of Lands Department is executed and registered in the Land Registry.
(d) (e)
5. With regard to Building (Planning) Regulation 25, a similar principle may be used, i.e. the setback area may count as open space where it is at the side or rear of a building. 6. Having established, at the time of submitting building plans for approval, that the lot concerned is affected by street widening proposals, APs are advised at the same time to submit a set of those plans to the Chief Estate Surveyor/Acquisition, Lands Department. The purpose of this procedure is to provide the earliest opportunity to consider the proposed method adopted for achieving compensation in terms of development potential. Agreement to Surrender 7. A temporary occupation permit or an occupation permit will not be issued before the execution of an Agreement to Surrender incorporating all the relevant terms and conditions. AP should remind the owners for early preparation and execution of the required Agreement.
( AU Choi-kai ) Building Authority Ref. : BLD(B) GP/BREG/P/4 BLD(B) GP/BL/P/5 First issue April 1980 Last revision January 1990 This revision December 2008 (AD/NB1) (General amendment and para. 7 added) Index under : B(P)R 22(2) - Building Proposals affected by Street Widening Street Widening - B(P)R 22(2)
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-21 71
Buildings Department
Demolition Works Measures for Public Safety Introduction To ensure public safety, the control of demolition works is governed by the Buildings Ordinance, Building (Administration) Regulations and Building (Demolition Works) Regulations, which impose requirements for: (a) (b) (c) (d) application for approval of plans for demolition works; application for consent to commence the works; site safety supervision; appointment of Technically Competent Person to supervise demolition works and operator of powered mechanical plant or equipment; and certification of completion of works.
(e)
2. This practice note sets out the procedures to be followed by authorized persons (AP), registered structural engineers (RSE) and registered geotechnical engineers (RGE) in meeting these requirements. Some points for practical application are also clarified. Demolition Proposals 3. All demolition proposals should be submitted for formal approval as prescribed under Regulation 8(3) and (4) of the Building (Administration) Regulations. When preparing plans for demolition works, reference should be made to the Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004 (the Code) issued by the Buildings Department (BD) for guidance for complying with the Buildings Ordinance and its related regulations. The Building Authority (BA) may refuse to approve under section 16(1)(a) and (e) of the Buildings Ordinance any demolition proposal which does not contain all the plans and documents prescribed in the regulations. 4. The BA will exercise his discretion to refuse an application for consent to the commencement of demolition works under section 16(3)(a) and (b) of the Buildings Ordinance where his approval to the demolition plans for the works has not been given. / Precautionary ....
-2Precautionary and Protective Measures 5. Notwithstanding the need to include the precautionary and protective measures for the demolition works on the plans submitted for approval, the following measures, which at the time of their erection do not affect the structure of any building, may be erected without the consent of the BA : a) b) c) d) e) protective wire nettings; dust screens of plastic or tarpaulin sheets; scaffolds and intermediate catchfans; hoarding, covered walkway, gantry and catch platforms; shoring & propping for stabilizing buildings under demolition or adjoining buildings.
Site Safety Supervision Plan 6. A supervision plan as defined under section 2(1) of the Buildings Ordinance is required to be lodged with the BA by an AP prior to or at the time of application for consent to commence demolition works except for works which satisfy all of the criteria set out in paragraph 11 of the Technical Memorandum for Supervision Plans. The supervision plan should be prepared in accordance with the recommendations in the Code of Practice for Site Supervision issued by BD. Under section 16(3)(bc) of the Building Ordinance, the BA may refuse to give his consent to the commencement of demolition works where an AP has not lodged a supervision plan for the works. Execution and Supervision of Demolition Works 7. AP, RSE, RGE and Registered Specialist Contractor (RSC) are required to observe the requirements on the provision of a full time site engineer for demolition of complex structures, debris management system, and other execution and supervision particulars as stipulated in the Code. 8. Where a site engineer is required to be appointed, he/she shall be directly responsible to the RSC. Any subsequent change of the site engineer shall be reported to the AP/RSE/RGE and the BA by the RSC.
Video..
-3Video Record of Demolition Works 9. Video camera to record the entire demolition process shall be provided by the RSC for all types of demolition sites. The video camera(s) should be installed at strategic location(s) agreed by the AP/RSE/RGE and be securely protected from being tampered with so that the entire demolition process including the movement of debris and the overall sequence of demolition can be recorded for reference and review purposes. While the exact number of cameras is to be determined by the AP/RSE/RGE, there should be at least one video camera for each site. The location of the video camera(s) should be shown in the demolition plan. 10. The video records should be kept by the RSC for at least 14 days.
Appointment of Operator of Powered Mechanical Plant or Equipment 11. The use of powered mechanical plant or equipment for demolition works carries risks and particular care should be taken. In certain circumstances, it may even be unsafe and should not be allowed, for example, the use of a crane and hammer in a densely populated area. To ensure public safety, the operator of powered mechanical plant or equipment used in demolition work shall meet the requirements as specified in Regulation 9(3) of the Building (Demolition Works) Regulations. 12. For the purpose of Building (Demolition Works) Regulation 9(3)(b), an operator should have completed a training course in Demolition of Building Course for Plant Operators organised by the Construction Industry Training Authority (CITA) and obtained the relevant certificate. Equivalent training and certificate issued by a recognised examining body may also be favourably considered by the BA for meeting the requirement. 13. An application for consent to the commencement of demolition works must be accompanied by the personal particulars, qualifications and experience of the operators of any powered mechanical plant or equipment proposed to be used in the demolition works in accordance with Regulation 31 of the Building (Administration) Regulations. The information to be submitted should include the operators names in Chinese and English, Hong Kong identity card numbers, dates of birth, addresses and telephone numbers. The BA may refuse the consent application under section 16(3)(b) of the Buildings Ordinance where such particulars have not been submitted. 14. The BA will vet the particulars of the plant operators and advise the AP on the suitability of the operators as soon as possible, having regard to their qualifications, experience and training. 15. Where there is a change in the appointment of the operator, the BA should also be notified within 7 days of the change and provided with the personal particulars, qualifications and experience of the new operator. Danger.
-4Danger from Fire or Explosion 16. Dangerous and hazardous materials left by the previous occupants may cause risk of fire or explosion through the leakage or accumulation of gas or vapour due to demolition operations. RSCs for demolition works should be asked to ensure all flammable goods are removed from site and any remaining flammable goods are stored in proper storage facilities. All parties are drawn to the attention of the provisions of Building (Demolition Works) Regulation 6. Demolition of Dangerous Buildings 17. In addition to the normal procedures under the Building (Demolition Works) Regulations, some special arrangements specifically apply to the demolition of dangerous buildings under the BAs order. The following notes are given for guidance and are not intended to be exhaustive : (a) Closure Immediately after a closure order has been issued and the building vacated, the premises should be secured against unauthorized entry. Otherwise, the BA has the authority to secure the building and charge the costs to the owner. An AP, the owner or anyone affected by the closure who wishes to gain entry to the building subsequently, should apply to the Existing Buildings Division (EBD), BD for a permit. (b) Shoring All shores are preferably in structural steel of Grade 250 or above and to comply with the current edition of Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel or equivalent. The position of dead shores should first be discussed with EBD. Raking shores or more permanent forms of support for party walls and any common structures should also be suitably designed and constructed. Plans should be submitted for agreement prior to their erection. In the construction of shores, attention must particularly be given to the connection details between the steel shoring and the party wall. Temporary shoring should be removed after the demolition works have been completed but, where necessary, should be replaced by a more permanent form of support. (c) Pedestrian Passageways Matters relating to pedestrian passageways associated with demolition works are dealt with in PNAP 75. /(d)..
-5(d) Joint Demolition Where several adjacent buildings are to be demolished, an AP appointed in respect of one should not arrange to commence demolition works until the demolition of all buildings can proceed simultaneously. Any consequential delays should be notified to EPD early, so that co-ordination by the parties concerned may be put in hand. (e) Party Walls In most cases, exposed party walls which remain to enclose existing buildings will require raking or flying shores (Appendix A) from the site of the demolished building. In many cases, an order requiring such works may be issued by the BA. Where a party wall is next to a framed building, any such order served may require demolition of the party wall and provision of new enclosure to the framed building. Where conditions permit, the BA may be prepared to consider alternative permanent measures, to be proposed by the AP in charge. Early discussion will avoid delays. Party walls that will remain should be regularly inspected as demolition proceeds and repairs (including rendering, facing up cut brickwork and removing old wood joist ends) should be carried out concurrently with the demolition works or in special circumstances, as soon as possible. (f) Default Where works have not commenced or have not been carried out within the period specified in the order, the BA may cause the works to be carried out and then recover the costs together with plus supervision charges from the owner. The AP appointed should advise his client accordingly and attend to all matters without delay. (g) Liaison It is the duty of the AP to advise the BA of any unexpected weaknesses in adjacent buildings, structures and ground revealed by demolition works. He should immediately discuss with EBD any such problems encountered. Street Name Signs on Buildings 18. To ensure efficient replacement of street name plates, AP are requested to inform the Director of Highways of any case where street name plates are affixed to buildings to be demolished : Buildings Ordinance section 32 refers. Public
-6Public Drainage System 19. To ensure proper updating of drainage records and better control of drainage connections, AP are requested to inform the Drainage Services Department (Hong Kong and Islands Division/Mainland South Division/Mainland North Division, as appropriate) once the Registered General Building Contractor (RGBC) or RSC has completed the sealing of drains : Building (Demolition Works) Regulation 3(2)(b) refers. Demolition affecting slopes and retaining walls 20. If demolition works affect slopes and retaining walls, the RSE should ensure that all the relevant recommendations by the RGE are incorporated in the demolition plans. Any difference in opinion should be resolved between the RSE and RGE before submission to the BD. The Geotechnical Reports and supporting documents are to be prepared and signed by the RGE. Safety and Convenience of Third Parties 21. Proper protection and safe passage for the public must be provided at all times by the erection and maintenance of suitable hoardings, covered walkways and gantry, and catch platform. 22. Every effort must be made to minimize any nuisance to the public arising from dust, noise and vibration. Design of hoarding, covered walkway and gantry, and catch platform 23. Reference could be made to Chapter 3 of Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004 for the general design requirements of hoarding, covered walkway and gantry, and catch platform. The deck of the catch platform shall be designed to support a uniformly distributed load of 5.0 kPa or a point load of 20 KN acting on an effective area of 300mm x 300mm. Being a temporary structure, a wind load of 0.67 kPa (i.e 37 % of the design wind pressure of 1.82 kPa as given in the Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong 2004) could be adopted for checking the stability of these structures. 24. A design example of a gantry with single bay hoarding on each side is given in Appendix B for reference. If the catch platform which shall have a minimum 2000mm distance from the existing building line encroaches into the 500mm (minimum) recess from the carriageway, the catch platform shall be raised to allow 5500mm headroom over the carriageway. For narrow service lane (width 3.5 m or less) which are generally shielded from wind, a single deck design with the deck functioning as a catch platform fully capable of resisting the superimposed design loads is considered acceptable because of the relatively lower risks associated with these areas. A single deck design for narrow service lanes is also given in Appendix B for reference. Structural justification may not be required if the parameters as adopted in the design examples are strictly followed. /25
-725. Site constraints such as the presence of congested underground utilities and narrow pedestrian walkways may sometime prohibit the construction of footings and counterweight, or render the sole reliance on counterweight for maintaining stability uneconomical. Under such circumstances, AP/RSE are encouraged to consider more economical designs with recyclable materials as alternatives to the examples given in Appendix B. Such alternatives may include the adoption of a rigorous analysis and/or the provision of tie forces at upper levels in securing the stability of the structure, thus reducing counterweight and/or some structural members sizes. Certification on Completion of Demolition Works 26. Within 14 days of the completion of any demolition works, the AP and the RSE shall certify the completion of works in the specified form BA 14A for demolition works. The specified form can be downloaded from BDs website. Withdrawal of PNAP 268 27. With the incorporation of the content of PNAP 268 in the Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004, PNAP 268 is hereby withdrawn.
( H W CHEUNG ) Building Authority Ref. : BD GP/BREG/DW/1 (III) BD GP/BORD/27 GC/4/16/1 (GEO file) First issue May 1980 Last revision July 2005 (AD/NB2) This revision December 2005 (AD/Sup) (Paras. 2, 7, 8 & 9 amended to include RGE and para.20 added) Index under : BO s32 - Names of Streets Dangerous Buildings - Demolition of Debris Management Buildings Supporting Ground Demolition of Demolition Works Drainage System, Public, Protection of During Demolition Mechanical Plant - Use of In Demolition Works Party Walls Public Drainage System, Protection of During Demolition Resident Supervision Shoring Street Name Signs Video Recording
APP-21
(APP-21)
(APP-21)
(APP-21)
(APP-21)
(APP-21)
(APP-21)
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-22 74
Buildings Department
Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers Dewatering in Foundation and Basement Excavation Works
Dewatering may result from works or may be part of the method for constructing foundations and basement excavations. The procedures for dewatering activities and precautionary measures against impairing the stability and causing undue settlement of any adjoining buildings, streets and land should be to the satisfaction of the Building Authority (BA). 2. The following information should be included on the plans for submission to the Building Authority : (a) the foundation details of adjoining buildings and details of nearby underground utilities (e.g. fresh water pipe, gas main, sewer and the like); details of the dewatering proposals including ground treatment, if any (e.g. grouting and recharging); the method and sequence of construction; and the location and details of instrumentation for monitoring the effects of the works on adjoining buildings, streets and land (including the change in ground water conditions in the adjoining ground) during construction, together with information on -(i) criteria for limiting movements and groundwater pressures and action to be taken if these limiting values are reached; intervals between readings; and availability of monitoring records.
The following information should be submitted with the plans : A site investigation report This report should include adequate information on groundwater and geological conditions including permeability, compressibility and consolidation characteristics of the various soil strata, particle size analyses and other test results relevant to consideration of the dewatering activities and preventive measures against settlement; /(b) A report ....
- 2 (b) A report on the conditions of adjoining buildings This report should give information on the structure and conditions of all adjoining buildings that may be adversely affected by the proposed works; (c) Shoring/Underpinning details These details are to be submitted if any adjoining building need shoring/underpinning precautions; and (d) Assessment of excavation and dewatering effects This assessment on the adjoining buildings, streets and land should include the criteria for limiting movements and the like, as mentioned in paragraph 2(d)(i) above. 4. During the foundation and basement construction works, the authorized person/registered structural engineer appointed for the works should supervise and inspect as necessary: (a) to ensure that such works are being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance and Regulations and with the approved plans; and to verify the design assumptions throughout the process of construction. A suitably experienced full-time supervisor should be employed where necessary.
(b)
5. Piezometric and settlement monitoring records should be made available at all times and copies submitted to the BA periodically. 6. These requirements are not exhaustive. Please also refer to the relevant sections on groundwater and drawdown control in the General Specification for Civil Engineering Works published by the Civil Engineering Department and to BS 8004:1986 British Standard Code of Practice for Foundations.
(Helen C P Lai YU) Building Authority Ref. : BD GP/BREG/C/14 First issued February 1981 This revision May 1994 (AD/SE) Index under : Basement - Dewatering in Excavation Works Dewatering in Foundation and Basement Excavation Works Excavation Works - Dewatering
Re-issued under new categorization in August 2009 as Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers
APP-23 75
Buildings Department
Hoardings, Covered Walkways and Gantries (including Temporary Access for Construction Traffic) Building (Planning) Regulations Part IX Applications under Building (Planning) Regulation 64 for hoarding/covered walkway permits should be accompanied by six sets of plans showing the hoarding/covered walkway, including details of any proposed temporary vehicular access and post holes, existing traffic signs or traffic provisions (e.g. bus lanes, taxi ranks, bus stops and pedestrian crossings) and existing trees, as well as other relevant information. Any traffic sign or street light likely to be obscured or required to be resited must be declared. If public transport facilities or pedestrian crossings are affected or carriageway width is reduced, this must also be declared. Failure to declare may delay the issue of a permit. 2. Subject to the agreement of the Transport Department (TD) and the Highways Department (HyD), the resiting and subsequent reinstatement of any affected traffic signs and street furniture, and repair of damaged public pavements may be carried out by the building owner at his own cost to the satisfaction of HyD. Any resiting and subsequent reinstatement of street lights shall be carried out by HyD at the building owners expense. 3. No trees, either within the lot or on government land, may be felled, pruned or interfered with without the prior approval of the District Lands Officer and the government department responsible for maintenance of the tree concerned. 4. HyDs and TDs standard requirements for hoardings/covered walkways are set out at Appendix A. 5. In cases where hoardings/covered walkways have to encroach on the carriageway, TD will have no objection provided that the affected traffic lane is maintained with a minimum width of 2.8m while the carriageway is maintained with a minimum width of 5.5m. Where these minimum width requirements cannot be met, the authorized person (AP) should establish early contact with TD to clarify on the need for temporary traffic management measures or traffic impact assessment (TIA). Normally, TIA will only be required for hoardings/covered walkways sited on the carriageway of a traffic sensitive road, that is either a red route, a pink route or bus corridor, or on any other carriageway which is within 70 metres of a signalised junction with a traffic sensitive road that cannot meet the minimum width requirement. For the list of traffic sensitive roads, the Senior Engineer/Survey of the Traffic & Transport Survey Division, Survey Section of TD may be consulted by telephone no. 3150 8230. A TIA report should be submitted at least two months in advance of the application for a hoarding permit so as to enable TD and the Police to assess the need for any temporary traffic management measures. Guidelines and requirements of TIA for hoardings/covered walkways occupying part of the carriageway are set out in Appendix B. /6. ..
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6. In all cases of deviation from normal practice, details should be included on the plans submitted and reasons provided in the accompanying letter so as to enable TD to note that there are specific circumstances or constraints affecting the site. Construction of Hoardings/Covered Walkways 7. Hoardings/covered walkways for demolition works should be provided in accordance with the Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings and Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structure Engineers (PNAP) 71 where typical details of a covered walkway with catch platform are given. For general building works, reference should be made to PNAP 224. It should be stressed that these are for reference only and that in certain instances variations in the design may be accepted to meet special site conditions. 8. Hoardings/covered walkways for demolition works, or in certain special cases, e.g. on narrow pavements, may have to be sited on a carriageway and a raised floor will then be required. Hoardings/covered walkways for general building works will normally be required to be sited entirely on the footpaths with no floor. Proposals which include prefabricated units of non-traditional construction requiring little maintenance are preferred. 9. A minimum clear width of 1.1 m is required for hoardings/covered walkways sited on a carriageway. As regards hoardings/covered walkways on a footpath, the clear width should be related to the existing pavement width as follows:Existing Pavement Width 2.5 m or less Clear Width in Walkway Normally 1.5 m minimum. Exemption may be considered if the pavement is of insufficient width Width of the pavement minus 0.8 m subject to a maximum of 2m 2m
The required clear width must not be obstructed in any manner e.g. by traffic signs, scaffold poles, supports for formwork or the like. The vertical clearance inside the covered walkway should be 2.3 m minimum. 10. In case the clear width of the pedestrian walkways is affected or not in compliance with the required width specified in the table above, during the erection period of hoarding/covered walkways and the construction of building works, an appropriate temporary pedestrian diversion scheme and protective measures should be submitted to enable TD and the Police to assess the need for any temporary pedestrian management measures. /11. ..
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11. Should there be any utility pit cover located within the hoarding area, the relevant utility undertaking should be informed prior to the construction of the hoarding. The hoarding, including its foundation, must not obstruct the access to such pits and opening of the pit cover at all times. Lighting Standard for Covered Walkways 12. A temporary lighting system should be provided for all covered walkways of building sites and be maintained in good order by the building owners. The average illuminance on the floor level of the covered walkway should be within the range of 35 lux to 50 lux. 13. A recommended lighting layout for a typical walkway (2 m wide and 2.5m high) is the installation of luminaires complete with 18 W or 20 W 600 mm long tubular fluorescent lamps at 3 m spacing. Excavation Permit 14. An Excavation Permit from the Director of Highways is required for excavation works involved in the erection/demolition of hoardings, covered walkways and gantries to be carried out on public roads maintained by HyD, under section 10 of the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 28). Failure to obtain the necessary permit would constitute an offence under that Ordinance. In this connection, reference should be made to PNAP 197 and HyD's Excavation Permit Processing Manual - Chapter 5, Section 1 which may be accessed/downloaded at HyD's website http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/public/publications/xppm/index.htm. Temporary Access for Construction Traffic 15. The position of any temporary access, including location of gantries shall be agreed by TD. Temporary access should be constructed basically in accordance with the typical details of run-in in HyD Standard Drawings (PNAP 300 is relevant) for proper protection of the utilities under the pavement and to safeguard the safety of the road users. It should be formed and reinstated to its original state on completion of the work by and entirely at the expense of the building owner. Permanent reinstatement, if required and subject to Governments agreement, could be carried out by the building owner at his own expense and under the supervision of the AP to the satisfaction of the Director of Highways. 16. The maximum width of the gantries should normally be not more than 6m. For a proposed gantry wider than 6m, the proposal should be accompanied by justifications for such width viz. demonstration by a swept path analysis of the vehicles using the gantry. In addition, information on the frequency of the vehicles that would enter into the site and the measures to safeguard the safety of pedestrians crossing the ingress/egress points should also be submitted for consideration. /Temporary ..
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Temporary Suspension of On-Street Public Parking Spaces 17. Where suspension of on-street parking spaces is necessary, application should be made to the Commissioner for Transport in accordance with the Notes for Guidance attached at Appendix C. Streamlined Processing of Hoarding Permit Application 18. To promote self-discipline and to facilitate the development progress, the Building Authority (BA) will complete the processing of an application for a permit to erect hoardings, covered walkways or gantries within 30 days of receipt of such application provided that the following criteria are met: (a) (b) (c) A TIA report is not required; HyDs and TDs requirements in Appendix A are complied with; the AP/registered structural engineer (RSE) certifies that the standard designs mentioned in paragraph 7 above are adopted and are in compliance with the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance; no contractor shed will rest on the top of the hoardings/covered walkways; the registered geotechnical engineer (RGE) certifies that the stability of any nearby slope or retaining wall, if applicable, is not adversely affected (supporting documentation may be required if significant signs of distress or failure of the slope/wall in question have been noted); the hoardings/covered walkways are structurally safe; and no felling, pruning or interference with trees is required.
(d) (e)
(f) (g)
19. Under the streamlined processing, the AP/RSE/RGE, as the case may be, are required to submit hoarding plans, Form BA 19 together with the certificate at Appendix D to the Buildings Department (BD) for centralized processing. In cases where the criteria for streamlined (fast-track) processing are not met, the application will be processed within 60 days. 20. AP/RSE should note that consent for general building works will be refused if the required hoardings/covered walkways proposals have not been received by the BA. /Validity ..
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Validity Period of Hoarding Permit 21. In the case of hoardings/covered walkways for demolition works, permits will normally be issued for six months only. Permits for hoardings/covered walkways for general building works will be issued for three years maximum conditional upon the submission of annual safety certificate (Appendix E) certifying that the hoardings/covered walkways are structurally safe. The safety certificate should be submitted not less than 7 days before each anniversary of the date of issue of the hoarding permit. 22. If evidence shows that the site has been idle for a prolonged period or an annual safety certificate has not been submitted, the hoarding permit may be cancelled and the hoarding should be removed immediately in accordance with the relevant conditions of the permit. Renewal of Hoarding Permit 23. Renewal of hoarding permit will be considered upon application. The renewal will only be granted if the applicant can demonstrate the need for the period requested and only the minimum period will be granted. An application for renewal of the permit should be made to the BA in writing at least 30 days before its expiry with the following supporting documents: (a) (b) The original permit Form BD 109; and A safety certificate (Appendix E) from the AP/RSE/RGE, as the case may be, that the hoardings/covered walkways are still structurally safe and the stability of any nearby slope or retaining wall, if applicable, is not adversely affected.
Minor Amendments to Hoardings/Covered Walkways 24. Minor amendments to the permitted hoardings/covered walkways may be carried out without prior agreement of the BA if the following criteria are met: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) HyDs and the TDs requirements in Appendix A are complied with; the original TIA, if any, is still valid; the position of the gantry and run-in/out is not changed; the hoardings/covered walkways are certified by the AP/RSE to be structurally safe; no contractor shed will rest on the top of the hoardings/covered walkways; /(f) ..
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(f) (g)
the RGE certifies that the stability of any nearby slope or retaining wall, if applicable, is not adversely affected; and no trees are affected.
However, the AP should deposit with BD a set of the amended hoarding plans and the safety certificate (Appendix E) within 7 days of the completion of amendment works on site. 25. While the BA will carry out audit checks, the AP/RSE should ensure that the hoardings/covered walkways are constructed in accordance with the selfcertified hoarding plans and that they are structurally safe. Proper Use and Maintenance of Hoardings/Covered Walkways 26. Hoardings/covered walkways should not be used for any other purposes such as for displaying advertisements or for storage of building materials and equipment inside or above the covered walkways. 27. Proper maintenance of hoardings/covered walkways is required under Building (Planning) Regulation 66. The primary consideration must be public safety and convenience. If a hoarding/covered walkway is in disrepair and if request for repair or renewal is not complied with, the BA may cause the necessary work to be carried out at the building owners expense in accordance with Building (Planning) Regulation 67.
( AU Choi-kai ) Building Authority Ref. : BD GP/BREG/P/16 (Pt V) BD GP/BREG/C/31 First issue February 1981 Last revision February 2004 This revision February 2009 (AD/NB1) (General revamp, including Appendix A, B, C, D & E) Index under : Building (Planning) Regulation Part IX Hoardings, Covered Walkways & Gantries Excavation works on public road Public road - excavation works Excavation permit
Appendix A (PNAP 75) (APP-23) Highways Department and Transport Department Standard Requirements for Hoardings/Covered Walkways A. (1) Highways Department The internal layout of the site shall be so arranged that no backing in/out movement of construction traffic is required except in cases where small or narrow sites are involved in which case reversing into the site will be permitted. The hoarding shall be properly lit at night. The promoter (i.e. the one who finances the proposed excavation works) should apply for an Excavation Permit from the Regional Office of Highways Department (HyD) prior to the commencement of excavation works on a public road maintained by HyD. One copy of the approved plan should accompany his application, together with a copy of the Hoarding Permit issued by the Buildings Department. A clear width of not less than 500 mm shall be maintained between the edges of the hoarding and the carriageway. Where the hoarding and covered walkway are erected on the carriageway, no obstruction to the drainage channels and gullies of the road shall be permitted. The authorized person (AP) shall be responsible for the removal of all obstructions to the flows in the drainage channels and gullies. Lighting and guarding in accordance with the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations shall be provided by the AP. Relevant requirements stipulated in the Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of Road Works should also be followed. The maximum insertion of footing into public pedestrian pavement shall be limited to 450mm. Any concrete plinth sitting on pavement shall not be more than 250mm in thickness and not more than 1000mm in height, and the minimum clear spacing between two concrete plinths shall not be less than 1100mm. The exposed faces of the concrete plinth shall be of smooth surface and any exposed edges and corners shall be chamfered. The hoarding/covered walkways shall be erected at no more than 300mm away from the lot boundary. The hoarding/covered walkway shall not obscure any street lights. Where any street light will likely be affected by the hoarding/covered walkway, the proposal should be sent to the Chief Engineer/Lighting of HyD for comment. /Where ..
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(2) (3)
(4) (5)
(6)
(7) (8)
Where temporary removal or resiting of existing street light is required, the AP should request HyD for such removal/resiting, at the lot owner's cost, with sufficient advance notice. In case the floor of a hoarding/covered walkway obstructs access to the street light draw-pit, the relevant section of the floor should be portable and removable. (9) The AP is required to notify HyD and, if necessary, submit photographic record of original condition of footpath before commencement of hoarding erection, in particular for those hoardings with concrete bases for which application for Excavation Permit is not required. Transport Department No reversing movement of construction vehicles from/to the construction site will be permitted except in cases where small or narrow sites are involved in which case reversing into the site will be permitted. No construction vehicles will be permitted to queue and wait outside the construction site. All loading/unloading activities of construction vehicles will be confined within the construction site. The hoarding should be properly lit at night. The hoarding shall not obscure any traffic signs or traffic signals, traffic counting detectors or similar traffic equipment. Where resiting/removal of any traffic aids (such as traffic signs, traffic signals, guardrail and the like) or where temporary suspensions of parking spaces is necessary, the AP should submit his application to the Transport Department (TD) for approval of such resiting/removal, with advance notice of 3 weeks. Upon obtaining TD's approval, the AP should carry out the resiting/removal/reinstatement works at the building owner's cost, with sufficient advance notice of 10 days. In case the floor of a hoarding obstructs the access to the draw-pit marked with ATC, the relevant section of the floor should be portable and removable. When temporary suspension/removal/relocation of public transport facilities (such as bus/tram stops and shelters, tram posts and wires, on-streets bus termini, PLB/taxi stands, queue rails, regulators kiosks) are required, please contact the appropriate Chief Transport Officer (Transport Operations) (Hong Kong, Kowloon or New Territories Division) direct for all necessary arrangements. The building owner shall bear the cost thus incurred. Where the hoarding is erected at or close to a road bend or a non-traffic signal-controlled road junction, the AP should ensure that a desirable minimum visibility distance pertaining to the general traffic speed is maintained. In case of doubt, the AP should contact the appropriate Chief Traffic Engineer of TD to clarify the detailed arrangement. /(8) ..
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B. (1)
(6)
(7)
(8)
The hoarding shall not cause sightline problem to the road users, e.g. the use of high concrete plinth of more than 800mm in height at or near run-ins, junctions and crossings etc, should be avoided. The appropriate Chief Traffic Engineer of TD should be consulted, if necessary.
(Rev. 2/2009)
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Appendix B (PNAP 75) (APP-23) Guidelines and Requirements of Traffic Impact Assessment for hoardings/covered walkways occupying part of the carriageway 1. 1.1 Requirements for Traffic Impact Assessment Hoardings/covered walkways occupying part of the carriageway is considered as a type of road opening works in terms of traffic impact and the Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) requirement for road works on traffic sensitive roads shall apply. Similar work on non-traffic sensitive roads but within 70m of a road junction of a traffic sensitive road shall also be governed by this TIA requirement. Note : - A TIA will not be required if a minimum inner lane width of 2.8 metres, after encroachment, can be maintained. 1.2 For guidelines on TIA and day-time ban requirements for road works on traffic sensitive routes, please refer to HyD's Guidance Notes RD/GN/021 which may be accessed/downloaded at HyD's web site http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/public/publications/guidance_notes/index.htm. Objectives of Traffic Impact Assessment The main objectives of TIA are : a) to assess the traffic impacts of occupying part of the carriageway; and b) to devise appropriate temporary traffic management measures to ameliorate the traffic impacts. 3. 3.1 Contents of the Traffic Impact Assessment Report The TIA report should contain at least the following information : a) the name of the Agency to which the hoardings/covered walkways belong; b) the address of the site concerned; c) date of submission; d) the name of works agency, i.e. the contractor; e) the name and telephone number of the contact person for the TIA; /f) ....
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2. 2.1
f)
description of the works including the proposed programme and phasing of works; if any
g) existing street inventory within the Study Area; The Study Area should be large enough to include all significant impacts of the proposal. At minimum, the area should include the adjacent signal controlled intersections or the area of influence that the proposed works may have an impact on the existing road network. The existing street inventory within the Study Area should be recorded in detail. This usually includes street names, number of lanes and lane widths, direction of traffic flows, road markings and traffic aids, geometric and characteristics at critical intersections, existing site access points, right of way and pedestrian facilities. h) existing traffic conditions; Traffic counts should be carried out to obtain traffic flow figures for the TIA. The count should be carried out at the critical peak periods. The signal phasing and timing at signalized intersections and the public transport services affected should be included. Pedestrian counts should also be required if existing pedestrian are severed. i) forecast traffic conditions (if necessary); The existing traffic conditions can be used for the traffic analysis for carriageway occupation not exceeding six months from the submission date of the TIA report. For works beyond such period, the future traffic conditions should be estimated by using growth factor method based on historic volume information and existing counts. The Annual Traffic Census reports published by TD can be used for such purpose. The forecast future traffic conditions can then be applied to the implementation of the temporary traffic management measures. j) proposed traffic management measures; Appropriate temporary traffic management schemes should be devised for implementation together with closure of the part of carriageway required for the hoardings/covered walkway erection work. The various aspects in Annex 1 should be followed in proposing traffic management measures. In addition, swept path analysis should be conducted for all affected turning movements. /k) ....
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k) traffic analysis; The traffic analysis should be carried out for the most critical peak period. The following items need to be assessed : volume/capacity ratios (v/c ratios) of the roads; reserved capacities (RC) of the road junctions; design flow/capacity ratio (DFC) of priority junctions and roundabouts.
The calculation of the v/c ratios, RC and DFC should be carried out in accordance with the Transport Planning and Design Manual (TPDM) Volumes 2 and 4. l) consultation (optional) The parties which have been consulted on the proposal should be included here. Examples are the Area Traffic Control (ATC) Division and/or Traffic Engineering (TE) Division of TD, the Police, the public transport operators, etc. m) recommendations Summary findings and recommendations of given. It should include a recommended detailed plans showing the proposed occupying part of the carriageway and the measures. 4. 4.1 Procedures One copy of the TIA report Kong, Kowloon, NT West Commissioner of Police, the affected. The TE Division Division. should be submitted to the TE Division (Hong or NT East) of TD with copy sent to the ATC Division of TD if ATC signal junctions are will co-ordinate the comments from the ATC the TIA should be traffic scheme and hoardings/walkways traffic management
4.2
The TE Division of TD can reject the TIA or approve it with or without conditions. A copy of such notice will be sent to the applicant within a reasonable period, normally three weeks from the date of receiving the TIA report. However, for complicated cases, the Division may need to liaise with the applicant or other parties and the process will take longer, but in any case within six weeks.
(Rev. 2/2009)
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Annex 1 Appendix B (PNAP 75) (APP-23) Issues to be taken into account in preparing traffic management measures 1. Lighting signing and guarding of Road Works The Code of Practice for the Lighting, Signing and Guarding of Road Works should be followed. 2. Pedestrian arrangement Adequate and safe pedestrian crossing facilities and temporary diversions should be provided. 3. Access arrangement Existing ingress/egress and other vehicular rights of way which may be affected by the project may need to be maintained. Recommended temporary access designs may be required. 4. Parking Extent of on-street parking spaces or other off-street parking facilities affected by the works should be identified and consideration should be given as to whether it is necessary to provide alternative parking spaces under the project to supplement the loss of existing provisions. 5. Public transport arrangements Adequate public transport services should be maintained. Schemes of temporary routing and stops should be agreed with the concerned transport operators and TD in advance. 6. Servicing arrangement Extent of existing loading/unloading provisions affected by the works should be identified and consideration should be given as to whether alternative provisions is required. 7. Special event arrangement If there is any special event, such as Race Days, or concerts etc., then the adequacy or otherwise the deficiencies of the road networks affected by the road opening works should be analysed and checked and taken into account. 8. Safety consideration Due consideration should be given to the safety aspect of all the proposed temporary schemes and measures towards all road users and pedestrians. (Rev. 2/2009) -1-
Appendix C (PNAP 75) (APP-23) Application for Temporary Suspension of Public On-street Parking Spaces (Metered or Non-metered) Notes for Guidance A. (1) General Conditions An application for the suspension of parking spaces should be submitted to the Commissioner for Transport (C for T), marked for the attention of the Chief Transport Officer for the appropriate region (Hong Kong, Kowloon or the New Territories). The application should specify the intended suspension period, and when and where the suspension is intended to take place. The application should be supported with reason for the proposed action, and should be copied to the Commissioner of Police (C of P), marked for the attention of the Senior Staff Officer/Traffic (SSO/T) responsible for the region in question. If other Government departments are involved in the activity requiring the suspension of spaces, the application should also be copied to that department or departments as appropriate. Alternatively, for projects which involve other special arrangements, the application can be discussed together with other details in a meeting amongst parties concerned. The number of parking spaces to be suspended should be kept to a minimum at any one time. Applicants should plan to carry out their work by stages if too many spaces would be affected. No work shall commence at the parking spaces prior to their suspension. No person shall remove any parking sign, meter head, meter post, studs or carriageway markings without the authorization of the C for T. When works are completed before the approved suspension period, the applicant must notify the District Senior Transport Officer/Transport Officer (DSTO/TO) of the Transport Department (TD) by telephone for the early reinstatement of the parking spaces for public use. The applicant should subsequently confirm such notification in writing. When it becomes apparent that works will extend beyond the approved suspension period, the applicant should notify the DSTO/TO of TD by telephone as soon as possible and subsequently confirm this in writing. When observation shows that the works requiring the parking spaces to be suspended have been completed, the C for T, in liaison with the C of P, may arrange for such spaces to be reinstated, even if the period of suspension requested has not fully elapsed. /(8) ..
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(2)
(6)
(7)
(8)
The C for T, in liaison with the C of P and departments concerned, may arrange for parking spaces to be reinstated when the affected area is observed to be no longer in use for works. Notwithstanding the requirement for advance notice described in sections B and C below, the applicant may, for emergency cases, contact the DSTO/TO of TD and the appropriate SSO/T of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) for special consideration to arrange for the suspension of parking spaces at short notice. For cases where advance notice is not practicable, the applicant should notify the appropriate SSO/T of the HKPF immediately and the DSTO/TO of TD as soon as possible. Suspension of Parking Spaces for a Period less than Three Months Applications must be submitted in writing together with sketches showing the parking spaces to be suspended, so as to reach the DSTO/TO of TD at least seven working days before the commencement of the proposed suspension. Notwithstanding paragraph (1) above, for the suspension of not more than two parking spaces for no more than one day for road works, an application can be submitted by telephone three working days in advance to the DSTO/TO of TD and the appropriate SSO/T of the HKPF and followed by confirmation in writing on the same day. Care should be exercised in undertaking works on the footway or road carriageway to ensure that parking signs, meter posts and studs or carriageway markings are not damaged. However, should these traffic aids be damaged accidentally, the applicant must inform the Highways Department (HyD), TD and HKPF immediately. In such cases, the applicant shall be responsible for the cost of the damage incurred and/or the replacement or reinstatement of the equipment or traffic aids affected. Suspension of Parking Spaces for a Period more than Three Months Applications must be submitted in writing, together with sketches showing the proposed parking spaces to be suspended, so as to reach the DSTO/TO of TD at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the proposed suspension. The maximum period of suspension that may be approved is one year. In case suspension of the parking spaces for a longer period is required, the applicant must submit a fresh application prior to expiry of the approved suspension period. The applicant must bear the costs of removal and subsequent reinstatement of the affected parking spaces. The costs should be paid in advance to the HyD, that is before the suspension is effected. /(4) ..
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B. (1)
(2)
(3)
C. (1)
(2)
(3)
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(4)
The applicant must inform the DSTO/TO of TD and HyD at least one week before the completion of the project so that arrangements can be made to reinstate the suspended parking spaces.
(Rev. 2/2009)
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Appendix D (PNAP 75) (APP-23) Self-certification by Authorized Person, Registered Structural Engineer and Registered Geotechnical Engineer for the Streamlined Processing of Hoardings, Covered Walkways or Gantries Application
Part A (to be certified by AP) In accordance with Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers (PNAP) 75, I hereby certify the following for the application for permit to erect hoardings, covered walkways or gantries with plans (drwg no. ______________________________ to ____________________________) to be erected at ____________________________________________________________________________: