SDEV meets with construction industry on special inspections and regulatory review
The No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has caused multiple casualties and the relevant departments are conducting a comprehensive investigation. The Development Bureau (DEVB), together with the Buildings Department (BD), met with the construction industry today (November 27) to discuss the follow-up actions related to the sector.
Chaired by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, the meeting was attended by representatives from the Construction Industry Council, contractors' associations, subcontractors' associations, trade contractors' associations, and labour unions. Ms Linn explained the follow-up inspections by the relevant departments (Notes) and requested the industry to cooperate.
Ms Linn also noted that the BD will review the requirements, guidelines, and regulations concerning scaffolding and protective nets, and will listen to the views of the industry.
Ms Linn further said that although the tragedy is suspected to have been caused by non-compliance from some industry practitioners rather than the use of bamboo scaffolds, bamboo scaffolds are indeed less fire-resistant than metal scaffolds. While the use of bamboo scaffolds has a long history in Hong Kong and offers more flexibility in adapting to certain narrow streets and building environments compared to metal scaffolds, the Government considers it necessary to develop a roadmap to switch to metal scaffolds as soon as possible under suitable worksite conditions. This aims to reassure the public and to provide better safeguards for construction safety. Industry representatives expressed understanding and support, agreeing to formulate an action plan with a clear direction that is not "one-size-fits-all". The next step is to identify work scenarios most suitable for switching to metal scaffolds (for example, new building projects and maintenance works at existing buildings along wider streets), followed by setting an ambitious roadmap for projects fitting those scenarios to switch to metal scaffolds. In formulating the roadmap, three factors should be taken into account, namely, the capacity of bamboo scaffolders and specialist contractors during the transition; the need for a stable source and sufficient supply of metal scaffolds to ensure adequacy; and the arrangements for transportation and storage of metal scaffolds.
Ms Linn said that the Government will consider providing assistance to the industry in terms of training and other resources during the process. The DEVB will put forward a proposal as soon as possible, based on the aforementioned consensus, for further discussion with the industry.
Notes:
- The BD and the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) of the Housing Bureau (HB) today launched a special operation, issuing circular letters to registered building professionals and contractors. They are required to review the records or test documents for materials, such as scaffolds protective nets, used in ongoing projects, regardless of whether the buildings are under construction or are existing ones under maintenance. The review should include an assessment of the condition of the materials and their compliance with the standards and requirements for fire retardant performance. A report must be submitted to the BD within seven days, after which the BD will conduct audit checks. Meanwhile, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) has required contractors of building projects under public works contracts to review and submit the above-mentioned information within seven days. The ArchSD will also conduct audit checks.
- The BD and the ICU of the HB, with the latter responsible for Home Ownership Scheme courts, today launched a special operation targeting existing buildings undergoing major external wall maintenance, where scaffolds protective nets were erected. Inspections will be conducted in batches for all such projects to proactively check records or relevant test documents for materials such as scaffolding protective nets regarding their fire retardant performance. Samples will also be collected for testing.
Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses
Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.
Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.
The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:
(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.
(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.
"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.
To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.
Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.
Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.
Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.
Source: AI-found images
