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(a)
How do I know if my slope is up to the required safety standard?
(b) How do I know whether a slope is safe? |
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(a)The owner should arrange for a Stability
Assessment to be carried out by a professionally qualified
geotechnical engineer. A Stability Assessment should also
be carried out if significant modifications have occurred
to the slope or retaining wall or to the adjacent area, or
if significant deterioration of the slope or retaining wall
has occurred.
(b) The public can check from the Land Registry whether a
Dangerous Hillside Order has been served to the owners of
a private slope.
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| 2.
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What
are the signs of landslide danger on a slope or retaining
wall? |
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Some typical signs of landslide
danger are
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Landslip debris on roads and footpaths
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New large cracks or ground subsidence in slope
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Mud, rocks, fragments of concrete/brick and uprooted
vegetation, falling from slope
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Sudden change of colour of water flowing from slope
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Concentrated water overflowing onto slope
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Cement/concrete surface bulging/being dislodged or
signs of soil erosion
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Breaking of catchwaters, serious overflow from catchpits
or drains
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Flooding of water in hilly areas
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Sudden increase in seepage over an extensive area of
slope
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| 3.
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What
should I do if I see a landslide or there are signs of landslide
danger in slope? |
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Keep away from these slopes and retaining wall;
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Report to the police immediately;
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Notify the owner or property manager.
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4.
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How do I know if there are any landslip warnings?
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Landslip warnings are issued by
the HK Observatory and broadcasted on radio and television
to alert the public. Appropriate warning signs will be erected
for the following slopes (sample below):
1. Private slopes served with Dangerous Hillside Order
2. Government slopes pending upgrading works
3. Slopes affecting squatters
4. Slopes along busy roads with a history of landslips
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5.
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Where can I obtain following information?
(a) Slope maintenance responsibility
(b) List of substandard government slopes or slope information
(c) List of qualified geotechnical engineers
(d)
List of registered slope works contractors
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Relevant information can be obtained
from the following sources
(a) Responsibility from Slope Maintenance Responsibility Information
System website of Lands Department http://www.slope.landsd.gov.hk/smris/
(b) Substandard government slopes or slope information through
the web site of the Civil Engineering and Development Department
http://hkss.cedd.gov.hk
(c) List of Registered Professional Engineer (Geotechnical)
from Slope Safety Hotline (2885 5888)
(d) List of registered contractors through the website of
the Buildings Department http://www.bd.gov.hk
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6.
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Are
the private lot owners responsible for the slopes outside
but adjacent to their lot boundary?
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It depends on the lease conditions
of the lot. Owners can consult a solicitor or check from the
Slope Maintenance Responsibility Information System website
http://www.slope.landsd.gov.hk/smris/
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7.
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How
many man-made slopes are there in HK and who is responsible
for maintenance?
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There are about 57,000 sizeable
man-made slopes in Hong Kong registered in the New Catalogue
of Slopes, comprising:
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About 18,000 post-1977 slopes designed and built to
the current safety standards;
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About 39,000 pre-1977 slopes, many of which may not
meet the safety standard.
In terms of ownership, there are:
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About 39,000 government slopes; and
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About 18,000 private slopes.
Private owners are
responsible for maintenance of private slopes and
government maintenance departments are responsible
for maintenance of government slopes.
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8.
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Where can I obtain advice regarding slope safety issues (e.g.
costs of slope works) ?
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The Community Advice and Education
Section (CAE) (Tel: 2760 5800) of Geotechnical Engineering
Office (GEO) under Civil Engineering Development Department
(CEDD) provides advisory and information
services to the general public on matters relating to slope
safety and slope maintenance works.
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9.
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(a)
What is the frequency of routine maintenance inspection?
(b) Is the engineer inspection a legal requirement?
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(a) The recommended frequency of
routine maintenance inspection is a minimum of once every
year and after every rainstorm.
(b) The engineer inspection is not a legal requirement, but
it is a recommended practice to ensure slopes in good condition
and reduce the probability of instability.
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10.
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How
does the Government reduce landslip risk in man-made slopes?
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Upgrading high priority slopes under a 10-year Landslip
Preventive Measures Program
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Enhanced maintenance of Government slopes
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Upgrading old slopes as part of new public works projects
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Enhanced publicity and education campaign
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