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Summary of new/revised Practice Notes

The Building Authority has issued the following new/revised Practice Notes which can be viewed/downloaded vide the link below:

December 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong
The revised PNAP APP-139 promulgates amendments to the Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong 2019 (2019 Code) and the Explanatory Notes to the 2019 Code, and the requirements for wind tunnel test.
Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009
Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009
The revised PNAP APP-157 and PNRC 76 promulgate amendments to the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009 (2021 Edition) which cover the basic values for assignment of the scale of works, recognition of academic courses, professional qualification and supervision experience; and the standard forms of supervision plan with Annexes.
Calculation of Gross Floor Area and Non-accountable Gross Floor Area Building (Planning) Regulation 23(3)(a) and (b)
The revised PNAP APP-2 promulgates the 100% GFA concession for private and public car parks of not more than one aboveground floor on the condition that a minimum of two underground carparking floors which fully utilise the site are provided at the development.

November 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Enhanced Design Standards of Aboveground Drainage System
The revised PNAP APP-164 allows application for modification of Regulation 30(2)(b)(ii) of the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations to permit the anti-syphonage pipe to be connected with the branch soil pipe or branch waste pipe at a point not more than 750 mm from the trap outlet.

October 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004
Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004
The new PNAP APP-170 and PNRC 83 promulgate the amendments to the Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004. The amendments in October 2023 mainly cover (i) provision of guidelines on precautionary measures at the interface between two adjacent demolition/construction sites; (ii) an enhanced safety precautionary measures for floor openings and free edges at buildings and structures; (iii) an enhanced control on conveying debris through floor openings; and (iv) revision of the requirements on method and procedures for the demolition of exterior column.
Strength Tests for Structural Fixings in Concrete
The new PNAP APP-169 provides a set of pre-accepted method statements for carrying out strength tests for structural fixings in concrete.

September 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Projections in relation to Site Coverage and Plot Ratio - Building (Planning) Regulations 20 & 21
Sustainable Building Design Guidelines
Essential Information in Plan Submissions
The revised PNAPs incorporated the associated revisions to dovetail the implementation of the new mechanism mentioned in PNAP APP-151.
Building Design to Foster a Quality and Sustainable Built Environment
The PNAP APP-151 is revised to promulgate an enhanced mechanism for Gross Floor Area (GFA) concession. Under the new mechanism, the cap on GFA concession for new development projects is maintained at 10%. To be eligible for GFA concession, development proposals will have to achieve a specific rating under the BEAM Plus. The new requirements are applicable to all new General Building Plans (GBP) or major revision of GBP for development proposals submitted to the BA for approval on or after 30 June 2024, and to GBP which have been previously disapproved and are resubmitted for approval on or after 30 June 2024.

August 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for Foundations 2017
The revised practice note incorporates amendments to the Code of Practice for Foundations 2017 that have been promulgated, introduces required conditions for adopting the presumed allowable values given in GEO Technical Guidance Note No. 53 and updates on design, construction, administrative and procedural requirements relating to foundation works.

July 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Calculation of Gross Floor Area and Non-accountable Gross Floor Area Building (Planning) Regulation 23(3)(a) and (b)
The revised PNAP APP-2 promulgates the incorporation of 100% GFA concession for aboveground ancillary/public carparks required to be provided under lease for (i) subsidised sale/rental flats accepted by the Government and to be provided by Hong Kong Housing Society or Urban Renewal Authority and (ii) Government accommodation.
Hotel Development
A new Appendix A is provided in the revised PNAP APP-40 which stipulates the provisions of back-of-house and front-of-house facilities in hotel developments for the purpose of hotel concession under regulation 23A of the Building (Planning) Regulations.

June 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011
The revised PNAP APP-153 promulgates the Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011 (June 2023 Edition) with amendments to the Code (October 2015 Version) in Appendix G which takes effect from 1 December 2023.
Code of Practice for Structural Use of Concrete 2013
The revised PNAP APP-142 promulgates amendments to the Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Concrete 2013 (2020 Edition).
Structural Design Information
The revised PNAP ADM-8 encourages the submission of structural plans and associated documents via Electronic Submission Hub.

May 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Building Approval Process
Building Information Modelling
To promote the wider and fuller use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for preparation of different types of plans for statutory submissions, the revised PNAP ADV-34 mainly promulgates the release of the new "Guidelines for using Building Information Modelling in Statutory Plan Submissions (other than General Building Plan) 2023" with BIM objects/models and templates jointly developed with the Construction Industry Council to facilitate the authorized persons, registered structural engineers and registered geotechnical engineers to adopt BIM for statutory plan submissions. Besides, the revised PNAP ADM-19 is to align the contents of the revised PNAP ADV-34.
Consent Procedures for Building Works and Street Works
To facilitate the application for the first consent to the commencement of the superstructure works, a checklist for the essential works and procedures to be completed and required documents to be submitted has been provided in Appendix A to the revised PNAP APP-97.
Testing of Reinforcement for Concrete
Testing of Reinforcement for Concrete
The revised PNAP APP-45 and PNRC 33 promulgate streamlined measures on submission of sampling records, witness records and test reports of prefabricated rebar products from Approved Steel Reinforcing Bar Prefabrication Yards.
EnhancedCode of Practice for the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme and the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme
The revised PNBI-10 promulgates the Code of Practice for the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme and the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme (the Code) (2023 Edition) which incorporates amendments made to the Code in September 2014, March 2017, April 2018, July 2020 and January 2022 since the first publication of the Code in 2012. The Code (2023 Edition) also includes textual refinement and improvement of the numbering system for easy cross reference.

April 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Enhanced Design Standards of Aboveground Drainage System
The revised PNAP APP-164 updates the design guidelines for rain water pipes with internal diameter of not more than 100 mm.

March 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) Specified Forms
Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) Specified Forms
The revised PNAP APP-60 and PNRC 2 mainly cover addition of new specified forms and provision of more specified forms available for online submission via ESH.
Submission of Plans and Documents in Electronic Format
Submission of Plans and Documents in Electronic Format
The revised PNAP ADM-17 and PNRC 42 promulgate the implementation of Stage 2 of Electronic Submission Hub (ESH).
Building Approval Process
Essential Information in Plan Submissions
Centralised Processing of Building Plans
To expedite the first approval of general building plans of a new development project, the revised PNAP ADM-19 and ADV-33 promulgate further streamlining measure on staged submissions of essential information in general building plans for approval under the Buildings Ordinance. Besides, the revised PNAP ADM-2 also simplifies the supporting information required for application for exemption/modification of certain provisions under the Buildings Ordinance and allied regulations.
Minor Works Contractors Registration
The revised PNRC 69 promulgates inclusion of gas installer, electrical fitter and electrical worker (air-conditioning installation) as competent trade divisions for carrying out MW items 3.45 and 3.46.
Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2011
The new PNAP APP-168 promulgates the Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2011 (2023 Edition) with amendments mainly on the use of high strength steel Class 1H.
Energy Efficiency of Buildings Building (Energy Efficiency) Regulation
The revised PNAP APP-67 mainly covers textual updates to the contents and the appendix.

February 2023

Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Submission of Certificate of Completion of Building Works, Application for Occupation Permit and Submission of Record Plans and Information
Submission of Certificate of Completion of Building Works and Schedule of Building Materials and Products
The revised PNAP APP-13 and PNRC 25 promulgate the streamlining procedures for fast track acceptance of completion by new specified Form BA14C for alteration and addition works satisfying the criteria as specified in the revised PNAP APP-13.
Building Approval Process
Minor Amendment Works
The revised PNAP ADM-19 and PNRC 52 mainly cover new facilitation arrangement on the minor amendment of pile cap, excavation and lateral support and site formation works and refinement of the conditions of minor amendment of foundation works.

Summary of new Circular Letters

The Building Authority has issued the following new circular letters which can be viewed/downloaded vide the link below:

December 2023

Title
Remark
The Circular Letter announces an alternative arrangement on the inspections of simple structural steel elements by the quality control supervisor at the fabrication factories in the Mainland.
This circular letter reminds industry of refraining from offering gifts or advantages of any kind to officers of the Buildings Department.

November 2023

Title
Remark
The Circular Letter reminds the registered building professionals and contractors of their roles and responsibilities on compliance with the Buildings Ordinance concerning erection of unauthorised building works.

September 2023

Title
Remark
The Circular Letter serves to remind the Registered Inspector (RI) if there are UBW within the scope as described in paragraph 3.7.1 of the Code of Practice for the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme and the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme 2012 (2023 Edition), RI shall inspect and assess the UBW safety to determine whether they constitute an obvious hazard or imminent danger, and take appropriate follow-up actions during the course of inspection.
The Circular Letter reminds the registered building professionals and contractors to take appropriate actions after the extreme conditions to ensure public and site safety.
The Circular Letter reminds the registered building professionals and contractors to take appropriate actions to ensure safe use of vehicles with cranes during transportation for construction sites.

August 2023

Title
Remark
The Circular Letter promulgates new assessment criteria on minor works contractor’s access to resources on the application for inclusion in Register.
The Circular Letter promulgates new assessment criteria on contractor’s access to resources on the application for inclusion in Register.
The Circular Letter reminds registered contractors and registered building professionals to ensure their bamboo scaffolds meet all safety requirements and to properly handle any rendering or concrete materials removed from external walls during repair works.

June 2023

Title
Remark
The Circular Letter announces special arrangement on off-site witnessing foundation proof test.

May 2023

Title
Remark
As a seasonal reminder, the Circular Letter provides guidelines on rodent-proofing design in new buildings and mosquito/rodent prevention and control measures in construction/demolition sites.

April 2023

Title
Remark
The Circular Letter serves as a seasonal reminder to the building professionals and contractors to pay special attention to the prevention measures at construction sites in respect of safety of scaffolding and tower crane as well as flood prevention.

March 2023

Title
Remark
The circular letter promulgates the launch of Stage 2 of ESH on 31 March 2023.
The circular letter encourages industry to adopt Smart Site Safety System in private construction sites, to uplift site safety performance.
The Circular letters promulgate BA’s continuous acceptance on the completion of Refresher Course and Continuing Professional Development Course as an alternative to a valid job reference upon application for renewal or restoration of registration in the years 2023 and 2024.
The circular letter promulgates the use of fire retardant protective net/screen/tarpaulin/plastic sheeting on façade of building under construction, demolition, repair or minor works.
The circular letter promulgates the formation of Dedicated Processing Units in Buildings Department and introduces streamlining measures for processing general building plans.

February 2023

Title
Remark
The Circular Letter promulgates the streamlining measures in respect of superstructure, foundation, excavation and lateral support works and the sharing of information through the Central Data Bank.

General Building Plan Calculators

General Building Plan Calculators
Title
GFA and SC calculation (Excel template)
GFA and SC calculation (Sample)
Standards of Sanitary Fitments (Excel template)

Disclaimer

The information contained in the general building plan calculators (GBP Calculators) is provided for general information only. Whilst the Buildings Department (BD) endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, no statement, representation, warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied, is given as to the accuracy or appropriateness of the GBP Calculators and the information contained therein for use in any particular circumstances. BD accepts no liability for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or related to the use of the GBP Calculators and/or the information contained therein.

BD is entitled to delete, suspend or edit all the information on this webpage at any time at its absolute discretion without notification or giving any reason. Users are responsible for making their own assessments of all the information contained therein or information in connection with such and are advised to verify such information and obtain independent advice before acting upon it.


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