Summary of new/revised Practice Notes
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
December 2022
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Refuse Storage and Collection - Building (Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Chambers and Refuse Chutes) Regulations
The revised PNAP APP-35 promulgates an alternative approach for the provision of refuse storage and material recovery rooms. This revision also incorporates amendments to the limiting specifications of refuse collection vehicles.
Railway Protection under Railways Ordinance, Mass Transit Railway (Land Resumption and Related Provisions) Ordinance and Area Number 3 of the Scheduled Areas in Schedule 5 to the Buildings Ordinance
Railway Protection under Railways Ordinance, Mass Transit Railway (Land Resumption and Related Provisions) Ordinance and Area Number 3 of the Scheduled Areas in Schedule 5 to the Buildings Ordinance
The revised PNAP APP-24 and PNRC-14 mainly cover updates to the list of existing railway lines, guidelines on carrying out building works within railway protection areas and the associated revisions on the monitoring control requirements. In addition, the revised PNAP APP-24 and PNRC-14 set out new guidelines on engineering approach for movement control and assessment of the effects on railway structures/facilities and operations, communication and announcement mechanism for private construction works within railway protection areas.
September 2022
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Demolition Works Measures for Public Safety
Demolition Works Measures for Public Safety
The revised PNAP APP-21 and PNRC 6 promulgates streamlining measures for fast track acceptance of completion by new specified Form BA14B for demolition works meeting the criteria as specified in the revised PNAP APP-21. In addition, to facilitate the application for consent to commence the demolition works, a checklist for the essential precautionary and protective measures to be carried out and required documents to be submitted for the application has been also provided in Appendix C to the revised PNAP APP-21.
August 2022
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Building Design to Foster a Quality and Sustainable Built Environment
In tandem with issue of JPN No. 8 – "Incentive to Promote Green and Innovative Buildings Enhanced Facilitation Measures for Buildings Adopting Modular Integrated Construction" which takes effect from 1 August 2022, Appendix A to PNAP APP-151 has been updated. Besides, PNAP APP-161 – “Exemption of Gross Floor Area for Buildings adopting Modular Integrated Construction” has been repealed.
July 2022
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Incentive to Promote Green and Innovative Buildings Enhanced Facilitation Measures for Buildings Adopting Modular Integrated Construction
JPN No. 8 promulgates enhanced facilitation measures for buildings adopting Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) including increasing the concession of floor area from the current 6% to 10% and providing corresponding site coverage concession as well as supporting applications for exceeding building height limits due to increase in floor area caused by the adoption of MiC which takes effect from 1 August 2022.
Second Package of Incentives to Promote Green and Innovative Buildings
In tandem with issue of JPN No. 8, JPN No. 2 has been updated with references on MiC adoption removed.
Summary of new Circular Letters
Summary of new Circular Letters
The Building Authority has issued the following new circular letters which can be viewed/downloaded vide the link below:
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.
December 2022
Title
Remark
This circular letter reminds industry of refraining from offering gifts or advantages of any kind to officers of the Buildings Department.
September 2022
Title
Remark
The AAQ provides a list of the academic qualifications of the key personnel of the registered contractors previously accepted by the Building Authority for contractors’ registration under the Buildings Ordinance for reference.
The Circular Letter calling on the registered building professionals and registered contractors to inspect the temporary works, the sequence of construction or method statements of the temporary structures and the associated fixing methods to ensure that all tower cranes erected or to be erected in construction sites under their supervision are safe, so as to prevent recurrence of the incident involving a tower crane at a construction site. Structural design of their supporting structures and foundations should be reviewed if necessary.
August 2022
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter promulgates the full launch of the mobile application - "WIN SAFE" for public use and invites the QPs to encourage owners to download and register for use.
July 2022
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter promulgates certain amendments to the Code of Practice for Foundations 2017 which have been taken effect from 26 July 2022.
Due to the recent alarming mosquito infestation situation, the Circular Letter reminds taking appropriate actions promptly to strengthen mosquito prevention and control in construction/demolition sites.
General Building Plan Calculators
| Title |
|---|
| GFA and SC calculation (Excel template) |
| GFA and SC calculation (Sample) |
| Standards of Sanitary Fitments (Excel template) |
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