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:
April 2025
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Demolition Works Measures for Public Safety
The revised PNAP APP-21 mainly to delete and incorporate the design requirements and standard designs of hoarding under paragraphs 23 to 25 and Appendix B into the Appendix C of the revised PNAP APP-23.
Conditions and Requirements Imposed under the Buildings Ordinance upon Granting Approval and/or Consent
The revised PNAP APP-23 announces streamlining measures to allow greater flexibility in the design of hoardings / covered walkways and expand the extent of self-certification mechanism for hoarding permit application and minor amendments to permitted hoarding. As to incorporate the requirements on hoarding into one PNAP (i.e. PNAP APP-23), the design requirements and standard designs of hoarding originally stipulated in paragraphs 23 to 25 and Appendix B of PNAP APP-21 and the requirements on precautionary measures for superstructure works originally stipulated in PNAP APP-102 are incorporated in Appendixes C and D of the revised PNAP APP-23 respectively.
Besides, PNAP APP-102 "Superstructure Works Measures for Public Safety" has been repealed.
Besides, PNAP APP-102 "Superstructure Works Measures for Public Safety" has been repealed.
Hoardings and Covered Walkways – Building (Planning) Regulations Part IX
The revised PNRC 4 promotes and encourages the use of self-certification system for hoarding under PNAP APP-23.
March 2025
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Metal Gates
The revised PNAP APP-146 updates the recommendations for enhancing the safety of metal gates.
Submission of Plans and Documents in Electronic Format
The revised PNRC 42 promulgates a streamlined measure for allowing application for modification of Regulation 20(1) of the Building (Administration) Regulations to permit notification to the Building Authority of the appointment of registered contractor and commencement of building works or street works to be not less than 1 day prior to commencement of works, on the condition that the notification (i.e. specified Form BA10) should be submitted via Electronic Submission Hub (ESH). The above measure was also recently disseminated via PNAP ADM-17.
Conditions and Requirements Imposed under the Buildings Ordinance upon Granting Approval and/or Consent
Conditions and Requirements Imposed under the Buildings Ordinance upon Granting Approval and/or Consent
The revised PNAP APP-162, PNRC 80 and the Circular Letter "Extension of Adopting Smart Site Safety System for Qualified Supervision of All Types of Building Works Involving Mobile Plants and Tower Cranes" promulgate, with effect from 1 July 2025, for a development project of which the estimated total cost of building works exceeds $30 million, conditions requiring the provision of qualified supervision by the adoption of the Mobile Plant Alert System and Tower Crane Alert System under the Smart Site Safety System would be imposed under item 6(e) of section 17(1) of the Buildings Ordinance upon (a) granting the first approval of plans or major revision of plans, and/or (b) the first consent to the commencement and carrying out of building works (including demolition works, site formation works, excavation and lateral support works, foundation works, pile cap works, superstructure works, and alteration and addition works) that involve the use of mobile plants and/or tower cranes.
December 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Submission of Plans and Documents in Electronic Format
The revised PNAP ADM-17 promulgates a streamlined measure for allowing application for modification of Regulation 20(1) of the Building (Administration) Regulations to permit notification to the Building Authority of the appointment of registered contractor and commencement of building works or street works to be not less than 1 day prior to commencement of works, on the condition that the notification (i.e. specified Form BA10) should be submitted via Electronic Submission Hub (ESH).
November 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Ground-borne Vibration and Ground Settlement arising from Pile Foundation and Excavation and Lateral Support Works
The revised PNAP APP-137 encourages registered building professionals to enhance monitoring control of pile foundation and excavation and lateral support works by adopting a five-tier triggering system; and allows engineering approach for assessment of the effects of such works on adjacent buildings/structures/land/services by referring to Appendix C of PNAP APP-24.
October 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Minor Amendment Works
The revised PNRC 52 promulgates allowing granted permit to an application for modification/exemption of regulation 33(1) of the Building (Administration) Regulations for superstructure works to cover all minor amendments of related secondary structural element works.
Building Approval Process
The revised PNAP ADM-19 promulgates the streamlining measures of superstructure works by further expanding the scope of secondary structural element works eligible for concurrent application for approval and consent; and allowing granted permit to an application for modification/exemption of regulation 33(1) of the Building (Administration) Regulations for superstructure works to cover all minor amendments of related secondary structural element works.
Code of Practice for Foundations 2017
The revised PNAP APP-18 promulgates the Code of Practice for Foundations 2017 (2024 Edition) by incorporating all amendments made from 2021 to 2024 and introduces streamlining measures for alternative arrangement of two-stage pile foundation plan submission in amended Appendix C and newly added Annex C1.
September 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice on Access for External Maintenance 2021
The revised PNAP APP-163 promulgates the Code of Practice on Access for External Maintenance 2021 (2024 Edition) with amendments to the Code in Appendix A. The amendments mainly cover enhanced requirements on safety provisions for carrying out maintenance and repair works at balcony and utility platform; and new alternative safety provisions for carrying out maintenance and repair works at inaccessible roof.
Quality Supervision of Building Works
The revised PNAP APP-158 and its corresponding Appendix A mainly cover the enhancement in quality supervision of building works to prevent water seepage.
Water Seepage
A new Appendix B is provided in the revised PNAP APP-105 which stipulates the enhanced guidelines on prevention of water seepage in new buildings and covers updates to the contents and the appendix. The new guidelines at Appendix B are applicable to all new general building plans (GBP) or major revision of GBP for development projects and alterations and additions works submitted to the Building Authority for approval after 31 March 2025.
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 (2024 Edition) with amendments in Appendix H mainly on the combustibility requirements for building-integrated photovoltaic systems.
Access Facilities for Telecommunications and Broadcasting Services
Building Design to Foster a Quality and Sustainable Built Environment
The revised PNAP APP-84 sets out the new requirements for provision of access facilities for mobile services in private buildings after the implementation of Telecommunications (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 on 1 October 2024. Besides, the PNAP APP-151 is also revised to make corresponding amendments accordingly.
August 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009
Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009
The revised PNAP APP-157 and PNRC 76 promulgate the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009 (2024 Edition) with amendments mainly on qualified supervision of building works involving mobile plants and tower cranes by equipping with automated alert systems under the Smart Site Safety System, introduction of more suitable practitioners as technically competent persons for site supervision, time frame for reporting non-conformities and major/serious site incidents to BD, and enhancement of control on temporary works providing support to tower cranes. The revision also promulgates the uploading of the list of accepted academic qualifications containing courses previously accepted by BD for TCPs’ registration/appointment to BD website.
July 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Energy Efficiency of Buildings Building (Energy Efficiency) Regulation
Design and Construction Requirements for Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings
The revised PNAP APP-67 promulgates streamlined measures for submission of the required documents relating to Overall Thermal Transfer Values and the revised PNAP APP-156 promulgates streamlined measures for submission of the required documents relating to Residential Thermal Transfer Values and the Overall Thermal Transfer Value of residents’ recreational facilities.
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:
April 2025
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter serves as a seasonal reminder to the registered building professionals and contractors to pay special attention to the prevention measures at construction sites in respect of safety of scaffolds and tower crane as well as flood prevention.
March 2025
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter and the revised PNAP APP-162 & PNRC 80 promulgate, with effect from 1 July 2025, for a development project of which the estimated total cost of building works exceeds $30 million, conditions requiring the provision of qualified supervision by the adoption of the Mobile Plant Alert System and Tower Crane Alert System under the Smart Site Safety System would be imposed under item 6(e) of section 17(1) of the Buildings Ordinance upon (a) granting the first approval of plans or major revision of plans, and/or (b) the first consent to the commencement and carrying out of building works (including demolition works, site formation works, excavation and lateral support works, foundation works, pile cap works, superstructure works, and alteration and addition works) that involve the use of mobile plants and/or tower cranes.
The Circular Letter announces further streamlining measures for foundation works including (a) alternative arrangement of witnessing plate load test; (b) streamlined witnessing of test installation of piles by BD staff and; (c) further streamlining measures for pile selection for proof tests upon receipt of Form BA14 certifying the completion of foundation works.
February 2025
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter promulgates the publication of the Chinese version of the Technical Guidelines on Minor Works Control System (2024 Edition) which has consolidated the legislative amendments under the Building (Minor Works) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2021 and the advice of the Technical Committee on the Minor Works Control System.
January 2025
Title
Remark
The Development Bureau (DEVB), the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) jointly launched the Construction Industry Integrity Charter 2.0. The Charter 2.0 extended the charter from contractors to consultants to uphold and enhance professionalism and integrity of the construction industry.
December 2024
Title
Remark
This circular letter reminds industry of refraining from offering gifts or advantages of any kind to officers of the Buildings Department.
November 2024
Title
Remark
The circular letter promulgates training courses which are provided for site supervisory personnel who do not possess the academic qualifications as specified by the Technical Memorandum for Supervision Plans 2009, to equivalent academic qualifications for TCP T1, T2 and T3 and authorized signatory of contractors for registration under the Buildings Ordinance.
October 2024
Title
Remark
The circular letter announces the further streamlining measures for structural works including (a) alternative arrangement of two-stage pile foundation plan submission; (b) further expanding the scope of secondary structural element works eligible for concurrent application for approval and consent and; (c) allowing granted permit to an application for modification/exemption of regulation 33(1) of the Building (Administration) Regulations for superstructure works to cover all minor amendments of related secondary structural element works.
September 2024
No circular letter available at the moment.
August 2024
No circular letter available at the moment.
July 2024
No circular letter available at the moment.
Videos
Reports of Non-conformities and Major/Serious Site Incidents in Construction Sites
(For use by authorized persons or authorized signatories of the registered contractors as required under the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009 (2024 Edition))
Email: siteincident@bd.gov.hk
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.
Building Information Modelling
BD encourages adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for plan submissions under the Buildings Ordinance and is developing various automated checking tools to facilitate plan processing, automate workflows and minimise manual arithmetic checking of submissions. Please visit BD webpage on BIM Area Tool for more details.
Anti-corruption Material
To promote and strengthen a management culture of integrity in the construction industry, the Development Bureau (DEVB), the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) jointly introduced the Construction Industry Integrity Charter 2.0.
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