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:
September 2026
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Design Manual on Universal Accessibility
The new PNAP APP-176 promulgates the Design Manual on Universal Accessibility 2026, a comprehensive revision of the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition). The new Design Manual incorporates concepts of universal design with the objective of fostering a more inclusive and accessible built environment for all members of the community.
Registration of General Building Contractors and Specialist Contractors
The revised PNAP APP-96 introduce provision for applications of pre-accepted AS for the contractor registration system.
Registration of General Building Contractors and Specialist Contractors
The revised PNRC 38 mainly introduces six strengthening measures that aim to enhance the assessment framework for Registered Contractors and Authorized Signatories (AS) and encourage more experienced, qualified and competent construction practitioners to apply for AS, while maintaining strict competency standards and operational transparency.
The six new measures in PNRC 38 include (i) a two-stage assessment of AS comprising Multiple-Choice Examination and CRC Interview, (ii) Pre-Accepted AS mechanism, (iii) Alternative way for experienced practitioners to become AS of Registered General Building Contractor, (iv) Broadened academic qualifications of AS, (v) Mandatory Safety Training Requirement for AS; and (vi) Revised scope of declarations in conviction/disciplinary records and fatalities records.
The revisions also include amendments concerning resignation of an accepted AS, Technical Director or Other Officer using the new form BA27 and express stipulation of BA’s discretion in assessing Inclusion, Renewal, Restoration and Addition Applications.
PNAP APP-96 is revised correspondingly.
August 2026
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
"Bonus Plot Ratio Pilot Scheme"
In response to the innovative measures announced in the 2025 Policy Address, this JPN No.9 introduces the Bonus Plot Ratio Pilot Scheme to give stronger policy push to incentivise private redevelopment projects in several old districts to rescue urban decay.
Requirements for an Excavation and Lateral Support Plan - Building (Administration) Regulation 8(1)(bc)
The revised PNAP APP-57 incorporates amendments promulgated in GEO Publication No. 1/2023. In addition, it introduces streamlining measures for excavation and lateral support (ELS) works, which allow initial stage ELS works to be carried out concurrently with the foundation works.
Elderly-friendly Building Design - Regulation 73 and Fourth Schedule of the Building (Planning) Regulations
The new PNAP APP-175 promulgates the amendments to the Building (Planning) Regulations to introduce the mandatory requirements for elderly-friendly building design and sets out certain performance standards for compliance with the mandatory requirements.
June 2026
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for Precast Concrete Construction 2016
The new PNAP APP-174 promulgates amendments to the Code of Practice for Precast Concrete Construction 2016, which mainly cover the calculation of design ultimate bearing stress with reference to the Code of Practice for Structural Use of Concrete 2013; an imposition of the testing procedures with specific requirements of on-site water penetration test for completed joints; and an addition of a new annex A1 for the referenced standards.
May 2026
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Submission of Plans and Documents in Electronic Format
Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) Specified Forms
Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) Specified Forms
Submission of Plans and Documents in Electronic Format
The revised PNAPs & PNRCs are amended for the launch of the Registration and Minor Works Management System on 29 May 2026.
April 2026
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2011
The revised practice note incorporates amendments to the Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2011 (2023 Edition). The amendments mainly cover on the use of high strength concrete and high strength steel in concrete filled steel section composite columns, addition of requirements for vibration response of footbridges as well as mechanised and automatic welding.
March 2026
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Control of Environmental Nuisance from Construction Sites
Control of Environmental Nuisance from Construction Sites
The revised PNAP ADV-4 and PNRC 17 mainly update the practical advice from relevant government departments (e.g. the Environmental Protection Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, etc.) to prevent and minimise common environmental nuisances arising from construction sites.
February 2026
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for Foundations 2017
The revised PNAP APP-18 promulgates the required conditions for adopting the presumed allowable vertical bearing pressure and presumed allowable bond or friction between rock and concrete or grout for piles of the founding stratum given in GEO Technical Guidance Note Nos. 26 and 53. In addition, it introduces streamlining measures for foundation plan submissions in Area Numbers 3 and 5 of the Scheduled Areas with deferred site-specific ground investigation as detailed in Appendix C.
January 2026
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
The revised PNAP APP-16, APP-110 and APP-166 introduce an alternative arrangement to expedite the approval process for structural plan submissions of certain types of secondary structural elements (SSEs) including metal cladding, protective barriers, metal grille and louvre, thus facilitating the construction process. Under this streamlined alternative, registered structural engineers (RSE) may include the typical details, typical layout and general notes (e.g. design standards, material specifications, construction requirements, etc) of these SSEs in superstructure plans instead of making a separate structural plan submissions for approval by the Building Authority (BA). Additionally, RSE may adopt a similar approach by including the essential information of the embed works in the superstructure plans submitted for BA's approval.
December 2025
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Fire Retardant Performance of Protective Nets, Screens, Tarpaulins and Plastic Sheeting Installed on Scaffolding of External Walls
The protective nets, screens, tarpaulin and plastic sheeting (collectively referred to as protective materials) installed on the scaffolding of external walls of buildings under construction, demolition, alteration and addition, repair or minor works should have fire retardant performance in compliance with the recognised standards. The new practice note sets out the sampling and testing requirements.
November 2025
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 relaxation of GFA concession for private and public car parks, including removal of the mandatory requirement of constructing underground car parks as a condition of disregarding the GFA calculation of aboveground carparking floor, not more than two aboveground carparking floors may be 100% disregarded from GFA calculation, and GFA concession for public car parks aligned with GFA concession for private car parks. In addition, the electrical vehicle charging-enabling facilities of the car parks should comply with the requirements stipulated in the revised Technical Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Charging-enabling for Car Parks of New Building Developments (TGNBD) issued by the Environment and Ecology Bureau in February 2023 and the circular letter of "Supplement to the Technical Requirements under TGNBD" issued by the Environmental Protection Department in October 2025.
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:
August 2026
Title
Remark
This circular letter serves to remind the registered building professionals and registered contractors, as stated in the Practice Note for Registered Contractors 85, the GB 5725-2025 "Fall protection – Safety nets" will take effect on 1 September 2026, superseding the previous standard of GB 5725-2009 "Safety nets". Matters requiring attention in the adoption of the above standard are also set out in the circular letter.
The Circular Letter promulgates inclusion of mandatory requirements for elderly-friendly building design under the Building (Planning) (Amendment) Regulation 2026 which has come into operation on 1 August 2026 in the "Technical Guidelines on Minor Works Control System (2024 Edition)".
July 2026
Title
Remark
The circular letter announces LandsD's newly streamlined measure for the use of tied-back wall support systems that encroach into Government land during excavation works.
June 2026
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.
May 2026
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter promulgates the new web-based RMWMS, outlines its key features and encourages Registered Building Professionals and Registered Contractors to utilize the platform.
The Circular Letter "Prevention Measures at Construction Sites during Rainy and Typhoon Seasons" 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.
This circular letter serves to remind all registered building professionals, registered contractors and property management personnel of the requirements of the Transport Department that a safe clearance of scaffolds from carriageway should be maintained to prevent vehicles from collision with scaffolds and to minimise safety hazards to road users, workers and the public at large.
March 2026
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter serves to inform all registered building professionals and registered contractors to take appropriate site management, adequate precautionary measures and proper supervision during the course of major building repair works, including alterations and additions, renovations, maintenance, repairs, or minor works in order to ensure the site safety and to protect the occupants. All works should be carried out in full compliance with the requirements stipulated in relevant legislations, Technical Memorandums, Codes of Practice, and Practice Notes.
February 2026
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter promulgates the use of the updated specified forms (Forms MW01 and MW03) to allow the prescribed registered contractor to confirm whether the works as detailed in the specified forms involve scaffolding involving three or more consecutive storeys; and confirm the procedures stipulated in PNRC 85 have been followed to ensure protective materials comply with the required fire retardant performance standards. The updated specified forms have been uploaded to the Buildings Department website (www.bd.gov.hk). The previous version of the specified forms will continue to be accepted until 22 February 2026.
January 2026
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter issued by BD promulgates that information of qualified persons (QPs) who have consistently made submissions within the statutory timeframes will be published on BD’s website, to enhance transparency and encourage timely submissions of notifications and certifications by QPs.
December 2025
Title
Remark
This circular letter encourages industry to submit standardised material test reports with digital signatures to promote a more efficient, transparent, and streamlined construction industry.
This circular letter reminds industry of refraining from offering gifts or advantages of any kind to officers of the Buildings Department.
November 2025
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter serves to inform all registered building professionals (RBPs) that a circular letter has been issued today to all registered contractors, for requiring them to submit reports certifying the protective net, screen, tarpaulin and plastic sheeting installed at the facade of private buildings with works under their charge (including any sites under construction, demolition, alteration and addition, repair or minor works) comply with the recognised standards and to submit a report to the Buildings Department (BD ) within 7 days from the date of the circular letter, i.e. on or before 4 December 2025. In addition, RBPs are reminded to ensure that the protective nets, screens, tarpaulins and plastic sheeting installed at the facades of buildings with works under their supervision possess the appropriate fire-retardant properties in compliance with the recognised standards.
The Circular Letter serves to require registered contractors, to review the fire retardant properties of the protective net, screen, tarpaulin and plastic sheeting installed at the facade of private buildings with works under their charge (including any sites under construction, demolition, alteration and addition, repair or minor works) and to submit a report to the Buildings Department to certify that they comply with the recognised standards of fire retardant properties and are in good condition. The above information and test reports should be submitted to BD within 7 days from the date of the circular letter, i.e. on or before 4 December 2025.
October 2025
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter promulgates inclusion of relevant recognised standards of fire retardant properties of protective net, screen, tarpaulin or plastic sheeting installed to cover the façade of buildings when carrying out minor works in the Technical Guidelines on Minor Works Control System (2024 Edition).
The Circular Letter serves to call on registered building professionals and registered contractors, to take immediate action to inspect and ascertain that the protective net, screen, tarpaulin and plastic sheeting installed at the facade of buildings with works under their charge (including any sites under construction, demolition, repair and minor works) possess the appropriate fire retardant properties in compliance with the recognised standards to prevent the spread of fire should a fire occur.
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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