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:
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.
September 2025
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 and APP-156 promulgate the enhancement of the Overall Thermal Transfer Value which takes effect from 31 December 2025.
Hostels in the City Scheme
The revised PNAP APP-173 promulgates Hostels in the City Scheme ("the Scheme") jointly launched by Development Bureau and Education Bureau has been further expanded to cover newly built student hostels. Newly built student hostels can also enjoy the facilitation measures under the Scheme.
Site Investigation and Ground Investigation
Site Investigation and Ground Investigation
The revised PNAP APP-49 and PNRC 46 promulgate the requirements for digital submission of ground investigation and laboratory test reports.
Code of Practice for Foundations 2017
The revised PNAP APP-18 promulgates amendments to the Code of Practice for Foundations 2017 (2024 Edition). These amendments include revision to the capping limit of ultimate bearing capacity for raft foundations on granular soils and revision to the correlation factor between Young’s modulus E’ and SPT N-value of granular soils. In addition, it introduces streamlining measures for foundation plan submissions in non-scheduled areas with deferred site-specific ground investigation as detailed in Appendix C.
July 2025
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Modular Integrated Construction
The revised PNAP ADV-36 updates the guidelines and streamlined measures for granting in-principle acceptance for modular integrated construction including (a) reducing the essential information for the application; (b) revised quality assurance requirements; and (c) refined processing mechanism, and the clarification regards the maintenance issue on separate balcony or utility platform modules.
Hostels in the City Scheme
The new PNAP APP-173 promulgates "Hostels in the City Scheme" jointly launched by Development Bureau and Education Bureau to encourage the market to convert existing commercial buildings and hotels into student hostels. This practice note sets out the details and implementation arrangements of the facilitation measures under the building regime.
Green and Innovative Buildings
Projections in relation to Site Coverage and Plot Ratio - Building (Planning) Regulations 20 and 21
Amenity Features
Provision of Better Lift Service
Exclusion of Floor Areas for Recreational Use
Building Design to Foster a Quality and Sustainable Built Environment
The revised JPN No.1, PNAP APP-19, APP-42, APP-89, APP-104 and APP-151 promulgate the concessions for building features to promote elderly friendly building design.
Buildings to be Planned for Use by Persons with a Disability Regulation 72 of Building (Planning) Regulations Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008
The revised PNAP APP-41 promulgates the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 (2025 Edition) with incorporation of the revamped Chapter 6 to the Design Manual - "ELDERLY-FRIENDLY DESIGN GUIDELINES" in Appendix J for promoting elderly-friendly building design.
June 2025
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Self-certification System for Plan Submission of Simple Structural Works
The new PNAP ADM-23 promulgates the introduction of a self-certification system for fast track processing of structural plan submission for simple structural works (SSW). SSW fulfilling the prescriptive requirements could be processed on a fast track basis by relying on (i) self-certification by a registered structural engineer (RSE) of the project; or (ii) self-certification by a RSE of the project together with checking and certification by an independent checking engineer. This self-certification system will reduce the processing time for plan submissions of SSW by the Buildings Department to 40 days for the first submission/major revision, and 20 days for re-submission/amendment submission.
April 2025
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Building Approval Process
The revised PNAP ADM-19 explains that fast track processing for simple alteration and addition (A&A) works also covers drainage A&A works.
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.
Hoardings, Covered Walkways and Gantries (including Temporary Access for Construction Vehicles) - Part IX of Building (Planning) Regulations
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.
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:
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.
September 2025
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter serves to remind the registered building professionals and contractors to pay special attention to the prevention measures for construction sites/building sites safety in respect of scaffolds, tower cranes and gondolas during "Ragasa".
May 2025
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.
The Circular Letter reminds qualified persons to submit the Specified Forms within the statutory timeframe and encourages the submission of Specified Forms and reports via electronic format.
April 2025
Title
Remark
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.
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.
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.
Download Adobe® Acrobat® Reader to read the publications in PDF format.
