Hong Kong orders phased facade repairs for multi-building projects
Hong Kong's Buildings Department has required that future major repair works involving more than one building must phase facade repairs. Professionals and contractors must ensure staircase and lift lobby windows are closed during works. Independent inspectors issued 24 correction warnings since Dece
The Director of Buildings in Hong Kong has issued a circular letter requiring that future major repair projects involving more than one building must carry out facade repairs in phases. During such works, building professionals and contractors must ensure that windows in staircases or lift lobbies are securely closed.
The Housing Bureau submitted a paper to the Legislative Council's Panel on Housing, noting that some older buildings still retain openable windows in staircases or lift lobbies. The government should issue temporary warning notices to ensure windows are closed, and in the longer term review whether these should be replaced by sealed fire-resistant windows. The Director of Buildings sent the circular letter to professionals and contractors last Thursday.
Separately, since December last year, the Independent Checking Team has stepped up inspections of buildings undergoing major repair works within its jurisdiction. This covered five Home Ownership Scheme estates and Tenants Purchase Scheme estates, involving a total of 29 buildings. As of September this year, the team conducted 316 inspections at these estates, including 277 scaffold inspections and 39 surprise checks to see whether fire barriers had been removed or combustible materials used near windows. Twenty-four rectification warnings have been issued.