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 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.
June 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for Foundations 2017
The revised PNAP APP-18 incorporates amendments to the Code of Practice for Foundations 2017 in Appendix A4 involving relaxation of the founding criteria for Socketed Steel H-piles and Mini-piles.
Centralised Processing of Building Plans
The revised PNAP ADM-2 mainly covers the notification on the Results for Approval and Consent Applications for Structural Works in Electronic Form and the arrangement of electronic submissions of Fire Service Installations Proposal to Fire Service Department and plans to Lands Department after the implementation of Stage 3 of Electronic Submission Hub (ESH).
Minor Amendments to Plans and Specified Forms
The revised PNAP ADM-14 promulgates the outline of minor amendments to plans and specified forms in electronic submission through ESH. The amendments mainly cover (i) explaining the amended plans and specified forms submitted in “revised submissions” under ESH (ii) reminding the amended plans and specified forms have to be returned by the agreed date via the function of "revised submissions" under ESH.
Submission of Plans and Documents in Electronic Format
Submission of Plans and Documents in Electronic Format
The revised PNAP ADM-17 & PNRC 42 promulgate the implementation of Stage 3 of ESH. The amendments mainly cover (i) deletion of Appendix B (ii) highlighting the function of e-Workspace (iii) explaining the computation of statutory time period for e-submission.
Procedure for Payment of Fees on Submission of Plans
Regulation 42 of the Building (Administration) Regulations
The revised PNAP APP-55 mainly covers the procedure for payment of plan processing fees on electronic plan submissions.
Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) Specified Forms
Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) Specified Forms
The revised PNAP APP-60 & PNRC 2 and their corresponding Appendices A mainly cover provisions of more specified forms available for online submission via ESH after the implementation of Stage 3 of ESH.
Protective Barriers
The revised PNAP APP-110 provides samples of acceptable protective barriers and has the corresponding textual update.
May 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Essential Information in Plan Submissions
The revised PNAP ADV-33 mainly covers updates to the appendices B3 and B11 as well as addition of new appendix B12.
Buildings to be Planned for Use by Persons with a Disability
Regulation 72 of Building (Planning) Regulations
Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008
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 (2024 Edition) with amendment to the Design Manual (2021 Edition) in Appendix I.
April 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Building (Construction) Regulation
The revised PNAP APP-53 updates the standards/technical criteria on design and construction, as well as workmanship and testing of commonly used building materials acceptable by the Building Authority.
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).
Residential Care Homes for the Elderly and Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities
The new PNAP APP-172 sets out the facilitating measures to encourage provision of residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities in private developments.
Innovative Building Materials and Technologies
The new PNAP ADV-38 promulgates setting up of a new pre-acceptance mechanism for innovative building materials and technologies.
February 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Curtain Wall, Window and Window Wall
Curtain Wall, Window and Window Wall
The revised PNAP APP-37 mainly covers new guidelines on record keeping and use of spare glass panes.
The new PNRC 84 promulgates the standards commonly used for the design and construction of curtain wall, window and window wall.
The new PNRC 84 promulgates the standards commonly used for the design and construction of curtain wall, window and window wall.
Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Glass 2018
The new PNAP APP-171 promulgates the "Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Glass 2018" (the Code) which incorporates amendments made to the Code in July 2020 since the first publication of the Code in 2018 and covers textual updates to the contents and the annex.
January 2024
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Testing of Drainage Works Regulation 73 of the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations
Testing of Drainage Works Regulation 73 of the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations
The revised PNAP APP-58 and PNRC 11 update the standard for testing of drainage works pursuant to Regulation 73 of the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations. The associated forms applying for testing of drainage works and certifying completion of testing of drainage works have also been updated.
December 2023
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong
The revised PNAP APP-139 promulgates amendments to the Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong 2019 (2019 Code) and the Explanatory Notes to the 2019 Code, and the requirements for wind tunnel test.
Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009
Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009
The revised PNAP APP-157 and PNRC 76 promulgate amendments to the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009 (2021 Edition) which cover the basic values for assignment of the scale of works, recognition of academic courses, professional qualification and supervision experience; and the standard forms of supervision plan with Annexes.
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 100% GFA concession for private and public car parks of not more than one aboveground floor on the condition that a minimum of two underground carparking floors which fully utilise the site are provided at the development.
November 2023
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Enhanced Design Standards of Aboveground Drainage System
The revised PNAP APP-164 allows application for modification of Regulation 30(2)(b)(ii) of the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations to permit the anti-syphonage pipe to be connected with the branch soil pipe or branch waste pipe at a point not more than 750 mm from the trap outlet.
October 2023
Practice Note No.
Title
Remark
Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004
Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004
The new PNAP APP-170 and PNRC 83 promulgate the amendments to the Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings 2004. The amendments in October 2023 mainly cover (i) provision of guidelines on precautionary measures at the interface between two adjacent demolition/construction sites; (ii) an enhanced safety precautionary measures for floor openings and free edges at buildings and structures; (iii) an enhanced control on conveying debris through floor openings; and (iv) revision of the requirements on method and procedures for the demolition of exterior column.
Strength Tests for Structural Fixings in Concrete
The new PNAP APP-169 provides a set of pre-accepted method statements for carrying out strength tests for structural fixings in concrete.
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:
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.
June 2024
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter announces the implementation of Stage 3 of Electronic Submission Hub on 30 June 2024.
May 2024
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 announces that the Buildings Department will issue the result letters for approval and consent applications for structural works in electronic form in reply to paper submissions.
April 2024
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 scaffolding and tower crane as well as flood prevention.
March 2023
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter announces the new mandatory requirement on the adoption of two measures of Smart Site Safety System, namely the unsafe acts/dangerous situation alert system for mobile plant operation danger zone (Mobile Plant Alert System) and unsafe acts/dangerous situation alert system for tower crane lifting zone (Tower Crane Alert System), to provide qualified supervision of building works involving the use of mobile plants and/or tower cranes.
January 2024
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter reminds prescribed building professionals (PBPs) and prescribed registered contractors (PRCs) to submit the notices of commencement and certificates of completion of MW in accordance with the regulatory requirements under the Minor Works Control System. Late submissions will be returned to PBPs or PRCs before acknowledgement of the MW submissions.
December 2023
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter announces an alternative arrangement on the inspections of simple structural steel elements by the quality control supervisor at the fabrication factories in the Mainland.
This circular letter reminds industry of refraining from offering gifts or advantages of any kind to officers of the Buildings Department.
November 2023
Title
Remark
The Circular Letter reminds the registered building professionals and contractors of their roles and responsibilities on compliance with the Buildings Ordinance concerning erection of unauthorised building works.
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) |
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