Building safety news

“Our data” is what changed on BD's published lists since our last monthly check: which blocks were newly served inspection notices or orders, which complied, and which blocks joined or left the register. “Official” items are our summaries of BD and Development Bureau press releases, with a link to the original.

• 202614OctOfficialProsecutionsThree owners in Jordan and Kwun Tong fined nearly HK$320,000 for repeatedly ignoring removal ordersThree owners who repeatedly ignored BD removal orders were convicted again and fined HK$317,440 in total. The cases involve projections and a podium structure at composite buildings on Woosung Street, Jordan and Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, and structures in the escape route of an industrial building on Kwun Tong Road; some works removed fire doors or fire-resisting walls.
• 202607OctOfficialProsecutionsFour owners fined over HK$1.18m for ignoring orders on Kwun Tong mini-storage unitsSix units in an industrial building on Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong were converted into mini-storage without approval, blocking escape routes and firefighting access. Four owners who did not comply with BD's removal and repair orders were convicted for the second time and fined about HK$1.18 million in total, mostly daily fines for the continuing offence.
• 202603OctOfficialBuilding safetyBD investigates reinforcement problems at a One Stanley house in StanleyAfter an owner reported structural concerns about the floor slabs of a house at One Stanley, which got its occupation permit in 2023, BD carried out several rounds of tests and found that a beam and some slabs do not match the approved plans. BD sees no obvious danger but is investigating further, and may prosecute or discipline the professionals or contractor involved.
• 202629SeptOfficialRepair supportPrequalified lists for the new building maintenance support service open for applicationsThe Development Bureau is setting up three prequalified lists, for inspection consultants, supervising consultants and contractors, under its new building maintenance support service. Firms can apply from 30 September to 27 October. Only listed firms will be able to bid for owners' repair works tendered through the service, which aims to start tendering for owners in the first quarter of next year.
• 202609SeptOfficialProsecutionsWang Fuk Court fire: BD brings 259 charges over the estate's major repair worksThe Buildings Department has brought 259 charges against the works consultant, the main contractor and four people over the major repair works linked to last November's fire at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po. The charges include using non-compliant materials, failing to supervise prescribed repairs and carrying out works in a way that caused injury and damage. BD has stepped up checks on scaffolding nets and fire safety at major repair sites across Hong Kong.
• 202607SeptOfficialFire safetySham Shui Po owner fined over HK$610,000 for ignoring a fire safety directionUnder the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance, BD directed the owner of a unit in a composite building on Castle Peak Road, Sham Shui Po to replace fire doors and seal an unauthorised doorway to the escape staircase with a fire-resisting wall. The owner did not comply and was fined HK$611,900, mostly daily fines for the continuing offence.