Main features of the Buildings Ordinance on the

Main features of the Buildings Ordinance (on the context of school premises) Buildings Ordinance (建築物條例), Chapter 123 2011 1

(I) Long Title To provide for the planning (規劃), design (設計) and construction (建造 ) of buildings and associated works; to make provision for the rendering safe of dangerous buildings and land; and to make provision for matters connected therewith. (Originally 68 of 1955, [1 June 1956] G. N. A. 45 of 1956, Replaced 72 of 1980 s. 2) 2

(II) Development (more than 150 years) 1845 Nuisances Ordinance 1845 1856 - The Buildings and Nuisances Ordinance 1856. - 1 st statutory control on sanitation and building works 3

(II) Development (more than 150 years) Con’t. 1883 An outbreak of cholera 1889 - The Public Health Ordinance and the Buildings Ordinance 1889 - Plans submitted to Surveyor General to approve 4

(II) Development (more than 150 years) Con’t. 1894 An outbreak of bubonic plague (鼠疫) in Guangzhou, which spreaded to Hong Kong causing (causing death of 2, 252 persons in 1894 and accumulates up to 20, 457 persons in 1923) 5

(II) Development (more than 150 years) Con’t. 1901 Collapse of a building at 32 & 34 Cochrane Street (閣麟街) causing death of 43 persons 1903 The Public Health and Buildings Ordinance 1903 – Introduction of “Authorized Architect” 6

(II) Development (more than 150 years) Con’t. 1935 Buildings Ordinance 1935 and Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance 1935 – 1 st complete overhaul 1955 Buildings Ordinance 1955 – 2 nd complete overhaul; framework of current Buildings Ordinance 7

(III) Fundamental issues (1) Main themes Building control on Development Density, Safety and Health of the Built Environment (2) Main aspects l Planning, design and construction of new buildings and associated works; l Rendering safe of dangerous existing buildings and slopes 8

(IV) Interface with Education Regulation, Cap 279 A in aspect of Maintenance of School Premises (1) Development Density (A) Site Coverage (上蓋面積) - the area of the site that is covered by the building that is erected thereon and, when used in relation to a part of a composite building, means the area of the site on which the building is erected that is covered by that part of the building. (G. N. A. 97 of 1962) B(P)R 2 9

(IV) Interface with Education Regulation, Cap 279 A in aspect of Maintenance of School Premises (1) Development Density (con’t. ) (B)Plot Ratio (地積比率) - the gross floor area of the building by the area of the site on which the building is erected. (G. N. A. 97 of 1962) B(P)R 21(3) 10

(2) Health (A) General Cap 279 A reg 4 - Precautions for health (design, construction, fire resistance, material used) Cap 279 A reg 5 - Keeping the school premises in a satisfactory state of repair Cap 279 A reg 40 - Floor space of classroom (not less than 0. 9 m 2 for each pupil) Cap 279 A reg 87 - Maximum number of pupils permitted in every classroom Cap 279 A reg 88 - Size of classes in nursery, kindergarten, primary, secondary, post-secondary education 11

(2) Health (Con’t) (B) Lighting & Ventilation Cap 279 A reg 9(1) - School premises - adequately ventilated & lighted Cap 279 A reg 9(2) - No cubicle or partition obstructs light or air in classroom Cap 279 A reg 9(3) - Min. height of 3 m for classrooms (2. 75 m for non purposely built schools) Cap 279 A reg 30 - Lighting for machines and work-benches Cap 279 A reg 41 - Blackboards to be adequately illuminated Cap 279 A reg 42 - Open-air recreation for pupils Cap 279 A reg 43(2) - Performance specification of latrines, incl. ratio of window area / room area. Statutory Requirements: Cap 123 F, Building (Planning) Regulations B(P)R 29 : Every storey of every building used or intended to be used for the purpose of an office or for habitation shall be provided with effectual means of lighting and ventilation. B(P)R 30(1) : Every room used for habitation or for the purposes of an office or as a kitchen shall be provided with natural lighting and ventilation. 12

(2) Health (Con’t) (C) Water Supply, Sanitary & Ablutions Cap 279 A reg 10(b) -Structural alternations to latrine accommodation and sanitary accommodation Cap 279 A reg 43(1) - Provision of Latrines, etc. Cap 279 A reg 44 - Improvements to sanitation as required by PS(Ed) Cap 279 A reg 46 - Ablutions Cap 279 A reg 45 - Adequate and wholesome water supply Cap 279 A reg 47 - Refreshment places (such as tuckshops, canteen, etc. ) are in clean & sanitary condition Cap 279 A reg 48 - All school premises shall be in a clean & sanitary condition Cap 279 A Sch I - Detailed requirements of sanitary fitments Statutory requirements: - Cap 123, Buildings Ordinance BO 28(1) : All drainage works for any building shall, save as provided by regulations, be carried out by the owner of such building to the satisfaction of the Building Authority and in compliance with regulations. Technical details : Cap 123 I, Building (Standards of Sanitary fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations 13

(3) Safety (A) General Cap 279 A reg 4 - Precautions for health (design, construction, fire resistance, material used) Cap 279 A reg 5 - Repair (Satisfactory state of repair) Cap 279 A reg 7 - Maximum height of schools < 24 m Cap 279 A reg 8 - Minimum height of parapets and window openings < 1. 1 m Cap 279 A reg 15 - Periodic inspection of premises by an authorized person Cap 279 A reg 17(1)(d) - Structural requirements - parapet wall around the roof playground of a height of not less than 1. 1 m together with a continuous chain link or similar metal fence fixed to the inner vertical side to make up the total height shall be not less than 2. 5 m. Cap 279 A reg 18 - Pupils using roof playgrounds to be under supervision of a teacher Cap 279 A reg 20 - Limitation of activities on roof playgrounds Cap 279 A reg 40 - Floor space Cap 279 A reg 88 - Size of classes 14

(3) Safety (A) General (Other legislations or requirements ) Section 8(1) & (2) of Building (Construction) Regulations, Cap 123 B – change of level Protective barriers of not less than 1. 1 m shall be provided to restrict or control the movement of persons and vehicles at the outer edge of all balconies, verandahs, staircases, landings or projections, or where there is a difference in adjacent levels greater than 600 mm 15

(3) Safety (A) General (Other legislations or requirements ) Con’t Section 6(1) of Occupational Safety and Health Regulation, Cap 509 A - Certain parts of workplace are securely fenced Fencing in form of railing or other protective barriers to height of 900 mm have to be provided for the platform, pit, opening (incl. roof, flat roof) located within a workplace to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Labour. PNAP 253 - Safety nets, higher railing to open, stair-well and open well to schools 16

(3) Safety (B) Means of escape (Mo. E) - 逃生途徑 Cap 279 A reg 12 - Restriction on assembly of pupils Cap 279 A reg 13 - Restriction on gymnastics Cap 279 A reg 14 - Restriction on furniture to be in any classroom Cap 279 A reg 16 - Approval for roof playgrounds Cap 279 A reg 17 (1)(b) - Roof playground shall be a minimum of 2 suitable staircases with width of 1. 05 m and being fitted with continuous handrails on both sides Cap 279 A reg 17(1)(c) - Roof playground shall have landings (min. 1. 5 m x 1. 5 m) leading to the roof Cap 279 A reg 17(2) - School should provide a certificate of stability given by an authorized person (AP) which specifies the maximum number of pupils who may be allowed to use the roof playground. 17

(3) Safety (B) Means of escape (Mo. E) Con’t Cap 279 A reg 19(1) -Nos. of pupils allowed on a roof playground (<60 pupil / a teacher) Cap 279 A reg 19(3) - Demonstration of a certificate stating examination of AP’s certificate Cap 279 A reg 24 - Limit on number of pupils in school workshops / science laboratory Cap 279 A reg 28 - Number of pupils shall be taught (< 20) by a teacher in school workshops Cap 279 A reg 85 - Specifications for exit door (opened from inside without using a key) Cap 279 A reg 87 - Max. nos. of pupils permitted in every classroom and exhibition of notice Statutory requirements: Cap 123 F, Building (Planning) Regulations B(P)R 41(1): satisfactory Mo. E as required by the intended use of the building B(P)R 41(2): building with second staircase as Mo. E Technical details : Code of Practice for the Provision of Means of Escape in Case of Fire 1996 18

(3) Safety (C) Means of Access for Firefighting and Rescue (消防和救援進出途徑) and Fire Rescue Cap 279 A reg 34 Cap 279 A reg 35 Cap 279 A reg 36 - Fire officers may inspect school premises - Fire officers may inspect neighbourhood of school if fire risk suspected - Fire officers shall report to PS(Ed) on the fire precautions / recommendation to preclude danger from fire. - Notice by PS(Ed) requiring safety equipment against fire Fire drills to be carried out once in every 6 months Ensuring exits of the school premises / classrooms are free from obstruction - Maintaining fire service installation and equipment in good condition Cap 279 A reg 37 Cap 279 A reg 38(1) - Cap 279 A reg 38(2) - Cap 279 A reg 39 Statutory requirements : Cap 123 F, Building (Planning) Regulations Buildings should provide with the Mo. A to enable firemen to effect rescue and fight fire. B(P)R 41 A : Access staircases for firemen 供消防員使用的通道樓梯 B(P)R 41 B : Fireman‘s lifts 消防員升降機 B(P)R 41 C : Firefighting and rescue stairway 消防員救援樓梯間 B(P)R 41 D : Emergency vehicular access 緊急車輛通道 Technical details : Code of Practice for the Provision of Means of Access for Firefighting and Rescue 2004 19

(3) Safety (D) Fire Separation and Fire Resistance Construction Cap 279 A reg 6 - Schools not to be over godowns, shops, etc. Statutory requirements : - Cap 123 B, B(C)R 90 – Every building shall be designed and constructed so as to- (a) inhibit the spread of fire within the building and to nearby buildings by dividing the building into compartments; (b) provide adequate resistance to the spread of fire and smoke by the separation of different uses in a building by compartment walls and floors and by the separation of the building from any adjoining building or site; (c) maintain the stability of the building in case of fire; and (d) provide adequate resistance to the spread of fire over the roof of one building to another having regard to the position of the building. Technical details : Code of Practice for Fire Resisting Construction 1996 20

(3) Safety (E) Structural stability and integrity Cap 279 A reg 10(a) Cap 279 A reg 10(c) Cap 279 A reg 17(1)(a) -Structural alternations to the school premises - No subdivision of a classroom (increase of loading to existing floor) - Roof of roof playground is constructed of reinforced cement concrete Statutory Requirements: Cap 123 B, Building (Construction) Regulations Technical details : Building (Construction) Regulations Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2005 Code of Practice for Structural Use of Concrete 2004 (Second Edition) 21