HOUSING
In its continuous efforts to promote communication with tenants, the authority engaged an independent research agent to conduct a survey of tenants' opinions and expectations on maintenance. The results of the survey indicated that they were, generally, satisfied with the services provided in most areas.
As part of its drive for quality, the authority has developed a comprehensive system for classifying and controlling materials used in structural repairs, and is maintaining a close link with international research and standards organisations.
A major programme for strengthening buildings will soon be completed, and many of the methods adopted are innovative and have attracted international technical interest.
The condition of older structures continues to be monitored by means of regular, routine inspection and investigations, and further repairs and strengthening continue to be carried out as required.
The authority has made lift modernisation and replacement of lifts one of its priorities, aiming at 50 lifts a year. The first project was completed at Ma Tau Wai Estate. This programme of upgrading the standard of lift services, reducing the average waiting time, increasing the number of stops and providing faster lifts to the old estates will continue in old estates not scheduled for redevelopment. In the regular and routine servicing of existing lifts, the authority has successfully kept the breakdown rate at less than 0.7 times per lift per month.
Completion of rewiring and reinforcement of estate blocks built before 1973 has allowed the unrestricted use of electrical appliances, such as air conditioners, in 153 000 homes.-In July work began on a six-year scheme to rewire and reinforce the supply of electricity to 120 post-1973 blocks at a cost of $330 million.
A feasibility study was started on the use of a Central Control and Monitoring System (CCMS) to supervise the operating conditions of a wide variety of essential plant, equip- ment and installations. This will improve the response time in attending to breakdowns. The proposed CCMS is a computer-based on-line system capable of monitoring the operating status of various building services installations. It consists of a master station and a number of remote out-stations strategically located to collect status and alarm signals from installations. All information will be sent to district and regional maintenance offices for follow-up action. Meanwhile, a pilot project is being carried out to try out the fault detection logic and the system response before full scale implementation.
Control of Asbestos Materials
Since 1984, the authority has ceased using materials containing asbestos in the construction of buildings and has had an established policy for the control of asbestos materials already present in buildings.
During the year, the second phase of the abatement programme, dealing with works on the higher priority lists was completed, and the third phase, covering estate schools began. Three contracts were signed on air monitoring and bulk sampling, totalling $9 million and an asbestos management manual was produced under the authority's Asbestos Management Consultancy to form the basis of future abatement strategy and the estab- lishment of technical guidelines.
To improve the safety of all existing playground equipment in estates, a contract was signed for the installation of safety surfaces, and some $15.2 million will be spent on play- ground equipment in the next two years.
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