LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
designed to operate at elevated pressure and will provide an additional 0.8 million cubic metres of 'line pack' storage capacity.
SNG is distributed by HKCG under the Towngas trademark from a temporary plant located in Tuen Mun specifically designed and operated to provide the gas requirements of this new town. The plant will need to remain in-situ until the new transmission pipeline connecting Tai Po to Tuen Mun has been completed.
LPG is imported into Hong Kong by sea. About 63 per cent of total sales is distributed to customers, via dealer networks, in portable cylinders. The remaining 37 per cent is distributed through piped gas systems from bulk LPG storage and vaporiser installations which are located in or adjacent to the developments being supplied.
Currently there are about 535 LPG dealers operating within the territory. Additionally, 23 LPG site operators manage 475 bulk storage installations under government-monitored arrangements. Altogether there are 950 000 LPG customers.
In 1982, the government introduced a piped gas policy to discourage further growth in the use of gas cylinders in domestic dwellings; and at the same time began a programme of encouraging the upgrading of sub-standard gas water heaters. The percentage of domestic dwellings now using cylinders has fallen to less than 35 per cent in 1992; and the number of upgraded gas water heaters amounts to some 62 250. Apart from suicide cases there were no fatalities arising from fuel gas incidents during 1992,
As further means of safeguarding the general public and gas consumers, the Gas Safety Ordinance was introduced on April 1, 1991. This ordinance and its associated regulations constitute a comprehensive package of safety legislation covering all aspects of fuel gas importation, manufacture, storage, transport, supply and use of gas. The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services was appointed as the Gas Authority and the Gas Safety Advisory Committee was established for the purpose of advising the authority upon all relevant matters. Since April 1, 1992 it has been necessary for all gas supply companies, gas installers and contractors to be registered with the Gas Authority. In 1992, seven gas supply companies, 2 427 gas installers and 353 gas contractors were registered under the scheme. In addition, the administrative arrangements for controlling safety in the transportation of LPG in tankers and cylinder wagons have been transferred from the Director of Fire Services to the Gas Authority.
The government and the fuel gas supply industry have adopted risk assessment techniques for the detailed examination of all appropriate potentially hazardous gas installations. The risk assessments facilitate the taking of remedial measures where necessary, with the aim of ensuring that residents in the vicinity of these installations are not exposed to unacceptable risk levels.
Professional Registration
The Architects Registration Ordinance and the Engineers Registration Ordinance were enacted in 1990. The registration boards have been set up and there are now 927 registered architects and 993 registered professional engineers. The Surveyors Registration Ordinance and the Planners Registration Ordinance were enacted in July 1991. Their registration boards have been established and the registers will be open to applicants. Registration for all four professions requires, in addition to approved professional qualifications, ordinary residence and at least one year's professional experience in Hong Kong.
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