CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT SECTION
3.14. This Section has now assumed responsibility for the investigation of illegal building works and of material changes of use in private buildings; particularly where such changes present a fire, structural or health hazard to the occupants, or the public at large. Initially, its task was to deal with an accumulated back-log of complaints. Over 1,000 complaints from both the public and Government sources were investigated in the period October 1966 to March 1967. As a result, 318 Statutory Notices under Section 24 of the Buildings Ordinance were issued and 155 have been complied with. Of the remainder, a number have yet to run their full term and enforcement action is in train to deal with the balance.
3.15. Illegal alterations to escape routes in multi-storey buildings, which have contributed materially to the number of fatalities arising from fires in buildings in recent years, have been found to be widespread. Securing the reinstatement of escape staircases and associated fire-resisting doors and lobbies is an important aspect of the Section's work.
3.16. Work has started on the systematic re-inspection of all recently completed buildings and it is ultimately hoped to extend this to all post-war buildings.
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
3.17. The following new posts were created and filled during the year:
(a) Chief Structural Engineer.
(b) Senior Building Surveyor (Control & Enforcement).
(c) 4 Building Inspectors Class II.
(d) Executive Officer (H.K. Division).
(e) Supporting clerical staff for the Control & Enforcement Section. Two Building Surveyors on contract terms indicated that they did not propose to continue their employment with the Government and the professional strength is well below establishment. Efforts at recruitment of Building Surveyors, both locally and abroad, have so far produced little result. The post of Senior Surveying Assistant (Building), was filled by promotion of an officer from another P.W.D. sub-department.
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Page 29 (formatted as per instructions, but since the original text has "29" at the end which seems to indicate a page number, it is preserved as is) However, to follow the exact format required for the output:CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT SECTION
3.14. This Section has now assumed responsibility for the investigation of illegal building works and of material changes of use in private buildings; particularly where such changes present a fire, structural or health hazard to the occupants, or the public at large. Initially, its task was to deal with an accumulated back-log of complaints. Over 1,000 complaints from both the public and Government sources were investigated in the period October 1966 to March 1967. As a result, 318 Statutory Notices under Section 24 of the Buildings Ordinance were issued and 155 have been complied with. Of the remainder, a number have yet to run their full term and enforcement action is in train to deal with the balance.
3.15. Illegal alterations to escape routes in multi-storey buildings, which have contributed materially to the number of fatalities arising from fires in buildings in recent years, have been found to be widespread. Securing the reinstatement of escape staircases and associated fire-resisting doors and lobbies is an important aspect of the Section's work.
3.16. Work has started on the systematic re-inspection of all recently completed buildings and it is ultimately hoped to extend this to all post-war buildings.
STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
3.17. The following new posts were created and filled during the year:
(a) Chief Structural Engineer.
(b) Senior Building Surveyor (Control & Enforcement).
(c) 4 Building Inspectors Class II.
(d) Executive Officer (H.K. Division).
(e) Supporting clerical staff for the Control & Enforcement Section. Two Building Surveyors on contract terms indicated that they did not propose to continue their employment with the Government and the professional strength is well below establishment. Efforts at recruitment of Building Surveyors, both locally and abroad, have so far produced little result. The post of Senior Surveying Assistant (Building), was filled by promotion of an officer from another P.W.D. sub-department.
29