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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1984
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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE NEW REGULATIONS, CONTAINING OBLIGATORY DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS, WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1 NEXT YEAR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT FROM THAT DATE, BUILDINGS FOR WHICH PLANS WERE SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL, OR FOR WHICH PERMISSION WAS SOUGHT TO COMMENCE WORKS, WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS.
PLANS APPROVED BEFORE AUGUST 1, 1985, WHICH DID NOT COMPLY WOULD HAVE TO BE AMENDED TO COMPLY IF CONSENT TO COMMENCE WORKS WAS NOT SOUGHT BEFORE THAT DATE, HE SAID.
THE REGULATIONS WILL APPLY TO ALL TYPES OF BUILDINGS, EXCEPT PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, WHILE COMPLIANCE IS GENERALLY TO BE LIMITED TO THE PUBLIC AREAS FOR BUILDINGS WITH PARTICULAR FUNCTIONS, SUCH AS CONCERT HALLS, CINEMAS AND HOTELS, ADDITIONAL SPECIAL FACILITIES MUST ALSO BE PROVIDED, HE SAID.
SCHOOLS NEED ONLY COMPLY IF THEY PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR DISABLED PERSONS,
A CODE OF PRACTICE ON DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, WHICH WAS ONLY ADVISORY, WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 1976 TO ALL AUTHORISED PERSONS, REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, INTERESTEL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, FOR DISTRIBUTION,
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND AUTHORISED PERSONS WERE REQUESTED TO FOLLOW THE CODE AND TO INCORPORATE FACILITIES IN THE IR BUILDINGS WHERE PRACTICABLE.
IN FEBRUARY 1978, HAVING EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY PARTICULARLY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ACHIEVING VOLUNTARY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODE, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS RECOMMENDED THAT COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE SHOULD BE MADE OBLIGATORY AFTER IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN CONSIDERED.
SUBSEQUENTLY, A REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS SET UP BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT TO REVIEW THE CODE AND LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING IT MANDATORY.
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