16
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1992
PART OF BUILDING IN YAU MA TEI DECLARED DANGEROUS
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE NINE-STOREY BUILDING AT 9-13 PITT STREET, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON ΤΟ BE DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER ON MARCH 31 IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST TO EIGHTH FLOORS OF THE BUILDING HAD BEEN POSTED ON FEBRUARY 18.
OFFICE FOUND
THIS CAME AFTER STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE THAT CERTAIN UNAPPROVED ALTERATIONS HAD OCCURRED TO THE COMMON CORRIDORS CONNECTING THE STAIRCASES AND JEOPARDISING THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS IN CASE OF FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCY.
SUBSEQUENTLY, OWNERS OF THE SECOND TO EIGHTH FLOORS CARRIED OUT AND COMPLETED WORKS TO REINSTATE THE ORIGINALLY APPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEANS OF ESCAPE.
HENCE, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY DID NOT PROCEED WITH THE APPLICATION FOR THE CLOSURE ORDER FOR ALL THE FLOORS ABOVE THE GROUND FLOOR AS EARLIER SCHEDULED ON MARCH 31.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE FIRST FLOOR REMAINED IN A DANGEROUS STATE DUE TO THE UNAPPROVED ALTERATIONS TO THE COMMON CORRIDOR WHICH FORMED THE MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM THIS PORTION OF THE BUILDING.
THE PGBS SAID IN THIS CONTEXT, THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING SHOULD BE CLOSED UNTIL THE ORIGINALLY APPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEANS OF ESCAPE HAD BEEN REINSTATED.
MEANWHILE, THE OWNERS HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY REINSTATEMENT WORKS.
THE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 28 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
—
DANGEROUS OPENINGS ON SITES MUST BE COVERED
GUARD-RAILS
OR
BUILDING CONTRACTORS MUST ENSURE THAT SUITABLE COVERINGS ARE PROVIDED AT ALL DANGEROUS FLOOR EDGES OR OPENINGS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES TO PREVENT WORKERS FALLING FROM A HEIGHT.
A BUILDING CONTRACTOR, E MAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LTD, WAS RECENTLY FINED $40,000 BY A MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE A FIXED COVERING TO A FLOOR OPENING ON A BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN TAI
PO.
/"UNDER THE