(c)
(d)
- 51.
what plan the Housing Authority has put in place to improve the quality of public housing estates; and
what measures the Government will take to assist the residents in solving the existing seepage problems?
Answer:
Mr President,
There is no evidence to suggest that there has been a deterioration in the general quality of public housing blocks constructed in recent years, nor are there special factors affecting the quality of flats in Tin Yiu Estate. Each item of work is checked by Housing Department staff at every stage of construction of a housing project, and defects are corrected before the flats are accepted for occupation.
Analysis of defects reported by tenants shows that the normal causes of seepage are either poor workmanship or tenants' unauthorised modifications which damage waterproof materials and surface drainage in the toilet, kitchen and balcony areas, rather than the quality or design of buildings.
Since 1993, only contractors who are certified to have attained ISO 9000 (a specified international standard in terms of quality control procedures) are allowed to bid for the Housing Authority's building contracts. Contractors' performance is monitored by the Housing Department, and scores are assigned on a monthly basis. A contractor's future opportunity to tender will be affected by his scores.
In addition, the design of and materials used in new blocks are continually being refined. Recent examples are the relocation of floor drains to the external wall and the use of windows with weather-strips. Suppliers of building components, with ISO certification, are used as far as possible.
These measures, taken together, have proved to be generally effective. Newly occupied flats in early 1993 had a seepage defect report rate of 1 per 110 flats during the first six months of occupation. For flats occupied in 1994, the rate dropped significantly to 1 per 364 flats.
Tenants are advised to report water seepage problems to estate staff. When a complaint is received, the problem will be inspected and repair will be carried out normally within 14 days. Estate staff also inspect the general conditions of every flat in public housing estates at least once every 18 months.
End/Wednesday, July 5, 1995