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Symposium to improve building safety
More than 300 building professionals, contractors, and academics are attending a two-day symposium starting today (Wednesday) on building construction to share their experience and expertise.
Organised by the Buildings Department, the symposium aims to review the current practice on building construction and site supervision strategies and examine ways to improve building safety.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the symposium, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, said the Government was dedicated to solving the building safety problems in the territory.
"We have amended the Buildings Ordinance last year to provide a legal framework for the supervision of building works in construction sites for safety. We are now in the process of drawing up the necessary Technical Memorandum and Code of Practice for a new site supervision plan system,
"Meanwhile, the Buildings Department has commissioned a consultancy study on buildings built after 1958 so as to better understand their structural condition.
"Furthermore, the Government has also proposed legislation to require certain types of commercial buildings to have their fire safety provisions enhanced to current standards," Mr Leung said.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Buildings, Dr Choi Yu- leuk, said a number of measures were being implemented by his department to address the building safety problem.
"Apart from introducing the supervision plan system, we have been improving and streamlining the procedures for the submission and approval of building proposals.
"We have also been reviewing and updating codes of practice, and drawing up new ones to meet the latest requirements on the design, construction and repair of buildings," he said.
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