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The study has recommended a number of measures including simplified process, more pro-active handling and managed target time-scales, enhanced training programmes for staff, further delegation of authority to approve certain minor cases and more computer-assisted support and information system.
"We are glad to hear that the Government has implemented most of the recommendations. We shall closely monitor the results of these new measures to ensure that the processing of such applications will be streamlined and expedited. This will be conducive to the production of more housing units within a shorter period of time," said Dr Cheng.
The Committee also noted the latest codes on fire safety standards devised by the Building Authority.
The Committee understood that the Government regularly reviewed and updated the codes on fire safety.
One of the major changes in the latest updating exercise is that the Building Authority may accept the use of a "fire engineering approach" as an alternative to the conventional approach of adhering to the prescriptive provisions stipulated in the Codes.
Where certain prescribed requirements cannot be met due to design or other constraints, fire engineering approach provides a framework for practitioners to make up for any deficient prescribed requirements, by bringing up the standards in other safety requirements.
Dr Cheng said: "To assist the building industry in designing building proposals to comply with the revised requirements, a committee consisting of various professional institutes and the Building Authority was established to formulate guidelines on application of the requirements. The recommendations of the committee will be incorporated into a practice note to provide guidance for building professionals.
"We note that Government has introduced the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Bill to the Legislative Council in May this year. We look forward to the early enactment of this Bill which will empower Government to seek improvements in fire safety measures," said Dr Cheng.
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