TNAG-1734-FCO40-2447-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 211

Installation on the external walls of bookings -

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Question No

Reply by Hon. C.R. Saunders, JP, Secretary for Lands and Works, to question by Hon. CHUNG Pùi- lam in Legislative Council on 29 June 1988

8. MR. CHUNG asked: Question:

Will Government inform this Council whether prior approval is required for erection of structures on the external walls of buildings to support water tanks for air-conditioning purposes, the number of cases of injuries report in the last two years caused by the falling of such structures or water tanks, and whether departments concerned undertake

regular inspections to ensure that these structures do not constitute a potential danger to the public?

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS:

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Provided that no major building works, such as the construction of reinforced concrete columns or slabs,

is required, the installation of supporting structures for

the purposes described are not regarded as building works

within the meaning of the Buildings Ordinance. Generally,

therefore, approval for the erection of these structures

is not required.

This means that anyone wishing to install

brackets for air-conditioning cooling tanks, pipework,

ducts, fans and so on, need not obtain prior approval for these, as they are regarded as fixtures rather than

building work.

Sanctions are available to the Building

Authority, however, under sections 26 and 31 of the

Ordinance, where such fixtures are considered dangerous to

the public, or project beyond the building line.

The Buildings Ordinance Office does not undertake regular inspections, but relies instead on reports from the public or the police or other government departments. If a fixture is found to be in a dangerous

condition, the Building Authority will give notice to the

person responsible to rectify the situation. Failing

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