the large backlog of complaints has now been reduced particularly in the Kowloon Division where a start has been made upon block-by-block survey.
DANGEROUS BUILDING DIVISION
Chief Building Surveyor:
K. B. O'SULLIVAN, B.Arch., A.R.I.B.A., M.R.I.A.I.
4.18. The Division was required to take emergency action in respect of only 13 buildings during the year, as there were no serious typhoons or rainstorms and fewer buildings were found in imminent danger of collapse. The Division was however concerned with a number of fires, minor collapses and landslides. 185 Magistrates' closure orders were obtained while demolition orders served under the Buildings Ordinance in respect of buildings beyond reasonable repair numbered 135 in Hong Kong and 24 in Kowloon and the New Territories, compared with 153 and 53 respectively in 1967-68.
4.19. The change, mentioned in last year's report, from the necessity to deal with dangerous buildings by closure and demolition to the carrying out of repairs continued. 421 repair orders were served in Hong Kong and 254 in Kowloon and New Territories, an increase of over 40% on the previous year and the highest figure recorded to date. In addition, a considerable number of buildings were repaired voluntarily by owners at the request of the Division. In some cases repairs were extensive requiring temporary closure orders to enable the work to be carried out safely but this course was justified by prolongation of the life of the buildings, enabling occupiers to retain their homes.
4.20. In addition to action on old buildings of traditional construction, repairs were ordered to an increasing number of reinforced concrete framed buildings, both pre-war and post-war. This work involves considerable detailed supervision by the Division. In a number of cases, in default of the owners, demolition or repair work had to be carried out by the Building Authority at the owners' cost, often involving considerable complications where there is multiple ownership.
4.21. The Division keeps a large number of potentially dangerous buildings under periodical review and, although working with restricted staff, limited but steady progress has been made with the programme of planned building-by-building surveys.
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the large backlog of complaints has now been reduced particularly in the Kowloon Division where a start has been made upon block- by-block survey.
DANGEROUS BUILDING DIVISION
Chief Building Surveyor:
K. B. O'SULLIVAN, B.Arch., A.R.I.B.A., M.R.I.A.I.
4.18. The Division was required to take emergency action in respect of only 13 buildings during the year, as there were no serious typhoons or rainstorms and fewer buildings were found in imminent danger of collapse. The Division was however concerned with a number of fires, minor collapses and landslides. 185 Magistrates' closure orders were obtained while demolition orders served under the Buildings Ordinance in respect of buildings beyond reasonable repair numbered 135 in Hong Kong and 24 in Kowloon and the New Territories, compared with 153 and 53 respectively in 1967-68.
4.19. The change, mentioned in last year's report, from the necessity to deal with dangerous buildings by closure and demolition to the carrying out of repairs continued. 421 repair orders were served in Hong Kong and 254 in Kowloon and New Territories, an increase of over 40% on the previous year and the highest figure recorded to date. In addition, a considerable number of buildings were repaired voluntarily by owners at the request of the Division. In some cases repairs were extensive requiring temporary closure orders to enable the work to be carried out safely but this course was justified by prolongation of the life of the buildings, enabling occupiers to retain their homes.
4.20. In addition to action on old buildings of traditional construc- tion, repairs were ordered to an increasing number of reinforced concrete framed buildings, both pre-war and post-war. This work involves considerable detailed supervision by the Division. In a number of cases, in default of the owners, demolition or repair work had to be carried out by the Building Authority at the owners' cost, often involving considerable complications where there is multiple ownership.
4.21. The Division keeps a large number of potentially dangerous buildings under periodical review and, although working with restricted staff, limited but steady progress has been made with the programme of planned building-by-building surveys.
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