and other factors which also dictate to some extent the day-to-day activities of the Division. During the year it was found necessary to seek 30 emergency Closure Orders in the Courts, the predominant cause being structural damage from fire; the year being fortunately free of destructive typhoons and rainstorms. A further 160 Closure Orders were obtained for buildings which were in the main so dangerous or liable to become dangerous that structural repairs were considered to be unjustified.
5.23. There was a small reduction in the number of buildings closed and demolished although paradoxically the number of persons dispossessed as a result rose by 9% to 8,270. 406 repair notices were served which is a noticeable drop and can be attributed to shortage of professional staff and the increased diversity of the Division's activities (see paras. 5.25 and 5.27 below). Also for these reasons it became necessary to reduce drastically the number of planned surveys made of buildings on a street block basis in the older urban areas of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The purpose of planned surveys is to seek out dangerous buildings initially by external inspection; detailed inspections being carried out where experience indicates that obvious or potential danger exists.
5.24. Fewer new cases of post-war buildings requiring attention due to deterioration of the structure or movement have been reported although one large multi-storey building constructed in 1956 and suffering from extensive deterioration of the reinforced concrete structure has highlighted the complexities of repairing a building having a large number of self-contained units and co-owners. Although many fires have occurred during this period the affected buildings referred to the Division have usually been found to have only slight structural damage. In one case however a fire of uncommon intensity and prolonged duration caused a 14-storey factory in San Po Kong to suffer severe and extensive damage resulting in temporary closure of the upper half of the building.
5.25. The respective responsibilities of the Highways Office and this Office in dealing with defective private drains and sewers were clarified by the Building Authority and, this Division now deals with all complaints regarding defective drains except those in private streets, lanes, and access roads accessible to the public at large. Approximately 50 complaints have already been processed and 7 Notices to repair defective drains have ensued. It is expected that this aspect of the work of the
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and other factors which also dictate to some extent the day-to-day activities of the Division. During the year it was found necessary to seek 30 emergency Closure Orders in the Courts, the predominant cause being structural damage from fire; the year being fortunately free of destructive typhoons and rainstorms. A further 160 Closure Orders. were obtained for buildings which were in the main so dangerous or liable to become dangerous that structural repairs, were considered to be unjustified.
5.23. There was a small reduction in the number of buildings closed and demolished although paradoxically the number of persons dis- possessed as a result rose by 9% to 8,270. 406 repair notices were served which is a noticeable drop and can be attributed to shortage of professional staff and the increased diversity of the Division's activities (see paras. 5.25 and 5.27 below). Also for these reasons it became necessary to reduce drastically the number of planned surveys made of buildings on a street block basis in the older urban areas of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The purpose of planned surveys is to seek out dangerous buildings initially by external inspection; detailed inspections being carried out where experience indicates that obvious or potential danger exists.
5.24. Fewer new cases of post-war buildings requiring attention due to deterioration of the structure or movement have been reported although one large multi-storey building constructed in 1956 and suffering from extensive deterioration of the reinforced concrete struc- ture has highlighted the complexities of repairing a building having a large number of self-contained units and co-owners. Although many fires have occurred during this period the affected buildings referred to the Division have usually been found to have only slight structural damage. In one case however a fire of uncommon intensity and pro- longed duration caused a 14-storey factory in San Po Kong to suffer severe and extensive damage resulting in temporary closure of the upper half of the building.
5.25. The respective responsibilities of the Highways Office and this Office in dealing with defective private drains and sewers were clarified by the Building Authority and, this Division now deals with all com- plaints regarding defective drains except those in private streets lanes. and access roads accessible to the public at large. Approximately 50 complaints have already been processed and 7 Notices to repair defective drains have ensued. It is expected that this aspect of the work of the
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