DANGEROUS BUILDING DIVISION
Chief Building Surveyor:
K. B. O'SULLIVAN, B.Arch., A.R.I.B.A., M.R.I.A.I.
G. F. HOGG, F.R.I.C.S., C.Eng., M.I.Struct.E. (Acting)
5.21. The Division continued with its objective of removing structural danger in buildings either by demolition or repair and the tendency towards repair rather than closure and demolition was maintained. There were no serious incidents of danger resulting from typhoons or rainstorms but a number arose from other causes and during the year 28 emergency closure orders were obtained in addition to some 112 orders after appropriate notice of intention had been given to the occupiers.
5.22. Due to staff shortages and the diversity of the Division's activities the progress made in carrying out planned surveys of buildings on a street-block basis could not be pursued to the extent desirable but all complaints, emergencies, re-inspections and other current matters were dealt with as they arose. In addition to 113 demolition orders 427 orders to repair or shore dangerous buildings were issued, and in several cases the Division carried out the required work in default of owners, who were subsequently charged with the cost.
5.23. Several buildings were damaged by fire in the period under review including a recently completed reinforced concrete 7-storey factory building at Kwai Chung. The fire took sixty hours to extinguish resulting in the building being extensively damaged due to the intense heating and prolonged fire action, and several parts of the roof and floors of upper storeys collapsed. However, it was possible to demolish the two top storeys for reconstruction and to reinstate the remainder of the building. Other serious fires occurred in tenement buildings causing partial collapse and necessitating closure and demolition, and in two cases the Division was called upon to assist the Fire Services Department by providing emergency shoring and removing debris to recover the bodies of fire victims. In one case it was necessary to provide extensive shoring and to remove a tremendous quantity of debris by hand over a period of twenty days before the body of the last victim could be recovered. In another case similar services were provided but it was fortunately possible to close that particular incident within three days.
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DANGEROUS BUILDING DIVISION
Chief Building Surveyor:
K. B. O'SULLIVAN, B.Arch., A.R.I.B.A., M.R.I.A.I.
G. F. HOGG, F.R.I.C.S., C.Eng., M.I.Struct.E. (Acting)
5.21. The Division continued with its objective of removing structural danger in buildings either by demolition or repair and the tendency towards repair rather than closure and demolition was main- tained. There were no serious incidents of danger resulting from typhoons or rain-storms but a number arose from other causes and during the year 28 emergency closure orders were obtained in addition to some 112 orders after appropriate notice of intention had been given to the occupiers.
5.22. Due to staff shortages and the diversity of the Division's activities the progress made in carrying out planned surveys of build- ings on a street-block basis could not be pursued to the extent desirable but all complaints, emergencies, re-inspections and other current matters were dealt with as they arose. In addition to 113 demolition orders 427 orders to repair or shore dangerous buildings were issued, and in several cases the Division carried out the required work in default of owners, who were subsequently charged with the cost.
5.23. Several buildings were damaged by fire in the period under review including a recently completed reinforced concrete 7-storey factory building at Kwai Chung. The fire took sixty hours to extinguish resulting in the building being extensively damaged due to the intense heating and prolonged fire action, and several parts of the roof and floors of upper storeys collapsed. However,
it was
was possible to demolish the two top storeys for reconstruction and to reinstate the remainder of the building. Other serious fires occurred in tenement buildings causing partial collapse and necessitating closure and demoli- tion, and in two cases the Division was called upon the assist the Fire Services Department by providing emergency shoring and remov- ing debris to recover the bodies of fire victims. In one case it was necessary to provide extensive shoring and to remove a tremendous quantity of debris by hand over a period of twenty days before the body of the last victim could be recovered. In another case similar services were provided but it was fortunately possible to close that particular incident within three days.
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