short space of time stretched the capacity of the staff to the limit and as a result the processing of plans suffered and a large backlog of work developed quickly. Although only 6 sub-standard structures were discovered as a result of these investigations, the malpractices revealed justified the time-consuming exercise, appropriate action being taken in each case.
5.13 Arising from the investigations referred to in para. 5.12 above, and a generally tougher attitude adopted by the Building Authority towards sub-standard construction, there was a substantial increase this year in the number of registered contractors who were prosecuted and in the number of both architects and contractors who were brought before disciplinary boards (appointed by the Governor) mainly in connection with the use of defective concrete.
5.14 The checking of structural plans, involving foundations, super-structure and the like is dealt with by the structural engineering branch, who have been under extreme pressure throughout the year mainly as a result of staff shortages and the greater emphasis now being placed upon site inspections. In addition, again as a result of the complaints referred to in para. 5.12 above, detailed investigations were made in each case and included tests using a rebound hammer and an ultra-sonic device. In some cases this was followed by core-drilling and chemical analysis. Although every effort was made to alleviate the backlog of work which accumulated as a result of this unprecedented activity, by the end of the year structural plans were still taking, on average, about 3 months to be processed.
5.15 The use of high tensile steel has now reached the point where it is beginning to challenge the use of mild steel in the reinforcement of the majority of high-rise concrete framed buildings now under construction. The problems connected with ensuring that the higher standards of workmanship and materials commensurate with the exploitation of high tensile steel are observed, have been exercising the structural engineering staff during the year and a strict check is kept on its origin, chemical composition and other characteristics whenever this material is used.
5.16 With the unavoidable pressures on staff resulting from the continued high level of building activity and other related factors referred to earlier it was inevitable that there was little progress made in dealing with illegal building works during the period under review.
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short space of time stretched the capacity of the staff to the limit and as a result the processing of plans suffered and a large backlog of work developed quickly. Although only 6 sub-standard structures were dis- covered as a result of these investigations, the malpractices revealed justified the time-consuming exercise, appropriate action being taken in each case.
5.13 Arising from the investigations referred to in para. 5.12 above, and a generally tougher attitude adopted by the Building Authority towards sub-standard construction, there was a substantial increase this year in the number of registered contractors who were prosecuted and in the number of both architects and contractors who were brought before disciplinary boards (appointed by the Governor) mainly in connection with the use of defective concrete.
5.14 The checking of structural plans, involving foundations, super- structure and the like is dealt with by the structural engineering branch, who have been under extreme pressure throughout the year mainly as a result of staff shortages and the greater emphasis now being placed upon site inspections. In addition, again as a result of the complaints referred to in para. 5.12 above, detailed investigations were made in each case and included tests using a rebound hammer and an ultra-sonic device. In some cases this was followed by core-drilling and chemical analysis. Although every effort was made to alleviate the backlog of work which accumulated as a result of this unprecedented activity, by the end of the year structural plans were still taking, on average, about 3 months to be processed.
5.15 The use of high tensile steel has now reached the point where it is beginning to challenge the use of mild steel in the reinforcement of the majority of high-rise concrete framed buildings now under construc- tion. The problems connected with ensuring that the higher standards of workmanship and materials commensurate with the exploitation of high tensile steel are observed, have been exercising the structural engineering staff during the year and a strict check is kept on its origin, chemical composition and other characteristics whenever this material is used.
5.16 With the unavoidable pressures on staff resulting from the continued high level of building activity and other related factors referred to earlier it was inevitable that there was little progress made in dealing with illegal building works during the period under review.
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