ENG-2001 — Page 281

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

were issued against 141 buildings built before 1973 to require improvement of fire safety measures in those premises. The departments also started the second phase of this programme, involving the inspection of buildings built before 1987 to require improvement of fire safety measures in those premises.

A new fire safety bill, aiming to improve the fire safety aspects of 9 000 old composite buildings, comprising both commercial and domestic uses, within 10 years, was at the bills Committee Stage in the Legislative Council at year-end.

The Buildings Department provides emergency services to deal with dangerous buildings and advertising signs. A total of 852 calls were received under the 24-hour service for emergencies during the year, and 98.7 per cent of the cases were attended to within three hours. A further 6 215 reports on building defects were received. Some 23 per cent of the emergency calls and other reports concerned danger from external building defects and loose wall finishes. Surveys of advertising signs continued with 34 038 signs inspected, resulting in the removal or repair of 1 491 signs. Regarding the control of advertisement signboards, legislation for a self-financing statutory registration system is expected to be introduced into the Legislative Council in 2002. A pilot Co-ordinated Maintenance of Buildings Scheme was launched in November 2000, in respect of 150 target buildings. A mid-term review conducted at the end of June showed encouraging results. As at the end of December, improvement works had been initiated at more than 120 buildings and completed for 42 buildings. A total of 1 889 unauthorised building works were removed and 2 936 orders served to effect repair and clearance works. Of the 40 buildings that did not have an Owners Corporation, 17 had since formed one and four were in the process of forming one. A full review of the scheme was to be conducted at the end of the year.

In July, the Building Safety Improvement Loan Scheme and the Fire Safety Improvement Loan Scheme were merged to form a single loan fund of $700 million. The new Building Safety Loan Scheme has an expanded scope and more flexible eligibility criteria. By the end of the year, 928 applications had been approved and loans totalling $30.91 million granted under the new scheme, representing overall a fivefold increase compared with the more restrictive old scheme.

A 10-year expanded Landslip Preventive Measures Programme started from 2000 to enhance the proper maintenance of slopes. In 2001, 265 orders were served on building owners requiring them to investigate and upgrade their substandard slopes. under this programme. In addition, investigations of a cumulative total of 2 446 filled slopes were completed, with 74 orders issued requiring owners to carry out investigation and repair of buried water-carrying services affecting private slopes.

The Buildings Department began a comprehensive review of the Buildings Ordinance and its regulations in 2000. The objective of the review is to modernise the legislation and create a regulatory environment that on the one hand is more supportive, streamlined and user-friendly, and on the other deals more effectively with contraventions. The first batch of proposed legislative amendments was put forward for consultation with the building industry in mid-year. The proposed amendments include the introduction of a provision concerning minor building works which can be carried out without the prior approval of the Building Authority provided the work is done by registered contractors and supervised and certified by qualified building professionals. This will provide a fast and proper channel for building owners to carry out alterations and additions to their buildings, thus

225