ENG-2002 — Page 272

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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rooftop structures on single staircase buildings that posed a serious fire hazard continued to gather momentum. A total of 632 buildings were targeted in 2002 for removal of illegal structures, compared with 95, 220 and 402 in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

In support of the Clean Hong Kong Campaign, the Buildings Department is conducting a three-year programme to clear unauthorised structures in back lanes. Some 30 and 66 back lanes were targeted in 2001 and 2002, respectively, and a total of 995 unauthorised building structures causing obstruction were removed.

During the year, 15 555 reports on UBWs were processed, and 54 010 removal orders issued, resulting in 37 923 UBWs being removed. A total of 467 prosecutions were instituted against offenders for erecting UBWs or failing to comply with removal orders. These resulted in 390 convictions with fines totalling $1,513,410.

To improve fire safety in prescribed old commercial premises, joint inspections with the Fire Services Department were made on 191 prescribed commercial premises (banks, betting centres, jewellery shops, shopping arcades, supermarkets) under the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance. As a result, 120 Fire Safety Directions were served on these premises to remedy infractions. The second phase of the action programme, targeted at the inspection of specified commercial buildings built between 1973 and 1987, has commenced. A total of 2 730 Fire Safety Improvement Directions were issued against 141 buildings requiring upgrading of fire safety standards and facilities.

The Fire Safety (Buildings) Bill was passed by the Legislative Council in July, and requires the upgrading of essential fire safety provisions in composite and domestic buildings. The upgrading programme will be carried out in phases after the new ordinance comes into effect. The initial phase requires owners of 9 000 composite buildings designed for both domestic and commercial uses and built before 1987 to upgrade fire service installations and fire safety construction. Subsequent phases will cover more than 3 000 domestic buildings in which the fire risk involved is lower.

In addition, the Buildings Department provides emergency services to deal with dangerous buildings and advertisement signboards. A total of 836 calls were received under the 24-hour service for emergencies during the year. Some 71 per cent of the emergency calls concerned danger from external building defects and loose wall finishes.

Surveys of advertisement signboards continued with 56 119 signboards inspected, resulting in the removal or repair of 1917 signboards which were found to be abandoned or dangerous.

Apart from removing UBWs, the Buildings Department launched the pilot Coordinated Maintenance of Buildings Scheme in 2000. Of the 150 buildings targeted by the scheme that year, owners of 143 buildings had initiated repair works with a completion rate of 62 per cent. Besides this, a total of 6 578 unauthorised building works had been removed. Of the 40 targeted buildings that did not have an Owners Corporation when the scheme was launched, 22 now have one. Another 200 buildings have been selected for action under the scheme.

The Buildings Department has revamped the Building Safety Loan Scheme to expand the coverage and provide more flexibility in eligibility criteria. The department recorded a fivefold annual increase in applications since its commencement in July 2001. During the year, 2 830 applications were approved.