ENG-2006 — Page 274

226 Land, Public Works and Utilities

property title in respect of UBWs. In a bid to stop the erection of new UBWs, special patrol teams were commissioned by the Buildings Department to inspect UBWs under construction within 48 hours of receiving reports from the public about UBWs. During the year, the department handled 3 568 reported cases.

Inspections were made jointly by the Buildings Department and Fire Services Department on commercial premises to enforce the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Ordinance. The buildings that were inspected included banks, betting centres, jewellery shops, shopping arcades and supermarkets, and specified commercial buildings built before 1987. Some 190 prescribed commercial premises were issued with 203 Fire Safety Directions and some 140 specified commercial buildings with 3 003 Fire Safety Improvement Directions, requiring the owners to upgrade fire safety devices and installations in their buildings.

As a long-term strategy to resolve the problem of building neglect and to meet public expectations of a safer and healthier living environment, the Buildings Department has been fleshing out the details of a mandatory building inspection scheme and a mandatory window inspection scheme following wide public consultation. There was a general public consensus that building owners should bear the ultimate responsibility for maintaining and repairing their buildings. Adequate technical and financial support will be provided to building owners when the proposed schemes are implemented.

The Buildings Department is finalising a simplified regulatory system that would not require the prior approval of plans by the Building Authority for the carrying out of minor works. Drafting of legislative amendments to bring this about is nearing completion. In addition, the Buildings Department is exploring ways to further facilitate the adoption of modern and innovative building designs.

The Public Sector

The Architectural Services Department is the Government's architect and is responsible for the development, project management, design, construction and maintenance of all government buildings and public facilities, other than public housing. The department is also the corporate professional adviser to the Government. It advises on government-aided projects as well, and oversees subvented and joint-venture projects. The three main areas of services the department provided during the year were:

(i) Public Works Programme and Hospital Authority projects: 322 projects worth

$51.3 billion;

(ii) maintenance of public buildings and facilities: covering a floor area of 27.7 million square metres, undertaking the conservation and restoration of listed buildings and gazetted monuments, and conducting emergency and major repairs in all subvented schools outside public housing estates; and

(iii) projects subject to government subvention, entrustment or joint ventures:

1 083 projects, valued at $42 billion, were monitored.