Over the years, our existing building control system has evolved from meeting basic health and safety needs to encompassing the changing commercial and social environment. In the past decade, the Buildings Department has expanded the scope of building control to include elements such as signboards and emergency vehicular access, upgraded the fi re safety of old commercial and residential buildings and implemented a strategy for building safety and timely maintenance. More recently, the Buildings Department has begun working in partnership with stakeholders to intensify enforcement actions in buildings along pedestrianised streets, establish a minor works control regime and develop a mandatory building inspection scheme for existing buildings.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Foster a better understanding on the recent development of existing building control in Hong Kong
• Identify opportunities for improving safety and health conditions of existing buildings
• Understand how government initiatives support the work of facility managers

Cheung Hau-wai, JP is a professional building surveyor. He is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of urveyors and a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. After completing his training in the Hong Kong Technical College, he joined the Hong Kong Government in 1968. He has held a number of positions in the then Buildings Ordinance Offi ce, Building Development Department, Buildings and Lands Department and Buildings Department. He now holds the post of Director of Buildings, Buildings Department, HKSAR Government. He has 34 years’ experience in building control and has a keen interest in building rejuvenation.