HKIA/ARB PA Paper 2 key terms

A person registered under Hong Kong's Buildings Ordinance who may prepare and submit building plans and supervise building works; registration requires prescribed qualifications and experience.

An engineer registered under the Buildings Ordinance to design and certify structural elements of building works, including foundations, framing and stability calculations.

A registered professional responsible for geotechnical design and supervision, such as slope stability, excavation and foundation ground conditions, under the Buildings Ordinance regime.

The principal Hong Kong legislation controlling design, construction, alteration and demolition of buildings, empowering the Building Authority to approve plans and enforce standards.

The statutory officer, generally the Director of Buildings, who administers the Buildings Ordinance, approves plans, issues permits and may order rectification or demolition.

Approval issued by the Building Authority allowing a completed building to be occupied, granted only after required works and compliance certificates are in order.

A certificate confirming that building works have been completed and comply with approved plans and the Buildings Ordinance, forming a prerequisite for occupation approval.

Earthworks such as excavation, filling, slope cutting and retaining structures that prepare land for construction, often requiring geotechnical input and separate plan approval.

A temporary or permanent system of walls, struts and anchors that holds back soil during deep excavation and protects adjacent structures from ground movement.

A documented schedule defining supervision levels, inspection frequencies and personnel duties for building works, required to demonstrate quality control to the Building Authority.

The ongoing checking and inspection by qualified site staff that construction follows approved plans, specifications and statutory requirements, with records kept for audit.

Site-based technical staff who inspect workmanship and materials, monitor progress against programme, and report non-compliance to the architect or engineer.

Written directions issued by the architect to the contractor clarifying or adjusting work on site, typically within delegated authority and distinct from formal contract variations.

A formal instruction that changes the scope, quantity, quality or timing of contracted works, with valuation and contractual consequences for time and money.

An adjustment to the contract completion date granted for qualifying delay events, protecting the contractor from liquidated damages for that period.

A pre-agreed sum payable by the contractor for each day of delay beyond the completion date, intended to reflect the client's likely loss.

A situation where two or more delay events overlap in time, at least one contractor-risk and one client-risk, raising questions about entitlement to time and cost.

A periodic valuation by the architect of work done and materials on site, certifying the amount due to the contractor at that stage of the contract.

A percentage of each payment withheld by the client as security for defects, released in stages such as practical completion and the end of the defects liability period.

A defined period after completion during which the contractor must rectify notified defects at its own cost before final payment and retention release.

The conclusive financial statement of a project, reconciling the contract sum with all variations, adjustments and claims to establish the total amount payable.

The stage when works are sufficiently complete for the client to take possession and use the building for their intended purpose, despite minor outstanding items.

A procurement arrangement where a single entity is responsible for both design and construction, giving the client a single point of responsibility for delivery.

The transfer of a party's rights and obligations under a contract to another party by agreement, commonly used to move the designer's appointment to the contractor in design-build.

The chosen route for obtaining design and construction services, such as traditional, design-build, management contracting or partnering, affecting risk allocation and programme.

The competitive process of inviting, receiving and evaluating bids, including prequalification, tender documentation, clarification and award recommendation.

A measured schedule of work items prepared from drawings, used for tendering and valuation, providing a common basis for pricing and later variation assessment.

The ethical and behavioural standards expected of architects, covering integrity, competence, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and duties to clients and the public.

A formal set of rules and principles adopted by a professional body that members must follow, with breaches potentially leading to disciplinary action.

A situation where a professional's personal, financial or other interest could improperly influence decisions, requiring disclosure and management or withdrawal from the matter.

The formal process by which a professional body investigates alleged misconduct and may impose sanctions, including reprimand, conditions or removal from the register.

Insurance protecting a professional against claims of negligence, error or omission in the services provided, typically required as a condition of practice.

The legal and professional obligation to exercise reasonable skill and care toward those who may foreseeably be affected by one's work or advice.

A failure to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonably competent professional, causing loss, established through duty, breach, causation and damage.

Structured learning and activities that maintain and enhance professional competence, usually with annual requirements that must be recorded and evidenced.

The formal listing of a qualified professional on the statutory register, with a separate certificate permitting current practice and renewal on a periodic basis.

The process of clarifying the client's needs, constraints and budget, and keeping them informed through clear, documented communication at each project stage.

The professional obligation not to disclose client or project information obtained in the course of work without proper authority, subject to legal exceptions.

A written offer setting out the scope of services, fee basis, assumptions, exclusions and payment terms, forming the basis of the professional appointment.