HKIA/ARB PA Paper 3 flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Authorized Person (AP)

A professional registered with the Buildings Department to prepare and submit building plans and supervise building works in Hong Kong under the Buildings Ordinance.

Registered Structural Engineer

An engineer registered under the Buildings Ordinance to design and certify structural elements of building works, submitting plans alongside the Authorized Person.

Occupation Permit

A permit issued by the Building Authority certifying that a building is fit for occupation after works comply with approved plans and essential services are completed.

Temporary Occupation Permit

A permit allowing partial or early occupation of a building before full completion, subject to the Building Authority being satisfied that it is safe.

Buildings Ordinance Cap. 123

The primary Hong Kong legislation controlling building plans, construction, and use, administered by the Building Authority within the Buildings Department.

Architects Registration Ordinance

Hong Kong legislation establishing the Architects Registration Board, which registers architects and administers discipline; 'architect' is a protected title.

Professional indemnity insurance

Insurance covering architects against claims of professional negligence; not universally mandatory in Hong Kong but often required by clients and recommended by the HKIA.

Conflict of interest

A situation where an architect's personal or financial interest could compromise professional judgment; must be disclosed under the professional code of practice.

HKIA Standard Form Contract

A widely used lump-sum building contract in Hong Kong with provisions for variations, nominated sub-contractors, interim payments, and extension of time.

Liquidated damages

A pre-agreed sum payable by a contractor for delay; must be a genuine pre-estimate of loss, not a penalty, to be enforceable in Hong Kong courts.

Extension of time

Additional time granted to a contractor for delays not caused by them; usually requires notice within a contractual period, often 28 days.

Critical path method

A scheduling technique identifying the longest sequence of dependent tasks; delays on the critical path directly affect project completion and EOT entitlement.

Variation valuation

The process of pricing changed work under a contract, using BOQ rates if applicable, otherwise fair rates; dayworks only apply where agreed in advance.

Interim payment certificate

A periodic certification by the architect stating the amount due to the contractor; non-payment may trigger suspension or termination rights under the contract.

Security of Payment

Legislation intended to ensure timely payment in construction; not yet fully enacted in Hong Kong, so parties rely on contractual adjudication or litigation.

Risk register

A project management tool listing identified risks, their likelihood and impact, and mitigation measures; reviewed at design and construction stages.

Float ownership

The contractual allocation of spare time in a programme; typically assigned to the employer unless stated otherwise, affecting extension of time claims.

Nominated sub-contractor

A specialist contractor selected by the employer or architect and incorporated into the main contract under the HKIA form, with specific payment and default provisions.

Means of escape

The continuous protected route from any point in a building to a safe place outside; travel distance and exit width are governed by the MOE Code.

Travel distance

The maximum distance from any point in a building to a protected exit; typically 30 m in sprinklered buildings, varying by occupancy under the MOE Code.

Fire resistance period

The duration for which a building element resists fire, determined by building height and occupancy; ranges from 60 to 240 minutes under the Fire Safety Code.

Barrier-free access

Design requirement under the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008, mandating accessible routes, ramps not steeper than 1:12, and accessible toilets.

OTTV

Overall Thermal Transfer Value; a measure of heat gain through a building envelope, limited by the Building (Energy Efficiency) Regulation and Code of Practice.

BEAM Plus

Hong Kong's voluntary green building assessment tool, awarding credits for energy, water, materials, and indoor environmental quality in new and existing buildings.

Sanitary fitments

Minimum numbers of toilets, sinks, and other fixtures required by the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments) Regulations based on occupancy and use.

Wind loading code

The Code of Practice on Wind Effects in Hong Kong, specifying design wind pressures based on a 50-year return period for structural design.

Prescribed window area

A minimum window-to-floor area ratio required by the Building (Planning) Regulations to ensure natural lighting and ventilation in habitable rooms.

Adaptive reuse

Converting an existing building to a new use; in Hong Kong may require a new plan submission if the change triggers compliance with current regulations.

Change of use

Altering a building's use; may require planning permission and a new plan submission under s.14 of the Buildings Ordinance, and may breach the lease.

Grade 1 historic building

A heritage grading by the Antiquities Advisory Board indicating outstanding merit; not statutorily protected unless declared a monument.

Geotechnical assessment

A study by a registered geotechnical engineer required for slopes and retaining structures, ensuring stability under the Building (Construction) Regulations.

Lease modification

A formal change to Government lease conditions, often needed when a proposed use or development conflicts with the existing lease restrictions.

Planning permission

Approval under the Town Planning Ordinance for development; separate from building plan approval, which is still required for most works.