HKIA/ARB PA Paper 3 key terms

A person registered under the Buildings Ordinance to prepare and submit building plans and supervise building works on behalf of a client. Registration requires prescribed qualifications and experience, and the AP carries statutory duties for compliance.

An engineer registered under the Buildings Ordinance to design and certify structural elements of building works. The RSE submits structural plans, calculations and supervision reports, and shares statutory responsibility with the AP for structural safety.

A contractor registered under the Buildings Ordinance for a specific category of specialized works, such as foundation, demolition, site formation or ground investigation. Only a registered specialist in the relevant category may carry out those works.

A contractor registered under the Buildings Ordinance to carry out general building works and to be appointed for building projects. The RGBC must be engaged for works requiring notification and is subject to site supervision requirements.

The principal Hong Kong legislation controlling the design, construction, alteration and demolition of buildings. It sets out plan submission, approval, consent, supervision, occupation and enforcement requirements, supported by subsidiary regulations.

The government department that administers the Buildings Ordinance, processes plan approvals and consents, inspects sites, and enforces against unauthorized building works and dangerous buildings. It is the approving authority for most building submissions.

Approval issued by the Building Authority allowing a completed building or part to be occupied. It is granted after satisfactory inspection and confirmation that required works, drainage and safety provisions comply with approved plans.

A permit allowing partial or conditional occupation of a building before the full Occupation Permit is issued. It is granted when the Building Authority is satisfied that the relevant part is safe to occupy, subject to stated conditions.

Building works carried out without the required approval or consent, or contrary to approved plans. UBWs include illegal rooftop structures and unauthorized alterations, and are subject to removal or rectification orders enforced by the Building Authority.

Conditions in a government land lease that govern the use, development, height, plot ratio and other restrictions on a site. Compliance is separate from Buildings Ordinance approval, and breaches may require modification or waiver.

A statutory town plan showing permitted land uses and development restrictions for an area. It indicates zones, uses always permitted, and uses requiring planning permission from the Town Planning Board.

The statutory body that prepares and oversees outline zoning plans and decides applications for planning permission and reviews. Its decisions affect whether a proposed development use is permissible on a site.

The ratio of total gross floor area of a building to the area of the site on which it stands. It is a principal development control limiting building bulk, set by lease conditions, zoning plans or practice notes.

The proportion of a site area covered by the building footprint at a specified level. It controls the extent of built-over area and is used with plot ratio to regulate massing, daylight and open space.

The total floor area of a building measured to defined rules, including all floors but excluding certain exempted areas. GFA is the basis for plot ratio calculations and for determining permissible development intensity.

Consent from the Town Planning Board to carry out development or a use that is not always permitted under the relevant outline zoning plan. It must be obtained before the use or development proceeds.

The continuous route from any point in a building to a place of safety, comprising exit routes, protected corridors, staircases and final exits. Design requirements address travel distance, exit width and protection from fire.

A measure of how long a building element resists fire, expressed in minutes and based on stability, integrity and insulation criteria. Required ratings depend on element type, building use and compartmentation strategy.

Division of a building into fire compartments by fire-resisting walls, floors and doors to limit fire and smoke spread. It protects escape routes, limits fire size and provides time for evacuation and firefighting.

A set of codes issued by the Buildings Department covering means of escape, fire resistance, means of access and firefighting installations. They provide deemed-to-comply standards for fire safety design of buildings.

Design approach ensuring buildings and facilities can be used by people with disabilities and others with varied needs. It covers accessible routes, ramps, lifts, toilets and signage, supported by design manuals and regulations.

Provision of routes and facilities without steps or obstructions so that people with mobility impairments can reach and use a building. Requirements include gradients, widths, handrails, tactile guidance and accessible lift provision.

A Buildings Department publication setting out detailed requirements for accessible building design, including dimensions for ramps, entrances, corridors, sanitary fittings and lifts. It is a key reference for compliance and for plan checking.

Design that reduces environmental impact through energy efficiency, passive design, renewable energy, waste reduction and healthy indoor environments. In Hong Kong it is encouraged through green building assessment and practice guidelines.

A voluntary green building assessment scheme used in Hong Kong, rating buildings on aspects such as site, energy, water, materials and indoor environment. Certification is often used to demonstrate sustainability performance.

A code setting minimum energy efficiency requirements for building services installations and building envelope design. Compliance is demonstrated through prescribed methods, calculations and declarations submitted with building plans.

A plan prepared by the AP and RSE setting out the supervision and inspection arrangements for building works, including personnel, frequency and stages of inspection. It must be submitted and followed during construction.

The ongoing inspection and monitoring of construction by qualified personnel to ensure works comply with approved plans, the Buildings Ordinance and good practice. Records of inspections and tests form part of statutory reporting.

The standard or bespoke document that sets out the parties, scope, price, time, risk allocation and dispute provisions for a construction project. Selection of an appropriate form shapes administration and liabilities.

The clauses governing rights and obligations under a construction contract, including payment, variations, extensions of time, defects and dispute resolution. They allocate risk between employer and contractor.

A priced document listing measured quantities of work items, used for tendering and valuation. It provides a common basis for pricing, interim payments and valuation of variations.

A written instruction issued under the contract to change the works, such as altering design, quantity or quality. It must follow contractual procedures and is valued for payment, often using rates in the priced documents.

An adjustment to the contractual completion date granted for qualifying delay events beyond the contractor's control. An EOT relieves liability for liquidated damages for the period of excusable delay.

A pre-agreed sum payable by the contractor for each day of delay beyond the completion date, representing the employer's estimated loss. The amount must be a genuine pre-estimate to be enforceable.

A periodic payment made during construction for work done and materials, based on measured valuations. It is subject to certification and contractual time limits, with retention often deducted.

A percentage of each payment withheld by the employer as security for performance and defect rectification. It is released in stages, typically on practical completion and at the end of the defects liability period.

A period after completion during which the contractor must rectify defects notified by the employer. It defines the scope of the contractor's maintenance obligation and the timing of final retention release.

The stage at which the works are complete to a standard fit for their intended use, subject only to minor defects. It triggers possession, release of part of retention and the start of the defects liability period.