HKIA/ARB PA Paper 4 key terms

A person registered under Hong Kong's Architects Registration Ordinance who is empowered to submit building plans and supervise building works on behalf of a building owner.

An engineer registered under the Buildings Ordinance who is responsible for the structural design, plan submission and site supervision of structural works in a building project.

A contractor registered under the Buildings Ordinance for a specific category of specialized works, such as foundation, demolition, site formation or ground investigation, and named on the approved plans.

The principal Hong Kong legislation, Cap. 123, governing the planning, design, construction, alteration, demolition and use of buildings and associated building works.

The Hong Kong government department that administers the Buildings Ordinance, vets building plans, issues permits and enforces compliance through inspection, orders and prosecution.

The set of drawings and particulars submitted to the Building Authority showing layout, construction, drainage, fire safety and compliance with the Buildings Ordinance and allied regulations.

A written notice from the Building Authority declining to approve submitted plans, stating the grounds of refusal and the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance or regulations that are not satisfied.

A permit issued by the Building Authority certifying that a building or part of it is fit for occupation, following satisfactory completion of the works and required inspections.

A permit allowing partial or early occupation of a building before full completion, subject to conditions and to outstanding works being finished within a stated period.

A documented plan prepared by the Authorized Person and Registered Structural Engineer setting out supervision levels, personnel, inspection frequencies and reporting duties for building works.

The notification and certification submitted by the Authorized Person and Registered Structural Engineer confirming that supervision has been carried out in accordance with the approved supervision plan.

Smaller building works listed under the Minor Works Control System that may proceed without prior plan approval, using prescribed simplified procedures and qualified persons.

A registered architect, engineer or surveyor prescribed under the Minor Works Control System to certify or supervise specified classes of minor works.

The ratio of total gross floor area of a building to the area of the site on which it stands, used to control development density under building and planning controls.

The proportion of a site covered by the building footprint, measured as the area of building covered at ground level divided by the site area.

The sum of floor areas of all storeys of a building measured to defined boundaries, with certain plant rooms, car parks and other areas excluded or discounted under the regulations.

Building features such as car parks, plant rooms, balconies or utility platforms that may be excluded or partly excluded from gross floor area calculations under specified conditions.

Practice guidelines issued by the Buildings Department promoting building separation, setbacks, site permeability and greenery, with incentives linked to gross floor area concessions.

The continuous route from any point in a building to a place of safety, comprising exit routes, exit doors, staircases and discharge paths sized for occupant capacity.

A space enclosed by fire-resisting construction that limits the spread of fire and smoke, defined by compartment area limits and fire resistance rating of surrounding elements.

The period, in minutes, for which a building element resists fire, expressed as stability, integrity and insulation performance determined by standardized fire testing.

Requirements for fire-resisting doors, shutters, glazing and dampers at openings in compartment walls or protected lobbies to preserve the fire separation of the enclosure.

Provisions enabling firefighting personnel and equipment to reach a building, including access roads, hardstanding, fireman's lifts and firefighting staircases.

A lift designed and protected to fire-resisting standards so that firefighters can use it during a fire, with dedicated lobby, power supply and control features.

Design provisions removing physical barriers for people with disabilities, covering ramps, lifts, door widths, signage, toilets and accessible routes under the relevant design manual.

The required distance between a building or building element and a site boundary, street or another building, imposed for light, ventilation, fire safety or planning reasons.

Works required for construction that are not part of the permanent structure, such as falsework, formwork, scaffolding and excavation support, needing design and supervision arrangements.

A temporary protective fence or screen erected at a construction site boundary to separate the works from the public and to contain dust, debris and unauthorized entry.

A submission describing the method, sequence and protective measures for demolishing a building, including stability, dust control, noise and disposal arrangements.

Works altering ground levels or slopes, such as excavation, filling, retaining structures and slope stabilization, typically requiring specialist contractor involvement.

Building works carried out without the required approval or consent from the Building Authority, or contrary to approved plans, and subject to removal orders and enforcement action.

A statutory notice issued by the Building Authority requiring an owner to carry out specified works, such as investigation, repair, demolition or removal, within a stated period.

A certification by the Authorized Person and Registered Structural Engineer that building works have been completed in accordance with approved plans and to the required standards.

A technical publication issued by a government department giving deemed-to-comply design guidance for compliance with the Buildings Ordinance and its regulations.

The conduct, ethical duties and competence standards expected of registered building professionals, including honesty, independence, record keeping and avoidance of conflicts of interest.