HKIE Professional Assessment - Building Discipline key terms

The primary Hong Kong statute controlling the design, construction, alteration and demolition of buildings. It sets out duties of owners and contractors, approval procedures, and enforcement powers exercised by the Building Authority.

The statutory officer, currently the Director of Buildings, responsible for administering the Buildings Ordinance. The BA approves plans, issues permits and consents, inspects works, and may order rectification or demolition.

Construction may only start after the Building Authority has approved the submitted plans and granted consent to commence building works. Working without either is an offence under the Ordinance.

A permit issued by the Building Authority allowing a newly completed building to be occupied. It confirms structural stability, fire safety, drainage and other prescribed requirements have been satisfactorily met.

A time-limited permit allowing partial occupation before full completion, granted when the Building Authority is satisfied that the portion concerned is safe and essential works are finished.

A registered professional under the Buildings Ordinance who prepares and submits building plans and supervises building works on behalf of the owner. Registration requires prescribed qualifications and experience.

A registered professional responsible for the structural design, calculations and supervision of building works requiring structural submission, and for certifying structural adequacy to the Building Authority.

A contractor registered for a specific category of specialized works, such as foundation, demolition, site formation or ground investigation, and permitted to carry out only that category.

A contractor registered to carry out general building works and, where applicable, specialist works for which it holds registration. Registration depends on management, financial and technical competence.

Works that prepare land for construction, including excavation, filling, slope treatment and retaining structures. They are controlled as a specialist category under the Buildings Ordinance.

The ratio of total gross floor area of a building to the area of the site on which it stands. It is a principal planning and lease control limiting development bulk.

The proportion of a site covered by the building footprint at ground level, expressed as a percentage. It controls open space and spacing between buildings and is often capped by lease or plan.

The total floor area of all floors of a building measured to defined rules, including certain covered areas and excluding specified plant or open areas. It is the basis for plot ratio calculations.

The required horizontal distance between a building or its projections and a site boundary, street or adjoining building, imposed to provide light, ventilation, fire separation and street widening space.

The continuous route from any point in a building to a place of safety, comprising exit routes, protected corridors, staircases and discharge points sized to handle the occupant load.

The routes provided for firefighters and rescue personnel to reach a building and its firefighting facilities, including access roads, hardstanding and firefighting shafts or lobbies.

A space enclosed by fire-resisting construction that limits the spread of fire and smoke to a defined area for a specified period, allowing occupants to escape and firefighters to operate.

The period, in minutes, for which a building element resists fire in a standard test, expressed for stability, integrity and insulation. Required ratings depend on element type and building use.

The maximum number of persons a space or building is designed to hold, derived from floor area and use factors. It determines egress widths, staircase numbers and exit capacity.

A seal or barrier installed to close openings and gaps in fire-resisting construction, such as where services penetrate walls or floors, to maintain the required fire resistance.

The set of structural plans, calculations and supporting documents prepared by a Registered Structural Engineer and submitted to the Building Authority for approval before structural works proceed.

Substructure works transferring building loads to the ground, including piles, caissons and footings. They are a specialist category requiring qualified supervision and, often, staged approval.

Installation of piles by driving, boring or other methods to support structures. It is controlled for structural adequacy, noise and vibration, and requires method statements and supervision.

Field and laboratory work to determine soil and rock conditions, groundwater levels and engineering properties at a site, providing the basis for foundation and excavation design.

A structure that resists lateral earth pressure to hold back soil at a change of level. Its design, construction and maintenance are controlled because failure can endanger adjacent land and buildings.

Construction of drains, sewers and associated facilities for foul sewage, surface water and groundwater. Approval and connection requirements protect public health and the drainage system.

A certificate submitted by the Authorized Person and Registered Structural Engineer confirming that building works have been completed in accordance with approved plans, supporting the occupation permit application.

Building works carried out without the required approval or consent, or contrary to approved plans. The Building Authority may issue removal or rectification orders and register them against the property.

A statutory notice issued by the Building Authority requiring an owner to rectify, remove or investigate defective or unauthorized works within a stated period, with rights of appeal.

A building or part that is structurally unsafe or otherwise hazardous, allowing the Building Authority to require remedial works, closure or demolition to protect occupants and the public.

A simplified regime allowing specified small-scale building works to proceed under prescribed procedures with qualified personnel, instead of full plan approval, while retaining safety control.

Design provisions enabling persons with disabilities to reach and use buildings independently, covering ramps, lifts, widths, gradients and signage under the relevant design requirements.

Design approaches reducing energy use, waste and environmental impact, including building separation, setback, greenery and permeable surfaces, encouraged through the Buildings Ordinance framework.

Structures or installations needed to construct permanent works, such as falsework, scaffolding and excavation support. They must be designed, erected and maintained to ensure safety.

Temporary support structure carrying formwork and fresh concrete until it can support itself. It requires design, inspection and supervision because collapse can cause serious injury.

Technical guidance issued under the Buildings Ordinance that sets out accepted standards and methods for complying with statutory requirements. Compliance is commonly treated as evidence of adequacy.

A document setting out supervision levels, personnel, frequencies and records for building works, required to demonstrate adequate control of quality and safety on site.