HKIS LSD APC Part I Written Assessment study materials
HKIS LSD APC Part I Written Assessment study resources

HKIS LSD APC Part I Written Assessment key terms

HKIS LSD APC Part I Written Assessment · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Authorized Person (AP)

A professional registered under the Buildings Ordinance to prepare and submit building plans, supervise construction, and certify completion. Must be a qualified architect, engineer, or surveyor with relevant experience.

Related: Registered Structural Engineer (RSE), Registered Geotechnical Engineer (RGE), Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123)
Registered Structural Engineer (RSE)

An engineer registered under the Buildings Ordinance to design and certify structural works. Responsible for structural plans, calculations, and supervision of structural elements.

Related: Authorized Person (AP), Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), Site Supervision Plan
Registered Geotechnical Engineer (RGE)

An engineer registered under the Buildings Ordinance to design and certify geotechnical works, including foundations, slopes, and excavation. Responsible for geotechnical plans and supervision.

Related: Authorized Person (AP), Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), Site Supervision Plan
Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123)

The primary Hong Kong legislation controlling building works, including plan approval, construction supervision, occupation permits, and enforcement. It establishes the roles of AP, RSE, and RGE.

Related: Authorized Person (AP), Occupation Permit, Site Supervision Plan
Occupation Permit

A permit issued by the Building Authority certifying that a building is suitable for occupation. Requires certification by the AP and RSE that works comply with approved plans and are safe.

Related: Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), Authorized Person (AP), Certificate of Completion
Site Supervision Plan

A document prepared by the AP and RSE outlining supervision requirements for construction works, including inspection frequency, hold points, and personnel responsibilities, as required by the Buildings Ordinance.

Related: Authorized Person (AP), Registered Structural Engineer (RSE), Occupation Permit
Land Boundary Survey

The measurement and determination of property boundaries, often using survey instruments and cadastral records. In Hong Kong, boundaries are usually defined by coordinates in the Land Survey Ordinance and related plans.

Related: Boundary Dispute, Cadastral Map, Land Survey Ordinance (Cap. 473)
Boundary Dispute

A disagreement between adjoining landowners over the location or extent of a common boundary. Resolution may involve survey evidence, legal interpretation of deeds, and possibly court or tribunal proceedings.

Related: Land Boundary Survey, Cadastral Map, Adverse Possession
Land Survey Ordinance (Cap. 473)

Hong Kong legislation regulating land boundary surveys, including the appointment and duties of Authorized Land Surveyors, survey standards, and the deposit of survey records.

Related: Authorized Land Surveyor (ALS), Land Boundary Survey, Cadastral Map
Authorized Land Surveyor (ALS)

A land surveyor authorized under the Land Survey Ordinance to conduct land boundary surveys and certify survey reports for registration. Must meet qualification and experience requirements.

Related: Land Survey Ordinance (Cap. 473), Land Boundary Survey, Boundary Dispute
Geodetic Control Network

A network of survey points with precisely determined coordinates and elevations, forming the reference framework for all surveying and mapping. In Hong Kong, maintained by the Survey and Mapping Office.

Related: Deformation Monitoring, GNSS, Traverse
Deformation Monitoring

The systematic measurement of movements or strains in structures or ground, using instruments such as total stations, GNSS, or inclinometers, to detect changes and ensure safety.

Related: Geodetic Control Network, Total Station, Settlement Monitoring
GNSS

Global Navigation Satellite System, a satellite-based positioning system (e.g., GPS, BeiDou, Galileo) providing three-dimensional coordinates. Used in Hong Kong for control surveys and real-time kinematic (RTK) applications.

Related: Geodetic Control Network, Total Station, Traverse
Total Station

An electronic surveying instrument combining an electronic theodolite, distance meter, and onboard computer to measure angles and distances, used for traversing, setting out, and as-built surveys.

Related: Traverse, Deformation Monitoring, Setting Out
Cadastral Map

A map showing land parcel boundaries, ownership, and related attributes, used for land administration. In Hong Kong, the Land Information System (LIS) provides digital cadastral data.

Related: Land Boundary Survey, Land Information System (LIS), Topographic Map
Land Information System (LIS)

A computer-based system for managing land-related data, including cadastral maps, ownership, and land use. Maintained by the Hong Kong Survey and Mapping Office for land administration.

Related: Cadastral Map, GIS, Topographic Map
GIS

Geographic Information System, a framework for capturing, managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data. Used in Hong Kong for land management, planning, and survey data integration.

Related: Land Information System (LIS), Cadastral Map, Topographic Map
Topographic Map

A map depicting natural and man-made features with elevation contours, used for planning and engineering. Hong Kong's topographic maps are produced by the Survey and Mapping Office at various scales.

Related: Cadastral Map, GIS, Geodetic Control Network
Setting Out

The process of marking on the ground the positions and levels of planned structures or works, based on design drawings and survey control, to guide construction.

Related: As-Built Survey, Total Station, Traverse
As-Built Survey

A survey conducted after construction to verify that completed works match design drawings and specifications, often required for occupation permits or final acceptance.

Related: Setting Out, Occupation Permit, Deformation Monitoring
Lease Conditions

Terms and conditions in a land lease that govern the use, development, and obligations of the land. Compliance is essential for land administration and property development in Hong Kong.

Related: Land Exchange, Modification of Lease, Land Premium
Land Exchange

A transaction where a landowner surrenders an existing lot to the government in exchange for a new lot, often to consolidate holdings or enable development, subject to lease conditions and premium.

Related: Lease Conditions, Modification of Lease, Land Premium
Modification of Lease

A formal alteration to lease conditions, such as change of use or relaxation of building covenants, granted by the Lands Department upon application and payment of a premium.

Related: Lease Conditions, Land Exchange, Land Premium
Land Premium

The amount payable to the government for the grant, exchange, or modification of a lease, reflecting the value of the land rights. Assessed by the Lands Department.

Related: Lease Conditions, Land Exchange, Modification of Lease
Calibration

The process of comparing an instrument's measurements against a known standard to determine and correct errors. Essential for ensuring accuracy in surveying instruments.

Related: Accuracy Standards, Quality Assurance, Total Station
Accuracy Standards

Specified tolerances for survey measurements and products, such as positional accuracy or closure ratios, defined in standards like the Hong Kong Survey and Mapping Office's specifications.

Related: Calibration, Quality Assurance, Traverse
Quality Assurance

Planned and systematic activities implemented to ensure that survey products and services meet specified quality requirements, including checks, audits, and documentation.

Related: Calibration, Accuracy Standards, Site Supervision Plan
Construction Site Safety

The practice of ensuring safety on construction sites through measures such as risk assessments, safe work procedures, personal protective equipment, and compliance with the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance.

Related: Site Supervision Plan, Contract Administration, Professional Liability
Contract Administration

The management of construction contracts, including payment certification, variations, extensions of time, and dispute resolution, ensuring compliance with contract terms and conditions.

Related: Professional Liability, Construction Site Safety, Site Supervision Plan
Professional Liability

The legal responsibility of professionals for errors, omissions, or negligence in their work, potentially leading to claims for damages. Mitigated by professional indemnity insurance and adherence to standards.

Related: Contract Administration, Construction Site Safety, Quality Assurance
Expert Witness Report

A formal report prepared by a surveying expert for legal proceedings, presenting technical findings and opinions on matters such as boundaries, valuations, or construction defects.

Related: Boundary Dispute, Professional Liability, Land Boundary Survey
Adverse Possession

The acquisition of title to land by continuous, open, and adverse occupation without the owner's permission for a statutory period. In Hong Kong, the period is generally 12 years for private land.

Related: Boundary Dispute, Land Boundary Survey, Lease Conditions
Traverse

A surveying method where a series of connected lines are measured to determine coordinates of points. Used for control surveys and establishing geodetic networks.

Related: Geodetic Control Network, Total Station, Accuracy Standards
Settlement Monitoring

The measurement of vertical movement of structures or ground, typically using precise levels or settlement markers, to assess stability and safety during construction.

Related: Deformation Monitoring, Total Station, As-Built Survey
Certificate of Completion

A document issued by the Building Authority upon completion of building works, certifying that the works comply with the Buildings Ordinance and approved plans, often preceding an occupation permit.

Related: Occupation Permit, Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), As-Built Survey