The Government is planning to introduce a Building Safety Inspection Scheme, requiring owners of old buildings to appoint authorised people to inspect their property at regular intervals, and to carry out remedial works if necessary.
In the past few months a number of accidents due to dilapidated buildings and illegal structures have occurred, some causing serious casualties. Complaints about dangerous buildings and falling objects from external walls number thousands every year.
According to the Buildings Department, there are about 22,500 private blocks more than 20 years old. Among these, 6,500 are 40 years old or more and are likely to have suffered extensive structural defects from natural deterioration. These old buildings are potential sources of danger.
Under existing government policy, the Buildings Department will only inspect buildings which are either the subjects of complaints or targets of its planned surveys. The scale of these surveys is limited by the staffing of the department. There is no guarantee that any dangerous building will be spotted in time to prevent accidents happening.
As a more effective measure to ensure all privately owned buildings meet safety standards, the Government intends to pass legislation to make it the owners' responsibility to have their buildings inspected, maintained and properly repaired.
For residential buildings more than 20 years old, owners will be served with an inspection order every seven years. On receiving the order the owners will have to appoint architects, surveyors or structural engineers to make a general appraisal of the condition of their buildings.
No further action will have to be taken for a particular building if the inspector's report satisfies the Buildings Department that the building is safe. However, if problems are found, another order will be issued for a detailed investigation to be carried out, followed by repair works if necessary. About 3,000 buildings will be vetted each year.