RICS' Response to Ma Tau Wai Road 45J Building Collapse Incident
HONG KONG, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Government recently announced, on 22nd January 2010, details of the mandatory building and window inspection plan, which, if approved by the LegCo, will be implemented by the fourth quarter of 2011. The plan specifies mandatory inspection of buildings over 30 years' old at least once every 10 years and approximately 2,000 buildings will be inspected every year.
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Yet, a terrifying building collapse incident just occurred on last Friday (29th January 2010), which caused the death of several residents inside the building. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Hong Kong Board is much concerned about this tragedy and hereby urges the Government to take pragmatic action towards execution of the mandatory building inspection plan so as to safeguard valuable lives.
The tragic incident has highlighted a few important facts:
(i) The importance of proper building maintenance and management in
relation to safety of occupants and public;
(ii) Alteration of building structures is complex and technical, and
should not be handled by laymen (unqualified contractors) without
checking of Building Plans, and professional advice or supervision;
and
(iii) The consequences of failing to observe (i) and (ii) can be serious
but the owners ultimately have to bear the responsibility for the
outcome.
Mr. David Faulkner, Chairman of RICS Hong Kong commented, "Chartered Building Surveyors are well qualified to carry out building inspection and condition surveys and can contribute to the proposed Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme, which will be introduced into the Legislative Council on coming Wednesday. RICS Hong Kong is supportive of the MBIS Bill."
Further recommendations from RICS Hong Kong are as follows:
(1) Partnering with professional bodies to help promote building safety: Hong Kong is never short of qualified persons who can perform inspections of old buildings. The RICS, for example, has over 380 practicing Chartered Building Surveyors locally and if the Government will consider working with professional bodies like RICS, the inspection work will be performed at a quicker pace.
(2) Public education: owners and occupants are rarely aware of their responsibility to the maintenance of their buildings and the potential risks associated. It is the Government's duty to formulate and implement public education plan to provide these owners and occupants with necessary information so as to help safeguard public safety. RICS Hong Kong would be happy to assist the Government in both formulating and implementing an education plan in this aspect.
(3) New legislation is needed: for control of renovation and alterations within buildings, the Government has enacted a new legislation on "Minor Works Control System" but this is not yet implemented. RICS Hong Kong would like to suggest that the Government implement's this new legislation as soon as possible to facilitate owners in carrying out minor works.
(4) Government subsidies: private inspection and repair work requires huge capital input and that is the main reason why building owners are reluctant to do that on their own. Government subsidies can be an effective way to improve owners' awareness towards building inspection.
(5) Take reference from successful overseas cases: there are plenty of mandatory building inspection policies to ensure sustainable growth of cities in different parts of the world. Taking reference from successful approaches via overseas professional bodies like RICS, or overseas governments can be an effective means to ensure formulation of the best and the most effective policy for the good of Hong Kong.
About RICS & RICS Asia
RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is the mark of property professionalism worldwide. It covers all aspects of property, construction and associated environmental issues. RICS has 140,000 members globally and represents, regulates and promotes the work of property professionals throughout 122 countries.
The RICS Asia supports a network of over 11,000 individual professionals across the Asia Pacific region with an objective to help develop the property and construction markets in these countries, by introducing professional standards, best practice and international experience. It promotes RICS and its members as the natural advisors on all property matters. It also ensures that services and career development opportunities are provided to members.
The RICS Asia region covers national associations and local groups locating in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The People's Republic of China and the SAR Hong Kong. It also has members working across the region such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos PDR, Macao, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, The Maldives, The Philippines, Timor East and Vietnam. For more information, please visit: http://www.ricsasia.org .
Media enquiry, please contact:
RICS Asia Public Relations Representative
Ms Belinda Chan / Ms Ava Lau
Tel: +852-2372-0090
Fax: +852-2372-0490
Mobile: +852-9379-3045 / +852-9829-2913
Email: belinda@creativegp.com / ava@creativegp.com
