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Members of the Building Sub-Committee of the Land and Development Advisory Committee and the Authorised Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers Committee were today (April 16) briefed on the guidelines on floor numbering for buildings proposed by the Buildings Department. A revised practice note, which provides details of a floor numbering system, was discussed at the meeting. Members were agreeable to the principles of the proposal.
In view of the recent public concern over the floor numbering in buildings, the Buildings Department has reviewed the existing Practice Note for Authorised Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers with the relevant stakeholders with the aim of formulating a reasonable approach and a code of good practice for floor numbering for the industry to adopt on a self-discipline basis.
"Subsequent to a series of discussions among the relevant stakeholders, a consensus was reached on a floor numbering system. Under such a system, all floors of a building should be assigned with floor numbers in a logical and consecutive numerical series," the spokesman said.
The omission of floor numbers may affect the efficiency of the Government's provision of emergency services. Property owners, potential property buyers, visitors to buildings, utility service providers, etc., may also find it confusing and inconvenient if the floor numbers of a building do not follow a general sense of logic which can be easily understood.
However, it is recognised that the omission of floor numbers "4", "13" and those ending with a "4" has been adopted widely in buildings in Hong Kong.
"To strike a balance between the concern arising from the omission of floor numbers and the long established local practice and customs in floor numbering for buildings, it is proposed that the omission of floor numbers "4", "13" and those ending with a "4" may be accepted. Except for this type of acceptable omission, assigning floor numbers with other omissions will not be allowed," the spokesman said.
The spokesman also said, "Under the new guidelines, the use of non-numerical names (unless indicated together with the normal floor numbers, e.g. 20/F Sky Garden), alias names, alternative floor numbers (e.g. in the form of "also known as x/F"), illogical or non-consecutive numbers, etc., will not be accepted for assigning floor numbers as they may cause confusion to building users as well as emergency service personnel."
When submitting building plans to the Buildings Department for approval, the numbering of each floor must be clearly and unequivocally indicated on the plans. If the Buildings Department or other government departments consider that the floor numbers of the building as shown on the plans were not arranged in a logical sequence or the numbering arrangement may cause confusion, the Buildings Department will advise the applicant to make appropriate amendments to the plans.
The committee members generally agreed with the floor numbering system proposed in the revised practice note. They also supported the adoption of a logical floor numbering system together with clear and unequivocal indication of the floor numbers on building plans. The practice will also facilitate building owners to make reference to the approved plans for carrying out repair, maintenance, as well as alteration and addition works for the buildings.
The Buildings Department plans to apply the new guidelines on floor numbering to new development projects where an application for occupation permit was submitted on or after September 1, 2010.
Ends/Friday, April 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:09
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