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The Buildings Department (BD) will launch a public consultation tomorrow (October 18) to seek views from stakeholders of the building industry, academics and members of the public on whether statutory seismic-resistant building design standards should be introduced in Hong Kong. The consultation period will end on February 28, 2013.
According to a consultancy study commissioned by the BD, local buildings are basically safe in the event of an earthquake, although they may suffer some degree of structural damage depending on the earthquake's intensity. The study observed that the introduction of seismic-resistant building design standards should not, generally speaking, lead to a substantial increase in construction costs, but would significantly reduce annual damage costs to the structural elements of the buildings due to earthquakes. Moreover, the number of fatalities in the event of an earthquake would also be significantly reduced.
Two public consultation forums will be arranged for the public in December 2012 and February 2013 respectively to introduce the findings of the consultancy study, the objectives of the consultation and to collect the public's views. Members of the public who are interested in participating in the forums are invited to register with the BD beforehand to reserve their seats. Seats are available on a first-come, first served basis. Details of the public consultation forums are as follows:
Date : (i) December 10, 2012 (Monday)
(ii) February 1, 2013 (Friday)
Time: 3pm-5pm
Venue: 4/F, Conference Hall, Hong Kong Productivity Council Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon.
The consultation paper, questionnaire and reply slip for registration to attend the public consultation forums are available on the BD's website (www.bd.gov.hk). Hardcopies of the consultation documents are also available for collection from the Buildings Department at 12/F Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Members of the public are welcome to forward their views to the BD on or before February 28, 2013.
Ends/Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:01
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