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The Buildings Department (BD) today (August 22) served a notice of intention to apply for a closure order in respect of the building at 51 Kai Ming Street, To Kwa Wan. The owners/occupants concerned were notified that the BD would apply for a closure order in respect of the subject building from the District Court on August 30, 2013, in accordance with Section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Buildings Ordinance.
"The closure of the building is necessary for the demolition of the cantilevered slab balconies (CSBs) therein, which are dangerous, by the government contractor," a spokesman of the BD said. "The closure of the building will also facilitate further detailed investigation of the parent building without causing hazards to the occupants or members of the public."
The building at 51 Kai Ming Street is a six-storey composite building of reinforced concrete construction. Its occupation permit was issued in July 1957. According to the approved plans of the building, there is one flat for domestic use on each floor constructed with CSBs from 1/F to 5/F.
After the territory-wide inspection of about 4 000 buildings aged 50 or above in 2010, emergency shoring was erected as a protective measure for the CSB at 1/F and an investigation order was issued to the building owners requiring them to appoint an Authorised Person to conduct a detailed investigation of the structural condition of the building.
Since the owners were having difficulties in co-ordinating repair and investigation works themselves and they were also facing financial difficulties, the building was included in the Operation Building Bright programme. The BD then appointed a consultant and government contractor to conduct the investigation works. Based on the information gathered and analyses derived from the investigation report submitted by the consultant in August this year, the CSBs of the building were found to be in a poor structural condition. After due consideration, the BD decided that it was necessary to demolish the CSBs and to conduct further investigation of the parent building to ensure the safety of occupants and public safety.
The BD will complete the necessary protective measures for the building prior to the commencement of demolition of the CSBs and further investigation works at the parent building.
"During the course of the works, our staff will continue to monitor the structural condition of the building. Relevant government departments including the Housing Department, the Social Welfare Department and the Kowloon City District Office will provide appropriate assistance to the affected occupants," the BD spokesman said.
The spokesman emphasised that building owners are responsible for regularly inspecting and maintaining their individual premises and the common parts of their buildings. They should make sure that their buildings are safe and in good condition.
Ends/Thursday, August 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:01
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