Summer recession used to mean a period of release and refresh after a year's hard work in my school time. Hard luck, it appears building surveyors do not have this privilege to take a short break in this year.
The sad collapse accident of 45J Ma Tau Wai Road has sparked off a hot discussion on building maintenance problem and the control of unauthorized building works since early 2010. We have repeatedly advised the government and the public the appropriate way to deal with the existing building problems. Still, it requires concerted actions from legislation, enforcement and public education.
BSD has put a great effort in advising the government in pushing forward the minor works control system and the Mandatory Building Inspections Scheme (MBIS) in one end while on the other end, spent tremendous effort in educating the public on the importance of building maintenance and the risk and liability of building owners in these respects. Our building safety voluntary inspection service provided to owners of the old buildings last year has contributed to this aim successfully. However, it has yet to see the results as it would take time to reverse the passive mind set of the owners. It is still a long way to go for the society as well as for us, building surveyors! 雖前路漫漫，但任重道遠。
The recent Coroner's Court judgment and comments on this tragedy has effectively served a serious warning to the building profession in particular, we, building surveyors. With due respect, I could not personally agree with all of
the comments and recommendations of the Court due to the presence of a lot of unanswered doubts of the case transpired in the expert reports and opinions regarding the causes of collapse of the building. However, the Court did bring out an important message that we should equip with adequate professional knowledge and experience in conducting building surveying and related safety assessment. Consistent approach, procedure, methods and assessment criteria would be critical to facilitate us to make a correct and reliable professional judgment.
In the past few weeks, I have persistently explained and clarified to the public, media and LegCo members our professional practice and approach in conducting building inspections and building safety assessment in order to obviate the misunderstandings and misjudgments on our professional competence. At the same time, we have to catch time to consolidate and update a set of practice guide on building inspections. I trust the working group set up early this year will work hard to make it ready the soonest possible.
The term "visual inspection" seems being misunderstood by the Coroner's Court and the public. We held a technical seminar to the media on 26 August 2011 to explain and clarify the real professional approach and functions of this surveying method. We grasped this opportunity to support the view that there was no practical need to require initial inspection of every complaint / emergency case received by BD by "twin professionals". I have presented the same message to the media and the public through various radio programs, TV interviews and newspaper reports.
LegCo Subcommittee meeting on 26 August on Building Safety & Related Issues
A LegCo subcommittee meeting on Building Safety & Related Issues was held on 26 August 2011 to follow up the judgment and recommendations of the Coroner's Court on the tragedy of the Ma Tau Wai Road building collapse case.
In response to the judgment and other comments raised, BSD has issued a press release and submitted a statement letter to the LegCo to present our views on the subject.
Raymond Chan, Robin Leung and I attended the meeting as observers. We have to safeguard our professionalism and fight for dignity against malicious attack. I earnestly appeal your support and contributions in uniting our profession for sustaining and moving forward.
Qianhai, Shenzhen 深圳前海
BSD has joined the meeting on 4 August 2011 to receive Shenzhen Nanshan Science & Technology Institute (NSSTI, 深圳市南山科技事務所), a research and study organization. NSSTI represented the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone (前海深港現代服務業合作區管理局) to collect views and opinions of our profession on participating the Qianhai development. BSD has expressed positive interest of BSs in the development.
Later on 15 August 2011, Bureau of Housing and Construction of Shenzhen Municipality (深圳住房及建設局) led a team including 深圳建設監理協會 to visit HKIS and discuss the corporation issue with HKIS, in particularly BSD's participation the Qianhai development. BSD has put forward a proposal to formulate a total development project management system for this development which would allow and facilitate joint-hand of BSs and 內地監理工程師 in providing professional project management services. As agreed in the meeting, a cooperation agreement will be prepared for this corporation between HKIS and 深圳建設監理協會. I believe it would be an important breakthrough of BS profession in future practice in the mainland.
Talk for Kowloon City Building Maintenance and Repair Workshop
I represented BSD to deliver a talk on building maintenance and repair for the Building Maintenance and Management Workshop organized by Kowloon City District Council on 20 August 2011.
Free consultation service for Hong Kong Housing Society
On 19 August 2011, on behalf of BSD, Nathan Lee and I received a group of building owners and provided advice and opinion in how to handle problems encountered in the repair and improvement works projects at the HKHS Yau Ma Tei Centre.
Draft Code of Practice on MBIS/MWIS
Amidst the hot discussion on building safety, BD has just issued a draft Code of Practice on MBIS/MWIS on 26 August 2011 in the web site. It is with regret that the draft code still fails to respond or address to most of our comments made in the past two years. Notwithstanding, I still invite members to take close study on the draft code in order to prepare for the implementation of the schemes. You may also furnish any comments or queries on the draft to me for my feedback to BD accordingly.
Revision courses for the APC 2011
We continued to have a series of revision courses for the APC 2011 in August and three topics, "Structural consideration on A&A works", "Review of MOE Code" and "Basic building services design considerations" have been delivered. The last two topics, namely "Building/ Lease/Planning Control" and "Contract Administration" which are very often questions picked out by assessors at the practical task and the final professional interview will be held on 2 and 20 September respectively. Probationers should not miss these two revision courses. Besides, a mock assessment workshop for Practice Task has been confirmed to be conducted in the weekend of 24 and 25 September at Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village. Candidates applying Practice Task this year are highly recommended to join this workshop and at the soonest ask the HKIS office for any vacancy available.
I would like to thank the following personnels who have contributed us enormous help and valuable time.
