PNAP ADM-18 - Site Auditing for Building Works

Q: What is the statutory source for Site Auditing for building works by BD?
The Building Authority is empowered by section 22 of the Buildings Ordinance to
enter building sites to ascertain whether the Buildings Ordinance and its subsidiary
regulations are being complied with.

In accordance with section 22 of the BO, the BA may at any time enter any premises
to ascertain whether the Buildings Ordinance and its subsidiary regulations are being
complied with.

However, no authorized person may enter the premises unless the entry is permitted
by the owner, occupier or person who appears to have control of the premises OR a
warrant is obtained.

Q: What are the purposes for Site Auditing for building works by BD?
As mentioned in ADM-018 - Site Auditing for Building Works, the site auditing aims to
(1) facilitate the registered building professionals in carrying out their statutory
supervision duties and (2) help identify potential safety issues and substandard
practices in building construction before they become costly or difficult to fix.

Q: What is the strategy for Site Auditing for building works by BD?
General strategy
The audit strategy focuses on compliance with regulations and includes surprise
inspections, a performance-based approach for frequency of inspections,
unpredictable timing and rotation of staff.

In addition, the BD targets arrangements to ensure that the officer assigned to audit
a particular site is neither the officer who processes the documentary submissions in
respect of that site nor the officer who carried out the previous inspection, to ensure
fairness of auditing.

Performance-based site auditing

The audit strategy for building construction uses a performance-based approach to
determine the frequency and timing of inspections.

It assesses various factors such as the building site's condition, complexity of

development, and on-site organization to determine the initial frequency of
subsequent inspections.
PNAP ADM-18 - Site Auditing for Building Works

As work progresses, the timing of the next audit is based on the standard of work
discovered in the last audit. If the building site poses difficulties, or if anomalies or
substandard work are discovered, the next audit will be conducted earlier than
planned.

ADM-018 has shown a flow chart for the performance-based site auditing approach.
And it showed that the initial auditing would be carried out 1 month after
commencement of piling works and 3 months after commencement of
superstructural works.

In addition, the flow chart shows that the period for site audit is 4 months for
superstructure works and be enhanced to 2 months if BD considered that more
frequent site auditing is required.

For foundation works, the flow chart shows that the period for site audit is 2 months
and be enhanced to 1 months if BD considered that more frequent site auditing is
required.

Minor works
Instead of a programme of systematic inspections for construction sites with
approved plans, selected cases of minor works under construction will be subject to
audit site safety inspections.

Two-Storey Warehouses
ADM019 - Building Approval Process mentioned that the Efficiency Office (EffO)
offers a fast-track processing service for building proposals of two-storey
warehouses. If the building meets certain criteria such as being a warehouse for
general storage, of not more than two storeys and has no basement, the BD will
process the proposal within 45 days and conduct foundation inspection within one
working day of notification.

ADM018 - Site Auditing for Building Works further mentioned that BD conducts
foundation inspection within one working day and for two-storey warehouse
proposals that meet the criteria for fast-track processing. For small warehouses with
a floor area of not more than 1,500m2, the BD conducts only one unscheduled audit
inspection, unless irregularities are found.

Q: What is the scope of audits for Site Auditing for building works by BD?
PNAP ADM-18 - Site Auditing for Building Works

ADM018 listed out some site audit items in respect of foundation works and
structure works.

For superstructure work, the site audit items may include –

 Material certificate, including test report for concrete and steel reinforcement,
 Hammer test to structural elements
 Presence of qualified supervisory staff
 Document showing RSE’s acceptance on transfer plate falsework design by RGBC
 Check whether the curtain walls are complying with the approved plans to
construct.

For foundation work, the site audit items may include –

 Material certificate, including test report for concrete and steel reinforcement,
 Presence of qualified supervisory staff
 Ascertain piles are driven to suitable founding stratum complying with the
approved plans.