1. Definitions

For the purpose of this Code, the following definitions shall apply:

“Authorized Person” means a person whose name is on the Authorized Persons’ register kept by the Building Authority under section 3(1) of the Buildings Ordinance :

• as an architect; or
• as an engineer; or
• as a surveyor;

“Blasting Expert” means a person who is the holder of a valid mine blasting certificate or a special authorization issued by the Commissioner of Mines pursuant to Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations 47.

“Building Height” means the vertical distance measured from the top most part of the building to be demolished to the lowest ground level;

“Building Survey” means an inspection on the building and its surroundings aiming at spotting any potential problems that may arise during demolition and developing a method statement for demolition;

“Catch Platform” is a temporary structure erected on top of the covered walkway or underneath the structures that are being demolished including, but not limited to, balconies and cantilevered structures for the purpose of catching and retaining debris and to protect the area beneath such structures being demolished;

“Catchfan” is a temporary structure erected around and attached to or abutting the exterior wall of the building being demolished for the purpose of catching and retaining debris that fall outside the building;

“Covered Walkway” means a temporary structure with protective roof erected along the site boundary and on or adjacent to the existing footpath to protect pedestrians from the falling debris during demolition;

“Demolition” means dismantling, razing, destroying or wrecking any building or structure or any part thereof by pre-planned and controlled methods;

“Demolition Plan” is a plan prescribed by Building (Administration) Regulation 8(3) in respect of demolition works.

“Hanging Structure” is an unconventional structure that is supported from above by tension members such as suspended cables, tie rods or other means;

“Hanging Tie” means the tension members providing supports to a hanging structure.

“Hoarding” means a temporary fence enclosure erected along the site boundary to separate the demolition site from the adjacent properties;

“Implosion” means demolition with the use of explosives, in which, the building debris falls inwards or in a controlled manner;

“Implosion Expert” means a person who has acquired adequate knowledge and experience in building implosion through training and practical experience and is competent in taking up the full responsibility to design, organise and control building implosion, subject to approval by the Building Authority and the Commissioner of Mines.

“Non-Ventilated Light Well” means a light well which does not provide either natural ventilation through openings at both top and bottom, or mechanical ventilation that allow circulation of air;

“Party Wall” means a common wall that separates two adjoining buildings;

“Public Filling Area” means dumping site operated by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for receiving suitable construction and/or demolition waste for reclamation and land formation projects;

“Registered Specialist Contractor in the Demolition Category” means a person whose name is for the time being on the sub-register for the demolition category in the register of specialist contractors maintained under section 8A of the Buildings Ordinance;

“Registered Structural Engineer” means a person whose name is for the time being on the structural engineers’ register kept under section 3(3) of the Buildings Ordinance;

“Standards of Scaffold” means vertical members of scaffolding;

“Stability Report accompanying Demolition Plan” is a stability report which includes stability checking calculations for the building to be demolished, its supports, if any, the adjoining properties and the loading due to powered mechanical plants, or equipment, and its contents are stated in Building (Administration) Regulation 8(4).

“Structural Survey” means a survey on the existing structural element prior to demolition in order to check the layout arrangement of structural elements, the state of maintenance and deterioration, and any structural implication that may affect the demolition;

“Thermal Lance” means an intense heat process used to cut or sever structural elements, including reinforced concrete elements, by means of a high temperature torch with heat source generated from fusion of oxygen and metal.