Demolition Works

1. Introduction
• Why Demolition Works need to be controlled?
2. How Demolition Works Are Controlled?
• The Buildings Ordinance & Regulations
3. The Requirements of Demolition Plans
• What details are required to be shown in the plans?
4. Precautionary Measures Required
• For the safety of workers and the public
5. Methods of Demolition
• Manual method
• Mechanical method
• Other methods
 Demolition Works
6. Special Structures
• Particular precautionary measures required
7. Examples of demolition Plans
• Manual method
• Mechanical method
8. Conclusion
• Lessons learnt from previous incidents
• Expertise required (Registered Specialist Contractor)
• Extra supervision required (TCP, Resident Engineer)
• Overall Safety Improved
 Introduction
Why Demolition Works Need to be Controlled?
- Previous Incidents :
 Wing On Case (in 1994)
 San Po Kong Case (in 1996)
 Kwun Tong Road Case (in 1997)
 Yau Tong Case (in 2001)
 Causeway Bay Case (in 2007)
 To Kwa Wan Case (in 2010)
Yau Tong Case
Causeway Bay Case
 Introduction
Previous Control System
(Before 1996)
- Demolition Plans Were Not Prescribed
- Precautionary Measures Specified in Building
(Demolition Works) Regulations - ( B(DW)R )
- Registered Contractor (not specialized)
- Supervision to be carried out by the Authorized
Person (AP) periodically
- The Registered Structural Engineer (RSE) normally
not involved
 Introduction
Current Control System
(After 1996)
- Demolition Plans Prescribed under the
Building (Administration) Regulations - B(A)R
- Necessary Precautionary Measures to be Shown in
Demolition Plans
- RSE would be involved
- Registered Specialist Contractor to carry out the works
- Site Supervision Plan System
- Extra Supervision Required for Special Structures
- Video Records need to be taken on Site
 Control of Demolition Works

Section 16(3)(a) of the Buildings Ordinance (BO)

The Building Authority (BA) may refuse to give

his consent to the commencement of any
building works or street works where he has
not received and given his approval to all the
plans thereof prescribed by regulations.
 Control of Demolition Works

B(A)R 8(3) & 8(4)

Building (Administration) Regulation 8 :-

(3)The plans set out hereunder are
prescribed, in respect of demolition
works ---
(a) to (f)
(4)The prescribed plans for demolition works
must be accompanied by ---
(a) to (d)
 Control of Demolition Works
PNAP APP- 21
This practice note sets out the procedures to be
followed by AP, RSE and RGE in meeting the
requirements of the BO, B(A)R and B(DW)R for
demolition works.
PNAP APP- 23
This practice note provides guidelines for the
design and construction of hoardings, covered
walkways and gantries to satisfy the relevant BO
and regulations, and the requirements of various
government departments.
 Control of Demolition Works
Code of Practice for Demolition of Buildings (2004)
∙ The Code provides guidance on safe and good practices for
demolition works in compliance with the requirements of the
relevant provisions of the B(A)R and B(DW)R relating to
demolition works
∙ Amendments to the Code issued through circular letter dated
5 September, 2016
- further details and requirements on safety issues
- inclusion of RGE and minor works requirements
 Demolition Plans
B(A)R 8 (3) The plans set out hereunder are prescribed…..
(a)Plan Showing the Construction & Condition of the Building to
be demolished
• r.c. building, steelworks, masonry, or timber
• framed structure, load bearing walls
• any special structures, such as hangers,
prestressed structures, flat slab
• condition of the building :good/dilapidated
• any adjoining slopes or retaining walls providing support
to the ground
 Demolition Plans

B(A)R 8 (3)
(b)Plan Showing Site Nature & Surrounding,
including
• survey plan showing ground level
contours
• sections for slopes or ground supported
by the building
• removal of ground required
 Demolition Plans

B(A)R 8 (3)
(c) Plan Showing Method of Demolition
• sequence of works
• procedures to be followed
• equipment to be used
 Demolition Plans
B(A)R 8 (3)
(d) Plan Showing the Support to be
Provided to, at Each Stage of the
Demolition Works,
• the building to be demolished
• any slopes/ground supported by the
building
• all the affected buildings, structures,
streets, land and services
 Demolition Plans

B(A)R 8 (3)
(e)Plan Showing Precautionary Measures for
Public Safety, Including
• hoardings & covered walkways
• catch fans
• dust screens
 Demolition Plans
B(A)R 8 (3)
(f)Plan Showing Support to
• all affected buildings, structures,
streets, land and services
• at each stage of the demolition works
 Demolition Plans
(prescribed documents)
B(A)R 8 (4)
The prescribed plans for demolition works must
be accompanied by ….
(a)Stability Report in respect of
• the building to be demolished
• all affected buildings and structures
• streets, land and services
 Demolition Plans
(prescribed documents)
B(A)R 8 (4)
(b)Structural Calculations for
• the design of supports acceptable
by the BA
 Demolition Plans
(prescribed documents)
B(A)R 8 (4)
(c) Stability Report with Calculations
• Demonstrating the safety of all
affected buildings, structures, land &
services
 Demolition Plans
(prescribed documents)
B(A)R 8 (4)
(d) Stability Report with Calculations
• Justifying the safety use of equipment
and mechanical plants
Precautionary Measures Required

1. Hoarding, Covered Walkway and Catch Platform

2. Scaffolding and Screen Covers
3. Catch Fans
4. Temporary Supports
5. Protection for Adjoining Structures/Land
6. Protection of Traffic
7. Special Safety Consideration
8. Environmental Precautions
9. Debris and Waste Handling
10. Inspection and Maintenance
11. Post-Demolition Precautions
Precautionary Measures Required

Hoarding & Covered Walkway

- As required under B(P)R 64
- Guidelines provided in PNAP APP-23
Catch Platform
- As required under B(DW)R 3(2)(a)
to prevent nuisance or danger
- Guidelines provided in PNAP APP-21
Precautionary Measures Required

Scaffolding & Working Platforms

- Bamboo Scaffold
- Metal Scaffold
- Code of Practice Issued by
Labour Department
- To comply with the Construction Site
(Safety) Regulations
Precautionary Measures Required

Screen Covers
- As required under B(DW)R 3(2)(a)
- Screen system shall also satisfy
Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust)
Regulations
- Double Layers
- Properly secured
- Material specifications
Precautionary Measures Required

Catch Fans
- As required under B(DW)R 3(2)(a)
- For catching small pieces of debris
- Vertical distance not greater than 10 m
- Horizontal extension not less than 1.5 m
- Angle of inclination 20º to 45º from
horizontal
Bamboo Catchfan and screen Cover
Precautionary Measures Required

Temporary Supports for the Building to be

Demolished
- Propping under the floors supporting
extra loading
- Supports for cantilevers
- Catch Platforms
Precautionary Measures Required

Protection for Adjoining Structures/Land

- Raking shores
- Flying shores
- Steel frames (for party walls)
- Strutting for retaining land
Precautionary Measures Required

Protection of Traffic
- Avoid closure of traffic lanes
- If unavoidable, permission required from
Transport Department & Police
- Advisable to arrange temporary closure
Precautionary Measures Required
Special Safety Considerations
- Safety Training Courses
> Workers
> Plant Operators
> Supervisors
- Equipment maintenance
- Electrical safety
- Fire safety
- Occupational health
- Emergency exit
- Vibration
 Precautionary Measures Required
Environmental Protection
- Air pollution (Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust)
Regulations)
- Noise (Noise Control Ordinance)
- Water (Water Pollution Control Ordinance)
- Hazardous materials, such as asbestos, LPG cylinders,
toxic and corrosive chemicals (special procedures to
be followed)
Precautionary Measures Required
Debris and Waste Handling
- Chutes (plastic chutes inside lift wells preferred)
- Debris recycling (site sorting & separation at
source)
- Dust minimization (by water spraying)
- Debris accumulation (not allowed unless
adequately supported)
- Debris disposal & management system
- Debris handling (avoid propping supports)
- Waste management
Precautionary Measures Required
Inspection and Maintenance
- Frequency of Inspections (in accordance
with Site Supervision Plan)
- Unsafe Condition (demolition works to
be ceased until it is rectified)
- Scaffolding (to be performed according to
the requirements under FIUO)
 Post-Demolition Precautions
After completion of demolition works,
- The site
• Levelled
• Cleared of debris
• Adequate drainage
• Completely enclosed
Supports to adjacent structures
• Properly maintained
• Replaced by permanent support as necessary
All slopes, retaining walls & excavation
• Properly supported
 Methods of Demolition
Manual Method
Machine Method
Hydraulic Crusher
Wrecking Ball
Implosion
Non-explosive Demolition Agent
Saw Cutting
Thermal Lance
Water Jet
 Special Structures
Simple Precast Constructions
Prestressed Concrete Structures
Statically Determinate Structures
– Cantilevers
– Hinged or pin-jointed trusses
Composite or Steel Structures
Cladding Walls
Hanging Structures
Oil Storage Facilities
Marine Structures
Underground Structures
Structures Supporting Ground or Sitting on Slopes
 Site Supervision and Inspection

Site Safety Supervision Plan

– Technical Memorandum for Supervision Plans
– Code of Practice for Site Supervision
Extra Supervision for Demolition of Complex
Structures
– Full time Site Engineer
– Requirements under Table 9.1 of the Code of
Practice for Site Supervision
Examples of Demolition Plans

Manual Method
( use of hand held tools,
such as jack hammers)
Mechanical Method
( use of mechanical plants )
APPENDIX F (continued)
 Conclusion
Lessons learnt from previous incidents
- Wing On Case
- San Po Kong Case
- Kwun Tong Road Case
- Yau Tong Case
- Causeway Bay Case
- To Kwa Wan Case
Lessons Learnt from Previous Incidents

Wing On Case:
- Building records to be studied before
demolition works
- Cantilevered structures are to be properly
supported before demolition
San Po Kong Case
- Restricted zones for mechanical plants
- Catch platform to be provided at top of
covered walkway
Lessons Learnt from Previous Incidents
Kwun Tong Road Case:
Approved demolition procedures must be
followed ensuring safety
Lessons Learnt from Previous Incidents
Yau Tong Case:
- Approved demolition procedures must be followed;
- Proper use of mechanical plants;
- Adequate supervison must be provided;
- Special procedures for special structures;
- Proper handling of demolished debris.
Lessons Learnt from Previous incidents
Causeway Bay Case
- Proper use of mechanical equipment
- Frequent inspections on temporary works
required
Lessons Learnt from Previous incidents
To Kwa Wan Case
- More stringent control on minor works
(with demolition works)
- Record plans of existing building to be
studied before demolition works
 Conclusion

Expertise required
- Registered Structural Engineer to be
involved in planning stage and supervision
for works in progress
- Registered Specialist Contractor to be
appointed for carrying out the demolition
works
 Conclusion

Proper Supervision to be provided

- Engagement of Technically Competent
Persons (TCP) for the supervision of the
demolition works by the AP, RSE & RSC
- Extra supervision required for critical
stages of demolition works
 Conclusion

The Buildings Department has introduced more

stringent control measures for demolition works
Overall safety for demolition works has been
improved
Thank You