SAFETY CERTIFICATION OF NTEHS’ UBW

The “Reporting Scheme for UBW in NTEHs” (the “Reporting Scheme”) is introduced with a view to curbing the emergence of new UBW and to safeguard the structural safety of NT village houses. Owners of NT village houses with UBW eligible to join the Reporting Scheme may report such UBW to the BD within the specified period of 1 April to 31 December 2012, and appoint qualified personnel to conduct inspections and verify the safety of the UBW in accordance with the requirements described in the Guidelines on the “Reporting Scheme”.

Owners of NT village houses with eligible UBWs intending to join the Reporting Scheme are required to complete and submit the Form NT01 to the BD with relevant information including photos, descriptions, size and completion dates of the UBWs reported.

Owners reporting UBWs are required to appoint a qualified personnel, namely a technically competent person of grade T2 (TCP-T2)(or above) to conduct inspections and verify the safety of the UBWs reported and their effect on the parent structures concerned every five years. The first safety certification must be submitted within 6 months after the date of submission of Form NT01 to the BD.

If the enclosure of, partition walls or appendages on cantilevered balconies4 are involved, the owners are required to appoint a qualified personnel, namely, registered structural engineer or a registered professional engineer (specialised in civil/structural/building works) to conduct regular inspections and verify the structural safety of the cantilevered balconies concerned.