Chan, D W M; Hung, H T W; Chan, A P C and Lo, T K K (2014) Overview of the development and implementation of the mandatory building inspection scheme (MBIS) in Hong Kong. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 4(1), pp. 71-89. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise overview of the problem of building decay in Hong Kong, the current government measures concerning dilapidated buildings and the latest development and implementation of the mandatory building inspection scheme (MBIS). A comparison of various MBISs from other jurisdictions of the world is also given. Design/methodology/approach: A desktop study of building inspection procedures, repair and maintenance policies was carried out, followed by an industry-wide opinion survey conducted by means of self-administered questionnaires. Target respondents are within the construction community of Hong Kong. The perceived benefits, potential difficulties and insightful recommendations or good practices are investigated. A comparison of the relative ranking of individual mean scores from various groups of respondents is presented in this paper. Findings: The execution of MBIS was found to be effective in enhancing public awareness of the importance of building upkeep and recognition of the property owner's legal responsibilities in this respect. Private property owners were made aware of the necessity to take holistic preventive measures to maintain the overall safety of their own buildings. A comparison of MBIS with other similar MBISs across different cities, revealed similarities as regards the inspection cycle, scope of inspection and qualifications of inspectors. The main difference related to the age rather than the height of target buildings. Practical implications: Proper inspection and maintenance is necessary to keep buildings in good condition to avoid injury or loss of life due to sudden collapse of structures or their elements such as concrete spalling and fall of window frames. The official launch of MBIS on 30 June 2012 is one of the proposed effective measures to resolve the long-standing problems of building neglect and deterioration in Hong Kong with particular regard to the existing old private premises. Originality/value: The execution of MBIS should be useful in improving the safety and health status of the dilapidated premises and in so doing safeguarding the residents and general public. To further identify the perceived benefits and potential difficulties of MBIS, and to suggest insightful recommendations or good practices for its successful future implementation, an opinion survey was launched among construction practitioners in Hong Kong between March and April of 2012.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building; health and safety; Hong Kong; inspection; management; repair and maintenance |
| Index terms: | owner, private property, jurisdiction, survey, construction practitioner, inspection, good practice, Hong Kong, deterioration, health and safety, qualification, injury, repair, implementation, spalling, property owner, methodology, window, questionnaire, construction community |
| Subjects: | research methods, maintenance engineering, educational resources, architectural elements, performance measurement, professional development, Geography, health safety and environment, health conditions and diseases, sociology, quality assurance, data collection methods, materials science, real estate economics, material degradation and durability, legal systems, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Procurement, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Education, Legal Issues, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here