The Government published in the Gazette today (October 9) the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) (Amendment) Regulation 2015 and the Building (Administration) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2015, both made by the Secretary for Development under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123). The Amendment Regulations will amend the extant Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations (Cap. 123I) to modernise and update the standards for the provision of sanitary fitments in private buildings.
A government spokesman said a key objective of the Amendment Regulations is to enhance the standards for the provision of female sanitary fitments in public places, such as cinemas and places of public entertainment. New categories of building uses, viz sports stadiums, shopping arcades and department stores, religious institutions and funeral parlours, will be introduced for the purpose of determining the number of sanitary fitments to be provided. The standards for the provision of sanitary fitments in restaurants will also be rationalised by aligning the standards with the licensing requirements stipulated by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
"The Amendment Regulations will meet public aspirations for enhanced statutory standards for the provision of sanitary fitments in private buildings, especially the provision of female sanitary fitments in public places. In particular, the number of watercloset fitments for females required to be provided in shopping arcades and department stores, cinemas and places of public entertainment will be increased on average by about 75 per cent, 160 per cent and 185 per cent respectively. In formulating the Amendment Regulations, we have taken into account the recommendations of an independent consultant and stakeholders' views," the spokesman said.
The Amendment Regulations will be tabled at the Legislative Council (LegCo) for negative vetting on October 14, 2015. Subject to scrutiny by LegCo, the Amendment Regulations will come into effect on December 14, 2015.
Ends/Friday, October 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:03
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