PDF《LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL》

72 under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123)(BO) prescribe the design requirements on the provision of barrier-free access and facilities for persons with disabilities to ensure that reasonable barrier-free access and facilities are provided in premises to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. B(P)R

72 is applicable to new buildings or alterations and additions to existing buildings. To supplement the B(P)R 72, a Design Manual (DM) was issued by the Buildings Department (BD) to provide guidelines on barrier-free access and facilities. Hence, all new buildings and alterations and additions to existing buildings will have to comply with the latest barrier-free design standards as set out in the current version of B(P)R and DM. 13. The DMs issued in

1997 and

2008 have no retrospective effect on buildings constructed before the implementation of the DMs. There are practical difficulties to apply the latest barrier-free design standards to existing buildings. Some of the existing buildings are unable to meet the latest barrier-free design standards owing to technical constraints. In addition, the impacts of the application, including the economic burden to

5 owners and residents of buildings, as well as the nuisance caused by construction works, have also to be taken into account. 14. Starting from

1 April 2011, the Hong Kong Housing Society and Urban Renewal Authority have consolidated their five schemes on building maintenance and jointly rolled out a new Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme (IBMAS). IBMAS has explicitly included the provision, improvement and maintenance of barrier-free access in the scope of ........