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Following is an urgent question by the Hon Ip Kin-yuen under Rule 24(4) of the Rules of Procedure and a reply by the Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, in the Legislative Council today (May 25):
Question:
On the 20th of this month, the entire roof of the Chan Tai Ho Multi-purpose Hall at the City University of Hong Kong collapsed abruptly, resulting in mild injuries of three persons. Fortunately, no activity was ongoing in the Hall at that time, otherwise severe casualty might have been caused. It is learnt that the accident may be attributable to the roof being covered by vegetation and thus being overloaded. The Secretary for Education indicated that he would write to all primary and secondary schools in the territory, requesting them to examine the safety of the greening works on school premises. It has been reported that quite a number of schools have implemented roof greening projects with funding obtained from the Environment and Conservation Fund, which has aroused concerns whether the roofs of such buildings are in imminent danger of collapse, thereby endangering the lives of teachers, staff and students. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether the authorities will immediately conduct an assessment to see if the existing greened roofs of the buildings on the premises of various primary and secondary schools are in imminent danger of collapse, and take concrete measures immediately (e.g. conducting a comprehensive programme to review the safety of the roof greening works on all primary and secondary school premises) to assist these schools in eliminating such danger, so as to alleviate public concerns about the safety of the school environment; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
The Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to the safety of green roofs of school premises. According to the record of the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), there are 45 school building projects completed by the ArchSD with greening facilities (including green roofs) that form part and parcel of the new school premises. The design of the relevant installation has been taken care of during the vetting stage of the school building projects concerned, and the greenery works has met the safety requirements. Based on our record, another 66 schools have sought the EDB's approval for implementing green roof projects after the school premises concerned were built, with 62 of them having applied the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) for the conduct of the green roof works and the remaining four being self-funded projects. To carry out green roof projects in existing school premises, the schools concerned need to file applications in accordance with the established procedures. I shall briefly elaborate on the relevant arrangements as follows.
When schools formulate plans for green roof projects which would involve structural alteration to the school premises concerned, they should apply for approval from the EDB in accordance with the Education Regulations. If schools intend to conduct teaching and learning activities on green roofs, they should also observe the structural requirements for roof playground as stipulated in the Education Regulations, including a certificate of stability given by an Authorised Person to certify that the roof is suitable for such use, and the maximum number of pupils who may be allowed to use the playground.
Schools should obtain prior approval from the EDB before the commencement of the installation of green system with funds obtained from the ECF. When conducting the relevant works, schools should engage an Authorised Person and Registered Structural Engineer to assess if implementation of the works project would involve any change to the building structure as stipulated under the Buildings Ordinance, or whether a submission to the Buildings Department (BD) (for non-estate schools) or the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) of the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) (for estate schools) is required for formal approval and consent. For the implementation of green roof projects in government schools, schools are required to submit detailed information to the ArchSD for approval. Matters related to the vetting procedures and the points to note/information required for application submission to EDB are available at the website of the Environmental Education and Community Action Projects.
If schools carry out green roof projects with their own fund, they should submit their proposals to the BD/the ICU of the THB, the ArchSD (applicable to government schools only), the Department of Health and the Fire Services Department. Should the relevant departments raise no objection, schools may submit their formal applications to the EDB. Detailed information on maintenance and alteration works in aided schools is set out in Chapters 8.5 and 8.6 of the School Administration Guide.
Generally speaking, if a green roof project at an existing school premises is being planned and conducted by professional personnel, coupled with proper maintenance and repairs, safety of the installation should not be a concern. However, we do appreciate it that the recent collapse of a green rooftop at the City University of Hong Kong has aroused concern about the safety of school premises with green roofs. In this regard, the EDB has already issued a letter to all schools, reminding them of the points to note with regard to green roof installation, including the requirements for carrying out such projects. We have also attached to the letter the recommendations drawn up by the BD in respect of green roof works at school premises and assessment of the existing green roofs. I would like to reiterate that should schools notice seepage, cracks or loose concrete on the ceiling of the storey below the green roof, they should seek professional advice from an Authorised Person or Registered Structural Engineer as soon as possible to ensure the safety of school premises. For aided schools, they may also submit applications for emergency repairs according to the established arrangement if such need arises. The Term Consultants appointed by the EDB will visit the schools concerned to assess the condition and advise on the follow-ups as appropriate. For government schools, they should contact the ArchSD immediately for follow-up or conducting repairs to ensure safety.
In addition, the BD and other relevant departments will arrange seminars for school management staff and relevant stakeholders shortly, with a view to briefing them on points to note when conducting green roof projects, how to manage existing green roofs, etc, as well as to answering queries they might have over such installation.
Thank you, President.
Ends/Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 13:28
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