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About 99,000 letters, posters and leaflets have been distributed throughout Hong Kong to encourage the proper display of building numbers.
The Rating and Valuation Department has issued the material to owners and tenants of ground floor shops, and to Owners' Corporations and Mutual Aid Committees.
Apart from benefiting the public at large, correct display of building numbers enables public services, like postal and emergency services, to be provided to occupiers more efficiently.
The department is responsible for allocation and proper display of official building numbers throughout Hong Kong .
To make building numbers clearly visible, a spokesman for the department gave the following advice:
* the number should be located above or at the side of the entrance to the premises and should not be obscured ;
* the recommended minimum height for a number is 50mm and width is 40mm;
* the colour of the number or number plate should contrast clearly with its background ;
* damaged numbers should be repaired and missing numbers replaced as soon as possible.
Department staff will carry out regular spot checks to ensure proper display and offer on-the-spot advice.
The spokesman said building owners were required by law to display building numbers. Those who failed to do so were liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction.
Ends/Thursday, October 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:01
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