28. Periodic inspection of buildings and building façades

an inspection of a building to ensure its structural stability or integrity;

an inspection of the façade of a building to identify —

any part of the façade that may be subject to excessive erosion, corrosion, wear, fatigue, stress or strain; or

any other situation or circumstance,that may give rise to a probability of the occurrence or potential occurrence of the collapse (wholly or partly) of the façade and death or injury to individuals, or damage to other property, within or outside the building.

where the building (other than a special building) is used other than solely for residential purposes — after the 5th year commencing from the date the first temporary occupation permit or first certificate of statutory completion was issued in respect of the building, whichever was issued earlier, and thereafter at intervals of not less than 5 years from the date of the last notice under this section; or

where the building is a special building or is used solely for residential purposes — after the 10th year commencing from the date the first temporary occupation permit or first certificate of statutory completion was issued in respect of the building, whichever was issued earlier, and thereafter at intervals of not less than 10 years from the date of the last notice under this section.

at intervals of not less than 5 years from the date of the last notice under this section for a building (other than a special building) used other than solely for residential purposes; or

at intervals of not less than 10 years from the date of the last notice under this section for a building which is a special building or used solely for residential purposes.

if the building is more than 20 years of age on the relevant date — at any time after that date;

if the building first attains more than 20 years of age at any time after the relevant date — at any time after the building first attains more than 20 years of age;

for a building in respect of which no temporary occupation permit or certificate of statutory completion has been issued for the whole building — at any time after the relevant date; or

at any time during the 7th or later year after the year during which the last notice requiring a façade inspection to be carried out was given.

be given to the owner of the building, or the building the façade of which is (as the case may be) required to be inspected under the notice; and

specify the building or the façade of the building (as the case may be) which is required to be inspected, and the period within which the inspection must be completed.

must appoint —

for the purpose of a structural inspection, a structural engineer; or

for the purpose of a façade inspection, a competent person,to carry out the inspection in accordance with subsection (6)(a); and

must submit to the Commissioner of Building Control, within the period specified in the notice under subsection (2C)(b), a copy of the report of the inspection by the structural engineer or competent person (as the case may be) prepared under subsection (6)(b).

a structural engineer who is appointed to carry out a structural inspection;

a competent person who is appointed to carry out a façade inspection and any façade inspector assisting the competent person in carrying out the façade inspection.

to a fine not exceeding $5,000; and

in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $500 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.

carry out the structural inspection or façade inspection (as the case may be) in the prescribed manner;

prepare, in such form as the Commissioner of Building Control may specify, a report on the results of the inspection mentioned in paragraph (a) and the assessment of the condition of the building or façade, as the case may be;

give a copy of the report mentioned in paragraph (b) to the owner of the building mentioned in subsection (2C)(a) without delay, and in any case, to enable the owner to comply with subsection (3)(b); and

comply with any written directions by the Commissioner of Building Control in respect of the report mentioned in paragraph (b).

carry out, within the period specified in the direction, such further steps as the Commissioner of Building Control considers necessary to ensure that the structural inspection or façade inspection (as the case may be), and the assessment of the condition of the building or façade (as the case may be), is complete; and

supplement the report mentioned in subsection (6)(b) to include the results of the further steps mentioned in paragraph (a), and such further information or documents as the Commissioner of Building Control may require to clarify those results.

to ensure the structural stability or integrity of the building; or

to prevent the occurrence or potential occurrence of collapse (wholly or partly) of the façade of the building,the owner of the building must carry out, or cause to be carried out, such of the measures or building works within such period, and subject to such conditions, as the Commissioner of Building Control may specify.