Buildings B

(iv)Unauthorized building worksThere are many common types ofunauthorized building works (UBW)associated with single staircase buildings.Apart from the usual external projections,many UBW actually affect the means ofescape and jeopardize lives of occupiers.Common examples include:• removing smoke lobby doors, or replacementof such doors with non fire-ratedglazing doors;• installing metal gates or doors at the smokelobbies, staircase or landings obstructingthe escape route;erecting roof top structures;locking access door to the roof;.adding cockloft to ground floor shopswith new door opening(s) to the staircase;andforming other door openings at thestaircase and landings for sub-divisionof units.All the above, including other UBW and incompatible change in use toany floor or unit are prohibited. The Buildings Department (BD) may serveorders on these irregularities for rectifications by individual owners or allthe co-owners as the case may be.(c)Misuse, Change in Use and Licensing(i)GeneralAll parts of a building have their designated uses usually referred to as"approved use". They may be domestic units, offices, shops, classrooms,machine rooms, corridors, carparks, caretaker's offices, factories, warehouses,playgrounds, club houses, etc. Such uses are usually shown on the approvedbuilding plans. When a building is completed, the Building Authority (BA)issues an "Occupation Permit" which briefly describes the building and thepermitted uses of its different areas as shown on the approved buildingplans kept by the BD.UNDERSTANDING BUILDINGMAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT