Buildings Department

Practice Note for Authorized Persons,

Registered Structural Engineers and
Registered Geotechnical Engineers

APP-158

Quality Supervision of Building Works

The authorized person (AP), registered structural engineer (RSE), registered

geotechnical engineer (RGE) appointed in respect of any building works (including
street works) have the duties under the Buildings Ordinance (BO), inter alia, to
supervise, whereas the registered contractor (RC) appointed has to provide continuous
supervision to, the carrying out of the building works in accordance with the
supervision plan. Quality supervision forms part of the supervision plan system to
ensure that the building works are carried out in general accordance with the provisions
of the BO and its regulations, the plans approved by the Building Authority (BA) and
any approval and/or consent conditions imposed.
2.
In accordance with the Code of Practice for Site Supervision (the Code), the
AP, RSE, RGE and authorized signatory (AS) of the RC shall devise checklists by
reference to the typical items, and to include any other particular items considered
essential for the project, including those for quality supervision and any other
conditions imposed by the BA at approval and/or consent stage, for compliance by their
respective streams of technically competent persons (TCPs) of all grades. As regards
quality supervision, the Code provides guidance on the items of works to be inspected
at different stages of various foundation works, ground investigation field works and
soil nailing works; identifies areas as critical stages of the works warranting more
frequent supervision; and guides the AP, RSE, RGE and AS to determine certain
sections of the works as critical activities.
Items of Works for Quality Supervision
3.
For the purpose of refining the extant quality supervision control
mechanism, this practice note provides further guidance on the common inspection
items for superstructure, excavation and lateral support and site formation works in
Appendix A for reference. The items contained therein are not exhaustive and
AP/RSE/RGE/AS should include other items they consider essential for the building
project. For example, under the category of superstructure, other inspection items such
as those for the construction of curtain walls, glass walls, prestressed concrete or
structural steelworks, etc. relevant to individual project should also be included.
Records of Quality Supervision
4.
The AP, RSE, RGE and AS are responsible for the operation of the
respective parts of the supervision plans prepared by them and should carry out the
necessary site inspections (including personally) to satisfy themselves that the
requirements of the supervision plans are fulfilled, and that their respective
representatives and TCPs discharge their duties under the supervision plans.

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5.
In order to facilitate the BAs audit of the AP/RSE/RGE/ASs carrying out
of their supervision duties and to provide an overview of the progress of the building
works, all the checklists and inspection records should be kept on site and available for
inspection by the officers of the Site Monitoring Section or other representatives of the
BA. A sample of record of quality supervision and inspections carried out by the
respective TCPs is given in Appendix B for reference. To suit the needs and practice
of individual building projects, the AP/RSE/RGE/AS may devise their record of quality
supervision carried out by TCPs under their respective streams.
6.

A similar practice note has been issued to RCs.

(HUI Siu-wai)
Building Authority

Ref. : BD GR/BREG/A/23
First issue : November 2016 (AD/NB2)

Appendix A
(PNAP APP-158)
Items of Works at
Various Stages of Superstructure/Excavation and Lateral Support/
Site Formation Works for Quality Supervision
Items of works at various stages of building works required for quality
supervision are given in the tables below for reference. The heads of the project management
structure shall communicate with other functional streams to derive checklists of various works,
determine appropriate inspection frequencies and critical stages of individual items of works to
suit the needs of individual project.

Stages of Superstructure Works

(Quality supervision of superstructure works should be provided by the AP/RSE and his TCPs as
appropriate, as well as by the AS of the registered general building contractor (RGBC) and his TCPs)

Item
No.

Stream
Stage/Item

Description
AP

RSE RGE RC

(a) In-situ Reinforced Concrete Works

QC1

Locations and sizes of

essential elements

Check the location, layout and sizes of

reinforced concrete elements.

QC2

Verifying quality of
steel reinforcing bars

Check material delivery records & batch size;

sampling and testing of steel reinforcing bars in
accordance with the applicable version of CS2.

QC3

Fixing of steel
reinforcing bars

Check the sizes, location and amount of steel

reinforcing bars and their fixing details
including concrete cover and starter bars details
if so required for next stage of concreting work
and the workmanship in accordance with PNAP
ADV-15.

QC4

Verifying quality of
concrete

Check material delivery records; sampling of

concrete and compression testing and statistics
of concrete test cubes in accordance with the
applicable version of CS1. Check particular
conditions imposed for high strength concrete
including the coring tests.

QC5

Placing, compaction
Check the quality and workmanship of concrete
and curing of concrete works.

QC6

Placing, compaction
In addition to the quality and workmanship as
and curing of concrete mentioned in Item QC5 above, check that
proper sequence of works, temporary work,
for transfer structure
concreting method and curing method are used.

QC7

Temporary formwork
and falsework

Check the stability of the formwork and

falsework before concreting and no early
stripping of formwork and falsework.

QC8

Verifying concrete
condition

Check the quality of concrete after stripping of

formwork.

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QC9

Verifying quality of
couplers

Check material delivery records & batch size;

sampling and testing of couplers in accordance
with conditions imposed & design criteria, site
quality control such as tightening record.

QC10

Verifying cast-in
embeds or anchors

Check the location, layout and types of the castin elements and the required sampling and
testing in accordance with conditions imposed.

QC11

Verifying in-situ
concrete strength

Check in-situ concrete strength (e.g. by

concrete coring test or rebound hammer test).

QCn

Any other items considered essential for quality supervision of the

superstructure works

as appropriate

(b) General Building Works

QB1

Setting out of
basements and G/F

Check critical dimensions including lanes and

streets within site, emergency vehicular access,
building set back areas, dedicated areas,
surrendered areas, storey height, firefighting
and rescue staircases, required staircases,
smoke vents, etc.
Check conformity with general layout.

QB2

Setting out of upper

floors and roofs

Check critical dimensions including internal

dedicated areas, storey height, projections,
balconies, utility platforms, protective barriers,
required staircases, refuge floor and/or roof,
etc.
Check conformity with general layout.

QB3

Interior and fitting out Check critical dimensions for internal dedicated
works
areas, exit routes@, firemans lift lobbies,
temporary refuge spaces, features subject to
exemptions / modifications of gross floor area
such as balconies, utility platforms, wider
corridors / lobbies, plant rooms, pipe ducts,
pipe wells, and residents recreational facilities,
etc.
Check materials and construction of fire
barriers and installation of proprietary fire
resisting products such as FRR of fire doors
and smoke seal, etc.
Check suitable waterproofing for roofs.
Check conformity with general layout.

QB4

Installation of
windows

Check minimum areas of glazing and openable

areas of prescribed windows and windows for
rooms containing soil or waste fitments.
Check according to guidelines on design,
installation
and
water
tightness
test
promulgated in PNAP APP-116.
Check provisions required under modification /
exemption
Check conformity with general layout.

QB5

Provision of Barrier
Free Access (if
applicable)

Check critical dimensions of tactile guide paths,

tactile warning strips, car parking spaces,
dropped kerbs, service counters, accessible lifts,
ramps, landings, bathrooms, corridors, lobbies,

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paths, dead-end manoeuvring spaces, handrail

extensions, clear door width and unobstructed
area adjacent to the door handle, accessible
toilets and urinals, etc.
Check conformity with the applicable version
of the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access such
as provision of tactile and braille map,
automatic main entrance doors, braille and
tactile information on handrail, signage, etc.
QBn

Any other items considered essential for quality supervision of the

general building works.

as appropriate

Legend:

The division of responsibility between RSE and RC for formwork and falsework is detailed in clauses
4.7 to 4.9 of the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009

Some examples of critical items to be checked are given for reference. These include : the continuous
path of travel from any part of a building to the ultimate place of safety; clear dimensions of staircases
including height and width together with dimensions of treads and risers and the general configuration
of staircases (e.g. not more than 16 risers); and provision of adequate signage and lighting.

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Stages of Excavation and Lateral Support Works

(Quality supervision of excavation and lateral support works should be provided by the AP/RSE and his
TCPs as appropriate, as well as by the AS of the RGBC and his TCPs. Quality supervision by RGE stream
should be provided only when the requirements of qualified supervision on the geotechnical aspects is
imposed as a condition of approval.)

Item
No.

Stream
Stage

Description
AP

RSE RGE RC

QE1

Locations of the
temporary retaining
planking

Check the location and layout of the

temporary retaining planking.

QE2

Installation of the
temporary retaining
planking

Check the material and sizes of the planking

and the working procedures for installing the
planking in position.

QE3

Installation of grout
curtain

Check the grout mix, grout pressure and grout

volume used on site and the grouting
operation is in compliance with the method
statement.

QE4

Pumping test or other

ground treatment
performance testing

Check the testing procedures.

QE5

Erection and removal of Check the method statement and construction

struts, lateral support
sequence for erection and removal of lateral
supporting system, i.e. waling and strutting
works
for excavation in stages.

QE6

Preloading of struts

Check the preloading procedures.

QE7

Excavation works

Check that the excavation is carried out stage

by stage and there is no over-excavation,
excessive temporary cutting slopes and
stockpiling of materials adversely affecting
the adjoining ground, structure or building.

QE8

Backfilling works

Check that the backfilling works are carried

out with proper compaction; the work
sequence, plants & equipment, materials, final
backfilling levels, test, etc. agree with
approved plans or accepted proposal.

QE9

Instrumentation and
monitoring works
throughout the
excavation and lateral
support works

Check locations of all monitoring points and

see if they are in proper working conditions;
readings are properly taken in a timely
manner; and
Check that there is no excessive
ground/building
movement,
excessive
groundwater drawdown and excessive water
ingress into the site.

QEn

Any other items considered essential for quality supervision of the

excavation and lateral support works

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as appropriate

Legend :
*

AP and his TCPs are required to ensure that checking and supervision of the works are carried out by
the appropriate building professionals (RSE and/or RGE) and RC; and to coordinate for follow up
actions on non-conformity of works.

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Stages of Site Formation Works

(Quality supervision of site formation works should be provided by the AP/RSE/RGE and his TCPs,
as well as by the AS of the RGBC/registered specialist contractor and his TCPs, as appropriate)

Item
No.

Stream
Stage

Description
AP

RSE RGE RC

(a) General Works

QSF1

Monitoring of ground or Check locations of all monitoring check

building movements or points and they are in proper working
groundwater drawdown conditions; readings are correct and taken in a
timely manner.

QSF2

Site drainage

QSF3

Protection of earthworks Check carrying

against heavy rainstorm measures.

protection

Check carrying out of the site drainage works.

out

of

the

(b) Cut & Filling Works

QSF4

Setting out of cut / fill

profile

Check the location, extent and gradient of

cut / fill.

QSF5

Excavation works

Check that the excavation is carried out

stage by stage and there is no overexcavation, excessive temporary cutting
slopes and stockpiling of materials adversely
affecting the adjoining ground, structure or
building.

QSF6

Backfilling works

Check that the backfilling works are carried

out with proper compaction; the work
sequence, plants & equipment, materials,
final backfilling levels, test, etc. agree with
approved plans or accepted proposal and in
accordance with PNAP APP-15.

QSF7

Records of backfilling
works

Check that all backfilling works and testing

results / records are properly prepared.

QSFn

Any other items considered essential for quality supervision of the

general, and cut & filling works

(c)

as appropriate

Rock Slope and Rock Slope Treatment Works

QRS1

Setting out of rock slope Check the location, extent and gradient of
rock cut slope.

QRS2

Excavation

Check the sequence/method of excavation and

the standard of construction in accordance
with PNAP APP-17.

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QRS3

Scaling and trimming of Check that scaling and trimming of rock

rock slopes
slopes are carried out in such a manner
without affecting the stability and integrity of
the slope.

QRS4

Verification of rock
slope treatment design

Check that the design assumptions and

conditions of joint sets agree with the design
and the approved plans.

QRS5

Setting out of rock slope Check the location, extent and layout of rock
treatment works
slope treatment works.

QRS6

Verifying quality of rock Check the material, sampling and testing of

slope treatment works
rock slope treatment works.

QRSn

Any other items considered essential for quality supervision of the rock
slope and rock slope treatment works

as appropriate

(d) Retaining Wall Works

QRW1 Location of retaining

wall

Check the location, extent and layout of

retaining wall.

QRW2 Excavation

Check that the excavation is carried out

stage by stage and there is no overexcavation, excessive temporary cutting
slopes and stockpiling of materials adversely
affecting the adjoining ground, structure or
building.

QRW3 Inspection of bearing

stratum

Check that the quality of ground bearing

stratum is in compliance with approved plans,
site investigation reports and design
assumptions.

QRW4 Fixing of steel

reinforcement

Check the sizes and amount of steel

reinforcing
bars
and
their
fixing
details including concrete cover and the
workmanship in accordance with PNAP
ADV-15.

QRW5 Verifying quality of

concrete

Check material delivery records; sampling of

concrete and compression testing of concrete
test cubes in accordance with the applicable
version of CS1. Check particular conditions
imposed for high strength concrete including
the coring tests.

QRW6 Placing, compaction and Check the quality and workmanship of

curing of concrete
concrete works.

QRW7 Verifying quality of

drainage and filter
material

Check the drainage and filter material and they

are in accordance with PNAP APP-54.

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QRW8 Waterproofing and

insulation works^

Check the materials and workmanship.

QRW9 Backfilling works

Check that the backfilling works are carried

out with proper compaction; the work
sequence, plants & equipment, materials,
final backfilling levels, test, etc. agree with
approved plans and in accordance with PNAP
APP-15 & APP-54.

QRWn Any other items considered essential for quality supervision of the
retaining wall works
(e)

as appropriate

Reinforced Fill Structure

QRF1

Setting out of reinforced Check the location, extent and layout of

fill structure
reinforced fill structure.

QRF2

Verifying quality of
drainage and filter
material

Check the drainage and filter material and

they are in accordance with PNAP APP-54.

QRF3

Backfilling works

Check that the backfilling works are carried

out with proper compaction; the work
sequence, plants & equipment, materials,
final backfilling levels, test, etc. agree with
approved plans or accepted proposal and in
accordance with PNAP APP-15.

QRF4

Records of backfilling
works

Check that all backfilling works and testing

results / records are properly prepared.

QRFn

Any other items considered essential for quality supervision of the

reinforced fill structure works.

as appropriate

Legend:
*

AP and his TCPs are required to ensure that checking and supervision of the works are carried out by
the appropriate building professionals (RSE and/or RGE) and RC; and to coordinate for follow up
actions on non-conformity of works.

AP and his TCPs are required to check and satisfy that the works are carried out in compliance with
the general layouts shown on the approved plans.

For retaining walls forming parts of a domestic building as required under regulation 48 of the
Building (Planning) Regulations.

(11/2016)

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Appendix B
(PNAP APP-158)

Sample Record
Record of Quality Supervision Carried Out by
TCP under AP / RSE / RGE /RC* Stream
BD Ref.

BD 3/1234/15

Project

ABC Centre

Type of Works

Superstructure Works

Name

Mr X X Lee
T3

Grade of TCP

Date

Frequency of Inspection

Weekly

7/1/2015 (Wed)
Locations of the works
inspected

Inspection Findings

(if applicable)

Photos
Result2

(if any)

Item No.1

Location / Details

QC1

Zone A of 3/F

QC2

Batch no. 24, delivered on

02/01/2015

QC3

Zone C of 6/F

NS

Inadequate no. of stirrup found at beam

6B23, 6B34 & 6B56

QC4

Zone A of 6/F

QC5

Zone A of 6/F

QC7

Zone B of 6/F

NS

Insufficient lateral bracings to vertical

props

QC8

NA

QC9

Batch no. 7, delivered on

02/01/2015

3 nos. of couplers sampled for testing

QC10

Glass Balustrade at Zone C of 6/F

Drill-in anchors selected for testing;

tests witnessed

(S/NS/NA)

Remedial / Remark

1-3

Signature
* delete if inappropriate
1
according to the checklists attached
2
S, NS and NA denote Satisfactory, Not Satisfactory and Not Applicable respectively.
(11/2016)
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