Outline of Lecture

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TUTORIAL SESSIONS 2003 ON BUILDING CONTROL
by MRS EMILY CHUA Building Plan
Department Building Construction Authority
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Outline

• Functions of BCA (Building Control)

• Building Control Act (Cap 29)
• Regulations (Cap 29, Rg 1)
• Building Plan Submission Procedure
• Site Inspection Booking Procedure
• TOP/CSC Application Procedure
• Expected Standards Issues for
• Suspension
• Updates

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Functions of BCA (Building Control)

• Developing maintaining an efficient
  cost-effective building regulatory system

• Ensuring building works are designed to comply
  with regulations built to high safety standards
• Administering periodic structural inspection of
  existing buildings
• Controlling unauthorised erections of buildings /
  structures
• Ensuring existing buildings common properties
  are well maintained kept in a state of good
  repair
• Overseeing the operations of management
  corporations
• Licensing advertisements signs
• Administering design construction of civil
  defence shelters

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Legislation administered by BCA
The main Acts are -

• Building Control Act, Chapter 29
• Buildings and Common Property (Maintenance
• Management) Act, Chapter 30
• The Land Titles (Strata) Act, Chapter 158
  (Section 7
• in Part II and Part IV )
• Building and Construction Authority Act

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Building Control Act (Cap29)

• Law relating to building works

• administered by BCA to ensure that building works
  comply with standard of safety as prescribed in
  the Act and Regulations
• clearly stipulates responsibilities of building
  owners, builders and the Qualified Persons
• requirements transparent to parties concerned and
  so encourage self-regulation among professionals

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Some key provisions in the Act

• Independent checking of structural plans and
  calculations by AC

• Construction supervision by QP and site
  supervisor
• Specific duties and responsibility of the builder
• Construction tests to be carried out on building
  materials under the supervision of a QP
• Mandatory inspection of buildings at regular
  intervals by PE (structural)

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Building works means

• (a) the erection, extension or demolition of a
  building

(b) the alteration, addition or repair of a
building (c) the provision, extension or
alteration of any air- conditioning service
or ventilating system in or in connection with a
building and includes site formation works
and other kind of building operation connected
with or carried out for the purpose of the above
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What type of building works require
approval under Section 6 ?

• Building works as defined in the Act except

(a) temporary buildings (b) those exempted
as specified in the Schedule (c)
Installation or retrofitting works relating
to A/C units - Part III
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Temporary Building
means any building or structure constructed of
short-lived materials or permitted to be used by
the Competent Authority or the Commissioner of
Building Control for a period not exceeding 36
months or such other period as may be prescribed

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Exemption Schedule
Building works that do not require approval of
building plans or a permit to carry out building
works from the Commissioner of Building Control

• Some of the exempted works are
• Any boundary wall, boundary fence or gate
• Any awning, window hood or cantilevered roof
  constructed of lightweight material, and having
  a horizontal projection not exceeding 3m
• Any single storey trellis, pergola, shelter,
  gazebo and the like

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• Erection of any single storey lean-to extension
  with roof covering of glazed or clay tiles, or of
  any lighter material, in any bungalow,
  semi-detached, terrace or linked house, subject
  to compliance with building set-back and area of
  coverage requirements under the Planning Act
  (Cap. 232)

Single storey lean-to extension with lightweight
roof covering
Single storey lean-to extension with lightweight
roof covering
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Types of plans submitted for approval

• Building plans- architectural plans

• Structural plans

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Who can submit building plans?

• Section 6(3)......... applicant has to appoint
  an appropriate Qualified Person in respect of
  those works

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Qualified Person

• means a person who is registered as
• (a) an architect under the Architects Act
  (Cap.12) and has in force a practicing
  certificate issued under that Act
• or

(b) a professional engineer under the
Professional Engineers Act (Cap.253) and has in
force a practicing certificate issued under
that Act
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Appropriate Qualified Person

• In accordance with the First Schedule under
  regulation 6(1)(a) of the Building Control
  Regulations (Cap.29, Rg.1)

• Scope of QPs professional practice -
• Part I - Bridges, Airport Runways,.. (by PE)
• Part II - Factories, additions and alterations to
  conventional houses, swimming pools. (by
  PE/Architect)
• Not in Parts I II - submitted by Architect

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Duties of the Qualified Person

• To supervise inspect building works to ensure
  compliance with the Act, Regulations and approved
  plans any conditions imposed

• To give immediate supervision of structural works
  in the absence of site supervisor
• To notify BCA of any contravention of the Act and
  its Regulations
• To maintain proper site records
• To submit reports certificates at prescribed
  times
• To notify BCA if works have been suspended for
  more than 3 months and
• To supply copies of approved plans to the site
  supervisor builder

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Building Control Act (Cap 29)

• Codes
• Code on Barrier-Free Accessibility in Buildings

• Handbook on Energy Conservation in Buildings and
  Building Services
• Code of Practice on Buildable Design (Jun 2002)
• Guide to the Buildable Design Appraisal System

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Building Control Regulations (Cap 29, Rg 1)

• Part I - Preliminary

• Part II - Preparation, submission and approval of
  plans
• Part III - Qualified Persons, Site Supervisors
  Builders
• Part IV - Design Construction
• Part V - Construction tests
• Part VI - Occupation of Buildings
• Part VII - Fees
• Part VIII - Miscellaneous

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Part IV - Design and Construction

• Provisions for the physically handicapped

• Space about and within buildings
• Staircases and safety requirements
• Roof and lightning protection
• Lifts and escalators
• Light and ventilation (natural mechanical)
• Energy conservation
• General building requirements

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BP Approval Waiver of Regulation
Regulations 14(5)(c) (d) -

• For the avoidance of doubt, no approval of any
  plans of building works under section 6(2) of the
  Act shall be taken to -

(c) grant any exemption from or permit any
contravention of
any provisions of these Regulations or
(d) waive or modify the applications of these
Regulations to those building works where no
such waiver or modification has been granted
under Section 14(1) of the Act in relation to
the building works
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Submission processes for building plans

• The normal BP submission for all building works
  to be approved under Section 6 of the Act

• Simplified approval system for additions and
  alterations to conventional houses

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Building Plan Submission Procedure
with effect from 2 May 1997
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Work-flow for BP Submission System
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Work-flow for BP Submission System
QP prepares BP Issues Project Ref
No. notifies BCA
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Work-flow for BP Submission System
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Work-flow for BP Submission System
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Work-flow for BP Submission System
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Work-flow for BP Submission System
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Work-flow for BP Submission System
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Highlights

• Project reference number

• Consultation with technical departments
• Pre-submission consultation
• Pre-requisite for acceptance of BP submission
• Forms

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Project Reference Number

• Co-ordinating Qualified Person can generate
  project reference number following the guidelines
  issued by BCA

• Guidelines for issuing Project Reference Number
  PC.031999

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Project Reference Number
/
1 2 3 4
The Co-ordinating QPs registration number with
the Boards. A for Architect, E for
Professional Engineer
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Project Reference Number
/
1 2 3 4
0 0 1
Project Number -has to be unique for each project
The Co-ordinating QPs registration number with
the boards. A for Architect, E for
Professional Engineer
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Project Reference Number
/
1 2 3 4
0 0 1
2 0 0 2
Year of submission of first plan of project
Project Number -has to be unique for each project
The Co-ordinating QPs registration number with
the boards. A for Architect, E for
Professional Engineer
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Project Reference Number
/
1 2 3 4
0 0 1
2 0 0 2
B P 0 1
Year of submission of first plan of project
Project Number -has to be unique for each project
Type of plan to be submitted eg.
The Co-ordinating QPs registration number with
the boards. A for Architect, E for
Professional Engineer
BP01 - first building plan ST01 - first
structural plan BP02 - second building plan
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Project Reference Number
/

• Project reference number issued by the
  co-ordinating QP submitting the building plan

• Series of number is unique for each project
• Once reference is generated, it will remain with
  the project even if the co-ordinating QP is
  changed

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Project Reference Number

• QP notifies BPD/BCA of appointment and project
  reference number issued using Form BPD_QP01

• BPD/BCA will acknowledge notification of
  appointment and project reference number

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Technical Departments

• ? FSSB

? NEAs CBPU (Sewerage /Drainage /
Environmental Health / Pollution
Control) ? LTA (Roads Transport / Vehicle
Parking / Development Control Route
Protection) ? National Parks Board ? URA
(Foreshore) ? Ministry of Education ?
Preservation of Monuments Board
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Pre-submission consultation
Pre- submission consultation

• Pre-submission consultation on major requirements

• QP may request for a building plan approval
  meeting

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Submission of building plans

• Technical consultation will run in parallel with
  the DC submission process

• After Written Permission has been obtained the QP
  will submit building plans to BCA when technical
  clearances are expected in one weeks time
• BCA will approve BP within 1 week- with or
  without conditions

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Acceptance of Application for BP Approval

• Appropriate QP

• Plan Fees
• Application forms
• URAs WP its approved site plan Technical
  departments clearances obtained
• OTTV plans and calculations
• 1 set of building plans prepares in accordance to
  the provisions of the BC Regulations
• 1 extra copy of site plan
• QPs certification on plans

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BP Forms

• Notification of Appointment of Qualified Person
  and Project Reference Number and Title

• Quarterly Report on Progress of Building Works
• Notice of Termination of Appointment
• Request for pre-submission consultation
• Request for BP Meeting
• Application for approval of building plans (with
  appendix on plan fee computation)
• OTTV calculation format in respect of an
  air-conditioned building

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BP Forms (contd)

• Application for modification/waiver of building
  regulations

• Declaration for submission of building plan (AA
  to conventional buildings) by the QP
• Notice of Appeal
• Application for Withdrawal of Plans of Building
  Works
• Application for Permit to erect Temporary
  Buildings

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Lapsing of Plan Approval

• Written Permission lapses

• Building works not commenced within 12 months
  from the date of approval
• Building works suspended for continuous period of
  more than 6 months in cases where WP is not
  involved

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TOP/CSC PROCEDURE
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WORKFLOW
BP/ST Approved
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STATUTORY REQUIREMENT
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STATUTORY REQUIREMENT
Section 21 (Building Control Act)
No person shall occupy, or permit or cause to be
occupied any building unless CBC has issued

• A Certificate of Statutory Completion , or

• A Temporary Occupation Permit

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENT
Regulation 104(2) CSC may be issued when

• Building works completed

• Every report certificate submitted by QP

• Builders certificate submitted

• All written directions complied with

• All requirements indicated on BP complied with

• As-built detailed structural plans and
  calculations submitted

• Any other certificates required by CBC submitted

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENT
Regulation 105(2) TOP may be issued when

• Outstanding requirements are minor

• Written directions not fully complied with

• Minor deviations from approved plan

• Building works not fully completed

• Provided the above are not of a serious nature
  and do not jeopardize the safety of persons
  occupying the building

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STATUTORY REQUIREMENT
Other documents have to be submitted for
consideration of TOP are

• Every report certificate submitted by QP

• Builders certificate submitted

• As-built detailed structural plans and
  calculations
• submitted

• Any other certificates required by CBC submitted

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SITE INSPECTION
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SITE INSPECTION UNDER THE ADVANCE BOOKING SYSTEM

• At QPs request, inspection date can be booked up
  to one month in advance

• Formal TOP/CSC application is not required
  

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PRE-REQUISITE FOR SITE INSPECTION

• BUILDING PLANS APPROVED

• BUILDING WORKS COMPLETEDACCORDING TO

• Approved plans

• Building Control Regulations

• Barrier-Free Accessibility Code (if
  applicable)

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1) REQUEST FOR INSPECTION
SITE INSPECTION PROCEDURES

• Made on prescribed forms

• Endorsed by QP
• Up to one month in advance

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2) BCAS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
SITE INSPECTION PROCEDURES

• Within 2 working days

• Written acknowledgement
• QP reminded to reconfirm at least 7 working days
  before inspection
• QP reminded to resubmit documents

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3) RECONFIRMATION
SITE INSPECTION PROCEDURES

• By QP

• On BCAs acknowledgement letter
• At least 7 working days or deemed cancelled
• Accompanying documents

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CERTIFICATES OF SUPERVISION
ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS

• Building works

• Structural works
• Lightning protection system
• ACMV works
• Lifts escalators

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OTHER DOCUMENTS

• QPs declaration

• Builders certificate
• URAs Written Permission
• Approved building plans
• Sketch plans (where deviations exist)

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4) INSPECTION PROPER
SITE INSPECTION PROCEDURES

• No deviations and pre-requisite clearances
  obtained

• QP TO APPLY FOR TOP
• No deviations and not all pre-requisite
  clearances obtained
• QP TO APPLY FOR TOP ONLY AFTER SECURING ALL
  NECESSARY CLEARANCES

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4) INSPECTION PROPER (contd)
SITE INSPECTION PROCEDURES

• Deviations non-compliance of building
  regulations

• BCA issues letter advising QP on the
  non-compliance
• Apply for TOP after rectification securing all
  pre-requisite clearances

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TOP / CSC APPLICATION
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TOP / CSC APPLICATION

• Site inspection by BCA or
• NOT required for site inspection

• Submit TOP / CSC application form

• Submit QP declaration form (BPD_CSC07)
• - Date of inspection lt 3 months
• - Declaration of deviations
• - Sketch plans showing deviations
• Submit a copy of site plan

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CLEARANCES FOR TOP APPLICATION

• FSSB

• NEA (Pollution Control/Sewerage)

• URA Conservation Unit

• Security Screening

• Declaration to DSTA / CAAS on as-built
• bldg ht installation of obstruction lights

• QPs declaration on TV signal tap-off point

• Payment of maintenance deposit to COB
• CD household shelters
• Glazing control

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CLEARANCES FOR CSC APPLICATION

• FSSB

• NEA (Pollution/Sewerage/Drainage/Env Health)

• URA (Conservation Unit)
• URA (Foreshore)

• LTA (R T, V/P and Rail)

• NParks

• IDAs Direction for cable readiness complied

• MOE if it is private school or pre-school
• PMB

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OUTCOMES OF TOP/CSC APPLN.

• Application APPROVED

• TOP/CSC issued

• Application SUSPENDED

• Fresh application form not required at
  resubmission

• Application REJECTED

• Fresh application form required at resubmission
  (applies only to CSC applications where amendment
  plans to regularise major deviations have yet to
  be submitted for approval)

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WORKFLOW ON PROCESSING OF ABS TOP APPLICATION
Start
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TOP APPLICATION TOGETHER WITH WAIVER APPLICATION
Start
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WORKFLOW ON PROCESSING OF CSC APPLICATION
Start
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TIME FRAME TO OBTAIN CSC

• Retention cases
• 6 months from BP approval

• A A cases
• 15 months from BP approval
• New Erection Reconstruction cases
• 12 months from TOP

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TOP/CSC FORMS

• Application for TOP/CSC

• Certificate of Supervision of Building Works
• COS of Lightning Protection Works
• COS of Installation of Escalator/Lift
• COS of Air-conditioning/Mechanical Ventilation
  System
• Declaration by QP for the Application of TOP/CSC
  for Building Works
• PEs Declaration on Structural Works for TOP/CSC
  
• Request for Site Inspection Date under the
  Advance Booking System

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TOP/CSC FORMS (contd)

• Builders Certificate of Completion of Building
  Works

• Certificate of Supervision of Piling Works
• Certificate of Supervision of structural Works
• Submission Certificate of As-Built Structural
  Plans/Calculations

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ISSUES FOR SUSPENSION OF APPLICATIONS

• Documentation

-Certification from QPs, PEs Builders
-Clearances from other technical authorities

• TOP - FSSB, NEAs CBPU ( Sewerage)

• CSC - FSSB, NEAs CBPU, LTA, NParks etc

-Compliance with planning conditions

• declaration on as-built height

• security screening

• glazing controls

• vesting of land to State

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ISSUES FOR SUSPENSION OF APPLICATIONS

• Major Material Deviations

What is material changes?
Amendments that affects the key structural
elements of the structure to such an extent as to
require a re-design of the key structural system
Amendment Written Permission and building plan
required

• Compliance of Section 19 of the BC Act

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ENFORCEMENT ACTION
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ENFORCEMENT ACTION
Section 19 (1) Failure to comply with condition
of approval ( e.g. to obtain CSC within
stipulated time frame) - Max. fine 10,000
or/and - Imprisonment not exceeding 6 months -
Continuing offence max. 500 for every day
Section 21 (5) Occupying building or part thereof
without a TOP/CSC - Max. fine 20,000 or/and
- Imprisonment not exceeding 6 months -
Continuing offence max. 1,000 for every day
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CONSULTATION, IMPROVEMENTS FEEDBACK

• Pre-submission consultation
• Inter-Departmental co-ordination meeting
• CSC Meeting
• Dialogue between SIA BCA

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LEGISLATION OF BUILDABLE DESIGN

• Building Control (Buildable Design)
  Regulations02 came into operation on 1 Jan 2001

• Apply to building works
• ?where the application for planning permission
  is submitted on or after 1 Jan 2001

• ?where the GFA ? 5000m2
• Require building designs to have a minimum
  buildability score for each category of building
  works as set in the Code of Practice

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LEGISLATION OF BUILDABLE DESIGN

• Minimum Buildability Score was raised from 1 Aug
  2002

• Apply to building works
• where the application for planning permission is
  submitted on or after 1 Aug 2002

• where the GFA ? 5000m²
• Previous minimum buildability score still
  applies to building works
• where submission to URA for planning permission
  falls 1 Jan 2001 ? period lt 1 Aug 2002

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CHANGES ON BUILDABILITY LEGISLATION

• Revision to Buildable Design Appraisal System
  (BDAS)

• Extension of legislation to projects with GFA of
  2,000m2 and above

• Buildability score increment in 1st January 2004

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SOME UPDATES

• Performance-based Building Regulations was
  circulated to the industry on Jun 2002 for
  feedback

• Code on Barrier-Free Accessibility in Buildings
  2002
• launched in Jul 2002

• includes non-mandatory requirements
• implemented since 1 Jan 2003
• Handbook on Energy Conservation in Buildings and
  Building Services is undergoing review

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Barrier-free Accessibility Code

• Code on barrier-free accessibility in buildings
• reviewed to include recommendations for the
• visually impaired, elderly and children with
• disabilities family-friendly facilities
• implemented since 1 Jan 2003

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ENHANCEMENT OF ENERGY STANDARDS

• The new formulation
• Envelope Thermal Transfer Value (ETTV)
• a more reliable indicator for energy efficiency,
  gives more accurate correlation with the total
  heat gain through a building envelope.
• Propose to enhance the OTTV of 45 W/m2 to 35 W/m2
  to improve the thermal performance of building
  envelope.
• Revised standards is under trial implementation,
  the results would be reviewed before the new
  standards are legislated.

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UPCOMING AMENDMENT

• Building Control Regulations
• amended with emphasis on
• performance-based requirements
• will be legislated
• by this year

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Express TOP

• Both electronic and manual submissions are
  acceptable
• All relevant technical clearances obtained
• Site inspected, rectified and fully complied with
  requirements
• Complete a Request for Express TOP form
• Payment by cheque at BCA counter or by post
• 500 for minor project (lt3000m2)
• 1000 for major project (gt3000m2)
• BCA will issue the TOP within 24 hrs if
  application is in order
• Express service introduced since 1 September 2003

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Useful Phone Numbers

• E-Submission Edmund Seow 63255905
• Buildability Lee Koon Peng 63257156
• ETTV Bok Chee Meng 63258636
• Lift Alice Goh 63258660
• ACMV Thomas Goh 63258652
• Barrier-Free Tan Cheong Ee 63258638
• Express TOP Tan kok Chuan 63257389

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Good Luck