Guide to BC Changes 07 08

A GUIDEBOOK TO THE CHANGES IN BUILDING CONTROL

2007/2008

Building and Construction Authority

ii

For reference, this is the version as of 25 Sep 2008

Copyright @ 2008 Building and Construction Authority, Singapore. All

rights reserved. This document or any part of it may not be

reproduced for any reason whatsoever or in any form or means

whatsoever and howsoever without the prior written consent and

approval of the Building and Construction Authority, Singapore.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the

information in this publication, the Building and Construction

Authority, its employees and its agents shall not be responsible for

any mistake or inaccuracy found in this Guidebook and expressly

disclaim all such liability and responsibility.

This Guidebook is not an exhaustive attempt to explain every detail

and provision in the Building Control Act and its Regulations. Where

appropriate and necessary, users are advised to seek and obtain

independent legal or professional advice on interpreting the

provisions in the Building Control Act and its Regulations.

ISBN 978-981-08-0341-4

iii

CONTENTS

CHAPTER TOPIC Page

What this book is about 01

Read This First 03

1 Appointments 11

2 Supervision of Building Works 27

3 Duties of Project Parties 37

4 On Accredited Checkers 49

5 Underground Building Works 57

6 Licensing of Builders (under

construction)

83

Glossary

Schedules

iv

This is a blank page

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WHAT THIS BOOK IS ABOUT

The Building Control (Amendment) Act 2007 introduced new

provisions to the building control system in Singapore and

updated some existing ones. Some of the new provisions, like

builder’s licensing, brought in fundamental changes to the

existing system while others, such as supervision teams for

structural works, strengthened the existing requirements.

Subsequently, in 2008, the Building Control Regulations and the

Building Control (Accredited Checkers and Accredited

Checking Organisations) Regulations have been amended and

the Building Control (Builders’ Licensing) Regulations were

introduced. All these changes are to enhance building safety

and to raise professionalism in the construction industry. As the

changes are wide-ranging, there will be impact on the way

things are to be done and rules that are to be followed.

Why this Guidebook?

The main purpose of this Guidebook is, first of all, to provide a

comprehensive and easy reference to anyone interested in

finding out about the changes in the Building Control Act and its

Regulations.

Secondly, the Building Control Act prescribes provisions in a

broad manner. Similar to any other Act, this is necessary to make

the fundamental purpose of each provision clear without it being

cluttered with details. The details of implementation are always

provided in regulations, of which there are several under the

Building Control Act. This Guidebook makes it easy for the reader

to have a grasp of any particular provision of the Act by bringing

together the related details found in the regulations under the

same section of discussion.

Thirdly, the Act and the regulations cannot cover and prescribe

implementation solutions to every conceivable situation in real

life. There could be situations where some explanation is

required. With useful feedback received from the industry during

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the consultation exercise, explanation to some of such situations

have been included in this Guidebook so that everyone is clear

about the requirements under those situations.

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information

presented in this Guidebook, neither BCA nor its employees can

accept responsibility for any loss or damage incurred in

connection with the use of the contents. This Guidebook is not an

exhaustive attempt to explain every detail and provision in the

Building Control Act and its Regulations. Where appropriate and

necessary, users are advised to seek and obtain independent

legal or professional advice on interpreting the provisions in the

Building Control Act and its Regulations. Nothing in this

Guidebook shall be taken as being legally binding and none of

the terms and explanations shall be deemed to be an

interpretation of the provisions of the Act and its regulations.

How this Guidebook is organised

The Guidebook summarizes the main changes under six

chapters. Each of the chapters deals with an important topic

under the building control system where there are significant

changes. The provisions related to each topic are collated within

the respective chapter. Where useful, the Guidebook has

included elaboration or interpretation to some of the provisions

under each chapter. To give a more complete picture, related

details from the building regulations are discussed under the

same section where each provision is found. A glossary is

provided at the back of the Guidebook. The glossary explains in

greater detail the meaning of new definitions that have been

introduced into the Building Control Act and its Regulations.

Before you read any chapter of the Guidebook, please first read

the next section. It explains some of the terms and abbreviations

used to simplify the writing and reading of this Guidebook.

***

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READ THIS FIRST

Industry stakeholders commonly use certain terms and

abbreviations to refer to some parties, matters or things

associated with the construction industry, and for a good reason.

Since the Act and its Regulations have to be precise in

describing these parties, matters or things, some of the

expressions used in the Act and its Regulations could be

unwieldy. Take for example the expression “the qualified person

appointed under section 8 or 11 to supervise the building works”,

which is used in many parts of the Act and its Regulations. The

industry calls this person the “supervision QP”. To make this

Guidebook easier to write and to read, some of these simpler

terms and expressions are used. But just to be sure that these

terms and expressions mean the same thing to everyone, this

section of the Guidebook lists the terms and expressions used

and their meanings. The reader should not ascribe any other

meaning to these terms and expressions.

MEANINGS OF TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS USED IN THIS GUIDEBOOK

AC

This means “accredited checker”, and refers to an accredited

checker who is registered to check the structural works of a

project.

AC(Geo) or Specialist AC

There is another class of AC called “specialist accredited

checker” or AC(Geo). An AC(Geo) is registered to check the

geotechnical aspects of underground building works. His

registration is distinct from that of an AC and he cannot perform

the duties of the AC, unless he is also registered as an AC.

Act

Unless specified, the use of the term “Act” by itself in this

Guidebook refers to the Building Control Act.

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Building Plans

This refers to the plans that relate to the architectural elements of

the building works. They are also called the architectural plans.

Building Regulations

There are several sets of Regulations associated with the Building

Control Act. Where the term “building regulations” is used in this

Guidebook, it refers to any or all of the sets of Building Control

Regulations made under the Building Control Act.

CBC

CBC means the Commissioner of Building Control.

Design QP

This term refers to the qualified person appointed to prepare the

plans of the particular building works being discussed.

Design QP(Arch)


architectural plans of the building works.

Design QP(Geo)


plans of the geotechnical aspects of underground building

works.

Design QP(Struct)


structural plans of the building works.

Developer

This is a new term in the amended Act. It means the person for

whom or on whose behalf the building works are carried out.

Readers should note that when used in this Guidebook, the term

means more than a commercial or housing developer as

defined in the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act (Cap. 130).

In this Guidebook, a developer includes any person who builds

any house, building or structure (or part of it), or engages others

to build it for him. It does not matter why he is building it, whether

for his own use or for any other purposes. So, a home owner who

gets a contractor to build his new house or to do additions or

alterations to his existing house is a developer.

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To illustrate further: A contractor who decides to execute

building works to build his own house is both developer and

builder in that particular project. Under a “design-and-build” project, the owner (i.e. the one who commissions the project) is

the developer. This is so even if the person chooses to let the

builder take over every aspect of the project right up to the point

of completion.

General Building Works

This term is used in the Act only for the purposes of builder’s

licensing. General building works must be carried out only by a

licensed general builder.

Geotechnical engineer or PE(Geo)

Geotechnical engineer means a specialist professional engineer

who is registered in the branch of geotechnical engineering

under the Professional Engineers Act (Cap. 253) and has in force

a practising certificate under that Act to practise in the

specialised branch of geotechnical engineering. Another term

commonly used for the geotechnical engineer by the industry is

PE(Geo).

Geotechnical Report

This term refers to any calculations, plans or report, prepared in

respect of underground building works by a qualified person who

is a geotechnical engineer, showing —

a) the results of the findings, evaluation and interpretation of

the site investigation and laboratory tests;

b) assessment of and recommendations on the geotechnical

aspects for the design and construction of the

underground building works; and

c) plans showing those elements of building works designed

by the person who is a geotechnical engineer. Major building works

The Act uses this term to refer to those works that require an AC

to check the structural plans and design calculations.

Minor building works

The Act uses this term to refer to those works that do not require

an AC to check the structural plans and design calculations.

Minor building works are given in the Fourth Schedule of the

Building Control Regulations (see Schedule B in this Guidebook).

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PE

This means “professional engineer”. The relevant professional

engineer applicable to this Act is registered either in (i) the branch of civil or structural engineering, or (ii) the specialised

branch of geotechnical engineering. For the former, the PE is

commonly called the PE(Civil) while the latter is referred to as the

PE(Geo).

Plans of building works

The Act requires different sets of plans to be submitted for

approval. In most cases, there would be the architectural plans

and the structural plans. All the different types of plans are

referred to as the “plans of building works”. The term “plans”

under the Act also refers to drawings, details, diagrams, structural

details and calculations showing or relating to the building works

and if prepared in electronic form, includes the medium in which

the plans of building works have been stored.

QP, QP(Arch), QP(Geo), QP(Struct)

QP means “qualified person”. A QP would either be an architect

or a PE who is registered with the Board of Architects or the

Professional Engineers Board respectively. All QPs must have in

force a practising certificate from the respective Board. There

are professional duties under the Act and Regulations that must

be performed by QPs. In most building projects, there would be a

number of qualified persons, namely:

QP(Arch) – who is a registered architect appointed to

undertake the architectural works.

QP(Geo) – who is a geotechnical engineer appointed to

undertake the geotechnical aspects of building works.

QP(Struct) – who is a professional engineer or PE appointed to

undertake the structural works.

In some projects, a PE is appointed to prepare the plans of and

supervise specific structural works, for example those associated with the fixtures to support the building’s cladding system. This PE

may be appointed in addition to the QP(Struct), who has been

appointed for the main structural system of the building. The PE is

then the QP(Struct) for those works associated with the fixtures for

the cladding system.

Also, for the same aspects of the building works, there could be

two QPs appointed – one to prepare the plans relating to those

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aspects of the building works and another to supervise the

carrying out of the same aspects of the building works. To

differentiate between these two QPs, the terms “Design” and

“Supervision” are prefixed to them, for example, Design QP(Struct) and Supervision QP(Struct).

In short, anyone who is appointed to perform the mandatory

professional duties related any part of the whole building works is

the QP for that part of the works.

QSS

When used in any part of this Guidebook, QSS means the

“qualified site supervisor” who is required to be appointed under

Section 10 of the Building Control Act by the QP to supervise the

structural or geotechnical aspects of the building works. There

are 2 categories of QSS, namely resident engineer and resident

technical officer.

RE

This means “resident engineer”.

RTO

This means “resident technical officer”. This is a new term to

replace what we used to call “clerk-of-works”.

Specialist Building Works

This term is used in the Act only for the purposes of builder’s

licensing. Specialist building works can only be carried out by

licensed specialist builders and the term means the following

types of building works:

a) piling works comprising installation and testing of pre-cast

reinforced concrete or pre-stressed concrete piles, steel

piles, bored cast-in-place reinforced concrete piles,

caissons and special pile types like micro-piles, barrettes

piles and composite piles, embedded retaining wall piles

like diaphragm walls, contiguous bored piles or secant piles;

b) ground support and stabilization works, including

installation and testing of ground anchors, soil nails, rock

bolts, ground treatment like chemical grouting and jet-

grouting, reinforced-earth, shotcreting and tunnel

supports;

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c) site investigation work comprising field investigations,

exploratory drilling or boring, logging, sampling, coring, in-

situ plate-loading tests, pressure meter tests, penetration

tests, vane shear tests, probing tests, permeability tests, geological mapping and geophysical surveys, and

installation and monitoring of instruments measuring forces,

deformation, displacements, pore and earth pressures,

and ground-water levels;

d) structural steelwork comprising

(i) fabrication of structural elements;

(ii) erection work like site cutting, site welding and site

bolting; and

(iii) installation of steel supports for underground building

works;

e) pre-cast concrete work comprising fabrication of pre-cast

structural elements; and

f) in-situ post-tensioning work comprising setting out of

tendon profiles, laying of conduits, anchorages and

bursting reinforcement, pulling or stressing of cables,

pressure grouting of conduits.

Structural Plans

This refers to the plans that relates to the structural elements of

the building works. It includes the piling plans, the substructure

plans, the superstructure plans and all other plans showing details

of structural works.

Supervision QP

This term refers to the qualified person appointed to supervise the

particular building works being discussed.

Supervision QP(Arch)


architectural works.

Supervision QP(Geo)


geotechnical aspects of underground building works.

Supervision QP(Struct)


structural works.

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Underground Building Works

The term ‘underground building works’ has been defined in the

Act and building regulations as any of the following building works:

a) any excavation or other building works to make —

i. a tunnel with a diameter, width or height of more than

2 metres;

ii. a caisson, cofferdam, trench, ditch, shaft or well with a

depth of more than 6 metres;

b) any building works for constructing, altering or repairing

any earth retaining structure in or for a trench, ditch, shaft

or well with a depth or height of more than 6 metres; or

c) foundation works for buildings of 30 or more storeys high.

See Chapter 5 for details on the requirements on underground

building works.

***

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11

CHAPTER 1

APPOINTMENTS

1.1 The Act requires various persons to be appointed when

any building works are to be carried out. These persons are

appointed to perform, and be responsible for, their respective

duties prescribed in the Building Control Act and its Regulations.

This chapter explains who is to be appointed for different types of

building works, who can make such appointments and what are

the special requirements related to some of the appointments.

DEVELOPER 1.2 Every building project begins with a developer. Under the

Act, the developer is any person for whom building works are to

be carried out. This would include the commercial developer

who builds a condominium for sales after completion. It also

includes a government agency that builds a public building; say,

a sports complex or a public bridge. A home owner who intends

to build his own private bungalow is also a developer.

1.3 To start the process of building, a developer is required to

appoint people who are qualified to perform specific duties

under the Act. Normally, he would first appoint the respective

QPs to prepare the plans for approval. In design-and-build

projects, he may first appoint a builder, who would in turn appoint the respective QPs to prepare the plans for approval. In

design-and-build projects, the builder is not the developer of the

project. The person who appoints the builder remains as the

developer under the Act, regardless of his involvement or the

type of procurement that he chooses.

1.4 The developer is the only one who can appoint an

accredited checker, and a specialist accredited checker if one

is needed.

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QUALIFIED PERSONS

1.5 Qualified Persons or QPs are required to prepare the plans

of building works and to supervise the construction of those

works. There are three types of QPs –

a) the QP for architectural works – or QP(Arch) for short – to

prepare building plans for approval and to supervise the

architectural works during construction. The QP(Arch) is

usually an architect registered under the Architects Act

(Cap. 12) and has in force a practising certificate under

that Act. For building works listed in Part II of the Third

Schedule in the Building Control Regulations (see

Schedule C in this Guidebook), the QP(Arch) who

prepares the building plans can be an architect or a PE;

b) the QP for structural works – or QP(Struct) for short – to

prepare structural plans for approval and to supervise the

structural works during construction. The QP(Struct) is a PE

registered in the branch of civil or structural engineering under the Professional Engineers Act (Cap. 253) and has

in force a practising certificate under that Act; and

c) the QP for geotechnical aspects – or QP(Geo) for short –

to prepare the underground building works plans relating

to the geotechnical aspects for approval and to

supervise the geotechnical aspects of the works during

construction. The QP(Geo) is a specialist PE registered in

the branch of geotechnical engineering under the

Professional Engineers Act (Cap. 253) and has in force a

practising certificate under that Act. While the QP(Geo)

is needed only when there are underground building

works, a developer or builder should consider appointing

a QP(Geo) for geotechnical aspects of any works if the

site has difficult ground conditions.

Scope of Professional Practice BCR R6 Third Schedule

1.6 The QPs to be appointed depends on the type of project.

The scope of professional practice is prescribed in the Third

Schedule of the Building Control Regulations (see Schedule C in

this Guidebook).

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1.7 For building works that are named in Part I of the Third

Schedule, only a PE can act as a QP to prepare and sign for all

the plans (both the building and structural plans). Generally

these building works have very little architectural content and the PE can prepare and sign for such content.

1.8 For building works that are named in Part II of the Third

Schedule, either an architect or a PE, or both, can be appointed

as the QP to prepare and sign for the building plans. However,

the structural plans of these projects have to be prepared and

signed by a PE.

1.9 For all other building works not named in Part I or Part II, an

architect has to be appointed to act as the QP to prepare and

sign for the building (architectural) plans and to supervise the

architectural works, whereas the QP appointed for structural

works has to be a PE.

QP(Arch) – Qualified Person for Architectural Works Act S8 S11

1.10 A QP(Arch) has to be appointed by either the developer,

or the builder to –

a) prepare the plans of the architectural works, or building

plans; in this case he will be the Design QP(Arch).

b) supervise the carrying out of those architectural works; in

this case he will be the Supervision QP(Arch).

1.11 The developer or builder may appoint either the same

person or different persons to be the Design QP(Arch) and

Supervision QP(Arch).

QP(Struct) – Qualified Person for Structural Works Act S8 S11

1.12 A QP(Struct) has to be appointed by either the developer,

or the builder in the case of a design-and-build project, to –

a) prepare the plans of the structural works; in this case he will be the Design QP(Struct).

b) supervise the carrying out of those structural works; in this case he will be the Supervision QP(Struct).

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1.13 The developer or builder may appoint either the same

person or different persons to be the Design QP(Struct) and

Supervision QP(Struct). However, the appointments have to

comply with mandatory requirements on independence – see the section on Independence of Project Parties later in this

chapter.

1.14 All structural works are classified as either large building

works or small-scale building works. Generally, large building

works are those that require the Supervision QP(Struct) to appoint

a minimum number of qualified site supervisors to help him in his

supervision duties. This team of qualified site supervisors has to be

stationed full-time at the site. On the other hand, small-scale

building works only require the critical structural works to be

carried out under the immediate supervision of either the

Supervision QP (Struct) or a qualified site supervisor (who need

not have to be stationed full-time at the site), working under the

Supervision QP (Struct)’s control and direction.

1.15 For details, see the section on Qualified Site Supervisors

later in this chapter.

Qualified Person for Geotechnical Aspects Act S8 S11

1.16 Where the building works comprise wholly or partly of any

underground building works, qualified persons for the

geotechnical aspects have to be appointed by either the

developer, or the builder in the case of a design-and-build

project, to –

a) prepare the plans relating to the geotechnical aspects of

those underground building works; in this case he will be

the Design QP(Geo).

b) supervise the geotechnical aspects of those underground

building works; in this case he will be the Supervision

QP(Geo).

1.17 The QP for the geotechnical aspects has to be a

geotechnical engineer or QP(Geo). The developer or builder

may appoint either the same person or different persons to be

the Design QP(Geo) and Supervision QP(Geo). However, the

appointments have to comply with mandatory requirements on

independence – see the section on Independence of Project

Parties later in this chapter.

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1.18 For underground building works, the Supervision QP(Geo)

has to appoint a minimum number of qualified site supervisors to

help him in his supervision duties. For details, see the section on Qualified Site Supervisors later in this chapter.

General Notes on Appointment of Qualified Site Supervisors

1.19 The requirement on appointment of qualified site

supervisors is prescribed under the Building Control Regulations,

details of which are at the section on Qualified Site Supervisors

later in this chapter.

1.20 The appointment of qualified site supervisors is done by the

Supervision QP (Struct) for the main building works. However, in

some projects, there may be other qualified persons appointed

for specific parts of the building works, such as for the

geotechnical works, cladding works and specialised space

frames. These works will still need to be carried out under the

supervision of qualified site supervisors. However, the CBC will not

require additional qualified site supervisors to be appointed if the

supervision of these works is to be carried out by the supervision

team already appointed by the QP(Struct) for the main structural

works. However, the CBC will also allow arrangement for these

specific works to be supervised by other additional qualified site

supervisors appointed by the respective qualified persons. Where

appropriate, these works may be carried out under full-time or

part-time supervision by these other additional qualified site

supervisors, depending on the nature of the work as determined

by the qualified person who appointed them.

ACCREDITED CHECKERS

Accredited Checker Act S8

1.21 For major building works, the developer has to appoint an

AC. The duty of the AC is to check the detailed structural plans

and design calculations of the building works in accordance

with the building regulations and to carry out such other duties as

may be prescribed by those regulations (see Chapter 4 for more

details). The appointment of an AC has to comply with

mandatory requirements on independence – see the section on

Independence of Project Parties later in this chapter.

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Act S8 S13(3) 1.22 The AC to be appointed is determined by the value of the

building works as follows:

a) If the value of the building works exceeds $10 million, the

AC has to be a director, partner, member or an employee

of an accredited checking organization.

b) If the value of the building works does not exceed $10

million, any AC could be appointed, that is, the AC may or

may not be affiliated with an accredited checking

organisation.

Specialist Accredited Checker Act S8

1.23 For major building works that comprise wholly or partly of

any underground building works, the developer has to appoint a

specialist accredited checker or AC(Geo) for the geotechnical

aspects of those building works.

1.24 Currently, the specialist AC appointed does not have to

be affiliated with any accredited checking organization,

regardless of the value of the building works.

1.25 The specialist AC has to check the geotechnical aspects

of underground building works in accordance with the building

regulations and carry out such other duties as may be prescribed

by those regulations (see Chapter 4 for more details).

1.26 The appointment of any specialist AC has to comply with

mandatory requirements on independence – see the section on

Independence of Project Parties later in this chapter.

QUALIFIED SITE SUPERVISORS Act S10

1.27 Qualified site supervisors or QSS have to be appointed by

the qualified person appointed to supervise the structural or

geotechnical aspects of the building works unless the Supervision

QP(Struct) or Supervision QP(Geo) personally supervises the works

for which he is responsible for (in the case of small-scale building

works). This appointment is made by:

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a) the QP appointed to supervise the carrying out of

structural works, and

b) where there are underground building works, the QP

appointed to supervise the geotechnical aspects of those underground building works.

BCR R24 Fifth Schedule

1.28 Each QSS works under the charge and direction of the QP

who appoints him. The minimum number of qualified site

supervisors to be appointed by each QP and the type of

supervision to be provided depends on the value of the building

works, as follows:

a) Small-scale building works are those works where the value

does not exceed $5 million. For this type of works, the QP

has to appoint at least one QSS for immediate supervision

of works related to the critical structural elements, unless

he personally supervises all the critical structural works in

the project.

b) Large building works have a value that exceeds $5 million.

For this type of works, the QP has to appoint a team of

qualified site supervisors comprising not less than a

minimum prescribed number of persons. This minimum

number varies with the value of the building works.

General Notes on “Value of Building Works”

1.29 The requirements for QSS are determined by the value of

building works. When determining the value of building works, it is

not confined to structural works alone. The term “value” is

defined as:

a) for any underground building works, the total cost to be

expended in carrying out those building works estimated

at the time of, and contained in, the application under

section 5 for approval of the plans of those building works,

including any goods and services tax payable in relation

to the supply of the work; or

b) for any other building works, the total cost to be expended

in carrying out the building works (including the

foundations, basements, structural frame, finishes and the

installation of building services) estimated at the time of,

and contained in, the application under section 5 for

approval of the plans of the building works, including any

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goods and services tax payable in relation to the supply of

the work.

Equipment and Machinery 1.30 In some industrial projects, the contractual costs may

include the costs of various equipment or machinery to be

installed for the operational purpose of the building. While these

equipment or machinery are part and parcel of the building

contract, they are not relevant in so far as the design and

construction processes of the building are concerned. In

computing the value of building works, the cost of such

equipment or machinery need not be included.

Act S10(3)

1.31 There are two classes of QSS – the RE and the RTO. More

details on requirements for QSS can be found in Chapter 2. To

qualify as a QSS under either of the two classes, a person must:

a) have the qualifications and practical experience

prescribed for his respective class;

b) remain accredited with the Joint Accreditation Committee

of the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) and the

Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore (ACES) from

15 February 2009 onwards, and

c) comply with mandatory independence requirements – see

the section on Independence of Project Parties later in this

chapter.

BUILDERS Act S8 S11

1.32 The developer has to appoint a main builder to carry out

the building works. In some building works, the developer may

appoint more than one main builder in a project. As an example,

different builders may be appointed for each building in a project where there is more than one building.

1.33 Except for sub-contractors carrying out specialist building

works, other sub-contractors who work under the control and

direction of the main builder do not need to be licensed as their

engagement by the main builder is not a requirement under the

Act. In so far as the Act and its Regulations are concerned, the

main builder is responsible for works that are done by his sub-

contractors.

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1.34 The builder’s main duty is to carry out the building works in

accordance with the Act and its Regulations, and the relevant

plans approved by the CBC, that are supplied to him by the qualified persons. The builder’s other duties are explained in

detail in Chapter 3: Duties of Project Parties.

Specialist Builders Act S11(2) S8

1.35 Specialist builders have to be appointed to carry out

specialist building works. There is no restriction on who may

appoint a specialist builder. However, the appointed specialist

builder for monitoring instruments that measure ground

properties and movements has to comply with mandatory

independence requirements (see the section on Independence

of Project Parties later in this chapter).

1.36 The specialist builder’s main duty is to carry out the

relevant specialist building works in accordance with the Act

and its Regulations, and the relevant plans approved by the

CBC. The specialist builder’s other duties are explained in detail

in Chapter 3: Duties of Project Parties.

Licensing Act Part VA

1.37 All builders and specialist builders have to be licensed

under Part VA of the Act (see Chapter 5: Licensing of Builders).

EXCAVATION WORKS

1.38 Works that involve ground excavations require special

care in structural and geotechnical design and supervision. This is

because they have great impact on the safety of surrounding properties. As the complexity of such works increases with the

depth of excavation, the requirements on appointments vary

with the depth (except for appointments for architectural works).

The following table (next page) summarizes the requirements.

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TABLE 1.1

TABLE ON APPOINTMENTS OF QPs AND ACs FOR BUILDING WORKS

INVOLVING GROUND EXCAVATION

Appointments Required All permanent or

temporary building

works that involve Qualified Person Accredited

Checker

Excavation not more

than 1.5 m** deep Plan approval is not required

Excavation more than

1.5 m** deep but not

exceeding 4 m deep

No accredited

checker required


4 m deep but not

exceeding 6 m deep

Any professional

engineer can act as

the qualified person for

structural works An accredited

checker to check

structural works


6 m deep and all

underground building

works

Any professional

engineer can act as

qualified person for

structural works (and if

he is not a

geotechnical engineer,

then a geotechnical

engineer is needed for

the geotechnical

aspects)

An accredited

checker to check

structural works

(and a specialist

accredited

checker is needed

for the

geotechnical

aspects)

** If the structure that retains earth (either as a retaining wall or for

excavation) is not constructed of reinforced concrete or steel, then the applicable depth is 1 m instead of 1.5 m.

1.39 The appointments shown in the preceding table apply to

both the QP to prepare the structural plans and the QP to

supervise the works in those plans. The requirements are relevant

for all building works with excavations, regardless of whether the

structure to be constructed is for permanent use (such as

foundations and basements) or only for temporary use (such as

the temporary earth-retaining structures for holding back the

faces of an excavation during the construction of an

underground structure).

21

INDEPENDENCE OF PROJECT PARTIES

1.40 The Act restricts certain relationships and associations

between some project parties. These provisions are necessary to

protect the public interest by keeping critical functions free from

potential conflicting interest situations. This section summarizes

the independence required of project parties under the Act.

Independence of Qualified Persons Act S9(7)

1.41 A qualified person who is appointed to supervise the

carrying out of any building works, or the geotechnical aspects

of any underground building works, shall not supervise –

a) any works relating to the structural elements of any major

building works; or

b) the geotechnical aspects of the underground building

works,

if he, or any nominee of his, is a partner, an officer or an

employee of

i. the developer of those building works;

ii. the builder of those building works; or

iii. an associate of the developer or builder referred to in

paragraph (i) or (ii).

1.42 This requirement on independence of the relevant QPs

does not apply to minor building works. Nevertheless, the

Commissioner of Building Control encourages project parties to

adopt a similar arrangement for minor building works as a means

to avoid potential conflicting interest situations.

Developer/Supervision QP Relationship

1.43 Can a PE supervise the construction of his own house since

he is also the developer of the project? The construction of any

detached house, semi-detached house, terraced or linked

house not exceeding 3 storeys for residential purposes is classified

as minor building works, to which the independence requirement

on the Supervision QP does not apply. For these works, an

appropriate PE can therefore act as the Supervision QP for the

structural works even if he is also the developer.

22

Independence of Qualified Site Supervisors Act S10(4)

1.44 No qualified site supervisor or QSS shall supervise any

structural works of any major building works if he, or any nominee

of his, is a partner, an officer or an employee of –

(a) the developer or builder of those building works; or

(b) any associate of the developer or builder of those building

works.

General Notes on Independence of QSS

1.45 While the QSS has to be appointed by the Supervision QP

(Struct), there may be cases where the developer or builder may

choose to help the QP in the procurement of the QSS. This may

be done in the form of a procurement contract between the

developer or builder and the QSS.

1.46 While such procurement can be allowed, the contract

must be clear that the QSS is procured to fulfil his statutory

requirements under the Act and that he works under the

direction and control of the QP. The QSS cannot be made to

work for the developer or the builder, otherwise it will be taken

that the QSS is an employee of the developer or builder

respectively.

Independence of Accredited Checkers Act S18(4)

1.47 An accredited checker shall not issue any certificate for

any building works if he has any professional or financial interest

in those building works.

1.48 In the case where the accredited checker is acting on

behalf of an accredited checking organization, he shall not issue

any certificate for any building works if any of the directors or

partners of the accredited checking organization or the

organization itself has a professional or financial interest in those

building works.

Independence of Specialist Accredited Checkers Act S18(5)

1.49 Similarly, a specialist accredited checker shall not issue any

certificate for any underground building works if he has any

23

professional or financial interest in those underground building

works.

Meaning of ‘professional or financial interest’ Act S18(6)

1.50 The Act explains what is meant by “professional or financial

interest”. An AC or a specialist AC shall be regarded as having a

professional or financial interest in any building works if –

(a) he is or has been responsible for the design or construction

of the building or any of the building works in any capacity

except building works relating to the alterations of the

building which –

i. do not affect any key structural element, or

ii. affect any structural element but the effects are

localized in nature and do not require any

strengthening of any key structural element;

(b) he or any nominee of his is a member or an officer or

employee of a company or other body which has a

professional or financial interest in the building works, or

(c) he is a partner or is in the employment of a person who has

a professional or financial interest in the building works.

Act S18(7)

1.51 Similarly, an accredited checking organization shall be

regarded as having a professional or financial interest in any

building works if –

(a) any of its directors, partners, members or employees is or

has been responsible for the design or construction of the building or any of the building works in any capacity

except building works relating to the alterations of the

building which –

i. do not affect any key structural element, or

ii. affect any structural element but the effects are

localized in nature and do not require any strengthening of any key structural element;

(b) any nominee of the organization is a member or an officer

or employee of a company or other body which has a

professional or financial interest in the building works, or

24

(c) the organization or any of its directors or partners is a

partner or is in the employment of a person who has a

professional or financial interest in the building works.

Clarifications on ‘professional and financial interest’ Act S18(8) S18(9)

1.52 The Act clarifies the meaning of ‘professional and financial

interest’ further with the following clauses:

(a) A person shall be treated as having a professional or

financial interest in the building works even if he has that

interest only as trustee for the benefit of some other

person.

(b) In the case of married people living together, the interest

of one spouse shall, if known to the other, be deemed to

be also an interest of the other.

(c) Involvement in the building works as an accredited

checker or a specialist accredited checker and

entitlement to any fee paid for his function as an

accredited checker or a specialist accredited checker

shall not be regarded as constituting a professional or

financial interest.

General Notes on Independence of AC

1.53 Would an AC or specialist AC be regarded as having a

professional or financial interest in the building works of a project

if he is from a multi-disciplinary consultant firm which has been

appointed for the architectural or M&E works for the same

project? Since an AC or specialist AC shall be regarded as

having a professional or financial interest in any building works if

he is a member or an officer or employee of a company or other

body which has a professional or financial interest in the building

works in any capacity (except for certain alterations works), it

follows that the answer to the question above is yes.

Independence of Specialist Builders Act S11(3)

1.54 The Act prescribes independence requirements on one category of specialist builders, i.e. the specialist builder

monitoring instruments that measure ground properties and

movements, as follows:

25

1.55 Any specialist builder who is appointed in respect of any

building works shall not:

(a) carry out any work that monitors instruments measuring pore pressures for saturated and unsaturated levels,

ground-water levels, ground movements or building

movements; and

(b) measure forces, deformations or displacements in

connection with those building works.

if he, or any nominee of his, is a partner, an officer or an

employee of –

i. the developer or builder of those building works; or

ii. any associate of the developer or builder of those building

works.

Associate Act S2(4)

1.56 In the Act, the word ‘associate’ is used in several of the

provisions on independence of project parties. A reference to a

person being an associate of a developer or builder is a

reference to any of the following persons:

a) any partner of the developer or builder.

b) any body corporate in which the developer or builder is a

substantial shareholder as defined in section 81 of the

Companies Act (Cap. 50).

c) if the developer or builder is a body corporate –

i. a person who is a substantial shareholder of that body

corporate as defined in section 81 of the Companies

Act, or

ii. a director, secretary or similar executive officer of the

body corporate.

d) any body corporate of which the developer or builder is a

director, secretary or similar executive officer.

e) where the developer or builder is a trustee – a beneficiary

or an object of the discretionary trust.

f) any employer or employee of the developer or builder.

26

1.58 A relevant extract from the Companies Act is reproduced

below for reference:

EXTRACT FROM THE COMPANIES ACT (CAP 50)

Section 81 of the Companies Act (Chapter 50)

81. (1) For the purposes of this Division, a person has a

substantial shareholding in a company if —

a) he has an interest or interests in one or more

voting shares in the company; and

b) the total votes attached to that share, or those

shares, is not less than 5% of the total votes attached to all the voting shares in the

company.

(2) For the purposes of this Division, a person has a

substantial shareholding in a company, being a company

the share capital of which is divided into 2 or more classes

of shares, if —

(a) he has an interest or interests in one or more

voting shares included in one of those classes;

and

(b) the total votes attached to that share, or those

shares, is not less than 5% of the total votes

attached to all the voting shares included in that

class.

(3) For the purposes of this Division, a person who has a

substantial shareholding in a company is a substantial shareholder in that company.

(4) In this section and section 83, “voting shares” exclude

treasury shares.

***

27

CHAPTER 2

SUPERVISION OF BUILDING

WORKS

Act S7

2.1 The provisions in the Act stress the importance of building

works being carried out under the supervision of appropriately

trained persons. Generally, it is an offence to carry out any

building works unless the works are done under the supervision of

an architect or a professional engineer. For the structural

elements of building works, there are additional requirements for

qualified site supervisors (QSS). This chapter summarizes the

various requirements for supervision of building works.

Architectural Works Act S7(1)(a)

2.2 All architectural works must be carried out under the

supervision of the qualified person appointed to supervise the

architectural works. This Supervision QP(Arch) may employ his

own supervisors to carry out the tasks and put in place a system

that ensures compliance with the requirements, but he has to sign all the required certificates and will be responsible for

ensuring that all the works under his charge are done in

accordance with the requirements of the Act and the

Regulations.

2.3 Please note that there is no mandatory requirement for the

Supervision QP(Arch) to employ supervisors to help him in his supervision duties. Supervisors employed to help the Supervision

QP(Arch) are not the same as the qualified site supervisors or QSS

required to be appointed mandatorily by the Supervision

QP(Struct) or the Supervision QP(Geo). The QSS is required to

carry out his duties in supervision of structural works or

28

geotechnical aspects of underground building works under the

direction and control of the Supervision QP(Struct) or Supervision

QP(Geo) respectively.

Structural Works Act S7(1)(a) S7(2)(a)

2.4 All structural works must be carried out under the

supervision of the qualified person appointed to supervise the

structural works, i.e. the Supervision QP(Struct). Where there are

underground building works, the geotechnical aspects must be

carried out under the supervision of the qualified person

appointed to supervise the geotechnical aspects of those

underground building works, i.e. the Supervision QP(Geo).

2.5 In each case, the Supervision QP has to sign all the

required certificates and will be responsible for ensuring that all

the works under his charge are done in accordance with the

requirements of the Act and the Regulations. While the

Supervision QP is not expected to do all the tasks personally, he is

required to put in place a system that ensures compliance with

the requirements.

Qualified Site Supervisors for Structural Works Act S7(1)(b) S7(2)(b)

2.6 Other than the qualified person, the Act also requires

structural works and their geotechnical aspects to be carried out

under the supervision of a qualified site supervisor (QSS). There

are two classes of qualified site supervisors, namely:

a) Resident Engineer (RE)

b) Resident Technical Officer (RTO)

Resident Engineer BCR Reg24(4)

2.7 A Supervision QP can appoint a person as an RE for the

purposes of section 10 (1) or (2) of the Act if that person meets

any one of the following requirements —

a) is a professional engineer in the civil or structural

engineering discipline registered under the Professional

Engineers Act (Cap. 253);

b) possesses a university degree or any other professional

29

qualification recognised by the Professional Engineers

Board for registration as a professional engineer under the

Professional Engineers Act in the civil or structural

engineering discipline; c) possesses a postgraduate master’s degree or doctoral

degree in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering from

any university recognised by the Professional Engineers

Board for registration as a professional engineer under the

Professional Engineers Act;

d) is a Chartered Engineer registered by the Engineering

Council United Kingdom in the Civil Engineering or

Structural Engineering discipline;

e) possesses a university degree in Civil Engineering or

Structural Engineering from any university that is specified by the Commissioner of Building Control in the list that is

i. obtainable from his office at the Building and

Construction Authority, 5 Maxwell Road, #02-00 Tower

Block MND Complex, Singapore 069110; and

ii. available in the Internet website of the Building and

Construction Authority at http://www.bca.gov.sg,

and has at least one year of relevant postgraduate

practical experience in design or construction of structural

works as may be acceptable to the Commissioner of

Building Control; or

f) possesses such other qualification and period of practical

experience as the Commissioner of Building Control may

determine, being a qualification and practical

experience that is substantially equivalent to any

qualification and practical experience referred to in sub-

paragraphs (a) to (e).

Resident Technical Officer BCR Reg24(4)

2.8 The RTO is previously called the “clerk-of-works”. A

Supervision QP can appoint a person as an RTO for the purposes

of section 10(1) or (2) of the Act if that person meets any one of

the following requirements —

a) possesses a degree from any local university or a diploma

from any local polytechnic in Civil Engineering or Structural

Engineering;

30

b) possesses a diploma in any construction-related field from

any local polytechnic and has at least one year of such

relevant practical experience in full-time supervision of

structural works in construction sites in Singapore as may be acceptable to the Commissioner of Building Control;

c) possesses a diploma or higher certificate from any foreign

polytechnic in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering

and has at least one year of such relevant practical

experience in full-time supervision of structural works in

construction sites as may be acceptable to the

Commissioner of Building Control;

d) possesses a diploma in any construction-related field from

any foreign polytechnic and has at least 4 years of such

relevant practical experience in full-time supervision of

structural works in construction sites in Singapore as may

be acceptable to the Commissioner of Building Control;

e) possesses a degree from any foreign university in Civil

Engineering or Structural Engineering and has at least one

year of such relevant practical experience in full-time

supervision of structural works in construction sites as may

be acceptable to the Commissioner of Building Control;

f) possesses a degree related to Civil Engineering or

Structural Engineering from any foreign university and has

at least one year of such relevant practical experience in

full-time supervision of structural works in construction sites

in Singapore as may be acceptable to the Commissioner

of Building Control; or

g) possesses such other qualification and period of

postgraduate practical experience in full-time supervision

of structural works in construction sites as the Commissioner

of Building Control may determine, being a qualification

and practical experience that is substantially equivalent to

any qualification and practical experience referred to in

sub-paragraphs (a) to (f).

Accreditation of Qualified Site Supervisors BCR R24(3)

2.9 All QSS are required to be accredited by the Joint

Accreditation Committee of the Institution of Engineers

Singapore (IES) and the Association of Consulting Engineers

Singapore (ACES) from 15 February 2009 onwards.

31

Requirements for Appointment of Qualified Site Supervisors

2.10 The Supervision QP(Struct) who is supervising the carrying

out of the structural works or the Supervision QP(Geo) who is supervising the carrying out of geotechnical aspects of

underground building works has to appoint one or more QSS to

help him in the task. The requirements of such appointment

depend on the scale of the building works.

2.11 Under the Act, building works are classified as either small-

scale building works or large building works. The requirements of

supervision of the structural elements for these two classes of

works are as follows:

Small-Scale Building Works Act S7(1)(c)

2.12 Critical structural works like concreting, piling, pre-stressing,

tightening of high-friction grip bolts or other critical structural

works of small-scale building works shall be carried out under the

immediate supervision of –

a) an appropriate qualified person; or

b) a QSS working under the Supervision QP’s control and

direction.

Act S2(1) 2.13 The term "immediate supervision", in relation to any

building works or part thereof, means personally and directly

exercising oversight, control and inspection of the carrying out of

the building works or part thereof. Where immediate supervision

is required, the Supervision QP or the appointed QSS has to be

present at the site to supervise the carrying out of critical structural works. They do not need to be stationed at the site

when there are no critical structural works in progress.

Act S10(2) 2.14 The Act requires the Supervision QP(Struct) appointed to

supervise the carrying out of any small-scale building works to

appoint at least one QSS to supervise the critical structural

elements of the small-scale building works. Where appropriate,

the Supervision QP(Struct) may appoint himself to personally

carry out such supervision in the absence of a QSS. The details of

this requirement are summarized as follows (next page):

32

TABLE 2.1

SITE SUPERVISORS REQUIRED FOR IMMEDIATE SUPERVISION OF

STRUCTURAL WORKS IN SMALL-SCALE BUILDING WORKS Act S7(1)(c)

Value of building works Site supervisor

Up to $5 million Appropriate qualified person or

resident engineer or resident

technical officer

Large Building Works Act S7(1)(b)

2.15 The structural elements or geotechnical aspects of all large

building works shall be carried out under the full-time supervision

of a QSS, or a team of QSS, working under the appropriate

Supervision QP’s control and direction.

BCR R24(1) 2.16 The number of QSS required for each project depends on

the value of the building works. More resources in terms of qualified site supervisors are required as the value of the building

works increases. This is based on the rationale that the value

would in most cases be a good and simple indicator of the

scope or complexity of works. More resources for supervision

would be required as scope or complexity increases. The details

are provided in the Building Control Regulations, and are

summarized as follows (next page):

33

TABLE 2.2

QUALIFIED SITE SUPERVISORS REQUIRED FOR FULL-TIME

SUPERVISION OF STRUCTURAL WORKS OR GEOTECHNICAL

ASPECTS IN LARGE BUILDING WORKS

Value of building works Minimum number of QSS for full-

time supervision of structural

works or geotechnical aspects

More than $5 million but not

exceeding $10 million

One (1) RTO



One (1) RE



One (1) RE and one (1) RTO



One (1) RE and two (2) RTO

More than $100 million Two (2) RE and three (3) RTO

Full-time supervision

2.17 The term “full-time supervision”, in relation to any building

works, means that the QSS has to be stationed at the site

throughout the duration of the project when structural or

geotechnical works are in progress and cannot act as the QSS

for any other project. The QSS has to personally and directly

exercise oversight, control and inspection of the carrying out of

critical structural works like concreting, piling, pre-stressing,

tightening of high-friction grip bolts and other critical structural

works, and carry out any other supervision duties as directed by

the Supervision QP who appointed him. Where there is more than

one QSS in a project, the Supervision QP has to direct how and

by who each supervision duty is to be carried out.

Site Records BCR R22

2.18 All Supervision QPs appointed to supervise any building

works are required to keep and maintain at the premises on

which the building works are carried out the following books and

records:

34

a) for major building works, a schedule of the structural works

to be carried out every 3 months, specifying, in particular,

the excavation, installation, testing, removal, construction

or fabrication of the key structural elements; b) a record of attendance of the Supervision QP and QSS;

c) a site record book;

d) a copy of the approved structural plans including all

amendments;

e) a record of all the departures or deviations relating to the

structural elements of the building works as provided by

the Design QP(Struct);

f) a record of inspection and approval for concreting;

g) a record of repairs to defective structural works;

h) a site investigation report;

i) a record of piles installed;

j) a record of pile load tests;

k) a record of tests on cement, sand and aggregates;

l) a record of concrete cube tests;

m) a record of tests on steel reinforcements;

n) a record of tests on pre-stressing steel;

o) a record of pre-stressing works;

p) a record of tests on welding works and all welders’

certificates;

q) a record of ground anchor, soil nails or rock bolt tests and,

where applicable, stressing loads;

r) a record of inspection and approval at each of the

following stages of the building works: excavation,

installation, construction and removal stage of the building

works;

s) a record of inspection and approval for strut, soil nails, rock

bolts, or anchor during installation and removal;

t) a record of instrumentation and monitoring reports;

u) a record of actions taken where monitoring results of

earth-retaining wall deflection or adjacent ground

settlements exceed the allowable limits or where damages

occur in the neighbouring properties;

v) a record and test results of earth or ground improvement or strengthening works;

w) a record of tests on fixings of external claddings and safety

barriers against falling from a height;

x) the mill certificates and test results for structural steel

sections, and

y) a record of all other tests of or in connection with the

building works.

35

Submission of Progress Reports and Certificates BCR R23

2.19 The Act also requires all Supervision QPs appointed to

supervise any building works to prepare and submit the following

reports and certificates relating to the building works at the

corresponding times or intervals, where applicable:

a) a notice of completion of all piling works carried out, a

record plan showing full details of the piling works and a

certificate of supervision of those piling works within 28

days of completion of those piling works;

b) on completion of all building works, his certificate stating

that the building works have been carried out under his

supervision, and

c) within 14 days of his ceasing to carry out his duties under

the Act, a summary report of all those building works which

have been carried out under his supervision and a

certificate of such supervision.

Quarterly Structural Reports

2.20 With effect from 1 Feb 2008, there is no need for submission

of three-monthly (quarterly) structural reports detailing the

schedule and progress of structural works at the site. This

requirement has been removed.

Tests of and in Connection with Building Works Act S7A

2.21 It is important to ensure that materials used for the building

works comply with requirements. The Act therefore requires the

Supervision QP to carry out or cause to be carried out all

necessary and appropriate tests in connection with the building works as prescribed in any of the building regulations or required

by the CBC. The tests have to be carried out in such manner and

at such places and times as prescribed in the respective building

regulations.

2.22 If a Supervision QP fails to comply with the above

requirements, the CBC may serve an order in writing to any of the project parties to cease the building works until the order is

withdrawn. For special cases, however, the CBC may, on

application, waive a requirement to carry out a prescribed test if

he is satisfied that carrying out the particular test would be

unreasonable.

36

Builder’s Supervision Duty Act S11(1)(e)

2.23 The Act requires the builder to have an adequate number

of construction supervisors working under his direction to help him

ensure that the building works are carried out in compliance with

all the requirements.

***

37

CHAPTER 3

DUTIES OF PROJECT PARTIES

3.1 The Act and building regulations prescribes specific duties

on the various parties who are involved in the building works. This

chapter lists and explains these duties.

DEVELOPER

Act S8(1)

3.2 The developer has a set of duties under the Act. These

duties are summarized as follows:

(A) Appointments

3.3 For all building works, every developer shall appoint the

following (no other person may make these appointments)–

a) a builder to carry out those building works;

b) for major building works,

i. an AC who is either a director, partner, member or an

employee of an accredited checking organization, if

the value of the building works exceeds $10 million; or

ii. an AC (whether or not a director, partner, member or

an employee of an accredited checking

organization), if the value of the building works is $10 million or less

c) where the building works comprise wholly or partly of any

underground building works, an AC(Geo) for the

geotechnical aspects of those building works; and

d) where appropriate, a specialist builder to monitor

instruments measuring pore pressures for saturated and

unsaturated levels, ground-water levels, ground

38

movements or building movements and to measure forces,

deformations or displacements.

3.4 Every developer shall also appoint the following (if no such person has been appointed by the builder) –

a) the appropriate Design QPs to prepare the plans of the

building works (i.e. architectural plans and structural plans);

b) the appropriate Supervision QPs to supervise the carrying

out of those building works


underground building works,

i. a QP(Geo) to prepare the plans relating to the

geotechnical aspects of the building works, who may

or may not be the same QP for structural works

referred to in paragraph (a) above; and

ii. a QP(Geo) to supervise the geotechnical aspects of

those building works, who may or may not be the

same qualified person referred to in paragraph (i)

above.

Act S8(2) 3.5 If any QP, builder, specialist builder, AC or AC(Geo)

appointed by the developer becomes unwilling to act or unable,

whether by reason of the termination of his appointment or for

any other reason, to carry out his respective duties under this Act,

then the developer shall —

a) without delay appoint another QP, builder, specialist

builder, AC or AC(Geo), as the case may be, in his place,

and

b) within 7 days thereafter, notify the CBC of that substitute

appointment.

(B) Notification Act S8(3)

3.6 The developer of any building works shall notify the CBC of

any contravention of this Act or the building regulations relating to those building works of which the developer knows or ought

reasonably to know.

39

Act S8(6) 3.7 The Act prescribes that it shall be a defence in any

prosecution for a contravention of paragraph 3.6 above for the

person charged to prove to the satisfaction of the court that he

did not know and could not reasonably have discovered the

contravention referred to in the charge.

General Notes on Implementation Practices on Notification

3.8 Several parties (namely, the developer, QP, builder and

specialist builder) have the similar duty of notifying the CBC

when they are aware of any contravention under the Building

Control Act. The CBC has received some feedback that had

expressed concern on failing to comply with this requirement of

notification under circumstances that may be beyond the

control of the relevant party. While the CBC will consider all

circumstances in each case, these general notes on

implementation practices are included to address such

concerns:

a) Some contraventions may involve matters which are of a

very technical nature, where specific knowledge in

architecture or engineering is necessary to know that a

contravention has occurred. For such cases, the CBC will

not expect that a person who does not possess such

knowledge could reasonably have discovered the

contravention, provided that the person was not involved

in any way in directing or instructing another party who

have such knowledge not to notify the CBC. On this

matter, there are already specific sections under the Act

which allow it to be a defence for any person charged to

prove to the satisfaction of the court that he did not know

and could not reasonably have discovered the


b) Some contraventions may be easily and quickly rectified.

Where a contravention has been rectified, the CBC may

take that into consideration in deciding any enforcement

action for that contravention. However, should the CBC

discovers a contravention before notification by any party,

subsequent rectification of the contravention cannot be

used as an excuse to absolve any party of the failure to

notify the CBC of the contravention.

c) Several parties (namely, the developer, QP, builder and

specialist builder) have the similar duty of notifying the

40

CBC when they are aware of any contravention. If one of

these parties has notified the CBC of the contravention

immediately or within a reasonable time of the occurrence

of the contravention, and has also informed the other parties of the notification, it may not be necessary for the

other parties to notify the CBC of the same contravention.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Act S9(1) 3.9 Each of the various QPs has similar duties under the Act,

albeit in respect of their respective roles in the building works (i.e.

architectural, structural or geotechnical aspects). The specific

duties under the Act are as follows:

Qualified Person to Prepare Plans

3.10 Every QP who is appointed to prepare the plans of any

building works shall –

a) take all reasonable steps and exercise due diligence to

ensure that the building works are designed in

accordance with the provisions of the Act and the

building regulations;

b) notify the CBC of any contravention of this Act or the

building regulations in relation to those building works of

which he knows or ought reasonably to know (see the

“General Notes on Implementation Practices on

Notification” under the section on the developer in this

chapter);

c) supply a copy of every plan of the building works

approved by the CBC to –

i. the QSS or the team of QSS that he has appointed;

ii. the builder of those building works; and

iii. the Supervision QP appointed to supervise those

building works (if he is not that person).

Act S9(5)

3.11 Where the QP becomes unwilling or unable, whether by

reason of the termination of his appointment or for any other

reason, to carry out his duties under the Act, he shall, within 14

days of his ceasing to carry out his duties, notify the CBC and the

builder of those building works of that fact.

41

Act S9(12) 3.12 For a contravention of sub-paragraph 3.10(b) above, the

Act prescribes that it shall be a defence in any prosecution for

the person charged to prove to the satisfaction of the court that

he did not know and could not reasonably have discovered the


Qualified Person to Supervise Building Works Act S9(4)

3.13 Every Supervision QP who is appointed to supervise the

carrying out of any building works, or the geotechnical aspects

of any underground building works, shall –

a) take all reasonable steps and exercise due diligence in

supervising and inspecting the building works or

underground building works, as the case may be, to

ensure that those building works are being carried out in

accordance with –

i. the provisions of the Act and the building regulations;

ii. the relevant plans approved by the CBC; and

iii. any terms and conditions imposed by the CBC;

b) in the absence of a QSS, take all reasonable steps and

exercise due diligence in giving immediate supervision to

the carrying out of concreting, piling, pre-stressing,

tightening of high-friction grip bolts or other critical

structural works of the building works to ensure that such

critical structural works of the building works are being

carried out in accordance with –

i. the provisions of this Act and the building regulations; ii. the relevant plans approved by the CBC; and


c) notify the CBC of any contravention of this Act or the

building regulations in relation to those building works of

which he knows or ought reasonably to know (see the

“General Notes on Implementation Practices on Notification” under the section on the developer in this

chapter);

d) keep and maintain at the premises on which building

works are carried out such documents, books and records

as may be prescribed in the building regulations;

42

e) submit to the CBC at the prescribed times such reports and

certificates as may be prescribed in the building

regulations;

f) notify the CBC if the building works have been suspended for a period of more than 3 months;

Act S10(1) g) for any large building works, appoint the following QSS in

respect of the structural elements of the large building

works:

i. a team of QSS comprising not less than such number

of persons as prescribed in relation to the value of

those large building works (see Chapter 2); or

ii. at least one QSS, in any other case;

Act S10(2)

h) for any small-scale building works, appoint at least one

QSS, in respect of the critical structural elements of the

small-scale building works Act S9(6) i) if any QSS he appointed under paragraph (g) or (h) above

becomes unwilling or unable, whether by reason of the

termination of his appointment or for any other reason, to

carry out his (the qualified site supervisor’s) duties, appoint

another QSS in his place and within 7 days thereafter,

notify the CBC of that substitute appointment

Act S9(5) j) where the QP becomes unwilling or unable, whether by

reason of the termination of his appointment or for any

other reason, to carry out his duties under the Act, the QP

shall, within 14 days of his ceasing to carry out his duties,

notify the CBC and the builder of those building works of

that fact.

Act S9(12) 3.14 For a contravention of sub-paragraph 3.13(c) above, the


the person charged to prove to the satisfaction of the court that

he did not know and could not reasonably have discovered the


43

QUALIFIED SITE SUPERVISOR

Act S10(5) 3.15 Every QSS works under the control and direction of the

Supervision QP who appointed him. The Act prescribes the

following duties on the QSS:

3.16 Every QSS shall take all reasonable steps and exercise due

diligence in giving –

a) in the case of large building works — full-time supervision to

the carrying out of the structural elements of the building

works; and

b) in the case of small-scale building works — immediate

supervision to the carrying out of the critical structural

elements of the building works,

to ensure that the structural elements or critical structural

elements, as the case may be, of the building works in question

are carried out in accordance with the plans of the building

works supplied to him by the qualified person, and with any terms

and conditions imposed by the CBC.

Act S10(6) 3.17 If a QSS appointed in respect of any building works

becomes unwilling or unable, whether by reason of the

termination of his appointment or for any other reason, to carry

out his duties, the qualified site supervisor shall, within 7 days of his

ceasing to carry out such duties, notify the CBC of that fact.

BUILDER

Act S2(1) Meaning of Builder

3.18 Under the Act, a "builder" means any person who

undertakes, whether exclusively or in conjunction with any other

business, to carry out any building works for his own account or

for or on behalf of another person (referred to in this definition as

“Party A”), but does not include any person who contracts with a

builder for the execution by that person of the whole or any part

of any building works undertaken by the builder for or on behalf

of Party A under a contract entered into by the builder with Party

A.

44

3.19 Essentially, a builder is anyone who undertakes to carry out

building works, either for his own purpose or for Party A (for

example. the developer) by way of a contract.

3.20 The Act specifically states that another person who

contracts directly with the builder to execute part or all of the

building works (i.e. a sub-contractor) is not the builder. In some

cases, the sub-contractor would be a specialist builder who

executes specialist building works within the building project.

3.21 Some building works may comprise wholly of one type of

specialist building works and the developer enters into a

contract directly with a specialist builder to undertake the

carrying out of those works. In this case, the specialist builder is

the one who enters into a contract with Party A (the developer)

and for this project, that specialist builder is the “builder” of the

building works.

Duties of Builder Act S11(1)

3.22 The Act prescribes the following specific duties on the

builder. A builder undertaking any building works shall —

a) ensure that the building works are carried out in

accordance with –

i. the provisions of the Act and the building regulations;

ii. the relevant plans approved by the CBC and supplied

to him by a QP; and



building regulations relating to those building works of

which the builder knows or ought reasonably to know (see

the “General Notes on Implementation Practices on

Notification” under the section on the developer in this

chapter);

c) keep at the premises on which the building works are

carried out, and make available on request (at a

reasonable time) by any specialist builder appointed in

respect of specialist building works comprised in those

same building works, all plans of those building works

approved by the CBC and supplied to him by a QP;

d) have an adequate number of construction supervisors

45

working under his direction to assist him (the builder) to

ensure that paragraph (a) above is complied with;

e) within 7 days of the completion of the building works,

certify that the building works have been carried out in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the building

regulations and deliver that certificate to the CBC;

f) notify the CBC of the appointment and termination of

appointment of any specialist builder appointed by him

(the builder) in respect of any specialist building works

comprised in those same building works;

g) comply with such other duties as may be prescribed in the

building regulations; and

Act S11(4) BCR R25 h) where he becomes unwilling to act or unable, whether by


other reason, to carry out his duties, within 14 days of his

ceasing to carry out his duties, notify the CBC of that fact

and his notification shall be accompanied by a summary

report describing the building works completed by him

and his certificate of completion in such form as the CBC

may require.

Act S11(8) 3.23 For a contravention of sub-paragraph 3.22(b) above, the


the builder charged to prove to the satisfaction of the court that

he did not know nor could reasonably have discovered the

contravention or non-compliance referred to in the charge.

Duties of Builder to Appoint QP Act S11(1)

3.24 In some building works where the developer does not

make the appointment of one or more of the QPs (for example in

Design-and-Build projects), the builder has the duty to appoint –

a) the appropriate Design QP to prepare the plans of the

building works (i.e. architectural and structural, where

applicable);

b) the appropriate Supervision QP person to supervise the

carrying out of those building works; and


underground building works –

i. a Design QP(Geo) who may or may not be the same

46

person referred to in (a) above, to prepare the plans

relating to the geotechnical aspects of the

underground building works and

ii. a Supervision QP(Geo) who may or may not be the same person referred to in (b) above, to supervise the

geotechnical aspects of the underground building

works.

Duty to Cease Works Act S11(5)

3.25 If any QP becomes unwilling or unable, whether by reason

of the termination of his appointment or for any other reason, to

carry out the QP’s duties under the Act, the builder shall cease or

shall not commence carrying out the building works until another

appropriate QP in respect of those building works is appointed.

SPECIALIST BUILDERS Act S11(2)

3.26 The Act also prescribes duties for specialist builders acting

in the role of a sub-contractor for specialist building works. A

specialist builder undertaking any specialist building works shall —

a) ensure that the specialist building works are carried out in

accordance with

i. the provisions of this Act and the building regulations;

ii. the relevant plans approved by the CBC; and



building regulations relating to those specialist building works, being a contravention which the specialist builder

knows or ought reasonably to know (see the “General

Notes on Implementation Practices on Notification” under

the section on the developer in this chapter);

c) comply with such other duties as may be prescribed in the

building regulations; and

Act S11(4) d) where he becomes unwilling to act or unable, whether by


other reason, to carry out his duties, within 14 days of his

ceasing to carry out his duties, notify the CBC of that fact.

47

Act S11(8) 3.27 For a contravention of paragraph (b) above, the Act

prescribes that it shall be a defence in any prosecution for the

specialist builder charged to prove to the satisfaction of the

court that he did not know nor could reasonably have

discovered the contravention or non-compliance referred to in

the charge.

Duty to Cease Works Act S11(5)

3.28 If any QP becomes unwilling or unable, whether by reason

of the termination of his appointment or for any other reason, to

carry out the QP’s duties under the Act, the specialist builder

shall cease or shall not commence carrying out the building

works until another appropriate QP in respect of those building

works is appointed.

ACCREDITED CHECKER

Act S18(1) 3.29 The duties of the AC are given in detail in the Building

Control (Accredited Checkers and Accredited Checking

Organisations) Regulations (see Chapter 4). Under the Act, the

specific duties for an AC and AC(Geo) are as follows:

Main Duty of Accredited Checker

3.30 Any AC who is appointed in respect of any major building

works or who is acting on behalf of an accredited checking

organization shall check the detailed structural plans and design

calculations of the building works in accordance with the

building regulations and shall carry out such other duties as may

be prescribed by those regulations.

Main Duty of Specialist Accredited Checker

3.31 Any AC(Geo) appointed in respect of any underground

building works shall check the geotechnical aspects of those

building works in accordance with the building regulations and

shall carry out such other duties as may be prescribed by those

regulations.

***

48


49

CHAPTER 4

ON ACCREDITED CHECKERS

4.1 ACs and AC(Geo)s are like privatized regulators under the

building control system. They are registered under the Building

Control Act and they have a duty to check respectively the

structural and geotechnical design prepared by QPs. This

chapter summarizes the provisions on ACs and AC(Geo)s under

the Act and building regulations.

ACCREDITED CHECKERS AND

SPECIALIST ACCREDITED CHECKERS

4.2 An AC has duties to check the structural elements of

building works whereas an AC(Geo) has similar duties to check

the geotechnical aspects of underground building works.

4.3 The registrations of the ACs and AC(Geo)s are separate

and not connected. An AC cannot perform the duties of an

AC(Geo) and vice versa, unless he is registered as both an AC

and an AC(Geo). Registration is on an annual basis and has to

be renewed.

Who may register? Act S15(1)

4.4 A person who applies to be registered, or to renew his

registration, as an AC or AC(Geo), as the case may be, shall be

eligible to be so registered or have his registration so renewed if,

and only if —

a) he has paid the prescribed fee for such registration or

renewal;

b) he satisfies the CBC that he has the qualifications and the

50

practical experience (whether in Singapore or elsewhere)

prescribed for an AC, or the specialist qualifications and

the specialist practical experience (whether in Singapore

or elsewhere) prescribed for an AC(Geo), as the case may be; and

c) he satisfies such other requirements as may be prescribed

for such registration or renewal.

4.5 The applicant for registration to be an AC or AC(Geo) will

be required to submit a professional report and attend an

interview with a Board for reviewing such applications.

Act S15(1)

4.6 The CBC may refuse to register, or to renew the registration

of, a person as an AC or AC(Geo) if, in the opinion of the CBC —

a) the person is not of good character and reputation; or

b) there are reasonable grounds for believing that the person

will not carry out the duties of an AC or AC(Geo), as the

case may be, in accordance with this Act or the building

regulations.

Requirements for Registration as an Accredited Checker BCR (AC&ACO) R3(1)

4.7 The Building Control (Accredited Checkers and

Accredited Checking Organisations) Regulations prescribes the

following requirements for registration of an AC.

4.8 No person shall be registered under the Act as an AC, or

have his registration as an AC renewed, unless he can satisfy the

CBC that —

a) he is a professional engineer registered under the

Professional Engineers Act in the civil or structural

engineering discipline;

b) he has had, after such registration as a professional

engineer, practical experience in the design or

construction of buildings in Singapore at a professional

level for a period of not less than 10 years; c) by virtue of his ability, standing in the profession or special

knowledge or practical experience in civil or structural

engineering he is deserving of such distinction; and

d) he is insured against professional liability for a minimum

sum of not less than $500,000.

51

BCR (AC&ACO) R3(2)

4.9 Paragraph (e) shall not apply if the AC undertakes work as

an AC on behalf of an accredited checking organization. In

such cases, the accredited checking organization is required to

have the insurance coverage for professional liability.

Requirements for Registration as a Specialist Accredited Checker BCR (AC&ACO) R3A(1)



following requirements for registration of an AC(Geo).

4.11 No person shall be registered under the Act as an AC(Geo), or have his registration as an AC(Geo) renewed, unless

he can satisfy the CBC that –

a) he is a professional engineer registered under the

Professional Engineers Act (Cap. 253) as a specialist professional engineer in the specialized branch of

geotechnical engineering;

b) he has —

i. after registration as a professional engineer under the

Professional Engineers Act, practical experience in

civil or structural engineering at a professional level for

a period of not less than 10 years, of which at least 5

years shall be in geotechnical engineering in

Singapore; or

ii. practical experience in civil or structural engineering

for a period of not less than 15 years, of which at least

5 years shall be in geotechnical engineering at a professional level in Singapore after registration as a

professional engineer under the Professional Engineers

Act;

c) by virtue of his ability, standing in the profession or special

knowledge or practical experience in geotechnical

engineering he is deserving of such distinction; and d) he is insured against professional liability for a minimum

sum of not less than $500,000.

52

ACCREDITED CHECKING ORGANISATIONS Act S13(3) S15(3) 4.12 Where the value of building works is more than $10 million,

the Act prescribes that the role of checking shall only be

undertaken by an AC who is a director, partner, member or an employee of an accredited checking organization.

4.13 An accredited checking organization is registered by the

CBC. Any partnership or corporation may apply and be eligible

for registration as an accredited checking organization if and

only if –

a) it is –

i. a partnership consisting wholly of professional

engineers registered under the Professional Engineers

Act (Cap. 253) or which is licensed under that Act to

supply professional engineering services in Singapore; or

ii. it is a corporation licensed under the Professional

Engineers Act to supply professional engineering

services in Singapore; and

b) it satisfies the CBC that it meets such requirements as may

be prescribed for such registration.

Requirements for Registration as an Accredited Checking

Organisation BCR (AC&ACO) R4(1)



following requirements for registration of an accredited checking

organization.

4.15 No firm shall be registered as an accredited checking

organization, or have its registration as an accredited checking

organization renewed, unless —

a) it consists of or has in its employ —

i. an AC registered under the Act;

ii. 2 persons who are professional engineers registered

under the Professional Engineers Act (Cap. 253) in the

53

civil or structural engineering discipline; and

iii. not less than 2 other persons who are professional

engineers registered under the Professional Engineers

Act in the civil or structural engineering discipline or who possess such qualifications as will entitle them to

be registered as professional engineers under that Act

in the civil or structural engineering discipline;

b) the AC referred to in paragraph (a)(i) does not undertake

work as an AC on his own behalf or for any other

accredited checking organization;

c) it has an ISO 9001 certification under the scope of

“Structural Design Services”; and

d) it is insured against professional liability for a sum of not less

than $2 million.

DETAILED DUTIES


Accredited Checking Organisations) Regulations prescribes

detailed duties for ACs, an AC(Geo)s and accredited checking

organisations. This section collates these duties for easy

reference.

Duties of Accredited Checkers BCR (AC&ACO) R7(1) R7(2)

4.17 The following duties are prescribed in the Building Control

(Accredited Checkers and Accredited Checking Organisations)

Regulations for an AC.

4.18 An AC shall –

a) evaluate, analyse and review the structural design in the

plans of any building works and perform such original calculations with a view to determining the adequacy of

the key structural elements of the building to be erected or

affected by building works carried out in accordance with

those plans;

b) verify that the key structural elements designed are

consistent with the layout shown in the architectural plans

and any amendments to those plans; and

c) in relation to any plans of building works carry out the tasks

listed in Schedule D.

54

BCR (AC&ACO) R7(3)

d) notify the CBC of any contravention or non-compliance

with the provisions of the Act or any regulations in

connection with the structural design of any plans of

building works;

BCR (AC&ACO) R8(1)

e) without delay after performing his duty in relation to any

plans of building works, prepare and submit to the CBC —

i. a certificate in Form A set out in the First Schedule;

and

ii. an evaluation report including the analysis and

calculations performed by the AC.

BCR (AC&ACO) R9(1)

4.19 Where the AC has completed his duty in relation to any

plans of building works, he shall without delay submit to the CBC

a declaration that he has no professional or financial interest in

the building works. BCR (AC&ACO) R7(4) 4.20 For sub-paragraph 4.18(d) above, the Regulations

prescribe that the duty does not apply in respect of any such

contravention or non-compliance which the AC did not know

and could not reasonably have discovered.

Duties of Specialist Accredited Checkers BCR (AC&ACO) R7A(1) R7A(2)

4.22 The following duties are prescribed in the Building Control

(Accredited Checkers and Accredited Checking Organisations)

Regulations for an AC(Geo).

4.23 An AC(Geo) shall –

a) evaluate, analyse and review the geotechnical aspects of

the underground building works and perform such original

calculations with a view to determining the adequacy of

the geotechnical aspects of those underground building

works to be erected or carried out in accordance with the

plans of those building works;

b) verify that the geotechnical aspects of the underground

building works are consistent with the plans of those

underground building works and any amendments to

55

those plans;

c) in relation to any plans of underground building works

carry out the tasks set out in Schedule E;

BCR (AC&ACO) R7A(3)

d) notify the CBC of any contravention or non-compliance

with the provisions of the Act in connection with any of the

geotechnical aspects of the underground building works;

BCR (AC&ACO) R8(2)

e) without delay after performing his duty in relation to any

plans of building works which comprise wholly or partly of

any underground building works, prepare and submit to

the CBC –

i. a certificate in the Form B set out in the First Schedule;

and

ii. an evaluation report including the analysis and

calculations performed by the AC(Geo).

BCR (AC&ACO) R9(2)

4.24 Where an AC(Geo) has completed his duty in relation to

any plans of underground building works, he shall without delay

submit to the CBC a declaration that he has no professional or

financial interest in those underground building works.

BCR (AC&ACO) R7A(4) 4.25 For sub-paragraph 4.23(d) above, the Regulations


contravention or non-compliance which the specialist

accredited checker did not know and could not reasonably

have discovered.

Duties of Accredited Checking Organisations BCR (AC&ACO) R7(3)

4.26 The following duties are prescribed in the Building Control (Accredited Checkers and Accredited Checking Organisations)

Regulations for an accredited checking organization.

4.27 An accredited checking organization shall –

a) notify the CBC of any contravention or non-compliance

with the provisions of the Act or any regulations in

connection with the structural design of any plans of

building works; and

56

BCR (AC&ACO) R9 b) with each of its directors where it is a corporation or with

every partner if it is a partnership, without delay submit to

the CBC a declaration that it has no professional or

financial interest in the building works.

BCR (AC&ACO) R7(4) 4.28 For sub-paragraph 4.27(a) above, the Regulations


contravention or non-compliance which the accredited

checking organization did not know and could not reasonably

have discovered.

Minor Building Works BCR BCR 4th Schedule

4.29 The Fourth Schedule of the Building Control Regulations

prescribes the list of minor building works. These are works that do

not require the certification of an AC (see Schedule B of this

Guidebook).

***

57

CHAPTER 5

UNDERGROUND BUILDING

WORKS

5.1 Underground building works are essentially critical building

works that involve deep ground excavations, tunnelling and

foundations for high-rise building (30 storeys or more). Compared

to other types of building works, they have a greater impact on

safety, in particular on the safety of surrounding properties and

structures and the people working in it. To minimize the risks

associated with underground building works, the Act has been

amended to provide additional safeguards for such works. This

chapter describes the additional requirements that have been

introduced for underground building works and explains some of

the details of application.

What are underground building works? Act S2(1)

5.2 The term ‘underground building works’ has been defined

in the Act and building regulations as any of the following

building works:


i. a tunnel with a diameter, width or height of more than

2 metres;

ii. a caisson, cofferdam, trench, ditch, shaft or well with

a depth of more than 6 metres;

b) any building works for constructing, altering or repairing

any earth retaining structure in or for a trench, ditch, shaft

or well with a depth or height of more than 6 metres; or

c) foundation works for buildings of 30 or more storeys high.

58

Requirements for Underground Building Works

5.3 All requirements that apply to normal structural works

apply as well to underground building works. The additional

requirement for underground building works is that the geotechnical aspects of these works are to be determined by a

geotechnical engineer, i.e. PE(Geo).

Act S8 S11


underground building works, the following QP must be appointed

to undertake the following work:

a) Design QP(Geo) to prepare the plans relating to the

geotechnical aspects of those underground building

works; and

b) Supervision QP(Geo) to supervise the geotechnical

aspects of those underground building works.

5.5 Subject to requirements on independence of project

parties, the Design QP(Geo) and Supervision QP(Geo) may either

be the same person or different persons. See Chapter 2 for

details.

5.6 In practice, a person who possesses all the appropriate

qualifications, and subject to requirements on independence of

project parties, may be appointed as the Design and Supervision

QP for both the structural works and the geotechnical aspects of

underground building works of the same project.

Act S8


underground building works, the developer has to appoint (in

addition to the AC) an AC(Geo) in respect of the geotechnical aspects of those building works.

5.8 The AC(Geo) does not have to be affiliated with any

accredited checking organization, regardless of the value of the

building works.

5.9 The AC(Geo) has to check the geotechnical aspects of underground building works and carry out such other duties as

prescribed in the building regulations. See Chapter 4 for details

on the duties of the AC(Geo).

59

Duties of Qualified Person for Geotechnical Aspects BCR R24A(1)

Design of Geotechnical Aspects

5.10 Every Design QP(Geo) appointed to prepare the plans of

geotechnical aspects of underground building works shall carry

out the following tasks:

TABLE 5.1 BCR Seventh Schedule

DUTIES OF QUALIFIED PERSON PREPARING THE PLANS OF

GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF UNDERGROUND BUILDING

WORKS

1. In the preparation of plans relating to the geotechnical

aspects of any excavation or other building works to

construct a tunnel with a diameter, width or height of more than 2 metres, the qualified person shall —

a) determine the site investigation, namely type, extent

(which shall include quantity, layout and depth),

method of sampling, coring and laboratory tests results

for the design and construction of the tunnel;

b) analyse the site investigation results and determine the

geotechnical parameters for the design, taking into

consideration onerous water conditions, seepage

pressures, and surcharge, earth, water, construction

and accidental loadings;

c) determine and adopt appropriate method or model

for the analysis and design including the consideration

of drained, undrained and consolidation analyses, and

appropriate drainage conditions;

d) determine suitability of tunnelling method, sequence of

construction, and tunnel support system including face

pressures and ground support system;

e) determine allowable limits of ground deformation and

changes in groundwater and piezometric levels, and

measures to control groundwater where required;

f) analyse the stability of excavation and determine the

ground stabilization or improvement works as

60

appropriate;

g) design soil or rock reinforcement, where applicable,

including the consideration of the structural and

geotechnical capacity;

h) determine the instrumentation and monitoring of

geotechnical engineering parameters such as tunnel

face pressures, pore pressures, water table level,

ground deformation and stresses including the

consideration of location, type and number of

instruments, and frequency of monitoring and

reporting; and

i) assess monitoring results and site conditions to ensure that the geotechnical aspects during construction are

within design assumptions and parameters at every

critical stage of construction, and review or modify the

design so as to ensure its adequacy as appropriate.


aspects of any excavation or any building works for

constructing, altering or repairing any earth retaining

structure (including slope) in or for a caisson, cofferdam,

trench, ditch, shaft or well for supporting earth which has a

depth of more than 6 metres, the qualified person shall —

a) determine the site investigation, namely type, extent

(which shall include quantity, layout and depth),

method of sampling, coring and laboratory tests results

for the design and construction of the earth retaining

structure including earth slope;

b) analyse the site investigation results and determine the

geotechnical parameters for the design of the earth

retaining structure including consideration of onerous

water conditions, seepage pressures, and surcharge,

earth, water, construction and accidental loadings;

c) determine and adopt appropriate method or model

for the analysis and design including the consideration

of drained, undrained and consolidation analyses, and

appropriate drainage conditions;

d) determine suitability of earth retaining structure types

and scheme, and the method and sequence of

construction;

61

e) analyse the stability of the excavation work, taking into

consideration groundwater, drainage and seepage

conditions, basal heave, hydraulic uplift and piping,

and determine the ground stabilization or

improvement works as appropriate;

f) determine allowable limits of ground deformation and

changes in groundwater and piezometric levels, and

measures to control groundwater where required;

g) design tie-backs, soil or rock reinforcement, where

applicable, including the consideration of the

structural and geotechnical capacity;

h) ensure that drawings of the earth retaining structure, including earth slopes, are consistent with the

calculations relating to the geotechnical aspects;

i) determine the instrumentation and monitoring of geotechnical engineering parameters such as pore

pressures, water table levels, ground deformation and

stresses including the consideration of location, type

and number of instruments, and frequency of

monitoring and reporting; and

j) assess monitoring results and site conditions to ensure

that the geotechnical aspects during construction are

within design assumptions and parameters at every

critical stage of construction, and review or modify the

design so as to ensure its adequacy as appropriate.


aspects of such type of foundation works for buildings of 30

or more storeys, the qualified person shall —

(a) where a caisson, raft or piled-raft foundation is adopted

—

(i) determine the site investigation, namely type,

extent (which shall include quantity, layout and

depth), method of sampling, coring and laboratory

tests results for the design and construction of the

caisson, raft or piled-raft foundation;

(ii) analyse the site investigation results and determine

the geotechnical parameters, such as soil strength

and deformation characteristics, pile shaft friction, downdrag, pile base resistance or bearing pressures

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and pile lateral geotechnical capacity, for the

design of the foundation taking into consideration

the onerous water conditions, seepage pressures,

and loads from surcharge, earth, water and

construction;

(iii) determine and adopt appropriate method or

model for the analysis and design including the

consideration of drained, undrained and

consolidation analyses, and appropriate drainage

conditions;

(iv) determine suitability of the foundation type and the

method of construction;

(v) where applicable, determine and analyse the

negative shaft friction;

(vi) ensure that the drawings of the foundation are consistent with the calculations relating to the

geotechnical aspects;

(vii) analyse the stability of excavation for the caisson or

raft during construction taking into consideration

groundwater, drainage and seepage conditions,

basal heave, hydraulic uplift and piping, and

determine the ground stabilization or improvement

works as appropriate;

(viii) analyse the forces and deformation of the raft or

pile-raft foundation and stability of the foundation

including the consideration of short-term and long-

term conditions;

(ix) determine the number, location and types of load

tests, analyse the results of load tests; or

(b) where jacked-in piles or driven piles or bored cast in-

place piles or barrettes are adopted —

(i) determine the site investigation including the extent

(which shall include the quantity, layout and

depth), method of sampling, coring and laboratory

tests results for the design and construction of the

piled foundation;

(ii) analyse the site investigation results and determine

the geotechnical parameters such as soil strength

and deformation characteristics, negative skin

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friction or downdrag, pile shaft friction, founding

depth, pile base resistance, pile group effects,

settlement, bearing capacity, and where

applicable, lateral geotechnical capacity; and

(iii) determine the load tests and analyse results of load

tests to ensure that the pile shaft friction, founding

depth, base resistance, pile movement, and other

appropriate geotechnical parameters are within

the design, and as appropriate, review or modify

the design so as to ensure its adequacy.

Supervision of Geotechnical Aspects BCR R24A(2)

5.11 Every Supervision QP(Geo) appointed to supervise the

geotechnical aspects of underground building works shall carry

out the following tasks:

TABLE 5.2 BCR Eight Schedule

DUTIES OF QUALIFIED PERSON SUPERVISING THE

GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF UNDERGROUND BUILDING

WORKS

1. In the supervision of geotechnical aspects of any

excavation or other building works to make a tunnel with a

diameter, width or height of more than 2 metres, the

supervising qualified person shall —

a) supervise the implementation of instrumentation and

monitoring of geotechnical parameters in accordance

with the instrumentation and monitoring plan; and

b) assess the ground conditions at the site and

construction of the tunnel in relation to its impact on the geotechnical aspect of the design and review the

performance and results of instrumentation and

monitoring of the tunnelling works such that the

geotechnical aspects are within the design at every

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critical stage.

2. In the supervision of geotechnical aspects of any

excavation or any building works for constructing, altering or

repairing any earth retaining structure including slope, in or

for a caisson, trench, ditch, shaft or well with a depth or

height of more than 6 metres, the supervising qualified

person shall —

a) supervise the implementation of instrumentation and

monitoring of geotechnical engineering parameters in

accordance with the instrumentation and monitoring

plan;

b) determine adequacy of the founding or penetration

depth of embedded earth-retaining wall on site; and

c) assess the ground conditions at the site and

construction of the earth retaining structure (including

earth slope) in relation to its impact on the

geotechnical aspect of the design and review the

performance and results of instrumentation and

monitoring of the earth retaining structure including

earth slope such that the geotechnical aspects are

within the design at every critical stage.

3. In the supervision of geotechnical aspects of such type of

foundation works for buildings of 30 or more storeys, the

supervising qualified person shall —

(a) where a caisson, raft or piled-raft foundation is adopted

—

(i) determine the founding or penetration depth of the

caisson, raft or piles on site; and

(ii) assess the ground conditions at the site and

construction of the caisson, raft or piled-raft

foundation in relation to its impact on the

geotechnical aspect of the design, analyse the

results of load tests, and review the performance and results of instrumentation and monitoring of the

caisson, raft or piled-raft foundation to verify that

the geotechnical aspects are within the design at

every critical stage; or

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(b) where jacked-in piles or driven piles or bored cast in-

place piles or barrettes are adopted —

(i) determine the founding or penetration depth of the

piles on site; and

(ii) assess the ground conditions at the site, analyse the

results of load tests, and review the performance and

results of instrumentation and monitoring of the piles to verify that the geotechnical aspects are within the

design at every critical stage.

Types of Plans for Underground Building Works BCR R10A

5.12 The Building Control Regulations prescribe the types of

plans that have to be submitted for underground building works. These are:

a) plans of tunnelling support system;

b) plans of excavation and earth retaining structures;

c) plans of foundation, and

d) instrumentation and monitoring plans.

BCR R10A(2)

5.13 All plans of underground building works shall –

a) be in accordance with the provisions of the Act and these

Regulations and any other requirement of the

Commissioner of Building Control;

b) be signed and endorsed by the Design QP who prepared

the plans and calculations, and by the appropriate AC;

c) bear a certificate by the Design QP who prepared the

plans on the first and last sheets of the calculations stating

that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the design

calculations have been prepared in accordance with

these Regulations and that he is the person who prepared

the design calculations;

d) state on the first page of the certificate by the Design QP

referred to in sub-paragraph (c) the number of pages per

book and a numbering of every page in the book;

e) be accompanied by an Information Sheet giving a

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summary of the key design and construction information

including, where applicable, load conditions, codes of

practice, assumptions, earth-retaining system, tunnel

support system, foundation system, and other information relevant to the design and construction in question;

f) be accompanied by impact assessment report on

neighbouring structures and site investigation report;

g) be accompanied by a geotechnical report which shall

contain:

i. a summary to highlight the key elements of the

design and the issues addressed;

ii. evaluation and interpretation of existing

information and investigation and monitoring

results;

iii. assessment of geotechnical parameters and

groundwater conditions;

iv. geotechnical assumptions, analysis, design and

calculations;

v. geotechnical requirements relating to the design

and construction of the underground building

works including testing, validating, controlling,

inspecting and monitoring;

vi. geotechnical reviews;

vii. any other details as the CBC may require; and

h) be accompanied by such other reports as the CBC may

require.

Plans of Tunnel Support Systems BCR R10A(3)

5.14 The plans of tunnel support system for the design and construction of tunnel with diameter, width or height of more

than 2 metres, shall contain where applicable –

a) layout, sections and details of all excavation and tunnel

support works showing –

i. subsurface information including plan showing layout of investigation boreholes and subsurface profile

along each tunnel axis;

ii. maximum depth, and extent of excavation at each

stage including heading, bench and invert;

iii. face pressure and other key performance indicators

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for ensuring stability of tunnel during construction;

iv. location of planned stoppages and necessary ground

improvement and monitoring details, and

v. profile and the nature of the site and its surrounds including ground topography, neighbouring

structures, subsurface geological and geotechnical

data, and groundwater conditions;

b) layout, sections, details and material specifications of

tunnel support elements and structures, tunnel face

support system and overall tunnel support system and

other structural elements showing types, sizes and material

specifications of members to be used and the connection

details;

c) layout, sections and details of earth or ground

strengthening, improvement or protection works including

layout, sections and sizes of all elements, material

specifications, details of inspections and tests to be carried

out;

d) method and sequence of construction including duration

and spatial limits of critical activities;

e) details of inspections and tests to be carried out;

f) details of any special precautions, groundwater control

measures, control and protective measures required

during excavation, installation and removal of any tunnel

support element;

g) other specifications and relevant particulars, and

h) such other details as the CBC may require.

Excavation and Earth-Retaining System Plans BCR R10A(4)

5.15 The excavation and earth retaining system plans for any

excavation or any building works for constructing, altering or

repairing any earth retaining structure (including slope) in or for a

caisson, cofferdam, trench, ditch, shaft or well for supporting

earth which has a depth of more than 6 metres shall contain

where applicable –

a) layout, sections and details of all excavation and earth

retaining works showing –

i. subsurface information including plan showing layout

of investigation boreholes and surface profile along

and across the excavation boundary;

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ii. maximum depth, and extent of excavation at each

stage, and

iii. profile and the nature of the site and its surrounds

including ground topography, neighbouring structures, subsurface geological and geotechnical

data, and groundwater conditions;

b) layout, sections, details and material specifications of

earth retaining elements and structures, wall elevation

showing the wall founding depth or penetration depth or

minimum wall embedment requirement, and overall

retaining system;

c) layout, sections and details of struts, anchors, soil nails,

walers, king posts, bracings, corbels and other structural

elements showing types, sizes and material specifications

of members to be used, connection details, and where

appropriate, inspections and tests to be carried out;

d) layout and sections of earth berms or slope showing type

of soils, size and location of berms, internal and external

drainage provisions and protection measures including

against surface weathering;

e) layout, sections and details of earth or ground

strengthening, improvement or protection works including

layout, sections and sizes of all elements, material

specifications, details of inspections and tests to be carried

out;

f) layout, sections and details of permanent support system

to the earth retaining system showing details of lateral

bracing element, and connection details;

g) method and sequence of construction including duration

and spatial limits of critical activities;

h) details of inspections and tests to be carried out;

i) details of any special precautions, groundwater control

measures, control and protective measures required

during excavation, and installation and removal of any

earth retaining element;

j) other specifications and relevant particulars, and k) such other details as the CBC may require.

Foundation Plans of Buildings with 30 Storeys or More BCR R10A(5)

5.16 The foundation plans for the design and construction of

foundation for buildings of 30 or more storeys shall contain, where

applicable –

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a) the layout, sections and details of all foundation works

showing –

i. types of piles or foundation and specification of

material to be used;

ii. location of piles or foundation and site investigation

boreholes;

iii. pile or foundation founding depth or pile minimum

embedment into competent stratum for each pile or

foundation;

iv. unit shaft friction, pile base resistance or foundation

bearing pressure;

v. allowable foundation capacity before and after

accounting for negative skin friction where

applicable, allowable tension, and lateral load;

vi. details of pile reinforcements, pile joints, connection

with pilecap, pile shops;

vii. allowable total and differential foundation

movement, and

viii. allowable vibration limit, and

b) the number, type of pile or foundation tests, structural

integrity tests and location of preliminary test pile or

ultimate load tests and site investigation for the tests.

Instrumentation and Monitoring Plans BCR R10A(6)

5.17 The instrumentation and monitoring plans shall contain

where applicable –

a) layout and location of neighbouring structures in relation

to the underground building works;

b) numbers, types, locations, details and other particulars of

instruments for monitoring forces and movement of

structural elements, building and ground movements, and

variations in the groundwater or piezometric levels;

c) frequency and duration of monitoring;

d) allowable ground or building movement limits;

e) allowable vibration limits;

f) where applicable, long-term instrumentation, monitoring

and maintenance requirements;

g) other specifications and relevant particulars, and

h) such other details as the CBC may require.

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Examples of Underground Building Works

5.18 The following are examples to illustrate what are regarded

as underground building works.

(A) EXCAVATION WORKS: SITE OR SLOPE FORMATION

FIGURE 5.1 Example A1


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72

(B) EXCAVATION WORKS: RETAINING WALLS

FIGURE 5.5 Example B1 (EARTH RETAINING SYSTEM)

FIGURE 5.6 Example B2 (BASEMENT IN SLOPING GROUND)

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FIGURE 5.7 Example B3 (BASEMENT CONSTRUCTION)

FIGURE 5.8 Example B4 (CONSTRUCTION OF BASEMENT

STRUCTURES)

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FIGURE 5.9 Example B5: (CONSTRUCTION OF BASEMENT

STRUCTURES)

(C) EARTH RETAINING STRUCTURES

FIGURE 5.10 Example C1: (RETAINING WALL)

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FIGURE 5.11 Example C2 (RETAINING WALL)

FIGURE 5.12 Example C3 (RETAINING STRUCTURES)

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FIGURE 5.13 Example C4 (RETAINING WALL)

FIGURE 5.14 Example C5 (ROAD ABUTMENT)

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(D) OTHER EXCAVATION WORKS

FIGURE 5.15 Example D1 (DRAINAGE WORKS)

FIGURE 5.16 Example D2 (SEWER PIPE)

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FIGURE 5.17 Example D3 (SEWER MANHOLE)

(E) EARTH FILLING WORKS AND SLOPES

FIGURE 5.18 Example E1 (EMBANKMENT OR DAM)

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FIGURE 5.19 Example E2 (CAISSON RETAINING WALL)

FIGURE 5.20 Example E3 (A&A OF EXISTING SLOPES)

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(F) TUNNELING WORKS

FIGURE 5.21 Example F1 (BORED TUNNEL)

FIGURE 5.22 Example F2 (CUT AND COVER TUNNEL)

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FIGURE 5.23 Example F3 (MINED TUNNEL)

(G) FOUNDATION WORKS

FIGURE 5.24 Example G1

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(H) MISCELLANEOUS

FIGURE 5.25 Example H1 (INSIGNIFICANT BUILDING WORKS WHERE

SEWER PIPE < 1 M DIAMETER)

FIGURE 5.26 Example H2 (NON BUILDING WORKS)

Underground water pipes, gas pipes and electrical cables are not

building works and excavations made for laying these pipes and

cables do not require submission under the Building Control Act.

***

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CHAPTER 6

LICENSING OF BUILDERS

This chapter is under construction, pending the completion of the

Building Control (Licensing of Builders) Regulations.

84


85

GLOSSARY

Act S2(1)

There are new definitions in the Building Control (Amendment)

Act 2007. Many of them are connected with the new provisions

introduced in the Act, like licensing of builders and requirements

for underground building works. Some are to make the meanings

of the terms used in the Act clearer. This chapter elaborates on the meanings of these definitions.

The following Table summarizes and explains all the new

definitions, arranged alphabetically.

NEW DEFINITIONS IN THE BUILDING CONTROL ACT

builder’s licence

One of the new provisions in the Act is that builders

have to be licensed to carry out building works. The

builder’s license is granted under Part VA of the Act.

There are two types of licence: the general builder’s

licence and the specialist builder’s licence. Details on

licensing of builders can be found in Chapter 6.

building

The Act elaborates on the term ‘building’ because the

provisions apply to more than the common meaning of a building. Under the Act, the term refers to any

permanent or temporary building or structure and it

includes the following:

a) a hut, shed or roofed enclosure

b) an earth retaining or stabilizing structure, whether

permanent or temporary (this includes the

temporary earth-retaining structures used to

support the sides of any excavation)

c) a dock, wharf or jetty

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d) a floating structure, not being a boat or vessel,

constructed or to be constructed on a flotation

system that –

i. is or is to be supported by water ii. is not intended for or useable in navigation

(boats or vessels used for navigation come

under the Maritime and Port Authority) and

iii. is or is to be permanently moored

e) a culvert, crossing, bridge, underpass or tunnel

f) a sewage treatment plant, sewer, drain, swimming

pool or any non-proprietary type of concrete tank

for the storage of any solid, liquid or gaseous product

g) a shelter provided under the Civil Defence Shelter

Act (Cap. 42A)

h) such other erection or structure (whether permanent

or temporary) as the Minister may, by order

published in the Gazette, declare to be a building.

building works

The provisions in the Act apply to building works and the

term refers to all of the following:

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 connected with or

carried out for the purpose of (a), (b) or (c) above.

developer

A developer, in relation to any building works, means

the person for whom or on whose behalf the building

works are carried out. It includes a housing developer as

defined in the Housing Developers (Control and

Licensing) Act as well as a home owner who –

a) builds on his own, or engages others to build, any

building for his own use or for any other purposes

and

b) carries out, or engages others to carry out, any

building works.

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earth retaining structure

This term refers to any structure, structural system or

other means used to maintain the shape of an

excavation in the ground during construction, earth

filling or cutting. It includes all earth retaining structures,

whether the structure is to be removed after

construction or left in place as part of a permanent

structure.

general building works

This term refers to any building works except those works

that are defined as specialist building works.

geotechnical aspects

For underground building works, there are special

requirements relating to the geotechnical aspects of

the works. The Act defines the term to mean:

a) an analysis of the geological structure and earth

materials of the site of the underground building

works and its influence on the underground

building works

b) an analysis of the groundwater regime and its

influence on the wall stability and integrity of the

underground building works over time and

c) such other applications of earth sciences to and

engineering aspects of the underground building

works as may be prescribed.

See Chapter 5 for details on these works.

geotechnical engineer

In the Act, this term refers to a professional engineer

who is registered under the Professional Engineers Act

(Cap. 253) as a specialist professional engineer in the

specialized branch of geotechnical engineering. He is

commonly referred to as the PE (Geo) by the industry.

insignificant building works

This term is used in the Act to refer to building works

given in the First Schedule of the Building Control

Regulations (see Schedule A). Insignificant building

works may be carried out without any approval of plans

or permit from the Commissioner of Building Control.

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key structural elements

This term refers to the foundations, columns, beams,

shear cores, structural walls, struts, ground anchors and

such other parts of a building which are essential for its

support and overall structural stability.

large building works

Large building works are those that have a value of more than $5 million. For such works, the Act requires

qualified site supervisors to be appointed to carry out

full-time supervision of the structural works.

limited liability partnership

A limited liability partnership is a body corporate which

is formed by being registered under the Limited Liability

Partnerships Act (Cap. 163A) and which has legal

personality separate from that of its partners. This term has the same meaning as that given in section 2(1) of

the Limited Liability Partnerships Act (Cap. 163A). This

term is used in conjunction with the licensing of builders.

major building works

The Act uses this term to refer to those works that require

an accredited checker to check the structural plans

and design calculations. This applies to all works except

minor building works. However, if there are underground

building works, a specialist accredited checker is

required to check the geotechnical aspects of those

underground building works, irrespective of whether the

works are major or minor.

minor building works

This term refers to those building works that do not

require checking of the structural plans by an

accredited checker. Minor building works are given in

the Fourth Schedule of the Building Control Regulations (see Schedule B). All underground building works are

not considered as minor building works, hence the

geotechnical aspects of these underground building

works require checking by a specialist accredited

checker.

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person responsible

This term is used in the Act in relation to an exterior

feature of a building. It generally means the owner of

the building which the exterior feature is installed on,

forms part of or projects outwards from. Exceptions to

this general meaning are summarized in Table below.

Description Person Responsible is

a) Except for a window, grille or

shutter that is part of a flat,

where the exterior feature is

part of the common property

of any housing estate of the

Housing and Development

Board

either the Housing and

Development Board or

the Town Council

established under the

Town Councils Act (Cap.

329A) for that housing

estate, as the Minister shall designate for that

exterior feature

b) Except for a window, grille or

shutter that is part of a flat,

where the exterior feature is

part of the common property

or limited common property of

any other land (whether or not

comprised in a strata title plan)

the owner thereof

c) Where the exterior feature is

a window, grille or shutter that

is part of a flat in any housing

estate of the Housing and

Development Board

the owner of the flat as

defined in the Housing

and Development Act

(Cap. 129)

d) Where the exterior feature is

a window, grille or shutter that

is part of a flat not in any

housing estate of the Housing

and Development Board

the owner of that flat

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qualified site supervisor

This term refers to a person appointed (whether alone or

as a member of a team of qualified site supervisors) to

act as a qualified site supervisor under section 10 of the

Act.

small-scale building works

Small-scale building works are those where the value of the building works does not exceed $5 million. The

carrying out of structural works in small-scale building

works requires only immediate supervision (not full-time)

by an appropriate qualified person, a resident engineer

or a resident technical officer.

specialist accredited checker

This term refers to an accredited checker who is

registered to undertake duties required for the geotechnical aspects of underground building works.

He is commonly referred to as the AC (Geo) by the

industry.

specialist builder

The term refers to any person who is licensed as a

specialist builder under Part VA of the Act. There are six

types of specialist building works. Each type can only be

carried out by a specialist builder licensed in that

particular specialist work.

specialist building works

This term refers to any of the following six types of

building works. Each category of works can only be

carried out by a specialist builder licensed in that

particular category.

(1) Piling Works

Specialist building works comprising installation and

testing of pre-cast reinforced concrete or pre-

stressed concrete piles, steel piles, bored cast-in-

place reinforced concrete piles, caissons and

special pile types like micro-piles, barrettes piles and

composite piles, embedded retaining wall piles like

diaphragm walls, contiguous bored piles or secant

piles.

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(2) Ground Support and Stabilization Works

Specialist building works that include installation and

testing of ground anchors, soil nails, rock bolts,

ground treatment like chemical grouting and jet-

grouting, reinforced-earth, shotcreting and tunnel

supports.

(3) Site Investigation Works

Specialist building works comprising field

investigations, exploratory drilling or boring, logging,

sampling, coring, in-situ plate-loading tests, pressure

meter tests, penetration tests, vane shear tests,

probing tests, permeability tests, geological mapping

and geophysical surveys, and installation and

monitoring of instruments measuring forces,

deformation, displacements, pore and earth

pressures, and ground-water levels.

(4) Structural Steelworks

Specialist building works comprising the fabrication

of structural elements, erection work like site cutting,

site welding and site bolting, and installation of steel

supports for underground building works.

(5) Pre-cast Concrete Works

Specialist building works comprising fabrication of

pre-cast structural elements.

(6) In-situ Post-tensioning Works

Specialist building works comprising the setting out of

tendon profiles, laying of conduits, anchorages and

bursting reinforcement, pulling or stressing of cables,

pressure grouting of conduits.

structural elements

This term refers to those parts or elements of a building

that resist forces and moments, and includes

foundations, beams, columns, shear cores, structural

walls, struts, ground anchors, slabs, trusses, staircases,

load bearing walls and all other elements designed to

resist forces and moments. The term specifically

excludes doors, windows and non-load bearing walls.

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temporary building

A temporary building is any building or structure that is:

a) constructed of short-lived materials, or

b) permitted by the competent authority or

Commissioner of Building Control to be used for a

period not exceeding 36 months, or such other

period as may be prescribed (if prescribed) in the

building regulations.

The Act specifically excludes from this definition any

bridge, decking for a bridge, or any earth retaining

structure.

Building works for a temporary building, and its

occupation, are exempted from Part II of the Act.

Instead, the construction and occupation of a

temporary building need to comply only with the

Building Control (Temporary Buildings) Regulations,

which involves applying for a permit to erect a

temporary building.

underground building works

This term refers to any of the following building works:


i. a tunnel with a diameter, width or height of

more than 2 metres

ii. a caisson, cofferdam, trench, ditch, shaft or

well with a depth of more than 6 metres

b) any building works for constructing, altering or

repairing any earth retaining structure in or for a

trench, ditch, shaft or well with a depth or height of

more than 6 metres, or

c) such type of foundation works as the Minister may

prescribe in the building regulations for buildings of

30 or more storeys (The Minister has prescribed all

types of foundation works applicable).

A geotechnical engineer and a specialist accredited

checker have to be appointed to undertake duties

relating to the geotechnical aspects of underground

building works.

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value of building works

This term has different meanings for two types of

building works as follows:

a) for underground building works, the value is the

total cost to be expended in carrying out those

underground building works, estimated at the time

of, and contained in, the application under section

5 of the Act for approval of the plans of those

building works, including any goods and services

tax payable in relation to the supply of the work.

b) for any other building works, the value is the total

cost to be expended in carrying out the building

works (including the foundations, basements,

structural frame, finishes and the installation of

building services) estimated at the time of, and

contained in, the application under section 5 of

the Act for approval of the plans of the building

works, including any goods and services tax

payable in relation to the supply of the work.

Essentially, the term refers to the estimated total cost to be expended in carrying out the building works in

question. In the case where only underground building

works are considered, then the estimated cost is limited

to that cost required for carrying out the underground

building works alone.

This term is relevant as a measure for compliance to

several provisions in the Act, such as appointment of accredited checkers and accredited checking

organisations, and fixing the minimum number of

qualified site supervisors required in the supervision

team.

EXAMPLE

As an example, the value of building works is used to

compute the minimum number of qualified site

supervisors a qualified person or QP has to appoint for

the structural works under his charge.

Let’s take a case of a building project where the total

cost is, say $100 million, inclusive of the total cost of the

underground building works of $30 million. If an

appropriate qualified person is appointed for all aspects

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(i.e. the structural as well as the geotechnical aspects)

of the underground building works, he will appoint

qualified site supervisors based on the value of $30

million. The qualified person appointed for the rest of the structural works will appoint qualified site supervisors

based on $70 million.

If two qualified persons are appointed for the

underground building works, i.e. one for the structural

aspects and another for the geotechnical aspects, the

$30 million value will have to be appropriately

apportioned between them to compute their

respective number of qualified site supervisors to

appoint.

The example is based on the arrangement that the

various QPs wishes to make their own appointments of

qualified site supervisors. However, the Commissioner of

Building Control will deem that the supervision team

requirements are complied with if the prescribed

number of qualified site supervisors based on the total

cost of the building works has been appointed and the

supervision of the various relevant aspects of the

building works are done by the appointed team. This

means that as long as the supervision team based on

the total value of works has been appointed, all aspects

of the works in the project may be supervised by this team, even though there may be different QPs for

various aspects of the building works in the project.

***

95

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE A

INSIGNIFICANT BUILDING WORKS The First Schedule of the Building Control Regulations

BUILDING WORKS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF

PLANS AND PERMIT

1. Building works carried out for or in connection with—

(a) site formation works involving any excavation or

filling not exceeding 1,500mm in depth or height

(b) any trenches for the purpose of laying sewers not

exceeding 1,000 millimetres in diameter in

conjunction with any public sewerage system

(c) any boundary wall, boundary fence or gate

(d) any awning, windowhood or cantilevered roof

constructed of glazed or clay tiles, and having a

projection not exceeding 1,400 mm

(e) any awning, windowhood or cantilevered roof

constructed of lightweight material, and having

a horizontal projection not exceeding 3,000 mm

(f) any single storey trellis, pergola, shelter, gazebo

and the like

(g) any canal or drain not exceeding 1,500 mm in

depth

(h) any box culvert with a span not exceeding 5,000

mm and a depth not exceeding 1,500 mm

(i) any stall or shed of lightweight material within

any premises used for the purpose of holding a

trade fair, fun fair or any exhibition

(j) any pipe rack or support not exceeding 2,000

mm in height

(k) any height restriction gantry

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SCHEDULE A

(l) any concrete or brick vault used for housing

underground tanks

(m) any plinth, platform or other base with a visible

height not exceeding 1,000 mm from the ground

level and erected for the purpose of supporting

any mechanical plant, tank, equipment,

machinery or other components (other than a

building)

(n) the enclosing of a balcony, yard or terrace with

windows and glass panels in residential buildings

(o) the creation of any opening in a non-load

bearing wall or the sealing up of any wall

opening, or

(p) the demolition, restoration or reinstatement of

any non-load bearing wall

(q) any retaining wall or earth retaining structure that

is constructed with structural steel or reinforced

concrete and with a visible height of not more

than 1,500 millimetres, or any other retaining wall

or earth retaining structure with a visible height of

not more than 1,000 millimetres.

2. Replacement or changing of windows and doors

3. Replacement of existing floor and wall finishes

4. Replacement or changing of any false ceiling with

lightweight material

5. One to one replacement of timber roof and roof

covering

6. Erection or alteration of —

(a) any partition or partition wall in any bungalow,

semi-detached, terrace or linked house, or

(b) any partition or partition wall constructed of

lightweight material in any other building

7. Construction of any raised floor or the topping up of

balconies, and the like, with lightweight materials

8. Erection of any single storey detached booth, kiosk,

guardhouse, bin centre, and the like, not exceeding an

area of 10 square metres

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SCHEDULE A

9. Installation of any roller shutter or grilled door

10. 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)

11. Erection of any single storey shed or hut not exceeding

an area of 10 square metres for housing fuel tanks,

mechanical or electrical equipment

12. All air-conditioning works

13. Nothing in this Schedule shall exempt any person from

complying with the requirements of any other written

law

14. In this Schedule —

"lightweight material" means —

(a) any sheet or board material such as timber board,

plywood, fibreboard, plasterboard, aluminium sheet, corrugated metal sheet or polycarbonate

sheet

(b) any concrete product made with lightweight

aggregates such as pumice, perlite or vermiculite,

or

(c) any hollow concrete block, hollow glass block,

autoclaved aerated concrete block and the like

"non-load bearing wall" means a wall which supports

no load other than its own weight

"partition" means a temporary or easily removable

vertical panel of lightweight construction for the

subdivision of spaces within a building.

98

SCHEDULE B

MINOR BUILDING WORKS The Fourth Schedule of the Building Control Regulations

BUILDING WORKS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE THE CERTIFICATE OF

AN ACCREDITED CHECKER

1. Building works for or in connection with –

(a) detached houses, semi-detached houses, terraced

or linked houses for residential purposes not exceeding 3 storeys

(b) detached substations not exceeding 2 storeys,

detached bin centres, detached guard houses and

the like

(c) retaining walls and earth stabilizing structures not

exceeding a visible height of 4m

(d) shophouses not exceeding 2 storeys (where attic or

basement floor exceeding an area of 100 m2 shall

be considered as a storey)

(e) single storey buildings, sheds and the like where the

span of beams or roof trusses is not more than 6m

and the floor area is not more than 150 m2

(f) underground tank, swimming pool and the like not

exceeding a depth of 4m

(g) single storey covered walkway, car parking shed

and the like where the span of the beams or roof

trusses is not more than 6m or the span of any

cantilever is not more than 3m

(h) box culverts, canal crossings or link bridges with

spans not exceeding 5m

(i) chimneys, lighting masts and the like not exceeding

20m in height

(j) foundation for above ground tank structure where

the length, width or diameter of the foundation

does not exceed 6m

(k) foundation for gantry cranes with capacity not

exceeding 3 tonnes and the span between supports

not exceeding 6m in any direction

99

SCHEDULE C

SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE The Third Schedule of the Building Control Regulations

No qualified person shall prepare or sign the plans of building works

(a) for any of the projects listed in Part I unless he is a

professional engineer

(b) for any of the projects listed in Part II unless he is a

professional engineer or an architect except that for

structural components and works relating to such

projects, the structural plans shall be prepared by a

professional engineer, and

(c) for any other project not listed in Parts I and II unless he

is an architect except that for structural components

and works relating to such projects, the structural

plans shall be prepared by a professional engineer

PART I

(a) Airport runways, taxiways and aprons

(b) Bridges, causeways, tunnels and underpasses

(c) Bulk handling complexes

(d) Chimneys

(e) Claddings and curtain walls

(f) Crane gantries

(g) Concrete tanks

(h) Culverts

(i) Dry docks, jetties, quays, slipways, harbours, wharves

and marine structures

(j) Retaining wall and stabilizing earth structures

(k) Site formation works, foundations and plinths

(l) Transmission towers

PART II

(a) Alterations, additions and extensions to detached, semi-

detached and terraced houses

(b) Alterations and additions within existing buildings which do

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SCHEDULE C

not affect the building envelope

(c) Bus depots and train depots

(d) Cable car stations and towers

(e) Electric substations

(f) Power stations

(g) Grandstands and sports stadium

(h) Helicopter ports

(i) Industrial buildings

(j) Marinas

(k) Petrol service stations

(l) Pumping stations

(m) Satellite tracking stations

(n) Shipyards

(o) Silos

(p) Swimming pools

(q) Warehouses and godowns

(r) Pedestrian overhead bridges

(s) Farm structures

101

SCHEDULE D

TASKS THAT MUST BE CARRIED OUT BY

ACCREDITED CHECKERS The Second Schedule of the Building Control (Accredited and

Accredited Checking Organisations) Regulations

The accredited checker in relation to any plans of building

works (but not the geotechnical aspects of any

underground building works comprised in those building

works) shall —

a) determine and use the Code of Practice adopted in

the preparation of the structural design in the plans

of building works

b) check the design loadings and, where applicable,

wind loading

c) ascertain the design assumptions and limitations of

the computer program used in the analysis of the

structural design

d) use appropriate engineering information and

models in the analysis for the structural design

e) check the standards and specifications of materials

to be used in the building works

f) ascertain the structural design concept used and

identify the key structural elements

g) determine the stability and robustness of the

structural system, including considerations for lateral

loads, lateral ties, bracings and lateral transfer of

loads

h) analyse all key structural elements and the

foundation system of the building to be erected or

affected by building works carried out in

accordance with the plans of building works

i) analyse all piles used in foundations, including

considerations for structural capacity, geotechnical

capacity, lateral load effects, uplift effects, pile

group effects, differential settlement of supporting

structures, negative skin friction effects and pile joint

capacities

j) analyse all earth retaining structures, including

considerations for surcharge loads, overburden

102

SCHEDULE D

pressure and water pressure

k) analyse all columns and vertical key structural

elements, including considerations for axial loads,

lateral loads and bending moments

l) analyse all long span steel trusses and long span

beams, including considerations for lateral stability

and torsional capacity

m) analyse all transfer beams, including considerations for torsional capacity, lateral stability and the effects

of the structural frames to which they are

connected

n) analyse all joint connections, including connections

between structural elements and between the

structural element and its supports

o) check the structural detailing in drawings and

ensure that these are consistent with the design

calculations and

p) determine the adequacy of other aspects of the

design which are peculiar to the building to be

erected or affected by the building works and

which are essential to the structural integrity of the

building.

103

SCHEDULE E

TASKS THAT MUST BE CARRIED OUT BY SPECIALIST

ACCREDITED CHECKERS The Third Schedule of the Building Control (Accredited and

Accredited Checking Organisations) Regulations

The specialist accredited checker in relation to the

geotechnical aspects of any underground building works shall

—

(a) in respect of any excavation or other building works to

construct a tunnel with a diameter, width or height of more

than 2 metres —

(i) review the adequacy of the site investigation,

namely type, extent (which shall include quantity,

location and depth) and laboratory tests results

relating to the design and construction of the

tunnel;

(ii) review the site investigation results and the

geotechnical parameters for the design, taking into

consideration onerous water conditions, seepage

pressures, surcharge, earth, water, construction and

accidental loadings;

(iii) review the method or model adopted for the

analysis and design including the consideration of

drained, undrained and consolidation analyses,

and appropriate drainage conditions;

(iv) review the suitability of tunnelling methods,

sequence of construction and tunnel support

systems (including face pressures and ground

support systems) to be applied;

(v) review allowable limits of ground deformation and

changes in groundwater and piezometric levels,

and measures to control groundwater where

required;

(vi) review the stability of excavation and ground

stabilization or improvement works as appropriate;

(vii) review soil or rock reinforcement, where applicable,

including the consideration of the structural and

geotechnical capacity;

(viii) review the adequacy of instrumentation and

104

SCHEDULE E

monitoring of geotechnical engineering

parameters (such as tunnel face pressures, pore

pressures, water table level, ground deformation

and stresses), including the consideration of

location, type and number of instruments, and

frequency of monitoring and reporting; and

(ix) review the instrumentation and monitoring results,

and performance, and ground conditions at the

site to ensure that there is no inadequacy in the

geotechnical aspects during construction if carried

out in accordance with the plans of the

underground building works;

(b) in respect of any excavation or any building works for

constructing, altering or repairing any earth retaining structure

(including earth slopes) in or for a caisson, cofferdam, trench,

ditch, shaft or well with a depth of more than 6 metres —

(x) review the adequacy of the site investigation,

namely type, extent (which shall include quantity,

layout and depth) and laboratory tests results

relating to the design and construction of the earth

retaining structure (including earth slopes);

(xi) review the site investigation results and the

geotechnical parameters for the design of the

earth retaining structure, including consideration of onerous water conditions, seepage pressures,

surcharge, earth, water, construction and

accidental loadings;

(xii) review the method or model adopted for the

analysis and design, including the consideration of

drained, undrained and consolidation analyses,

and appropriate drainage conditions;

(xiii) review the suitability of earth retaining structure

types and scheme, and the method and sequence

of construction to be applied;

(xiv) review the stability of the excavation work, taking into consideration groundwater, drainage and

seepage conditions, basal heave, hydraulic uplift

and piping, and any ground stabilization or

improvement works as appropriate;

(xv) review allowable limits of ground deformation and

105

SCHEDULE E

changes in groundwater and piezometric levels,

and measures to control groundwater where

required;

(xvi) review the design of tie-backs, soil or rock

reinforcement, where applicable, including the

consideration of the structural and geotechnical

capacity;

(xvii) review the instrumentation and monitoring of geotechnical engineering parameters (such as

pore pressures, water table levels, ground

deformation and stresses), including the

consideration of location, type and number of

instruments, and frequency of monitoring and

reporting;

(xviii) review the instrumentation and monitoring results

and performance of the earth retaining structure

(including any earth slope), and ground conditions

at the site to ensure that there is no inadequacy in the geotechnical aspects during construction if

carried out in accordance with the plans of the

underground building works; and

(xix) review the adequacy of the founding or

penetration depth of any embedded earth-

retaining wall;

(c) in respect of such type of foundation works for buildings of

30 or more storeys —

(i) where caissons, rafts or piled-raft foundation are adopted —

(A) review the adequacy of the site investigation, namely

type, extent (which shall include quantity, layout and

depth) and laboratory tests results relating to the design

and construction of the caisson, raft or piled-raft foundation;

(B) review the site investigation results and the

geotechnical parameters (such as soil strength and deformation characteristics, pile shaft friction,

downdrag, pile base resistance or bearing pressures

and pile lateral geotechnical capacity) for the design of

the foundation, taking into consideration the onerous

water conditions, seepage pressures, and loads from

106

SCHEDULE E

surcharge, earth, water and construction;

(C) review the method or model adopted for the analysis

and design, including the consideration of drained,

undrained and consolidation analyses, and appropriate

drainage conditions;

(D) review the adequacy of the foundation type and the

method of construction to be applied;

(E) where applicable, review the negative shaft friction;

(F) review the stability of excavation for the caisson or raft

during construction, taking into consideration

groundwater, drainage and seepage conditions, basal

heave, hydraulic uplift and piping, and any ground

stabilization or improvement works as appropriate;

(G) review the forces and deformation of the raft or pile-raft

foundation and stability of the foundation, including the

consideration of short-term and long-term conditions;

(H) review the results of load tests to ensure that pile shaft

friction, base resistance, pile movement and other

appropriate geotechnical parameters are consistent

with the design;

(I) review allowable limits for foundation movement;

(J) review the adequacy of the founding or penetration

depth to ensure that the geotechnical aspects are within the design; and

(K) review the ground conditions at site and test results for

the design and construction of the caisson, raft or piled-

raft foundation to ensure that there is no inadequacy in

the geotechnical aspects if carried out in accordance

with the plans of the underground building works;

(ii) where jacked-in piles or driven piles or bored cast in-place

piles or barrettes are adopted —

(A) review the adequacy of the site investigation including

the extent (which shall include the quantity, layout and

depth) and laboratory tests results relating to the design

and construction of the piled foundation;

(B) review the site investigation results and the geotechnical

parameters, such as soil strength and deformation

characteristics, negative skin friction or downdrag, pile

shaft friction, founding depth, pile base resistance, pile

107

SCHEDULE E

group effects, settlement, bearing capacity, and where

applicable, lateral geotechnical capacity;

(C) review the load tests results to ensure that the pile shaft

friction, founding depth, base resistance, pile

movement, and other appropriate geotechnical

parameters are within the design;

(D) review the adequacy of founding or penetration depth

of piles; and

(E) review the ground conditions at site and test results for

the design and construction of the piled foundation with

a view to determining whether there is any inadequacy

in the geotechnical aspects if carried out in

accordance with the plans of the underground building

works.

108


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Guide to BC Changes 07 08