Hong Kong Regulations

BUILDING (VENTILATING SYSTEMS) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 4

Requirements with respect to ventilating systems

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2) of this regulation and in regulation 7,
every ventilating system, to which these regulations apply, shall comply with
the following provisions-

   (a)  all moving parts thereof shall be securely fenced;

   (b)  every part thereof shall be accessible for the purposes of inspection,
        and, in particular-

        (i)    the spindle of every fan shall be so sited that its guard may
               be removed and a tachometer applied thereto; and

        (ii)   every air intake and exhaust shall be accessible for the
               purposes of measurement;

   (c)  no air intake for the ventilating system shall be sited in any place-

        (i)    which in the opinion of the Director constitutes a fire hazard;
               or

        (ii)   where waste or rubbish is likely to accumulate;

   (d)  the opening of every air intake shall be fitted with a screen
        constructed of corrosion-resistant material having a mesh not greater
        than 12 mm; (L.N. 294 of 1976)

   (e)  every duct shall-

        (i)    be wholly constructed of non-combustible material having a
               strength and durability not less than that of galvanized
               sheet-iron or steel;

        (ii)   be accessible for the purposes of cleaning throughout its
               entire length;

        (iii)  where its size is sufficient to allow any person to enter
               therein, be fitted with access openings to allow a person to
               enter the same and shall be constructed to bear the weight of
               any person who has so entered;

        (iv)   at the point where it passes through any floor, wall or
               ceiling, be fitted with a damper which shall be operated by
               fusible links of a type approved by the Director, and designed
               to operate up to a temperature of 69 degrees Celsius, and be so
               constructed or protected as to resist the action of fire for a
               period not less than the period for which the floor, wall or
               ceiling through which it passes is designed to resist the
               action of fire; (L.N. 294 of 1976; L.N. 235 of 1982)

   (f)  no duct shall serve more than one building;

   (g)  every filter shall be wholly constructed of non-combustible material,
        other than steel wool; and

   (h)  every electrostatic filter or precipitator shall be of a type approved
        by the Director.

(2) Where he thinks fit and subject to such conditions as he may specify, the
Director may by notice in writing exempt any ventilating system in respect of
which application in writing in that behalf is made from compliance with all
or any of the provisions of paragraph (1).