Hong Kong Regulations

EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ROAD TUNNEL REGULATIONS - REGULATION 3

Road Company's obligations

(Past version on 01/01/1998).
(Past version on 01/07/1997).
(Past version on 30/06/1997).

(1) The Road Company shall, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner-

   (a)  erect and maintain adequate and efficient traffic signs, and place and
        maintain adequate and efficient road markings, in the road tunnel
        area;

   (b)  provide and maintain a control centre which shall-

        (i)    be situated at the northern entrance to the road tunnel;

        (ii)   contain adequate equipment for the regulation, control,
               restriction and guidance of vehicles and persons using or
               employed in the road tunnel area;

        (iii)  be manned at all times by persons fully trained in the use of
               equipment provided for the purposes mentioned in subparagraph
               (ii);

   (c)  ensure that direct telecommunications links are available at all times
        between the control centre and- (36 of 2000 s. 28)

        (i)    a regional command and control centre of the Hong Kong Police
               Force; and (L.N. 362 of 1997)

        (ii)   the Communication Centre of the Government Fire Services
               Department;

   (d)  maintain in efficient working order the emergency communication system
        provided in the road tunnel for officers of the Government Fire
        Services Department to communicate with the Communication Centre of
        that department;

   (e)  provide service vehicles suitable for dealing with vehicular
        breakdowns, accidents and obstruction in the lanes;

   (f)  ensure that-

        (i)    an adequate number of the vehicles referred to in paragraph (e)
               is manned and maintained at all times in a state of readiness;
               and

        (ii)   while any such vehicle is present in a lane, a 2-way radio link
               is available between the vehicle and the control centre;

   (g)  ensure that-

        (i)    the concentration of carbon monoxide gas in the road tunnel
               does not during any 5-minute period exceed an average of 100
               parts per million by volume;

        (ii)   the concentration of nitrogen dioxide gas in the road tunnel
               does not during any 5-minute period exceed an average of 1 part
               per million by volume;

        (iii)  the visibility in the road tunnel does not during any 5-minute
               period exceed an extinction coefficient of 0.005 per metre;
               (104 of 1997 s. 2)

   (h)  provide equipment for the continuous measurement and recording, of the
        concentration of carbon monoxide gas in the road tunnel and for visual
        and audible alarm warnings to be given in the control centre if the
        concentration exceeds the level specified in paragraph (g);

   (i)  provide equipment for the continuous measurement and recording of
        petrol vapour in the sump at the lowest point of the road tunnel;

   (j)  ensure that the equipment referred to in paragraph (i) will give
        visual and audible alarm warnings if the concentration of petrol
        vapour exceeds 0.35%;

   (k)  provide fire extinguishing equipment in the sump at the lowest point
        of the road tunnel, which equipment shall come into operation
        automatically if the concentration of petrol vapour exceeds 0.8%;

   (l)  provide adequate and efficient illumination within the road tunnel
        area;

   (m)  ensure that the illumination referred to in paragraph (l) is varied
        having regard to the volume of traffic using the tunnel and the light
        conditions outside the road tunnel;

   (n)  maintain in efficient working order an emergency power supply for use
        in the road tunnel by the Government Fire Services Department;

   (o)  provide for 2 independent outside sources of electric power so that,
        if there is failure of one source, adequate electric power continues
        to be available for the full operation of the facilities of the road
        tunnel area;

   (p)  in addition to the requirement mentioned in paragraph (o), maintain in
        a state of readiness at all times electricity generating apparatus
        which, in the event of failure of the outside sources of electric
        power, will be sufficient to operate such emergency systems and
        equipment in the road tunnel area as may from time to time be
        specified in writing by the Commissioner;

   (q)  provide an adequate system of ventilation for the safety of persons
        using or employed in the road tunnel area;

   (r)  keep the road tunnel area in a clean and orderly condition;

   (s)  provide and maintain adequate first aid equipment.

(2) The Road Company shall, to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire
Services, provide adequate and efficient fire service installations and
equipment in the road tunnel area.

(3) The Road Company shall ensure that any diversion or interruption of
traffic within the road tunnel area that may affect the flow of traffic
outside that area is reported without delay to a regional command and
control centre of the Hong Kong Police Force and to an officer designated by
the Commissioner. (L.N. 362 of 1997) (Enacted 1989)