MBIS & MWIS Although August is a popular time slot for summer vacation, BSD is busy in following up the proposed Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS) and Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme (MWIS). In last issue of Surveying Times, a copy of our comments on the Building (Amendments) Bill 2010 has been included. Further to our submission to the Bill Reviewing Panel under Legislative Council, Vincent Ho, Kenny Tse and I met the Chairman of the Panel, Professor Patrick Lau on 10 August to elaborate our comments point by point. Our comments were well received by Professor Lau and we look forward to receiving responses from the administration before finalization of the Bill. Moreover, the working group being led by Kenny Tse with representatives from other divisions is busy in preparation of comments on the draft Code of Practice for the MBIS and MWIS after receiving responses from the BD on our previous submissions of comments. It is still a long road for this issue to be settled. Building Surveyors Conference 2010 This year’s conference will be held on 23 October 2010 (Saturday) at Harbour Grand Kowloon Hotel in Hunghom. The main theme of our conference will be on maintenance aspects. The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has confirmed to be our Guest of Honour. Building Surveyors whether working in maintenance field or not should try your best to attend. I can assure you to have sharings from fellow surveyors and practitioners regarding their invaluable experience in building maintenance in different types of buildings and the latest development on maintenance technologies. Proposed amendments of the Constitution and Bye-Laws for the APC/ATC Reform Members may be aware that the Board of Education has initiated a reform exercise on the current APC/ATC system. Their proposal to amend the Constitution and Bye-Laws for the APC/ATC Reform has been submitted to and discussed in the General Council last month. According to the proposal, the current arrangement under the ATC and APC will be combined and an Associated Member Grade of membership will be formed to replace the current Technical Grade Membership. Divisional councils were invited to vote on the abbreviation between AMHKIS and AssoHKIS. Majority of the BSD Council Members preferred AMHKIS. BEAM Pro Training and Examination After formation of Hong Kong Green Building Council, joint effort with the BEAM Society was made to promote the training of green building professionals. Building Surveyors are encouraged to join the training course, take the examination and register as BEAM Pro. You can find details of BEAM Pro on the following website: http://www.hkgbc.org.hk/eng/beampro.aspx Comments on Draft Code of Practice on Fire Safety of Buildings The BD invited our representatives in the Authorized Person Structural Engineer Committee to comment on the draft code of practice. Meanwhile our Technical Advisory Panel is studying and preparing for comments. Working Group for Revamp of HKIS Library The Administrative Committee of the Institute has invited divisions to participate in the Working Group. Our Council Member, Ms Caskie Hung will represent the BSD to join the working group. If you have any brilliant ideas to revamp the HKIS Library, please convey your message through Caskie.