The Buildings Department has proposed new guidelines on floor numbering and revised a practice note which details the numbering system.

In view of recent public concern over floor numbering in buildings, the department reviewed the existing Practice Note for Authorised Persons, Registered Structural Engineers & Registered Geotechnical Engineers.

After discussions with stakeholders, a consensus was reached on a floor-numbering system. Under it, all floors of a building should be assigned numbers in a logical and consecutive numerical series.

However, it is recognised the omission of floor numbers "4", "13" and those ending with a "4" has been adopted widely in buildings in Hong Kong.

Acceptable omission

To strike a balance, it is proposed the omission of 4, 13 and those ending with a 4 may be accepted. Except for this type of acceptable omission, assigning floor numbers with other omissions will not be allowed.

Under the new guidelines, the use of non-numerical names (unless indicated together with the normal floor numbers, e.g. 20/F Sky Garden), alias names, alternative floor numbers (e.g. in the form of "also known as X/F"), illogical or non-consecutive numbers, will not be accepted for assigning floor numbers.

When submitting building plans for approval, the numbering of each floor must be clearly and unequivocally indicated on the plans. If government departments consider the floor numbers of the building as shown on the plans are not arranged in a logical sequence or the numbering arrangement may cause confusion, the applicant will be advised to amend the plans.

The department will apply the new guidelines on floor numbering to new development projects where an application for occupation permit was submitted on or after September 1.