### Building (Planning) Regulations 《建築物(規劃)規例》

39. Staircases
(1) Every building which exceeds 1 storey in height shall be provided with a staircase or staircases to give access to upper floors unless there is separate access to such upper floors.
(2) The main staircase of every building which exceeds 4 storeys in height shall be continued to the roof of the building unless a secondary staircase of fire escape is provided.
(3) The main staircase of every building which exceeds 1 storey in height shall—
(a) have a clear height of not less than 2 m;
(b) have a clear width of not less than 900 mm;
(c) be constructed with treads not less than 225 mm in width (measured at the centre of the flight) from the face of one riser to the face the next riser and with risers not exceeding 175 mm in height;
(d) have not more than 16 steps in any flight without the introduction of a landing; 
(e) be provided on one or both sides with properly fixed handrails which, in section, shall be—
(i) if tubular, not less than 38 mm and not greater than 50 mm in external diameter;
(ii) if rectangular, not less than 40 mm and not more than 50 mm wide with an overall depth, or depth to a deep groove, of not more than 50 mm;
(iii) in any other case, such as to afford to the user thereto a grip analogous to that specified in the case of either tubular or rectangular handrails, whichever may be the more appropriate having regard to the shape of the section; (L.N. 365 of 1984; E.R. 5 of 2020)
(f) be so arranged as to provide access to a street or to an open space leading thereto; and
(g) if continued to the roof of the building as a means of escape in case of fire be provided with a door at this level, such door to be glazed in the upper panels. (L.N. 294 of 1976)

40. Staircases in buildings intended for separate occupation
In any building intended for separate occupation by more than 2 tenants, the staircase intended for common use shall be provided with adequate natural lighting at each storey above the ground floor and be ventilated at least at its highest point.
(L.N. 439 of 1990)

### Building (Planning) Regulations 《建築物(規劃)規例》

40A. Escalator to be in addition to staircases or means of escape in case of emergency
(1) Where an escalator is installed in any building, it shall be in addition to—
(a) any staircase required by regulation 39; and
(b) the means of escape in case of emergency and second staircase required by regulation 41.
(2) An escalator shall not be a staircase, passage or other normal means of egress for the purposes of regulation 43.
(L.N. 97 of 1994)

41. Means of escape
(1) Every building shall be provided with such means of escape in case of emergency as may be required by the intended use of the building.
(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), every building which exceeds 6 storeys in height or in which the level of the floor of the uppermost storey is more than 17 m above the level of the ground at the point of discharge of the main staircase shall, in addition to the main staircase, be provided with a second staircase as means of escape in case of emergency. (L.N. 294 of 1976)
(L.N. 33 of 1966)

41A. Access staircases for firemen
(1) Subject to paragraph (4), every building that exceeds 1 storey in height shall be provided with an adequate number of staircases, so designed and constructed as to allow firemen safe and unobstructed access to all floors of the building in the event of a fire (access staircases

41B. Fireman’s lifts
(1) Subject to paragraph (4), every building exceeding 2 storeys in height shall be provided with at least such number of lifts designed and installed to be used by firemen in the event of a fire (fireman’s lift

### Building (Planning) Regulations 《建築物(規劃)規例》

41D. Emergency vehicular access
(1) Every building shall be provided with an emergency vehicular access which is so designed and constructed as—
(a) to allow safe and unobstructed access of a vehicle of the Fire Services Department to the building; and
(b) to provide for the safe operation of such a vehicle,
in the event of a fire or other emergency.
(2) The design and construction of an emergency vehicular access shall be in accordance with such requirements as may be specified by the Building Authority from time to time having regard to the intended use of the building.
(3) The Building Authority may exempt a building from any or all of such requirements on design and construction if the Building Authority is satisfied that compliance with the requirement or requirements is—
(a) impracticable having regard to the topographical features of the area on which the building is situated; or
(b) unwarranted on the ground that the purpose for which the building is to be used constitutes a low fire risk.
(4) A building in respect of which an exemption under paragraph (3) is in force shall comply with such other fire safety measures as may be specified by the Building Authority for the purpose of ensuring that the safety of the building would not be prejudiced by the exemption.
(15 of 2004 s. 60)

42. Landings, lobbies and passages
The minimum dimension of every landing, lobby or passage shall not be less than the width of the staircase to which it leads.

43. Distance from staircase
Every part of any building intended for habitation or of any school or of any building used as a place of public assembly shall be not more than 24 m from a staircase, passage or other normal means of egress. 
(L.N. 294 of 1976)

44. Revolving doors and turnstiles
(1) Where revolving doors or turnstiles are used an alternative means of exit shall be provided in close proximity.
(2) In any place of public assembly turnstiles, if used, shall be kept clear of the line of exit.

45. Kitchens
(1) Every domestic building, and unless exempted by the Building Authority any part of a domestic building which is intended to be separately let for dwelling purposes, shall be provided with kitchen accommodation.
(2) The internal surface of every kitchen to a height of at least 1.2 m from floor level shall be faced with tiles or rendered in cement mortar, not less than 12.5 mm in thickness, or other non-absorbent material. (L.N. 294 of 1976)
(3) Every kitchen shall be provided with a—
(a) properly constructed fireplace or cooking slab unless the cooking is to be done by gas, oil or electricity;
(b) sink and fittings for the supply of water.