The Buildings Department today said it is examining a proposal by the registered structural engineers (RSE) of the Mariners’ Club redevelopment project on 11 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, to take samples of the project's steel reinforcing bars (rebar) for testing.

Between September and November last year, the department received reports from members of the public about the quality of the rebar used in the Mariners’ Club redevelopment project. The project RSE was then requested to submit the test reports of the rebar used.

The test reports for a total of 17 batches of rebar demonstrated compliance with the approved plans as well as with the requirements of the Buildings Ordinance and allied regulations. No irregularity on the quality of rebar was found.

Nonetheless, the test reports for one batch of rebar, involving the 29/F to 39/F of the project, revealed that this batch was originally intended to be used in another development project on 105-113 Ta Chuen Ping Street in Kwai Chung. The RSE also explained that the rebar in question had been sampled and tested in accordance with construction standards upon arrival at the Kwai Chung site, but some of it was later delivered to the Middle Road site for use.

As the test reports were not sufficient to prove that the batch of rebar which had passed the test was the same batch that was delivered for use at the Middle Road site, the department requested an explanation from the RSE.

In mid-January, the RSE proposed to randomly open up part of the cast structures in which that batch of rebar had been used, and take rebar samples for testing to verify compliance.

The department is now scrutinising the proposal to ensure that the rebar in question complies with the approved plans, the Buildings Ordinance and allied regulations, thereby ensuring building safety and removing doubt.

It will also investigate the incident and take serious follow-up action if anyone is found to have breached the ordinance.