Defects, lax oversight may have led to Hong Kong prefab flat woes: experts

Material defects and poor installation supervision may have contributed to the improper assembly of prefabricated flats at three light public housing projects in Hong Kong, experts have suggested amid a controversy over the new construction method.

Their analysis came after a series of incidents involving Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) flats across various public housing projects sparked concerns over the dependability of the new building technique that has been heavily promoted by the government.

The recent cases include water leakage at a subsidised housing home in Ma On Shan, alongside improper assembly identified by the government at three light public housing sites, all involving prefabricated flats.

An initial inspection by the Architectural Services Department at the three locations – in Siu Lam, Tuen Mun and Chai Wan – all managed by the Able and Chun Wo Joint Venture, found that screws had been either shortened or severed, and that structural connections showed signs of defects.

The screws are said to be vital for securing the MiC flats to the reinforcing concrete core walls.

“The assembly of MiC units demands high precision, requiring meticulous alignment of the prefabricated modules,” said Benny Chan Chak-bun, former president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects.