Ref.

: WB(W) 263/32/01 V
Group : 16

22 May 2002

Works Bureau Technical Circular No. 19/2002

Mass Transit Railway Protection

Scope

This Circular sets out the following:

(a) the requirements for public works to be carried out within the
protection boundary for completed facilities of the MTR Corporation
Limited (MTRCL);

(b) the protection boundary as extended consequent upon the

completion of the Tseung Kwan O Extension; and

(c) the adoption of a flexible and balanced approach by MTRCL for tree
planting proposals included in public works projects within or likely
to encroach onto the protection boundary.

Effective Date

2. This Circular shall take immediate effect.

WBTC No. 19/2002 Page 1 of 3

Effect on Existing Circulars

3. This Circular supersedes WBTC No. 26/2001.

Policy

4. A "protection boundary" for completed MTR facilities has been drawn

on plans numbered MTR/G1 to G4, MTR/RP/1 to 22, MTR/RP/23 Rev. A,
MTR/RP/24 Rev. A, MTR/RP/25 to 27, MTR/RP/28 Rev. A, MTR/RP/29 Rev. A,
MTR/RP/30 to 46, MTR/RP/50 to 55, MTR/RP/56 Rev. A, MTR/RP/57 Rev. A,
MTR/RP/58 Rev. A, MTR/RP/59 Rev. A, MTR/RP/60 to 66, MTR/RP/101 to 170
and MTR/RP/202 to 223. A complete set of these plans has been deposited with all
Works Departments, except EMSD, and also with the Buildings Department, Lands
Department and the Housing Department.

5. The "protection boundary" is generally 30m outside the outer surface of

MTR structures. Any lot or site, of which any part lies within the "protection
boundary", is regarded as being within the "protection boundary".

6. NO CONSTRUCTION WORKS INCLUDING SITE

INVESTIGATION, WHETHER ENGINEERING OR BUILDING, PUBLIC OR
PRIVATE, IS TO TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE PROTECTION BOUNDARY
UNLESS THE PLANS HAVE FIRST BEEN FORWARDED TO THE MTR
CORPORATION LIMITED (MTRCL) FOR COMMENT AND THE
STIPULATION OF ANY MEASURES NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE MTR.

7. For public works, including site investigation and tree planting, Works
Departments shall check whether any part of the project falls within the protection
boundary and, if so, forward the relevant plans to MTRCL for comment/approval.
Where tree planting proposals are included in public works projects, and are likely to
encroach onto areas within the MTR protection boundary, MTRCL has agreed to take
a more flexible and balanced approach where practicable in its approval of such
proposals.

General

8. The "Technical Notes" for Guidance in Assessing the Effects of Civil

Engineering Construction/Building Development on MTR Structures and Operation
attached at Appendix A to this circular are modelled on Appendix 'A' of the Buildings
Department "Practice Note for Authorised Persons and Registered Structural
Engineers - No. 77" and give guidance on the measures and requirements likely to be
stipulated to protect the MTR. These "Technical Notes" are to be used for guidance
only and should be construed mutatis mutandis.

WBTC No. 19/2002 Page 2 of 3

9. When planning projects in close proximity to MTR ventilation shafts, it
should be noted that any opening (e.g. operable or fixed windows, doorways, building
ventilation system intake or exhaust, etc.) in the new building should not be located
closer than 5m to the vent shaft irrespective of whether the vent shaft is free standing
or is accommodated in a building. This distance may be reduced to 2.5m provided
that the exhaust air from the MTR vent shaft is directed away from and is not likely to
affect the opening by natural convection.

10. In the event of any doubt as to whether proposed Government works

will have an effect on the MTR, the relevant Department should seek the advice of the
MTRCL.

11. When proposed utility works are likely to come within the ambit of
paragraph B3 of Appendix A to this circular, or involve significant construction works,
such as the re-location of a sub-station, the provisions of this Circular shall apply and
are to be followed.

12. The provisions of this Circular do not apply to emergency repairs of

existing utility services, water mains, storm water and foul water drains, and road
structures, although the MTRCL should be advised of these works as soon as possible
if they fall within the "protection boundary".

13. The MTRCL has been consulted and agreed with the provisions of this
Circular.

( W S Chan )
Deputy Secretary (Works Policy)

WBTC No. 19/2002 Page 3 of 3

 Appendix A

Technical Notes for Guidance in Assessing the Effects of Civil Engineering

Construction/Building Development on MTR Structures and Operations

A. General

All proposals for new building and engineering works including utilities within
the limits of railway protection as shown in the MTR Protection plans shall be
subject to special scrutiny by Government. Each proposal shall be treated on
its individual technical merits and subject to the requirements of the following
Technical Guidelines.

B. Underground Railway Structures

B.1 Site Formation/Foundation Works

When site formation for foundation works or excavation for basements

etc. are proposed above or adjacent to MTR underground structures
including cooling water mains, the effects of such works shall be within
the following limits: -

B.1.1 The vertical or horizontal pressure on any underground

structure due to the above works, including filling, dewatering
etc. and due to additional loads transmitted from foundations
(including loads arising during construction), shall not be
increased by more than 20 kPa.

B.1.2 Differential movement resulting from the works shall not

produce final distortion in any MTR structure including the
plinth or track in excess of 1 in 1,000 in any plane or a total
movement in any MTR structure including the plinth or tracks
exceeding 20mm in any plane.

B.1.3 The peak particle velocities at any railway structure resulting

from blasting (where permitted), and from driving or
withdrawing of piles or any operation which can induce
prolonged vibration shall not exceed 25mm/sec and 15mm/sec
respectively, when measured with a vibrograph.

B.1.4 No pile, foundation, borehole or well shall be driven or

constructed within a distance of 3m in any plane of any point of
the underground railway structure.

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 Appendix A

B.1.5 (i) Any part of an anchor, if allowed, shall be more than 3m

from any part of a MTR installation.

(ii) The centroid of the fixed length of the anchor, if allowed,

shall be more than twice the fixed length away from any
tunnel installation.

B.2 Ground Investigation Works

Ground investigation proposals should point out:-

(a) Details of exploration and locations of the proposed exploration

holes, trial pits, trenches, field testing or instrumentations
relative to the MTR structures whether inside or outside the lot;

(b) Proposed depth of holes, pits or trenches;

(c) A method statement for sinking holes, excavating trial pits and
trenches including back-filling, conducting field testings or
installing instrumentations; and

(d) A method statement for checking verticality of holes within a

distance of 10m on plan of any point of the underground railway
structure, should holes be sunk to a depth of 3m from the
highest point of the MTR structures.

Each proposal will also be judged against the following technical

guidelines:-

(a) The vertical and horizontal pressure on any MTR structure due
to site investigation works including field testing such as plate
loading test, pressuremeter test, packer test or any operation
shall not be increased by more than 20 kPa;

(b) The peak particle velocities at any MTR structures resulting

from:-

(i) artificial shocks generated either by the detonation of

explosives or a mechanical blow at ground surface or at
depth within a hole shall not exceed 25mm/sec; and

WBTC No.19/2002 Appendix A Page A2 of 5

 Appendix A

(ii) percussion drilling, hammer drilling or any operation

which can induce prolonged vibration, shall not exceed
15mm/sec; and

(c) No holes, trial pits or trenches shall be sunk or excavated within

a distance of 3m from any point of the MTR structures.

B.3 Utility Trenches

Utility trenches which require excavation within the Railway Protection

Area shall not be carried out without the approval of the Government in
consultation with MTRCL.

B.4 Marine Works Anchorage

Any reclamation, dredging, laying of pipes, or other engineering works

to be carried out within the railway protection areas shall be submitted
to the Government for approval in consultation with MTRCL.

C. Overhead Railway Structures and Surface Section

C.1 Scaffolding, Advertising Signs, Projections

Erection of scaffolding or advertising signs or any projections at a level

greater than 1m above MTR tracks shall not be allowed from any
structure within 6m of the MTR tracks, without the consent of the
Government. When such works are permitted to be carried out within
the 6m limit, effective measures to protect the railway structures shall be
provided. According to individual circumstances it may be necessary
for such works to be conducted outside MTR hours of operation. All
protective works shall be to the special approval of Government and at
the permittee's expense.

C.2 Overhead Structures

The requirements of paragraphs B.1.2, B.1.3, B.1.4 and B.1.5 should

also apply to overhead structures.

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 Appendix A

C.3 Utility Works

C.3.1. When cables and pipes, etc. are to cross above or below MTR
overhead structures, the Utility Undertakers shall submit to the
Government details of the cables, pipes and the method of
construction and seek special approval before work can
commence. When cables, and pipes, etc. are to pass over the
railway, the provision of Clause C.1 shall apply.

C.3.2 When utility works are to be carried out across the MTR tracks
at ground surface level, approval from the MTRCL has to be
sought.

C.4 Operation of stationary lifting appliance (tower crane, hoist,

piling/drilling rigs)

C.4.1 When such an appliance is erected adjacent to MTR tracks and

overhead structures, effective measures to protect the MTR
structures shall be provided. According to individual
circumstances it may be necessary for such works to be
conducted outside MTR hours of operation. All protective
works shall be subject to special Government approval and at
the permittee's expense. In addition the Government may
impose conditions on the operation and positioning of the
appliance if in its opinion such operation and positioning may
endanger the safe operation of the MTR.

C.4.2 The arc in which the jib of lifting appliance swings shall not
encroach within 6m of the MTR tracks and overhead structures
on plan except with special Government approval.

C.5 Mobile lifting appliance

Where a mobile lifting appliance (e.g. cranes, excavator) operates within

6m on plan of MTR structures and any part of the appliance to higher
than the MTR track level, the provisions of paragraph C.4 shall apply.

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 Appendix A

C.6 Maintenance of Road Lamp Standards

When road light tower maintenance vehicles are to be used to service

road lamp standards adjacent to the MTR tracks, the working equipment
shall not be positioned closer to the MTR tracks than the nearest part of
the road lamp standard where the height of the lamp standard is greater
than the height of the tracks. If the working equipment is to be operated
at a level higher than 1m above MTR tracks and closer than 6m from the
MTR tracks, provisions as in paragraph C.1 shall also apply.

C.7 Fire Services Department/Police Force Vehicles

The operation of Fire Services/Police Force vehicles adjacent to the

MTR tracks or vent shafts under emergency situations shall be in
accordance with the emergency procedure agreed between MTRCL and
the respective organization.

C.8 Storage of Materials

C.8.1 No materials, containers, etc. shall be stored within 6m on plan

of the MTR tracks and vent shaft openings except with the
special Government approval.

C.8.2 No dangerous goods or other inflammable materials shall be

stored within 6m on plan of MTR structures except with the
special Government approval.

C.9 Demolition Works

Where demolition and removal works for any structure which includes
scaffolding, advertising signs, container offices and buildings are
proposed above or adjacent to MTR above ground structures, such as
entrances, vent shafts, distribution substations, traction substations,
plantrooms, overhead railway structures and surface track sections,
effective measures to protect the railway structures shall be provided.
The APs or registered building contractors are advised to approach the
Buildings Department and/or the MTRCL directly before commencing
any of the above works.

WBTC No.19/2002 Appendix A Page A5 of 5