POULTRY SHEDS IN EXCESS OF 900 SQUARE FEET (Waiving of building plan requirements)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he is aware that a temporary poultry shed which covers an area of more than 900 square feet requires a building plan to be drawn up by a registered architect before consideration for its approval can be made by the Chief Building Surveyor's Department; and if he will take steps to have this requirement waived and to allow the Primary Production Department Veterinary Extension Centre to handle such applications.

Mr E. W. Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, poultry sheds are not always small structures. Some of them are more than 25 feet wide, 100 feet long, and 15 feet high. The covered area of the shed is not the criterion used in determining whether architect's plans are required. The main consideration is the span of the roof truss and its design. If, in the opinion of the Building Surveyor, the service of an architect is required to ensure structural safety, he will advise the applicant to engage an architect.

The Director of Primary Production has drawn up standardised plans for poultry sheds. Poultry farmers who wish to dispense with the service of an architect for erection of poultry sheds in excess of 900 square feet in area, should make use of the standardised plans prepared by the Director of Primary Production which conform with all the requirements.

The Ministry of National Development is presently considering transferring the control of erection of temporary farm structures from the Chief Building Surveyor's Department to the Primary Production Department. Details are being worked out between the two departments.