Approval as a Competent Person for Locating Underground Electricity Cables

Background

The Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation (the "Regulation"), made under the Electricity Ordinance, Cap. 406, prescribes certain requirements such that the works activities carried out in the vicinity of underground electricity cables or overhead electricity lines do not prejudice safety or the continuity of the supply of electricity. The Regulation prohibits the carrying out of certain works in the vicinity of an underground electricity cable or overhead electricity line unless all reasonable steps have been taken to ascertain the existence of such cable or line together with certain information relating to it.

In the case of an underground electricity cable, those reasonable steps include:

1. the undertaking of an investigation by a competent person for the purpose of ascertaining within the proposed works site and its vicinity the existence, alignment and depth of any such cable and
2. the provision of a written report by the competent person on his findings.

Who Should Apply

Any person who wishes to be a competent person for the purposes of the Regulation should apply to the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (DEMS).

Approval Requirements

To be qualified for approval as a competent person, the applicant should have the qualifications and experience listed in one of the following paragraphs, i.e. (a) or (b) : -

1. The applicant has attended and passed a course in the locating of underground electricity cables which has been approved by DEMS, and during the period of 3 years immediately preceding his application, has had not less than 6 months' practical experience in locating underground electricity cables, or has had such other practical experience as DEMS may consider relevant and equivalent; or
2. In the opinion of DEMS, the applicant is by reason of his knowledge and practical experience capable of carrying out the work of locating underground electricity cables in a competent manner.

How to Apply

Application for approval as competent person may be made to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). The procedures are as follows:

1. Obtain an Application Form CPA1 from:
   1. Registration and Permit Office, EMSD, G/F, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong;
   2. District Offices; or
   3. Download here the application form - FORM CPA1 EMSD/EL/CPA1 (11/2022) [PDF format (711KB)].
2. Complete the application form according to the requirements stipulated in the "Notes to Form CPA1" attached to it.
3. Submit the completed application form together with supporting documents and application fee in person or by mail to Registration and Permit Office, EMSD.

From 1 January 2022, the new application and license renewal application for Competent Person for Locating Underground Electricity Cables can be applied online through "EMSD (Regulatory Services) Web Based Registration Services" and "iAM Smart +" by mobile phone or computer. Please read the guidelines and related requirements and information prior to using the services.

Renewal of certificate of approval as a competent person shall be made at least one month before and no earlier than four months before the expiry date. Please note that the renewal application submitted after the expiry date of the certificate of approval as a competent person will not be accepted, the applicant must submit a new application.

Application fees are not refundable. A certificate of approval as a competent person is valid for a period of three years.

Before submitting an application, an applicant may click the following link to conduct a self-assessment for checking whether the approval requirements are fulfilled.

• Self-Assessment of Application for Approval as a Competent Person for Locating Underground Electricity Cables

Updated License for Approval as a Competent Person for Locating Underground Electricity Cables

For applications submitted after 1 November 2022, EMSD would issue an updated License for Approval as a Competent Person for Locating Underground Electricity Cables to replace the old one. The new certificate would include a photo of the competent person.

When competent person submits a registration application to EMSD (including new, renewal and variation of conditions of approval as a competent person), he has to submit a recent colour photograph with the application. The photograph would have same format as passport photograph with detail requirements as follows:

• Photograph should show full frontal face with clear facial features.
• Plain white background
• Size: 40mm (W) x 50mm (H)

When you take the photo, please do not wear head dress, and avoid heavy make-up or overly dark or overly light-coloured clothing.

The photograph will not be accepted if the applicant in the photograph is:

• Not centered
• Wearing a frame across eyes
• With hair across eyes or eyebrows
• Seen with flash reflection on face / glasses
• Wearing head dress
• With shadow
• Too light
• Too dark

Applicant can submit the photograph in hardcopy. If the applicant uses the web-based application services, digital photo can be uploaded. The acceptable file format of the digital photograph are as follows:

Enquiries

Enquiries may be made to Registration and Permit Office, EMSD, from 9:00am to 5:15pm, Monday to Friday (closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays).

G/F, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone hotline: 1823.