Development Trends in Building Services Engineering

The built environment and building services systems in Hong Kong have undergone substantial changes in the past decades. As a modern city ranked world number one in the number of tall buildings, Hong Kong has lots of experiences in building services technology that can be shared with the world community.
Chapter 1 of this book gives a snap shot of the facts and figures, and the events that have had remarkable influences on our built environment. Also addressed is how these influences have generated new ideas, practices and regulations. With the economic growth and the elevated demands of the community on quality of life and social responsibility, the use of advanced analytical tools for comprehensive building performance becomes essential. Chapter 2 introduces the computer simulation tools that are currently widely applicable in building services designs, such as for building thermal analysis, airflow prediction, and visual/acoustical comfort evaluation. Case studies are used to illustrate how they work in actual practices.
Chapters 3 to 7 cover the key issues and the development trends in various building services installations. Chapter 3 gives a review on thermal comfort and indoor air quality, as well as the various modes of ventilation in use. A brief analysis of the indoor airflow design concepts for modern buildings is presented with the use of computational fluid dynamics tools. The stratum ventilation is introduced as an example of innovative design ideas in progress.
Chapter 4 introduces the importance of energy conservation and energy management, and the development of the building energy codes in Hong Kong. The spirits are illustrated by the applications in central chiller plants. Also introduced is the simulation-optimization approach which is useful in the design development of large-scale HVAC systems.
Chapter 5 gives a review on the approval procedures, standards, and legislative requirements of fire services installations. The concept of performance-based engineering approach is delivered, together with the examples of demonstrating the application of CFD tool in studying flame and smoke propagation.
Chapter 6 gives an account on “skyscrapers”—a unique feature in the urban development of Hong Kong. Also discussed is how they have imposed challenges on different engineering fields, with an emphasis on electrical technology and installations. Special designs and space demands, like the lift design requirements, power quality and energy loss problems in power distribution are discussed.
Chapter 7 touches on intelligent buildings, their definitions and assessment methods. Also discussed is the IT network that facilitates information sharing and interoperability. This calls for the adoption of open building control and monitoring system approach, and its use to monitor and assess the reliability, safety and efficiency of the electrical supply and distribution system.
Chapters 8 to 11 switch to look into the building services installations from the angle of applications in different types of buildings. Chapter 8 covers the practical building services designs and provisions in high-grade office buildings. The influences of communication, information and transportation (CIT) on human intelligence, work productivity and flexibility are discussed. Then the focus changes from office accommodation, operational economy and performance to the more macro perspective of sustainability.
Chapter 9 gives a flow of the developments in public housing estates in Hong Kong in the past 50 years, in meeting the growing prosperity of the general public and the expectations of quality of public housing. The social responsibility and the changing role of the Housing Authority are addressed by going through the committed working life of a building services engineer in Housing Department.
Chapter 10 turns to the advanced building services provisions in a modern architecture—the AsiaWorld-Expo international exhibition centre. The various special features in supporting all types of events from exhibitions to major arena-style shows are introduced, such as the utilities tunnel network, ice storage system, textile air distribution system, and the like.