The Ingenieur Sept 2013 The Ingenieur Sept 2013, Vol 56

L E M B AGA JURU TERA MALAYSIA BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA KDN PP 11720/4/2013 (032270) THE INGENIEUR VOL.56 SEPTEMBER 2013 MAGAZINE OF TH E BOARD O F ENGINEER S , MAL A Y S I A Housing for Persons WitH Disabilities ibs roaDmaP revieW & tHe Way forWarD eco-frienDly Houses in JanDa baik reit management & tHe Pivotal role of tHe reit manager neWly emerging metHoDs of contract Procurement in malaysia Housing for all ai

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INGENIEUR contents 8 6 President’s Message 19 IBS Roadmap Review & The Way Forward bem news 8 BEM 40 Anniversary Dinner update th 9 Publication Calendar 26 New Model Of One Stop The Ingenieur e-magazine Centre To Ease Issuance Of on Smartphones & iPad Construction Permits th 10 Highlights of BEM 40 30 Are Professional Engineers Anniversary Dinner more accountable with the implementation of CCC? cover feature 14 Housing for Persons with Disabilities 46 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 6 2 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

special feature 33 Green Building Index & Green Housing 37 Green IBS: A Design Concept of Divergent Dwelling System Project report 46 Eco-Friendly Houses In Janda Baik 52 Thinking & Building “Green” investment 59 REIT Management & Pivotal Role of 52 the REIT Manager engineering & law 65 Disciplinary Hearing – Case Study 68 Newly Emerging Methods Of Contract Procurement in Malaysia Photo feature 74 Dala Bamboo Village, Myanmar - Temporary Homes After Cyclone engineering nostalgia 79 The Causeway 74 14 3

INGENIEUR THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS LEMBAGA JURUTERA MALAYSIA BOARD BOARD BOARD MALAYSIA (BEM) BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL BOARD PRESIDENT EDITORIAL BOARD 2012-2013 YBhg Dato’ Seri Ir. Hj. Mohd Noor bin Yaacob ADVISOR BOARD MEMBERS YBhg Dato’ Seri Ir. Hj.Mohd Noor bin Yaacob YBhg Datuk Ir. Hj. Ahmad Husaini bin Sulaiman YBhg Dato’ Ir. Dr Johari bin Basri YBhg Datuk Wira Ir. Md Sidek bin Ahmad YBhg Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr Hassan bin Basri YBhg Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid bin Maidin EDITOR YBhg Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr Hassan bin Basri CHAIRMAN YBhg Datuk Ir. John Anthony Ir. Fong Tian Yong Ir. Zuraimi bin Haji Sabki Ir. Prem Kumar M Vasudevan EDITORIAL MEMBERS Ir. Dr Abdul Majid bin Dato’ Abu Kassim Prof. Ir. Dr K S Kannan Ir. Prof. Dr Wan Mahmood bin Wan Ab Majid Ir. Prem Kumar Ir. Choo Kok Beng Ir. Chan Boon Teik Ir. Gopal Narian Kuty Ir. Prof. Dr Lee Teang Shui PUBLICATION OFFICER Ir. Vincent Chen Kim Kieong Pn Nik Kamaliah Nik Abdul Rahman Ar. Mohamed Hafiz bin Mohd Hashim Sr Nik Zainal Alam bin Hasan SECRETARY Ir. Ruslan bin Abdul Aziz REGISTRAR Ir. Hizamul-din bin Ab. Rahman EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ir. Ashari bin Mohd Yakub The Ingenieur is published quarterly by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia) and is distributed free to registered Professional Engineers. The statements and opinions expressed in this publicaton are those of the writers. BEM invites all engineers and readers to contribute relevant artcles and views to the Publisher. PUBLISHER Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia Tingkat 17, Ibu Pejabat JKR, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, 50580 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2698 0590 Fax 03-2692 5017 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.bem.org.my DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: Inforeach Communicatons Sdn Bhd PRINTER: Art Printng Works Sdn Bhd 6 4 4 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 VOL 55 JUNE 2013

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INGENIEUR PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PREsIDEnT’s MEssAgE Mo Movingving Moving Movingving Housing for All Mo The Masses he topic of housing affordability has become professionalism to a higher level as consumers a hot topic lately, although it is not something nowadays are more effluent, knowledgeable and Mobility in any region remains one of the key Tnew. The coming national Budget session demanding. technology era, and knowledge era until the current has also attracted more views from the public and With more high-rise housing near hill innovative era deserve commendation. I am proud impetuses for the economic development of a the industry on this issue. Housing affordability slopes being constructed in urban areas due to nation. In spite of an impressive network of 63,445 can be complex as it involves land availability land scarcity, engineers have to be more prudent to note our engineers’ successful feat in the km road infrastructure, the Malaysian Government or scarcity, demographic profile, household in their design, supervision and certification of construction of our state-of-the-art Kuala Lumpur still choses to identify Urban Public Transport as income, housing standards, government housing completion of such structures. The few building International Airport (KLIA), well equipped deep water policy, perception of quality, demand and supply failures on hill slopes around the Klang Valley ports, first of its kind SMART tunnel and a network one of six National Key Result Areas (NKRA) in the equation and loan policy. government strategy that had drawn public attention and negative Economic Transformation Programme. The has been evolving since the First Malaysian Plan perception should not be repeated. of high quality highways. Owing to these successes, importance accorded to the movement of masses where housing was named as a priority concern. The Board intends to publish more many of our local engineers are exporting their The task of providing sufficient affordable housing commercially-related articles in The Ingenieur as services abroad. efficiently and affordably is understandable given has been expanded to several agencies such as it is important for engineers to be connected to the current densely populated business districts national Housing Department, sPnB, PR1MA, the industry since their works are closely linked While more iconic transportation construction sprouting in the Greater Kuala Lumpur region and state agencies, etc. with it. The article on “REIT Management”, works are underway, such as the double-tracking rail other conurbations. The housing development sector is an which is a new trend, should provide some network and extension to the LRT networks in the important industry for Malaysia. It drives many good insights in the mechanics of the REIT Klang Valley, engineers should not lose sight of the The overall transportation system has been downstream industries that engage a large market. In order to encourage more engineers to structured more strategically to meet higher number of tradesmen, professionals, financial contribute articles since many of them have good needs of disabled persons within the terminal passenger demands, safety and convenience. The institutions, material manufacturers and encounters with interesting projects, we selected buildings and stations as well as their transfer from new Master Plan on transportation have set new suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors; an article on “Dala Bamboo Village, Myanmar” to station to buses, train and air planes. The Guidelines and scores of supporting industries. Against show a simple write-up, but with many illustrative of Facilities for Disabled Person within buildings and direction and future growth pattern as useful this background, all housing development will photographs to prove the point. After all, a reference for planners and traffic engineers. In this require the consultancy service of Professional picture speaks a thousand words. I hope more outside buildings provides good technical publication, the interview with CEO of SPAD, a Engineers. Although engineers have generally engineers will be motivated to contribute articles specifications and illustrations for such relatively new entity but holding high responsibility done well in their contribution to infrastructure as the contribution rate against the big number of requirements. A fully accessible terminal reflects the works, building structures and M&E supporting engineers is relatively low. level of development of a nation. provides some first-hand information on its services, the Board of Engineers has received Dato’ Seri Ir. Hj. Mohd Noor bin Yaacob complaints on housing construction quality. challenges and direction in achieving its objective As my first message in The Ingenieur, I wish to President, BEM The time has come for engineers to uplift their of a safe, efficient and cost effective land thank all contributors and members of BEM transportation system that is vital to propel Malaysia Publication Committee for their hard work in to a developed nation by 2020. In recognition of producing this magazine as our most visible link to VOL 55 JUNE 2013 6 6 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013 engineers’ contribution, the article of another engineers nationwide. This is also the first time that iconic project namely the Second Penang Bridge the publication is made available in e-format. With should interest the readers with its state-of-the-art this, we have set our target readership in excess of construction. 100,000 readers. I seek your future support and Engineers’ contributions in transportation contribution in making The Ingenieur a good infrastructure development progressing from the reference engineering magazine for all Malaysian agriculture era through the industrial era, engineers. Dato’ Seri Iro’ Seri Ir Iro’ Seri Ir. Hj. Mohd N. Hj. Mohd N N. . Hj. Mohd Noor bin Yoor bin Y Yoor bin Yaacobaacob Dato’ aacob oor Dato’ Seri Seri Ir. Hj. Mohd Hj. Mohd Noor bin bin Yaacobaacob Dat Dat President, President, BEM President, President, BEMBEM President, BEMBEM 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013

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INGENIEUR BEM 40 TH ANNIVERSARY By Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof Minister of Works, Malaysia BEM nEWs This is the text of the speech by the is not confined to our own shores. We also have The success story of Malaysian engineers Minister of Works Malaysia at BEM’s 40th Anniversary Dinner held on July 7, 2013 at many success stories overseas. In all, there are the Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. 115 Malaysian companies currently engaged in construction in 50 countries around the globe et me begin by congratulating the President, which reflects our capabilities in competing and Board members and all registered engineers providing engineering and construction services on Lof the Board of Engineers Malaysia on this par with the best. 40th Anniversary celebration of the establishment In fact, the contribution of engineers and good of the Board of Engineers. A person’s 40th age, engineering practices have played a significant role has been described as their golden age as this in improving the nation’s productivity. The Malaysia is the time when they are supposed to have Productivity Corporation (MPC) reported that in gained maturity in their career and have acquired 2011, the economy recorded productivity growth of knowledge and experience. Likewise, I see BEM 4.6%. The productivity growth of the construction as a matured professional body ready to take on sector grew by 3.1% in the same period. This new challenges in tandem with the nation’s march growth was supported by active construction towards becoming a fully developed nation by activities especially in the greater Kuala Lumpur 2020. region. The implementation of the Industrialised Building system (IBs) in major projects was the Ladies and Gentlemen, major contributor to the overall improvements The nation recognises the contribution of engineers in productivity of the construction sector. That since independence. The Malaysian engineers who being said, it is imperative that we continue to took over from the British, laid the foundation strive for higher productivity and enhance our for an improved network of roads, water supply, competitiveness in all projects that we undertake. irrigation systems, health facilities, sewerage Ladies and Gentlemen, systems, power installations, telecommunication As you are aware, the Engineers Act is being and municipal infrastructure. These were the amended to prepare the nation for liberalisation basic requirements of a new nation that was and international competition. The proposed progressing from an agriculture-based economy, amendments allow for the mobility of engineers to an industrial, knowledge-based and innovative among signatories of the Washington Accord. In economy that we enjoy today. this, I see more gain than pain for our engineering succeeding generations of Malaysian professionals. Judging from the performance of our engineers have continued to make the nation engineers since independence, I am confident that proud by building world class infrastructure you are well placed to leverage on the resources and facilities. We have constructed world class that you have at your disposal to penetrate buildings, bridges, expressway systems, light effectively into the AsEAn market, which boasts transit systems, airports and ports. some 580 million people. VOL 55 JUNE 2013 6 8 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen, nevertheless, recent construction project Tonight’s dinner theme, “Transforming the nation mishaps serve as a timely reminder on the and innovating for a sustainable future” is most need to be vigilant and to maintain professional apt as engineers do play a major role in a nation’s standards and accountability at all times. Quality transformation. Engineers are innovative people and quality control of the production process are due to training and work requirements. I encourage never ending tasks. In this regard, I urge BEM to you to expand your R&D activities and develop play an active role in ensuring that its members innovative products and services to meet the perform to the highest engineering ethics and needs of the world market. In this context, I am pleased to learn that standards. a team of engineers and architects in the private sector have developed the Malaysia green Building Ladies and Gentlemen, Index (gBI) with the objective of conserving energy Before I conclude, I would like to thank the and protecting the environment. I understand that organizers for inviting me to join you in celebrating additional gBIs are being developed for other this 40th Anniversary Dinner. The engineering categories of property development such as office fraternity has indeed come of age and it is time buildings, residential buildings and even housing estates. It is a highly commendable initiative and the industry “goes global, Thinks global, Acts my Ministry stands ready to provide all necessary global and Delivers to global standards.” support. Thank you and I wish you a pleasant evening. AnnOUnCEMEnT THE INGENIEUR E-MAGAZINE ON PUBLICATION CALENDAR SMARTPONES & iPad The Ingenieur is published THE IngEnIEUR Vol. 55 June 2013 issue can quarterly by the Board of now be read on smartphone as well as iPad. Engineers Malaysia. The Read anywhere, anytime and share with your following are the themes for colleagues and friends. the coming issues. How to get the e-magazine? DEC 2013 - MANAGING WATER Mobile Version - Scan the QR Code MARCH 2014 - ICT CONVERGENCE Articles and editorial contributions relevant to the themes are welcomed, but the decision to publish rest with the Editorial Board. Native iPad/iPhone Version – Get the free Apps The e-magazine may be viewed natively on iPads Advertising inquiries are also welcomed. Please and iPhones using the Joomag Apps. Download for refer to the BEM advertisement in this issue for free. the latest rate card and booking form. Download 9

INGENIEUR Highlights of BEM 40th Anniversary BEM nEWs Dinner Arrival of Minister of Works Arrival of Deputy Minister of Works Speech by BEM President Speech by Minister of Works The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) hosted YBhg Dato’ seri Ir. Hj. Mohd noor bin Yaacob and its 40 Anniversary Dinner on July 7 2013 at the past Presidents of BEM. th Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The Dinner was held The highlights of the celebration included to both celebrate and appreciate the tremendous the launching of the BEM Personalised Corporate achievements and contributions of the engineering stamp and presentation of certificates of fraternity towards nation building. Organised once appreciation to the chairman, past chairmen in every 10 years, it was a grand event with nearly and members of the Engineering Accreditation 1,000 guests gracing this special occasion. The Council (EAC) who were instrumental in Malaysia event saw many familiar faces from the engineering being a Full signatory of the Washington Accord industry. by the Minister of Works. YBhg Dato’ Wira Ir. guest of Honour for the night was the Md sidek Ahmad had the honour of receiving the Minister of Works, YB Dato’ Hj. Fadillah bin Haji certificates of appreciation on behalf of the EAC Yusof. Also at the dinner was the BEM’s President, members. 10 6 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013 VOL 55 JUNE 2013

Arrival of Guests Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation for achieving Full Signatory of the Washington Accord 11

INGENIEUR Launching of BEM Personalised Corporate Stamp Gift Presentation to Minister of Works 12 6 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013 VOL 55 JUNE 2013

Performance by Dato’ Khadijah Ibrahim (Khaty) & Dato’ Ahmad Nawab Dinner Departure of Minister of Works Group Photo of BEM Secretariat with YB Minister of Works 13

INGENIEUR Housing for Persons with Disabilities COVER FEATURE By Dr Naziaty Mohd Yaacob, Senior Lecturer, University of Malaya and Dr Nor Rasidah Hashim, Senior Lecturer, International University of Malaya-Wales Housing for persons with disabilities in the low income bracket is a serious issue. On a visit to a public housing project, the writers discover certain amenities missing and some facilities are not accessible to the disabled or are poorly maintained. hen we, as disabled UNIVERSAL DESIGN persons have the Housing Policy negara states, “In Universal Design , originally a general, housing development by 1 Wfinancial means, we the private sector has fulfilled term expounded by The Center buy a desirable house or a the needs of high-income for Universal Design at north condominium right in the middle earners. However, the housing Carolina state University, of the city close to the best needs of the low-income and comprises seven principles as amenities and hotspots that medium-income earners, follows: (1) Equitable use; (2) the city provides. Many of us including those of persons with Flexibility in use; (3) simple do spend a lot of money to live disabilities, the elderly, single and intuitive; (4) Perceptible near our workplace or near a mothers and squatters have information; (5) Tolerance for government hospital because of not been met” (KPKT, 2013). error; (6) Low physical effort; the long-term health issues that Furthermore, the ngO, Beautiful and (7)size and space for we are anticipating in retirement. gate, finds that many disabled approach and use. Before Also it is not a coincidence persons and their families face Universal Design, the terms that many of us are in the civil serious problems in obtaining usually used are Barrier- service and have signed up for affordable and appropriate Free Design and Accessible a government pension scheme housing due to poverty, non- Design, where the three to lessen the burden on our enforcement of building by-laws factors of (1) Accessibility; loved ones when we are in requiring access and facilities for (2) Usability and; (3) safety need of hospitalisation. But for disabled persons as well as local are emphasized, especially to those of us with low income authority requirements that work define the former. and at the poverty level, the against disabled persons, e.g. problem of getting affordable applicants have to be married under Public Housing Projects and comfortable housing is but many disabled persons are (Projek Perumahan Rakyat or very acute indeed. Housing for unable to find marriage partners. PPR in Malay) to persons with persons with disabilities in the The government is disabilities, with an option to low income bracket is an even committed to provide for the choose the ground floor in the greater issue as transportation needs of disabled persons. The case of walk-up flats and the to work is problematic as well, Ministry of Local government and first floor where lifts are provided especially when the public Housing Act (1990 amendment) (UNESCAP, 2003). transportation system is still notes that a building where On top of that, the Persons inaccessible. the public can access should with Disabilities Act, which The problem with lack provide facilities like ramps, came into effect in 2008 is a of accessibility is widely parking for disabled persons clear signal of the Malaysian acknowledged at various levels and toilets. The Ministry also government’s commitment nationally. In fact, the national provides 6% of special flat units to providing accessibility. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 14 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

specifically, the accessibility During our visit, we pedestal-type toilet and be wider principles that we need to surveyed one block in which and more spacious to enable implement are required to follow we found there were four flats maneuvering. those of Universal Design, which allocated for disabled persons There was one parking lot means the design of products, on the first floor. These units allocated for disabled persons, environments, programmes and differed from other units as located on the ground floor services to be usable by all the entrance had ramps (Figure of the same block (Figure 2). persons, to the greatest extent 1). The size of the doors for Interestingly, there was a chain- possible, without the need for the units was also quite wide linked barrier placed across adaptation or specialized design for wheelchair access and a the back of the accessible and shall include assistive cursory glance inside showed open parking lot, presumably devices for particular groups of the unit to have bigger corridor to obstruct the misuse of the persons with disabilities where space. For an accessible three- parking space by other users. this is needed. bedroom housing unit, one Although only one accessible However, it is estimated bathroom should include the lot was visible as the floor is that 1,000 single mothers and disabled persons are now living in Public Housing (Perumahan Awam or PA in Malay) and PPR. Clearly. much more needs to be done in order to cater to the needs of disabled persons in this country as it is currently estimated that there are as many as 301,346 disabled persons in Malaysia (Yeoh, 2011). At the same time, it is also important to monitor housing prices and housing loans for disabled persons so that the government efforts to provide housing for disabled persons are not in vain (SUHAKAM, 2012). Figure 1 To find out what is happening on the ground, we visited PPR selayang Taman Wahyu, near Jalan Ipoh, which was designed and built to comply with the government’s policy to integrate disabled persons’ needs in low cost housing in Kuala Lumpur. The low cost housing was developed and maintained by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to address the accessibility needs of disabled persons by allocating a few units at the first floor level (there are no units at ground level) near the lift lobby. Figure 2 15

INGENIEUR painted with the international symbol of access, this does not complement with the fact that one housing block has four accessible housing units. It is assumed that the other three units housed either elderly persons or disabled persons who are not physically disabled. The identification of the lot with the chain barrier provided by Kuala Lumpur City Hall was installed after permission was sought by the disabled person living there and was not provided in the beginning. In order to get to the Figure 3 accessible parking lot from the lift (or vice-versa), a disabled user would have to travel about 20 meters either on an uneven pavement or on the road, whilst having to negotiate the motorcycles parked in his path (Figure 3). After office hours and in the evenings the disabled person might have the accessible route blocked by illegally parked cars or double-parking that are often found in low cost housing areas. This is because the ratio of housing unit per car park lot is 1:1, not reflecting the reality of parking needs. Other findings that we wish Figure 4 to share with our readers are as follows: 1. The ramp outside the building (next to the lift) is equipped with a handrail at one side of the ramp (Figure 4). Handrails need to be fixed on both sides to allow physically disabled persons to use either side as required. 2. The staircase had only one set of rails which is not fully accessible for persons with physical disabilities, similar to point 1 (Figure 5). Figure 5 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 16 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

3. The lift call buttons were embossed with Braille letterings but might be difficult for a blind person to feel as an anti-vandal box was encased around the buttons (Figure 6). 4. The drops at the main routes were minimized and replaced with ramps, which were well designed (Figure 7). Usually housing units that are not accessible have too many drops including main routes. 5. The lift was spacious – even for someone on a motorbike Figure 6 to use (Figure 8). 6. In the surveyed block, two entrances (one on each side of the block) on the ground floor had ramps with a gradual gradient but other access had drops and steps (Figure 9). These findings call to mind common issues plaguing accessibility in the built environment in this country (see for example: Yaacob and Hashim (2007; 2009) and Yaacob et al. (2009). Firstly, accessible features are regarded as added-ons rather Figure 7 than being planned as integral. The usual way of design is to have steps usually about 50, 75 or 100 mm high, which does not make sense, as it is easier access for everyone to have no change of levels. The steps usually crack and chip in the long run and become unsafe to use. For low cost housing, the finish is the bare minimum with no colour contrast making it unsafe and easy to trip over or mis-step. Low cost housing design is fraught with the practice of reducing the accessible features Figure 8 17

INGENIEUR or cutting costs such as having only one rail at the side rather on both sides. This is a basic safety and accessible feature, where a person with physical impairments needs to use both sets of railings, one side to go up and another side to go down the stairs. These features are for all people and not only for disabled persons. secondly, abuses of accessible facilities are a real challenge. For example, locking or placing a chain at the entrance of parking lot may prevent non- Figure 9 designated user from using the parking lot but this only signals REHDA and local authorities accessible facilities are added a deeper problem, i.e. lack of should work together in this on to existing buildings, which awareness of the community case. might not have been originally about the needs of disabled Lastly, it is important designed for the use of persons persons. Creating awareness to maintain the facilities and with disabilities, the renovation and providing the knowledge amenities so as to ensure that may not solve the problem about disabled persons’ rights these features are working well fully. Therefore, to implement to the community should be in and are maintained properly. The Universal Design principles, it 1 tandem with providing facilities users should be provided with is imperative that accessible and amenities. ngOs, disabled clear instructions as to who to facilities, amenities and services persons organisations, housing contact in times of need. are planned at the earliest developers’ agencies such as And in cases where possible stage. REFERENCES 1. naziaty Yaacob, nor Rasidah Hashim and Helena Aman Hashim. 2009. Achieving social equity by addressing the needs of disabled people in heritage building conservation in Malaysia. The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic & social sustainability. Vol. 5(4): 51-68. 2. naziaty Yaacob & nor Rasidah Hashim. 2009. Accessibility for Disabled and Elderly People In Malaysia: Problems And Solutions. The Malaysian surveyor. Vol. 44(2): 30-34. 3. naziaty Mohd Yaacob and nor Rasidah Hashim. 2007. Disabled people as Stakeholders in a barrier- free built environment. The Ingenieur. 36: 60-63. 4. Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act 2008, Malaysia. 5. Yeoh Joo Ai, Department of social Welfare Malaysia, electronic communication with EsCAP dated 31 March 2011. 6. Beautiful gate Foundation for the Disabled (BgFD). http://english.beautifulgate.org.my/important- info/memorandum-on-disability-issues-for-the-9th-malaysia-plan/ 7. Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan (KPKT). 2013. national Housing Policy. http://www. kpkt.gov.my/kpkt_2013/fileupload/dasar/DRn_BM.pdf. 8. suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia (sUHAKAM). 2012. Laporan Mesyuarat Bersama Agensi Kerajaan Mengenai Hak Perumahan Wajar Dan Mencukupi. http://www.suhakam.org.my/c/document_library/ get_file?uuid=46250970-83ed-4d5d-baa8-87b039c4ba80&groupId=10124. 9. UnEsCAP. 2003. http://www.unescap.org/sdd/issues/disability/policycentral/CountryProfiles/ Malaysia.doc. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 18 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

IBs Roadmap Review & The Way Forward By Ir. Dr Zuhairi Abd Hamid Executive Director of Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM), Ir. Dr Kamarul Anuar Mohamad Kamar COVER FEATURE Manager of Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM), and Ir. Noraini Bahri General Manager of Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) The writers review the second IBS Roadmap 2011-2015 and call for redefining IBS as practised in the country due to low value-added. To move forward, the industry should push for a higher degree of industrialisation, value creation and offer ‘green’ benefits. etween the 1970s and 2000s, the term able to control even the tiniest details of a design ‘prefab’ gradually changed to Industrialised with precision and consistency. nevertheless, not BBuilding system (IBs). According to the all builders are able to deliver projects using IBs. Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), This is due to the fact that the initial costs of the IBs is defined as a construction technique in which site for manufacturing and heavy machineries are components are manufactured in a controlled expensive while our labour is still comparatively environment (on or off site), transported, cheap. positioned and assembled into a structure To promote and encourage adoption of with minimal additional site work. It consists of prefabricated construction or IBs, the Malaysian precast component systems, fabricated steel government through CIDB (together with the structures, innovative mould systems, modular captains of the industry) formulated a masterplan block systems and prefabricated timber structures called Industrialised Building systems (IBs) as construction components. Parts of the building Roadmap 2003-2010 and is currently on its that are repetitive but difficult – and too time second IBs Roadmap 2011-2015. consuming and labour intensive to be cast onsite – are designed and detailed as standardised ROADMAP REVIEW components at the factory and are then brought to the site to be assembled. The onsite casting Two of the main objectives of IBs Roadmap 2011- activities in IBs utilise innovative and clean mould 2015 are: technologies. The fundamental idea of IBs is to move onsite 1. To sustain the existing momentum of 70% construction work to a controlled manufacturing IBS content for public sector building projects floor. Therefore, the main advantage of using through to 2015 the IBs system is that there is a high degree of In november 2008, the Treasury Malaysia issued quality control from start to finish. IBs should be a Treasury Circular Letter, now referred to as 19

INGENIEUR sPP 7/2008, directing all Malaysian government agencies to increase the IBs contents of their PREFAB HISTORY IN MALAYSIA building development projects (RM10 million and above) to a level not less than 70 points of the IBs Prefab buildings in Malaysia started way score and in that sense IBs must be incorporated back in the 1960s when Dewan Bandaraya as part of the contract document for tender. The Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) built the first prefab decision was to create sufficient momentum for the demand for IBs components and to create a flats in Jalan Pekeliling. About 22.7 acres spillover effect throughout the nation. The Ministry of Education is the largest IBs construction project buyer with the rapid construction of secondary and primary schools, worth a total of RM 2.4 billion. However, only 10% of 4,000 completed government projects since 2008 have used IBs as their construction method. This is due to lack of monitoring from the government of contractors and their sub-contractors who are not able to deliver IBs projects. smaller contractors tend to view IBs as a threat and not an opportunity. Failure of the government to create an open system (to encourage participation of small of land along Jalan Pekeliling, Kuala and medium components producers) has created a monopoly of manufactures, thus increasing the Lumpur was dedicated to the project price of components and tender pricing. comprising seven blocks of 17 stories flat consisting of 3,000 units of low-cost flat and 40 shoplots. This project was awarded 2. To increase the existing IBS content to 50% for to JV gammon and Larsen and nielsen private sector building project by 2015 Residential projects such as flats, condominiums using Danish system of large panel pre- and terrace houses have high IBs potential due cast concrete wall and plank slabs. The to their repetitive nature. The private sector built project was completed within 27 months RM13.7 billion worth of these residential projects, from 1966 to 1968 including the time compared to only RM1.8 billion by the public taken in the construction of the RM2.5 sector. If more of the private sector is convinced to million casting yard at Jalan Damansara. adopt IBs, the resulting outcomes will be manifold. Based on a recent study by Construction The second prefab housing project Industry Development Board (CIDB) the current initiated by the government, comprising uptake on IBs in private sector projects in Klang six blocks of 17-storey flats and three Valley stood at 45%. This encouraging take up is blocks of 18-storey flats, was constructed due to the fact that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) at Jalan Rifle Range, Penang. The project is mandating the use of IBs for building projects was awarded to Hochtief and Chee seng constructed in Kuala Lumpur. Iskandar Malaysia is using French Estoit system. The project another local authority that is currently imposing similar conditions with a positive outcome. utilised the large panel system which The report discovered that high rise required large concrete panel cast in the development and factory-like buildings tend to factory and transported to site on trailers have higher adoption of IBs compared to landed for assembly. The speed of construction is properties and small commercial units; and the much faster although the tendered price adoption in Malaysia is client-driven rather than was slightly higher by 5% to 8%. end-customer’s demand driven. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 20 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

On positive note, more private developers (b) Failure of Open System have emerged as a champions of IBs including Based on the fundamentals of Open Building, sime Darby Property sdn Bhd, sri Pajam sdn Bhd components are standardised and can be and Zikay group. Apart from that, companies such interchangeable in a skeleton – infill concept. as Precast Product sdn Bhd and Kim Lun sdn Bhd However, the ideal state of having one common IBs have successfully penetrating singapore’s precast Open system for the whole industry is very unlikely market. in the near future. This is because the industry On the other hand, there is reluctance already has 160 IBs systems providers that cover among the small private companies to take risks precast concrete frames, panels and blocks, steel on IBs which is mainly due to cost and unstable frames, prefabricated timber frames as well as market;and hence lack of investment. Another system formworks. Each system provider has major barrier is the resistance from established invested heavily and not all systems or production architects to use IBs. They are the hardest to facilities are easily adjustable or convertible. convince to use IBs compared to smaller and less established architects. (c) Lack of incentives to change to IBS To date, more than 160 IBs manufactures some may argue that the incentive in the form of are registered under Assessment of IBs status exemption of levy for projects with minimum IBs Company (AIs) - certification or accreditation score of 50% is too little. The effectiveness of the of components companies and installers. It is offer is very unlikely due to the fact that the current perceived that most manufacturers are single levy imposed on building projects is already low. plant operators concentrated in selected states Initially the levy charged for construction projects only, propagating its own proprietary system, not was at 0.25%. However, after the enforcement of operating in full capacity and having difficulty the Economic stimulus Package in 2003, it was meeting the demands of contractors. It seems reduced to 0.125% and as for low, low medium and that most locally developed products are based on medium cost housing projects, no levy is imposed. traditional materials such as reinforced concrete Based on the 0.125% rates, say for a RM20 million and most use innovative materials based on project, the levy to be paid to the government is imported technology. only RM250,000. The offer will only be attractive To encourage open system and if the increase of cost due to the usage of IBs standardisation, standard catalogue for IBs components is less than that value. components has been published CIDB in 2012 and standard joints for IBs components in currently (d) Skill Shortages been developed by Construction Research Institute Currently there is a shortage of skilled on- of Malaysia. site specialists for assembly and erection of components and experienced IBs project UNRESOLVED ISSUES managers who can plan and coordinate with the IBs manufacturers. some of the larger IBs (a) Modular Coordination manufacturers are finding it very difficult to recruit The introduction of Modular Coordination (MC) in people with IBs experience who can understand the industry not only provides dimensional basis the construction process and be able to translate for the coordination of dimensions and of those technical drawings to produce the required IBs buildings incorporating them, but also acts as a components. In addition, the installation process tool towards rationalization and industrialization of on-site requires skilled installers. There are a the building industry. MC in buildings is not a new few options to train a skilled IBs installer. One concept. It is well documented in the Malaysian way is through apprenticeship and working with standard Ms 10064: Part I -10: 2001. However, contractors who are carrying out IBs projects. IBs the use of MC in construction is still on voluntary courses carried out in training institutions such basis and IBs proponents failed to include MC in as Akademi Binaan Malaysia and Pusat IBS are the Uniform Building-By-Law (UBBL) as stipulated very short-term (approximately 3-5 days for each in roadmap’s recommendation. module). The effectiveness of such courses may 21

INGENIEUR be questionable and need to be re-examined in the in which various materials are joined to form a context of creating IBs professionals to support component part of the final installation the industry. 2. Mechanisation comes in whenever machinery is employed to ease the workload of the labourer RETHINKING AND REDEFINING IBS at factory or at site 3. Automation is a situation when the tooling (a) Understanding the degree of industrialisation (machine) completely takes over the tasks By comparison to the local definition, the term IBs performed by the labourer. used in Malaysia covers a very wide scope which 4. Robotics comprise the ability of the same includes the application of onsite systems. One tooling which has the multi-axis flexibility to cannot distinguish it properly with conventional perform diversified tasks by itself. This follows practice. While other terms used to represent the mass-customisation concept. construction industrialisation often relate to 5. Reproduction implies that innovative processes innovative solutions; the current definition and that are truly capable of simplifying the scope of IBs defined by CIDB includes low- production process. tech solutions and other common practices not Prefabrication aims at the location of the substituting conventional practices i.e. block production whereas the next three degrees works and formwork systems. Therefore, even if (mechanisation, automation and robotics) aim at the large numbers of components in construction substituting labour with machines. Reproduction, are to be fabricated under IBs, the construction is on the other hand, is a concept borrowed from the still forever site-intensive handicraft. printing industry and it is an innovation capable Rethinking the old processes is now critical if of simplifying the multiplier of complex goods and the industry is to move forward in IBs. The industry delivering affordable, quality building to the vast requires change management and business re- majority of people. engineering to encourage new mindset. To move The Malaysian construction industry is forwards, IBs needs to be redefined by looking into currently positioned at the prefabrication stage the degree of industrialisation (Figure 1) and value (production of IBs pre-cast components). To reduce creation (Figure 2) the extensive use of labour and create value from IBs, the way forward for the IBs industry in Malaysia is through the adoption of mechanisation, automation, robotic and reproduction concepts instead of prefabrication (IBs) alone. But changing of the fundamental idea of IBs is still needed for the industry to have a clearer picture on IBs and in order to create value out of it. If we still rely on IBs score, it will not change people’s perception of IBs, neither moving the industry to next level nor encouraging innovation such as robotics and automation. People will not embrace IBs in a holistic way, but just substitute Figure 1: Degree of Industrialisation (Roger Bruno brick to precast system, while IBs is about Richard, 2005) ‘industrialising’ the whole processes. IBs needs new paradigms and new way of doing things. The Figure 1 explains the degree of ‘IBs is precast’ mentality will probably drag us industrialisation. There are five degrees of downward. industrialisation which are; prefabrication, mechanisation, automation, robotic and (b) Redefining Industrialisation reproduction. In initiating industrialisation, volume alone 1. Prefabrication is a manufacturing process that is not enough. never before in the history of generally takes place at a specialised facility, industrialisation, has introduction of products or 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 22 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

processes or systems through industrialisation It is imperative that, IBs should move up the depended on volume alone. Volume must degree of industrialisation from prefabrication to come together with value. nonetheless, unlike reproduction through innovation to create value. manufacturing, automotive and telecommunication The mass-customisation concept which is vital industries, which evolve and often innovate, the to an open building system agenda can only be construction industry still uses mould systems achieved through the adoption of automation in the and simple panel systems after 40 years of level of industrialisation. In conclusion, IBs in the adoption for the sake of practicality and cost future should be mechanised and using robotics for saving. By applying this, IBs has created no or little reproduction and it has to create value to clients. value other than replacing wood mould with steel or substitute panels to brick and mortar. Onsite THE WAY FORWARD IBs mould systems or onsite panel casting pre- cast system have been ‘over-rated’ by us as if it is (a) Creating Value - 3D Volumetric Construction IBs at the most effective. Rarely do we hear about To create most value to customers and project innovative panel and roof systems (that cool the implementers through industrialisation, one of house), modular bathrooms and kitchens. neither the most probable technologies is 3D volumetric is the green component readily available in the construction. 3D Volumetric construction (also market. known as modular construction) involves the production of three-dimensional units in controlled factory conditions prior to transportation to site. Modules can be brought to site in a variety of forms, ranging from a basic structure to one with all internal and external finishes and services installed, all ready for assembly. Figure 2: IBS and Value Creation (CIB, 2010) Figure 2 shows the value creation of industrialised construction versus the type of systems used, as well as the level of standardisation. IBs can create the most value when the product undergoes individuality, integration and less standardisation in the form of modular construction and integrated elements. Increasing the individuality, content and spatiality of modules results in a reduction in the series sizes, while, on the other hand, increasing content and spatiality adds more monetary value due to rationalisation effects in the factory. Therefore, the value creation of industrialisation can only be established using robotised and automated manufacturing process using 3D volumetric and modular construction which is different from current conventional practices. 3D Volumetric Construction 23

INGENIEUR The benefits of 3D volumetric construction Controlled Production Environment are listed below. IBs offers a controlled manufacturing 1. The casting of modules uses the benefits of environment with the ability to reach difficult factory conditions to create service-intensive nooks and corners, which are often inaccessible units where a high degree of repetition and a in regular in-situ construction. With the availability need for rapid assembly onsite make its use of production tools, and permanent jigs and highly desirable. fixtures, it is easier to control the workmanship 2. The use of volumetric construction has the of construction and tighter construction resulting potential to reduce on site wastage by up to in less energy losses due to leakages (thermal 90%, compared to traditional construction leakage). 3. The enormous increase of population during the last decades has generated intensive Minimize Waste demand for houses. It is estimated that IBs traditionally has been known to minimize Malaysia needs a total of 8,850,554 waste, with the ability to reuse material from one houses between years 1995 to 2020, with module or product into another. However, several an average of 1,790,820 units to be built aspects of planning both in terms of materials for every 10 years. IBs in the form of 3D management and production management have volumetric construction addresses issues to be monitored in order to achieve the waste of fast track delivery. IBs can expedite the minimization benefits. delivery of affordable housing currently been championed by Perumahan Rakyat 1 Malaysia Energy-efficient Buildings (PR1MA) and Syarikat Perumahan Negara several pre-fabricated technologies such as Berhad (sPnB). It could even be used to structural Insulated Panels (sIPs) offer great complement conventional housing for the potential in terms of fabrication of more energy Build-Then-sell (BTs) concept. efficient buildings. However, if appropriate process 4. 3D Volumetric construction could deliver high controls and planning are not implemented these quality and energy-saving houses, conferring potential benefits could be lost due to expensive direct benefits to home owners. This will on-site assembly processes. Therefore, it is translate to profitability for developers. important that the advent of new technologies 5. 3D volumetric construction technology allows should be accompanied by proper process design mass-customisation and increased value to for onsite assembly. users. It will allow buyers to choose the finishes and gives homes a personal feel. Less Logistics However, the use of 3D volumetric housing some estimates have put the amount of or modular construction requires new materials environmental impact from material transportation (probably non-concrete), a ready supply chain and activities to be one-third of total environmental requires technology know-how. The technology impact on the entire construction process. IBs also requires new machines and new skill sets offers another benefit, and that is the ability to for the workers. There is a long way to go since order in large quantities thus reducing the number of trips to be taken. Despite this potential benefit, it our present IBs construction is a concrete-based is important that a detailed material transportation industry and therefore it requires a paradigm shift and logistics plan be put in place. and cultural change. Economic Sustainability (b) Championing the Sustainability Agenda The ability of IBs to reduce reliance on labour There are several aspects of IBs that have the in construction is well documented. However, for potential of contributing to different aspects of this to succeed there is the need to develop a sustainability and green construction, thus creating detailed training and dissemination strategy for more value to it. some of the major aspects are promoting IBs and preparing the workforce for explained below: that. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 24 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

modular housing’ which move all the work trades at site to the manufacturing floor. We need to move up the level of industrialisation and encourage innovation, whilst low innovative systems which do not contain enough value like mould systems should be discouraged. Proper incentives and tax holidays need to be introduced to cater for the production of innovative IBs. It is imperative that IBs is seen as an evolution of construction using new and innovative techniques rather than a revolution. By understanding this, the government should realize that incentives and levy exemption are still needed until the industry is mature. On the other hand, low-tech IBs that do not create any value should be dropped from IBs categorisation. Any incentive for this type of system will not help the nation to embrace construction modernisation. Creating and encouraging the IBs industry that is innovative should be a first priority. Volume is good, but concentrating on volume alone is not sufficient. On the other hand, industry must take the lead on this. Use volume to innovate. We want ‘Praton Haus type of technology exploration’ again but with greener and sustainable solution. note: Praton Haus is the most advanced system and CONCLUSION precast technology at that time, imported from germany in 1980s by Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri IBs requires fresh thinking and ‘blue ocean’ Selangor (PKns) to construct affordable housings. strategies to capture new demand, create new Essentially, IBs should not be seen as a market space and offer customers a leap in threat to traditional methods. The failure of IBs to value such as in 3D volumetric construction. The penetrate the market is due to a misconception blue ocean is an analogy to describe the wider, that it will eventually replace the traditional sector, deeper potential of market space that is not yet while it actually should work closely in tandem to explored. Value-added IBs specialists (specialist promote best practices in construction. The sharing installers, small parts producers, specialist facade of best practices between the two approaches is manufacturers, specialist joints, specialist project essential for the continued successful development coordinators, specialist designers etc.) should be of both construction market segments. encouraged. With rising costs and shortage of construction REFERENCE labourers, IBs is definitely the future. In terms of quality and returns on investment, there should CIB (2010), New Perspective in Industrialisation in not be much difference between conventional and Construction: A State-of-the-Art Report, International prefab homes. Eventually, the market will realise Council for Research and Innovation in Building that IBs produces a better quality finish and faster and Construction (CIB) Publication, Tg 57 construction. Besides overcoming the current (Industrialisation in Construction), May 2010 higher cost of IBs, we need to educate the public on the better quality that can be achieved from IBs. Roger Bruno Richard (2005), Reproduction before The government needs to encourage Automation and Robotics, Journal Automation in manufacturers to produce ‘3D volumetric and Construction, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pg 442 -445 25

INGENIEUR New Model Of One Stop Centre To Ease Issuance Of Construction Permits By Puan Aminah Abd Rahman, Director (Technical), Local Government Department, Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government The new Model of OsC focuses on five main The introduction of the One Stop Centre processes during construction period namely pre or OSC 1 Submission as a special lane UPDATE to get construction permits offering only consultation (data gathering) process, approval process, and notification to start work process, 10 procedures and taking 100 days to process marks a major improvement. final inspection and deposit of CCC process. The government (MHLg) in collaboration with Malaysia he World Bank 2013 Doing Business Report Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local ranked Malaysia at 96th place out of 185 Productivity Corporation (MPC) and FgDCP has Teconomies under the indicator of Dealing embarked on a series of road shows to promote With Construction Permits (DCP). This ranking has awareness and increased understanding among led to an unfavourable image of Malaysia in the industry players on the new Model of OsC. construction sector. A comprehensive review of the Flowcharts of the five processes in the new Model regulations in DCP was initiated in Kuala Lumpur of OsC are in Appendix A. with the aim of removing unnecessary bureaucratic The improvements initiated by the FgDCP procedures and improving the existing procedures, ease the issuances of construction permits and later to be extended and adopted by other local hence is a testimony of a successful public and authorities in Peninsular Malaysia. Problems private collaboration to improve a service delivery pertaining to obtaining construction permits system. are largely due to the nature of the regulations, weak enforcement, administrative issues such Focus Group in Dealing with Construction as unnecessary duplication and inconsistencies Permits (FGDCP) Members in procedures and incompetency both among the • Kuala Lumpur City Hall agencies and professionals. The World Bank report • Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia stated that to build and operate a warehouse in • Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Kuala Lumpur a submitting Person would have Commission to go through 37 procedures that required 140 • national Water services Commission days to secure various construction permits from • Energy Commission several technical agencies. • Board of Architects Malaysia A Focus group in Dealing with Construction • Board of Engineers Malaysia Permits (FgDCP) has conducted a thorough study • syarikat Bekalan Air selangor sdn Bhd to identify regulatory and non-regulatory procedures • Indah Water Konsortium sdn Bhd that if deleted, are able to reduce the burden imposed • Tenaga nasional Berhad by the regulators on the business community in • Ministry of Federal Territories dealing with construction permits, yet not sacrificing • Ministry of International Trade and Industry safety and health of the public. The introduction of • Ministry of Urban Wellbeing Housing and One stop Centre or OsC 1 submission in Kuala Local government Lumpur as a special lane to get construction • Ministry of Energy, green Technology and permits offering only 10 procedures and taking Water 100 days to process marks a major improvement • Ministry Information and Communication in comparison to 37 procedures which required 140 Technology days to complete as reported by World Bank. • Ministry of Works 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 26 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

APPENDIX A PROCESS 1 PRE-CONSULTATION 1.1 APPLICANT • Gather technical requirement • Layout Plan • Layout Plan • Estimated water supply • Estimated electrical • Layout Plan • Layout Plan cosumption supply cosumption 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 TNB SKMM PTG/PTD PBAN • source of electric supply • Relevant NFPs • Type of land application 14 DAYS to be settled • Tapping point •Tapping point of relevant NFP • Pressure at tapping point 1.6 APPLICANT • Received technical input from 4 technical agencies •Prepare documentations for formal submission Note : Improvements • Validity of technical input is 3 months from issuances of • Data gathering process streamlined and monitored input • Technical requirements made known prior to formal • Formal submission to OSC within the validity period submission • Benefit genuine investors PROCESS 2 APPROVAL 2.1 PSP Complete Submission SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OR STAGGERED 2.2 Checking of Document 2.2 OSC No Request Additional Complete? Document Ya EXTERNAL TECHNICAL BUILDING PLAN 2.3 2.4 PLANNING 2.5 2.6 ENGENEERING PLAN 2.7 LAND PERMISSION Building Engineering Department, AGENCIES MATTERS Planning Department, PBT PBT JPS State Land Department, PBT •Structural Plan SKMM JBPM Office •Building Plan •Earth Work Plan PTN/PTG •Planning Plan •Hoarding Permit •Work and Drainage Plan TNB •Name of road •124A • Name of Scheme • Roro bin permit •Street Lighting Plan JMG •Utility Plan •204D •Lanscape Plan •Excavation Permit IWK •Others •Transfer of Earth Permit JAS •Public Road Usage JPBD PBAN Permit JKR 2.8 OSC Approval after fulfill the amendments To be continued 27

INGENIEUR APPENDIX A PROCESS 2 PLAN APPROVAL Continued 2.9 OSC COMM MEETING 2.10 OSC 2.11 INTERNAL 2.12 2.13 PTN TECHNICAL FULL COUNCIL • Table DEPARTMENT PBT •endorsement Land •Issue official Matters to decision States Exco •Endorse plans •Forward state’s decision to OSC 2.14 OSC •Coordinate and compile Amendment of plans to be submitted to •Issue JK OSC consideration endorsed plans Improvements 2.15 PSP/SP • Single in single out process • Reduce interactions between business to agencies PROCESS 3 NOTIFICATION TO START WORK PSP 3.1 Deposit Notification Deposit Checklist • Project Implementation Schedule • Declaration complying with IWK • Declaration complying with JPS • Declaration complying with SKMM • Declaration complying with PPSPA • List of consultants involved in projects • Land Certificate • infrastructure fund payment by check / money order / bank draft • JKJ Form • B Form • B Form (Earth Work) • PDC 6 OSC 3.2 Distribute notices to agencies 3.3 BUILDING 3.4 3.5 APP 3.6 DEPARTMENT ENGINEERING (IWK/MAJAARI) DOSH / OTHERS AGENCY DEPARTMENT ReceivePDC 6, Receive B Form, Second Schedule Receive B Form, MSIG Receive UBBL 1984 Earth Work by law VOL II notification Improvements • Reduce interaction 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 28 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

PROCESS 4 FINAL INSPECTION (TESTING AND COMMISSIONING, REPORTS, CONNECTION, ISSUANCE OF CLEARANCE LETTER) Note : 5.1 PSP • Submit request for • Substation to be handed over to TNB once completed inspection with testing and commissioning report Improvements  Final inspection I for scope PBAN, TNB, PBT / IWK  Application for Communication Connection.  Final Inspection II for JPBM, DOSH, APP (IWK/MAJAARI), PBT/JKR • Structured and monitored inspections •Clearance letters issued immediately 5.2 •Testing and commissioning of systems based on OSC supplies designed for the development • Issue notices for final inspection • Monitor final inspection •Reduce interaction •Flag off • OSC inform NFP to do connection FINAL INSPECTION I 5.5 5.3 NFP 5.4 PBAN 5.4 5.5 TNB 5.6 PBT / JKR •Communication a.Final Inspection a. Final Inspection a. Final Connection Connection b.Utility Connection b.Electrical b.Clearance letter c.Report c.Connection CCC Submission d.Clearance letter d.Meter connection CCC & Clearance letter CCC FINAL INSPECTION II 5.7 JBPM 5.8 DOSH 5.9 APP a. Final a. Final (IWK/MAJAARI) Connection Connection a. Final b.Clearance letter b.Clearance letter Connection CCC CCC b.Clearance letter CCC 5.10 PSP • Receive clearance letters CCC PROCESS 5 DEPOSIT CCC AND G FORM PSP 6.1 • Deposit 2 copies CCC & Form G within 14 days after CCC issued • CCC • From G1 – G21 6.2 OSC Receive & distribute • CCC • CCC • Form G1 – G21 • Form G1 – G21 6.3 6.4 BUILDING LAM/LJM DEPARTMENT • Record & file CCC & • Record & file CCC & Form G1 – G21 Form G1 – G21 Improvements •Reduce interaction •Leaner process 29

INGENIEUR Are Professional Engineers more accountable with the implementation of CCC? By Ir. Chen Thiam Leong UPDATE The first Certificate of Completion & • non submission of Form g Compliance (CCC) was issued by a • Wrong discipline of PE signing as sP in Form g Professional Engineer (PE) on March 4, • non enclosure of Clearance Letters from Utilities 2008. Has the CCC proved effective so To overcome the problem, the BEM’s CCC far? Were PEs less accountable prior sub-Committee published a comprehensive guide to CCC? Have PEs been short-changing to Filling up CCC Forms F/F1 and g1 to g21 in the public previously? The writer gives May 2008 which to-date remains posted on the answers to these and similar queries. relevant websites of BEM, BAM, ACEM, IEM and PAM. The footnotes on this guide also carry the n June 2004 the Prime Minister called for the following reminders:- replacement of the issuance of the Certificate (1) PsP shall notify the local authority through Iof Fitness for Occupation (CFO) by the local OsC (in writing or using prescribed form) authorities with self-certification by professionals after Forms g1-g3 are certified (i.e. after with the intention of improving the efficiency of completion of Earthwork, setting Out and the building delivery system and enhancing the Foundations) 2 competitiveness of Malaysia globally. (2) Form F/F1 and Form g-1 to g-21 shall be Certificate of Completion and Compliance forwarded to the LA and BAM/BEM within 14 (CCC) to be issued by professional architects and days of the issuance of Form F/F1 1 engineers (PE) will replace the CFO previously With the publication of this guide and footnotes, issued by the Local Authorities (LAs). The issuance all PsPs and sPs will have no more excuses of not of CCC came into effect on April 12, 2007 and the knowing about the intricacies of CCC. first CCC was issued by a professional engineer on After september 2008, BEM began issuing March 4, 2008. warning letters to PsPs who failed to submit their In May 2008, upon review of the CCC Form F/F1 or g within the prescribed deadline documents (Form F and g) received by the Board of 14 days from the date of issuance of CCC. of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), it was apparent that To allow sufficient time for familiarization, BEM many PsPs (Principal submitting Persons) and sPs decided to let all first time offenders off but would (submitting Persons) were not fully conversant refer repeat offenders for disciplinary action. with filling up the various forms properly and some However, following the conclusion of a second defaulted on enclosures. round of roadshows on CCC by BEM in 2012, Examples of errors detected included:- together with updates and repeat notices in the • Inserting PsP’s design drawing nos. instead of BEM bulletin, BEM will no longer be lenient on first LA’s Approval Reference no. time defaulters. Engineers are also reminded that • Inserting Contractor with Company name only Civil Professional Engineers may issue CCC 3 instead of the required Individual name with (Form F/F1) and only for Appendix B & C types of nRIC no. buildings/projects. It is an offence for engineers to • name of LA not inserted issue CCC for Appendix A type of buildings. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 30 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

Effectiveness of CCC • One PsP has been deregistered for fraudulently issuing a CCC. That the CCC regime has been more than now that BEM has finally cleared its backlog successful cannot be disputed anymore. CCC has of checking all deposited CCCs, the staff have not only achieved its primary objective but more. moved on to commence checking CCCs deposited CCC has enabled the tracking of fraudulent and/ with the Board of Architects Malaysia (BAM). This or unprofessional engineers, and is also capable on-going task will take a while since there are of tracking unqualified and defaulting contractors, over 8,000 CCCs issued for Appendix A type of trade contractors as well as (in future) inspector- projects. However, it is alarming to note that from of-works . the initial Form g checked, the percentage of sP 4 All CCCs issued for Appendix C type of (PE) offenders appear higher than for the Appendix buildings that are deposited with BEM are thoroughly C projects. scrutinised for correctness and compliance. A list of these issued CCCs is regularly updated on BEM The Practising Professional Engineer & 5 website for public consumption. Engineering Consultancy Practice 7 Through this process, a PsP who has incorrectly signed a CCC will be issued a show Amongst the reasons for PEs not adhering to the cause letter to be followed by appropriate action. requirements of CCC is the inexcusable ignorance This process checks whether the PsP is a bona of PEs of the requisites of a practising professional fide PE who is permitted to issue the CCC and engineer. Therefore, in conjunction with CCC, it is 6 whether the PsP is properly practising through prudent to remind engineers of the clear distinction an Engineering Consultancy Practice (ECP). The between a practising engineer and a non-practising check also extends to verifying that each Form g is engineer as well as a consulting engineer and a correctly signed by respective PEs (as the sP) of the contractor’s engineer. relevant licensed discipline. All this thoroughness The practising engineer in relevance to CCC serves to ensure that the interests of the public refers to a Consulting Engineer in the Construction 8 are protected. Industry who charges a fee to render his service Prior to CCC, LAs who did receive Form E (or and acts as a PsP or sP as defined in the UBBL. their equivalent for different states) before issuing A PE may not necessary be a practising engineer CFOs, did not check on the authenticity of the but may merely practise engineering, viz. as a signing PEs and hence the possibility of fraudulent Resident site Engineer for a construction project. PEs could not be discounted. However, when acting as a Resident Engineer, he As a matter of statistics, with over 2,200 acts on behalf of the Practising Engineer, and as CCCs deposited with BEM, the following issues such his professionalism and conduct is equally have arisen and appropriate action taken:- vital to ensure public safety and interest. A • All complaints from LAs (about 20) have been competent lift engineer registered with the Factory investigated and hitherto no wrong practice has & Machinery Department, on the other hand, acts been found. The complainants have been duly on behalf of his lift contracting company, and under notified and the findings copied to the Ministry no circumstances should any consulting engineer of Housing & Local government. compel him to sign on behalf of the consulting • More than 30 PsPs or sPs have been found to engineer . 9 be practising without ECPs and majority of them have taken up the opportunity given to rectify Fraudulent Engineers within a prescribed period while a recalcitrant few have been served disciplinary notice. As highlighted earlier, before the advent of CCC, • Over 80 sPs have been hauled up for signing there was no mechanism to detect fraudulent Form g for the wrong disciplines. engineers except through public complaints. • Three sPs have claimed their signatures have Over the years, BEM has received complaints of been fraudulently used without their knowledge fraudulent engineers. Two such cases involved or consent and they have lodged police reports. masquerading as engineers with doctorate 31

INGENIEUR degrees – one to impress his in-laws, and one to in the past, CCC is able to uncover these acts seek employment. and hopefully completely eliminate such in double sadly, the implementation of CCC has also quick time. exposed other forms of fraudulent practices, the By ensuring errant engineers are stopped most prevalent being using PE stamps of some in their tracks for practising out of their licensed unsuspecting PEs or even PEs who have migrated disciplines, public interest is further protected or quit the industry. before any calamity occurs. The same applies when only serious consultants are permitted to practise Conclusion through registered ECPs to prevent ‘fly-by-night’ PEs – a very necessary step when the industry is As far as the effectiveness of CCC is concerned, completely liberalised in the very near future. there is only one verdict and that is it has achieved The benefits of CCC can only get better more than what it was set out to do. Public when the rest of the industry is ready to activate interest is definitely better served and where its already in-built mechanism to track legitimate fraudulent practices may have escaped detection contractors and inspector-of-works. REFERENCES 1 The detail development of CCC was led by Ar Tan Pei Ing and Ir. Chen Thiam Leong on behalf of the professionals. 2 The rationale for this early notification is due to the fact that some approved projects may not commence construction at all during their approved Building Plan validity period of 12 months, and hence, the local authorities are unable to plan their optional site inspections. 3 For definition of Appendix A, B and C projects, refer to www.bem.org.my and go to the “sERVICEs” tab. 4 Under the amended REA, inspector-of-works will be registered under the category of engineering technologists. 5 Visit www.bem.org.my and go to the “sERVICEs“ tab for the drop-down box on CCC and then open the sub-menu on “list of submissions”. 6 CCC issuance is by means of Form F or Form F1, the latter is for a partial CCC and is normally not applicable to a factory project. Use of Form F1 is now strictly controlled by BEM to prevent misuse and can only be purchased from BEM after clearance of its legitimacy. 7 For a more comprehensive insight, readers are encouraged to read the two articles on The Practice - Part 1 (published in the Third Quarter 2011 issue of suara Perunding) and The Practice – Part 2 (published in the First Quarter 2013 issue of suara Perunding). The suara Perunding is a publication by the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia for which all serious practising engineers subscribe to. 8 A Consulting Engineer must practise through an Engineering Consultancy Practice, contrary to misleading advice by certain pseudo lawyers over the years. 9 This ‘misconduct’ by some consulting engineers was uncovered recently when the Malaysia Lifts & Escalators Association sought clarification from BEM after one of their members was given a show- cause letter for signing on behalf of the consultant. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 32 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

green Building Index & green Housing sPECIAL FEATURE By Ir. Chen Thiam Leong What is a Green Building? strictly for the benefit of those who are not familiar with the construction industry ………. A green Building can be defined as a building designed, built, operated and disposed of in a resource- efficient manner with the aim of minimizing the overall (negative) impact on the built environment, human health and the natural environment. some examples of green building features are choice of site and orientation, efficient use of materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation. Global Green Rating Systems The British were the first to introduce a systematic methodology of rating buildings green in the form of BREEAM in 1990. The Americans released Residential Green Rating Tools 1 their LEED rating scheme eight years later, but Apart from the earlier market pressures to rate 2 thanks to their superior marketing acumen , LEED commercial buildings first (in all countries), 3 quickly overtook BREEAM in global subscription. another reason why rating tools for commercial The Australians developed their green star rating buildings are always developed first lies in the scheme in 2003 which was followed by singapore’s commonality of facilities associated with such green Mark in 2005. buildings throughout the world where offices What all these rating schemes have in need to provide the same indoor conditions to common is that all of these authorities first enhance productivity wherever they may be sited. launched their rating tools for non-residential However, the same cannot be said of residential or commercial buildings. This should not be developments where the disparity in developmental unexpected since this is where the highest market progress, wealth, culture and climate are too wide demand existed at the time. Their respective to find common grounds. For instance, the types of residential tools followed about three years later. houses prevalent in the UsA are not often found Even later tools like India’s gRIHA, which first in India and it was for this reason that India had launched their commercial tool in 2006 (India to develop its own residential tool even though it licensed from America’s LEED) in the similar took another four years to do so. nearer to home vein following up with their residential tool four and even within the same region, housing in the years later in 2010 . Malaysia’s green Building city state of singapore can be distinctly different 4 Index (gBI) rating scheme holds the distinction of from Malaysian homes except for the high-rise launching both the non-residential and residential towers. Hence, it was only appropriate that the rating tools simultaneously on May 21, 2009. gBI residential tool had to be suited to our local 33

INGENIEUR building typologies ranging from the single landed promoting the reduction of heat island effect, properties (which in turn comprises variants of use of 5-star energy rated appliances and hybrid/ link terrace houses, single, double or even triple electrical vehicles. stories; bungalow units, walk-up town houses and The RnC tool succinctly discourages use of apartments, high-rise low cost flats to high-rise air-conditioning and challenges designers to opt for condominiums, not to mention the never ending tropical designs to harness the natural environment evolving ‘mixed’ schemes creatively named sOHO, of the region. Use of public transportation is sOFO, sOVO, etc.). generously rewarded. Pollution control, storm- water management and renewable energy sources Green Building Index (GBI) are duly recognised. The gBI rating scheme is developed to suit In a nutshell, the tool is designed to cater for the local Malaysian conditions, benefit the Malaysia’s local conditions and addresses issues local environment and incorporates Malaysian associated with our climate, resources, stress and laws and codes of practice. The credibility and priorities. It is designed to dovetail into Malaysia’s integrity of gBI is held in high esteem, stemming own building industry; acknowledging its maturity, back to 2008 at a BIPC meeting when REHDA compliance with local regulations, enhancing the 5 lamented on the mushrooming of developers industry with trained and professional consultants claiming their developments to be green without with integrity and adopting best industry practices. any authentication and requested professionals RnC Version 3.0 has advanced a step further develop our own Malaysian rating tool stressing (since the industry is now ready), by having a first that the professionals are the ones who are mandatory criteria in “Minimum Energy Efficiency” impartial and are regulated by their respective requirement which is in line with the Uniform boards on their code of professional conduct . Building By-laws (UBBL) 2012 Amendment on 6 Energy Efficiency, that reads; GBI RNC Tool The gBI Residential new Construction (RnC) By-law 38A. Energy efficiency in buildings Tool Version 1.0, after its launch in May 2009, 1. new or renovated non-residential buildings with immediately started receiving constructive air-conditioned space exceeding 4,000 sq m feedback from the industry stakeholders which shall be; resulted in the development of Version 2.0 after two • designed to meet the requirements of Ms years . However, RnC Version 2.0 was also found 1525 with regards to the Overall Thermal 7 wanting , and a year later, a new comprehensive Transfer Value (OTTV) and the Roof Thermal 8 exercise was undertaken involving independent Transfer Value (RTTV); and industry practitioners and stakeholders through • provided with an Energy Management Facebook, email and physical participation to system. realise RnC Version 3.0 which was launched on 2. The roof for all buildings (residential and July 11, 2013. After four years of gBI experience, non-residential) shall not have a thermal Version 3.0 has hopefully managed to capture all transmittance (U-value) greater than; the different (and still evolving) residential building • 0.4 W/m K for Light (under 50 kg/m ) 2 2 typologies in the country. weight roof; and In line with gBI’s philosophy, the RnC rating • 0.6 W/m K for Heavy (above 50 kg/m ) 2 2 tool is similarly developed to meet the local weight roof, industry’s needs. The tool is not developed to unless provided with other shading or cooling suit any stakeholder’s needs but is intended to means. raise the standard of the Malaysian building and Various Local Authorities have since been construction practices through the increased duly briefed that implementation of this new by- demand for CIDB’s IBs and QLAssIC due to law can be by means of self-regulation by the 9 points awarded in the gBI for their compliance. Principal submitting Person (PsP) now that gBI The tool also encourages recycling of construction has provided training to the submitting persons and domestic wastes , harvesting rainwater , (Architects and Engineers) over the past four 11 10 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 34 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

Does green pay off (in Malaysia)? - Non-Residential Buildings - projected data by Ir TL Chen (not verified:2009) Green Average Meets GBI GBI GBI GBI Building M’sian MS1525 Certified Silver Gold Platinum Index Rating Bldg BEI 250 200 - 220 150 - 180 120 - 150 100- 120 <100 kWh/m .year 2 Energy Base 10 - 20 30 - 40 40 -50 50 – 60 > 60 Savings % Incremental Base 1 – 3 5 – 8 8 – 12 12 – 15 >15 construction (0 – 3)* (1 – 5)* (3 – 8)* (5 – 10)* (6 – 13)* cost % * Denotes revised projection in 2011 years, and furthermore, compliance with gBI rating within only a short period of four years, for example, will automatically denote compliance to this by-law. low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints are now priced at similar levels to non-low VOC paints, Green Housing & Green Township and due to supply and demand forces, the latter Whilst the gBI RnC tool rates each individual may soon cost more than the former in the very building green and which may cover the entire near future. housing scheme, the future market trend will Practitioners and responsible developers likely see demand to be part of a holistic green have also begun attesting that it may even cost township. The government has already moved nothing extra for residential developments to ahead with greening Putrajaya and KeTTHA and achieve the minimum gBI Certified rating albeit 12 has embarked on its Low Carbon City Framework with conscious good design practices at the onset (LCCF). These are still early days yet and gBI has especially addressing the passive design needs also responded to KeTTHA’s request to come out (which are now mandated under the UBBL 2012 with the gBI Township tool – a lengthy subject for Amendment). As gBI buildings are completed and another time. green cost incentives are submitted, the actual green costs expended appear to trend lower than The Cost of going Green gBI predicted in 2009 (see table). For instance, When building green was first surveyed in 2008 , a recent gBI gold rated residential building was 13 it was deemed as “the right thing to do”. Within achieved with only about 3% cost increment. five years, the mantra has changed to “green is a business imperative”. GBI Status Perhaps in the near future, the question will gBI publishes its progress record on a monthly basis be rephrased as “The Cost of not going green”? and updates on the displayed table on facts and This prediction is not at all over optimistic since figures are available on www.greenbuildingindex.org 35

‟ INGENIEUR GBI is a recognised world class green building rating system and similar to the altruistic green drivers all over the world Conclusion 5 BIPC the acronym for Building Industry going green is inevitable as it is the right thing to Presidents’ Council which comprises do. The challenge is no more proving the virtues presidents representing the Architects of going green but rather preventing the green (PAM), Engineers (ACEM & IEM), Developers agenda from being hijacked by ‘green washers’ (REHDA), Contractors (MBAM), Town pretending to champion the cause to protect their Planners (MIP), Interior Designers (MIID), and own selfish interests. gBI is a recognised world surveyors (RIsM). class green building rating system and similar to 6 The Development of gBI is archived the altruistic green drivers all over the world; each under www.greenbuildingindex.org (go to country needs to develop its own rating tool to suit REsOURCE tab then scroll to gBI Documents its sustainable needs and growth. The resolve to to view the title file. resist regression and to acquiesce to any particular 7 It is an industry standard for all green rating stakeholder’s narrow interest must be upheld at all tools to be reviewed yearly for need to revise times. To this end, gBI has walked the talk when as these tools are meant to be dynamic in 2010 gBI sent a team of trainers to assist the and aims to keep raising the bar to attain Indonesian green Building Council set up its own sustainability. rating tool (greenship) instead of merely adopting 8 Due in part to unchecked influence exerted gBI. similar assistance is now being extended to by a certain working group member that other requesting countries – a testimony to gBI’s led to V2.0 being skewed towards high-rise standing. developments. 9 CIDB refers to the Construction Industry REFERENCES Development Board; IBs refers to Industrialised Building system; QLAssIC 1 Building Research Establishment’s refers to Quality Construction standard Environmental Assessment Method developed by CIDB. 2 Leadership in Energy and Environmental 10 Recycling of domestic waste which was Design promoted by the Ministry of Housing & Local 3 Bet you heard it before that the Yankees can government more than 10 years ago, is now even sell you a bankrupt bank? enjoying far more success than ever before. 4 The author met up with the founders of 11 gBI has successfully promoted rainwater gRIHA in 2009 who confided that gBI was harvesting ahead of the government’s absolutely right in developing our own tool recently mandated laws albeit for only suited for our own country and that India specific developments. learned their lesson and will come out with 12 KeTTHA is the acronym for Ministry of Housing their own residential tool suitable for their & Local government use. 13 surveyed by Mcgraw-Hill Construction 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 36 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

green IBs: A Design Concept of Divergent Dwelling system By Gan Hock Beng, G&A Architect sPECIAL FEATURE Zuhairi Abd Hamid, Foo Chee Hung, Mohd Khairolden Ghani, Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM) The authors recommend a divergent dwelling system for housing construction where service spaces are fixed externally to form dwellings, but internal service spaces can be changed to accommodate different functions with minimum or no disturbance to the core structure. green IBs can be embedded in this design system by incorporating IBs manufacturing practices and the ten principles of green construction involving economic viability, environment and sustainability. 37

INGENIEUR n a highly competitive industry such as building construction where profit hovers around 5 – ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONCEPT I10 % and risks are extremely high, unfamiliar techniques such as Industralised Building system STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING DESIGN (IBs) can easily blow out the 5 – 10 % profit target. The objective is to make IBs the preferred mode of DETAILING AND CHECKING design and construction, so that both clients and stakeholders instinctively choose standardization WORKSHOP DETAILING AND SCHEDULING of components from the onset of any construction project. BUILDING COMPONENT MANUFACTURING Finding solutions to the challenges faced AND QUALITY CONTROL by implementing IBs relies upon active actions by the developer, manufacturers and contractors. They are builders that can change the construction TRANSPORTATION TO SITE scene in Malaysia. Firstly, let us examine the processes and BUILDING COMPONENT AND SITE ERECTION supply chain involving IBs. Manufacturer of IBs components are commonly involved only after the Figure 1: Flowchart Activities involved in IBS tender stage. However, IBs needs to be addressed right from the onset of the design stage to ensure that the successful optimization of design and Structural Engineering Design construction is carried out. IBs derives from a Close co-ordination between the structural design combination of design office (architectural and engineer, manufacturer, contractor and panel structural engineering), workshop detailing and erector is important. The design engineer must scheduling, manufacturing (factory) and construction be responsible for the design and certification on site (Hamid, 1993). The flowchart activities in of the workshop detailing translated from IBs can be easily summarized in Figure 1. the structural detailing in accordance with his The success of IBs construction depends design. The manufacturer normally engages a on close co-operation of the whole team. This third party to produce the shop detailing but in will enhance the advantages and versatility of the some instances they produce it in house. It is the system and could maximize cost benefits. responsibility of the manufacturer to inform the Planning must be precise and exact. It is structural designer on construction progress and important that each member of the team is aware notify him of any changes made on site erection of the constraints of the method and of the broad and panel casting. implications arising from any errors or incorrect decisions. Building Component Manufacture and Quality Control Architectural Design Concept In the factory, the casting of precast concrete The architect must clearly define his concept panels is done with stringent supervision and in a practical method of panel construction quality control. sufficient cover and reinforcements and erection. An experienced architect with IBs are tied as required in the design. Concrete grades construction background will help in ensuring the ranging from 30 to 40 are normally used. super- concept is practical. This does not mean that if plasticizer is used to achieve good workability. the architectural concept is not aligned with IBs, All reinforced concrete works must be monitored the construction cannot be carried out. IBs allows by a concrete foreman and a concrete steel fixer. flexibility as it can be adopted in combination Completed panels are lifted after 18 hours and are with both traditional and conventional methods of air cured for 24-28 hours before being delivered construction. to site. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 38 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

Transportation to Site unit is legislatively controlled by the Uniform By- Panels are brought to site by lorries or trailers. Laws, Malaysia. specially designed stackers are used to stack The minimum build-up area for various the panels so as not to damage them structurally combinations of rooms to make up a housing unit during transportation. The panels are securely tied is as follows:- or attached to the delivery vehicle by restraints which do not damage them. Low friction material Area Minimum size (sq m) should not be used as packing to support an element. slender members may require temporary Living 11 stiffening against lateral buckling. Casting of First Bedroom 9.3 panels is sometimes done on site simultaneously second Bedroom 6.5 with the factory. Third Bedroom 6.5 Building Component and Erection Kitchen 4.5 The erection sequence should be planned and First Bedroom 1.5 agreed between all relevant parties at the earliest second Bathroom 1.5 possible stage. In this instance, the minimum size of OVERVIEW OF MASS HOUSING IN a 3-bedroom / 2-bedroom housing unit with MALAYSIA approximately 20% of circulation area would be 49 sq m or 527 sq ft. normally, in the housing industry provided by The issue of housing the mass population has the private sector, the size of the built-up area is been the hot topic of conversation between all determined by the selling price of the unit. parties involved from the top of governmental bodies down to the end users, the occupiers of the DIVERGENT DWELLING DESIGN dwellings.. Efforts have been encouraged by the government to encourage more affordable housing ALTERNATIVE to be built by both the public and private sector as To solve the problem of rising demand for housing our nation edges towards developed nation status. , the current architectural strategy, namely the Designers have a moral and social responsibility to convergent design system is found to be deficient address the issues involved in producing housing and an alternative design system must be utilized. designs that are affordable and fulfill the end user This is the divergent design system. requirements. The convergent design system implies Housing especially for the lower income extreme compartmentalization and dissociation group remains a top priority in the agenda for the of internal elements, where service space is built country’s development. The standard of housing for internally in a house, interlocking with its space these purpose needs to be given further thought fundamentally, making said service space difficult in the continuous development of better quality to interchange or dispose of . housing for the population at large. The divergent design system meanwhile is generally, architects and planners with defined as an architecture where service spaces the participation of the local authorities and are fixed externally to form dwellings of which governmental bodies should work together in its internal service spaces can be changed to creating new ideas and concepts in housing accommodate different functions with minimum or development. no disturbance to the core structure. The proposed concept attempts to evaluate Standard area and requirement for housing the present norms of housing design without The minimum size required for a habitable housing sacrificing the built-up area, spatial layout and the 39

INGENIEUR Source: Adapted from HB Gan (2013) Figure 2: Illustrations on the differences between convergent and divergent systems comparison between Convergent Design System and Divergent Design System 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 40 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

‟ The success of IBS construction depends on close co-operation of the whole team. improvement in the quality of design. In fact, there The unit plan design allows flexibility in is a possibility of increasing the internal spatial forming the basic unit configuration which then layout and also improving the garden space/green responds to the nature of the site conditions. areas so that a greater percentage of the land A flexible unit plan is a key element in can be used for amenities without sacrificing the adapting to the formation of a site layout plan. number of units. TROPICAL BUILDING DESIGN Design of Unit Plans – THE DIVERGENT DWELLING The layout design of the unit takes into consideration SYSTEM the following:- • The spatial and functional arrangement Four levels of housing design are utilized in this • The potential to expand space for increased process occupant’s usage. 1. The design of unit plans • Maximizing natural lighting and ventilation. 2. The design of unit configurations • The continuity of the traditional housing 3. The design of sustainable strategies concepts into a modern contemporary 4. The design of structures and construction residential development. COMPARISON BETWEEN CONVERGENT DESIGN SYSTEM AND DIVERGENT DESIGN SYSTEM Convergent Design System (mass housing) Divergent Design System (molecular dwelling) Convergent housing process. Components Divergent housing process. Attached externally. enclosed within. Each unit is independent of the other. Can change or renew units without much disturbance Each unit is interdependent on others, because sharing wall and floor and common physical or interference with others. barriers. Way of stacking is repetitive horizontally Open-plan. Occupants can redesign freely and and vertically. Very few can provide varieties of incorporate whatever changes they want to suit architectural design layout. own personal tastes and styles, by switching or rearranging the components. Inflexibility. Very difficult to modify and change. Allows flexibility. With changes possible for Bathrooms, kitchen, living rooms, etc interlocked. switching toilets, kitchen, wash areas and living areas, as well as introduction of new functions in existing spaces. switching component spaces is possible. 41

INGENIEUR Convergent Design System (mass housing) Divergent Design System (molecular dwelling) Does not solve problem at large. Every dwelling Allows for machine production. standardized – is slightly different, and the convergent process there is a unit constant that allows for machine inhibits machine production. Mass production production and industrialisation. For example, can only be achieved in part prefabrication, bathroom and kitchen dimensions are fixed for which does not solve housing construction to mass production, though internal fittings and a large extent. Any new products developed appliances may vary from one unit to the other. in the market by advancement of science and The purchaser has a wide spectrum of choice technology are difficult to be incorporated into with regards to products in the market. Hence mass housing due to convergent, interlocking the architecture can comprehend the advances elements of whole. of science and technology over time. Resulting in faster production at economical rates – applying Developer can only wait for new schemes to incorporate their ideas, deterring them from little to get more result. progressing with their ideas further. The manufacturing of the unit does not involve excessive site labour. Installation is also done with less time and cost. The period product development to manufacturing to marketing is relatively short. The circulation system – comprising paths to Creation of instant pathways that can ascend and descend a structure, as well as change, revised, expanded with least to travel along a horizontal plane within the disturbance to other unit occupants. structure – are largely fixed. Incorporation of vertical circulation with lifts and escalators as external divergent components Even external access such as roads along the periphery of the structure are fixed. Any changes to contribute to a complete network of three- of paths entails not only the ejection of the path, dimensional circulation. but destruction resulting in abortive work and This has increased efficiency by manifold disturbance to the community. compared to two-dimensional suburban sprawl. so molecular dwellings incorporate planning and The paths are largely convergent and rigid. It is difficult to fit or introduce new paths into the architecture into a single entity. circulation system of the overall structure. The structure is usually built with one particular Facilitates and allows complete and overall land use in mind. so any move to change the change of structural use for very different sectors, land use entails either massive renovation for a with simple replacements of moveable parts. A complete overhaul, or a total destruction of the residential unit can be changed to commercial, structure to be replaced by a newer one. and a commercial to recreational purposes. For example, by incorporating kitchen and toilet in a residential space can be converted to a café. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 42 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

Convergent Design System (mass housing) Divergent Design System (molecular dwelling) since every structure has no connection with Put together, molecular units can become part the surrounding, this results in each structure of a greater molecular community and even becoming an isolated island by itself. molecular township. This discourages any creation of bigger physical One does not have to determine in advance the community as any interaction between structures. overall makeup of a group of units, for the whole Any attempt to join up different structures community may just be cultivated or generated in would likely result physical disharmony and a naturally evolving manner. This programmable disproportion. Inefficient execution of planning dwelling pattern will enable a variety of can hence result in slum areas and waste in dwellings to be processed, to constantly renew spaces available. themselves owing to industrialisation and with rational rearrangement of all available habitual spaces and incorporation of machine production resulting in the community that has no slum, and where no redevelopment is necessary. no part of it need ever be obsolete. The process of mass housing discourages With its ability to have component areas the incorporation of science, technology and substituted, there is also greater flexibility industrialisation, as the structure is largely fixed to introduce new technological devices and with its predetermined fittings. equipment. It is also easier to modify each existing component space, to make it adaptable to a newer function, and open to new amenities. Figure 3: Embedding aspects of IBS to 10 Principles of Green Sustainability for Malaysian Housing Construction 43

INGENIEUR RECOMMENDATION by Lockwood (2007), there are ten principles to be adopted if one wants to implement green The Divergent Dwelling system makes possible construction as shown in Figure 3. Embedding the creation of dwellings, communities or even aspects of economy viability, design principles and townships which may grow old yet without environment within IBs manufacturing practices becoming obsolete, which may absorb the latest framework into the 10 Principles of the green ideas yet have a sense of history, communities Way (Hamid et. al., 2011, Lockwood, 2007) will in which the population can live for generations bring synergy towards green construction and and which yet incorporate the potential of implementation of sustainability in Malaysia. change. Migration to a sustainable ‘mentality’ requires REFRERENCES a lot of change in attitude, innovation, creativity, research and support from many stakeholders. Hamid. Z. (1993) Engineered Precast Concrete The strategic direction, implementation System, Public Works Department Malaysia senior strategies and research and development have Officers Meeting 1993 - shangri-La Hotel, Penang to be driven in harmony. It is envisioned that all Hamid, Z. A., Kamar, (2011), Aspects of off-site initiatives mentioned need to be taken forward manufacturing application towards sustainable simultaneously. Every stakeholder involved must construction in Malaysia, Construction Innovation stand together and react as a team, not as an Journal 12 (1), 4-10, Emerald. individual champion. HB gan (2013), Molecular Architecture: THINGS TO The era of sustainability is currently taking COME. gMA Publication. its stand, and the construction industry must demonstrate that it can lead and take this forward. Lockwood, C. (2007). Building The Green Way, green technology is an important element under Harvard Business Review on green Business the sustainability domain. Based on a research strategy, Harvard Business school Press, UsA. ECOCLEAN AUSDRAIN ENVIROMODULE TM EcoClean Ausdrain EnviroModule™ ECOCLEAN AUSDRAIN DRAINAGE CELL Contact US: SISTEM VAKUUM SDN. BHD. EcoClean Technology Sdn Bhd Tel : +603-9171 8160 Fax : +603-9171 9160 Email : [email protected] Website : www.ecoclean.com.my Sistem Vakuum Sdn Bhd Tel : +603-9171 6445 Fax : +603-9172 6920 Vacuum Sewers Email : [email protected] Website : www.sistemvakuum.com Vacuum Valve Unit EcoClean Ausdrain 12A-02, 03 & 03A, Wisma Zelan, Jalan Tasik Permaisuri 2, Vacuum Station Drainage Cell Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 44 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

POWER-GEN Asia, co-located with Renewable Energy World Asia, is the leading CONNECTING force in delivering a platform for the power and renewable energy industries to meet, connect and share information on the challenges facing the power industry within Asia. ASIA’S POWER Attracting 7,000 delegates and attendees from over 60 countries from across exhibition dedicated to the power generation, renewable and alternative energy PROFESSIONALS South East Asia and around the world, it is the industry’s premier conference and industries. With its rising prominence in the global economy, developing Asia’s energy 10-12 SEPTEMBER 2014 capacity become a major activity within the marketplace. Asia’s energy needs KLCC, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA will expand in tandem with its growing economic infuence. Expanding renewable energy sources will not be enough to meet future demand. Consequently, Asia www.powergenasia.com needs to invest in making conventional power cleaner and more effcient. www.renewableenergyworld-asia.com Gain access to the opportunities within the power generation and renewable energy industries of Malaysia and the wider region, and ensure your presence at CALL FOR PAPERS NOW OPEN POWER-GEN Asia and Renewable Energy World Asia 2014 ABSTRACT SUBMITTAL DEADLINE: WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN KUALA LUMPUR, 6 DECEMBER 2013 MALAYSIA ON 10-12 SEPTEMBER 2014. FOR EXHIBITION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT: FOR INFORMATION ABOUT PARTICIPATING AT THE CONFERENCE CONTACT: POWER-GEN Asia Renewable Energy World Asia POWER-GEN Asia Renewable Energy World Asia Kelvin Marlow Tom Marler Mathilde Sueur Sophia Perry Exhibit Sales Manager Exhibit Sales Manager Senior Conference Manager Conference Coordinator T: +44 (0) 1992 656 610 T: +44 (0) 1992 656 608 T: +44 (0) 1992 656 634 T: +44 (0) 1992 656 641 C: +44 (0) 7808 587 764 C: +44 (0) 7944 305748 F: +44 (0) 1992 656 700 F: +44 (0)1992 656 700 F: +44 (0) 1992 656 700 F: +44 (0) 1992 656 700 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] OWNED AND PRODUCED BY: PRESENTED BY: SUPPORTED BY: 45 0260_PGA_REWA14_Annoucement Ad_210x280.indd 1 19/09/2013 12:23

INGENIEUR PROJECT REPORT ECO-FRIENDLY HOUSES In JAnDA BAIK By Ar. Choo Gim Wah Photographs: Kenneth Lim, Gray Studio Two unique houses built on difficult terrain in Janda Baik, Pahang prove it is possible to construct eco-friendly houses in the deep forest with minimum interference to natural surroundings. 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 46 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013

The Fan House The Fan House is a three-storey house located in the lush greenery of Janda Baik forest in Pahang. It consists of five bedrooms, six bathrooms with approximately 6,800 sq. ft of enclosed and terrace areas. The site terrain gently slopes down from the adjacent public road to the lower platform. There are two existing platforms on site. The first platform is approximately 46 ft down from the public road to the lower platform. The inspiration for this house came from the natural contour of the sloping yet curvilinear terrain and forested surroundings. With the sculptural form in mind, all the functions and requirements of the owner are nicely incorporated. It’s not the usual “form follows function” approach. To minimize the earthwork and interference of the existing slope, the house hugs the terrain unobtrusively. Despite the simple and modern look, the house’s open plan living/dining and dry kitchen areas are designed with high ceilings and well lit interior spaces to allow natural air ventilation within. A slightly curved balcony spanning 55ft (17m) long and 9ft (2.7m) wide next to the open living/dining areas allows the dwellers to fully enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful panoramic view of the forest. The unobtrusive design blurs the barrier between the outdoor and indoor spaces. As an architect, it was challenging to design, construct and supervise the work due to the shape of the building situated on a very steep terrain while ensuring minimum cutting of trees in the forest. All the hard work and support from contractors, engineers and workers have paid off; we have overcome all these obstacles and produced yet another beautiful landmark in the deep forest. 47

INGENIEUR 6 VOL 55 JUNE 2013 48 VOL 56 SEPTEMBER 2013