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featureEfficiently and Beautifully EngineeredComplexesby Engr. Lum Youk Lee, MIEM, P. EngBeauty and efficiency can be mutuallyexclusive ideas, especially in thecontext of modern constructions whereengineers try to marry them as muchas technology and fundamentals allow.In order to expand the horizon further,engineers need to go through cycles ofvalue engineering to creatively rethinkdesign concepts and engineering applicationsto achieve high reliability andsustainable installations of long equipmentlifecycle - and the end result has tobe beautiful too.Modern buildings demand engineeringapplications that take into considerationoperational efficiency, aestheticalvalue and long term sustainability, butthis is certainly easier said than done.Figure 1: Three factors that influence engineeringapplications/concepts in modern buildingsSome buildings, which demand goodsustainability, may not be able to achievea high aesthetic value because of the limitedconstruction budget (i.e. low costflats).On the other hand, some buildingscarry significant cultural value, and suchbuildings may be pricelessly beautiful,but becomes very expensive to sustain(i.e. Sistine Chapel). Therefore, it is notan issue of which of the three is moreimportant, it is the wisdom to match theright application to the right developmentobjective.Generally, construction costs increasesas the designer employs higher efficiencyapplications compared to designsthat are just sufficient to comply to theminimum required codes and practices.Although it is cheap to build, the priceto pay is higher maintenance in the longrun. Again, this is not so much a technicaldecision, instead, it is an engineeringeconomic decision that takes into considerationfinancial factors such as constructioncash flow and long term yield.On the other hand, not all buildingsare built with the intention of enjoyinglong term yield, especially for buildand sell projects where developersmay be more keen to construct themwith minimal costs and sell themat maximum profit margin, whilethe quality of works is as good assurpassing the defect liability period. Inorder for investors to enjoy long termyield and capital appreciation from abuilding, the technology employed hasto be sustainable and efficient. Not onlyshould the building be relatively cheapand easy to operate, it should fetch abetter resale value in later years.We have learned that sometimes engineersneed to consider real estate factorsin their engineering decision makingprocess. Figure 3 illustrates a typicalinstallation of air cooled split units ina stratified commercial complex. Aircooled split units are poor in energy efficiencies,but flexible for real estate rea-Figure 2: The inverse relationship between initial construction costs against long term operation cost in thecontext of moving from compliance based to efficiency based design approachFigure 3: Typical air cooled split systems inadequatelypositioned in an architecturally challengedenvironment14 May 2009 Jurutera
Figure 4: An example of uniquely positioned aircooled split units in a building in Osaka, Japan.Aesthetically pleasing, efficiently positionedsons and, above all, cheap to install bythe unit owner/tenant.It is commercially wise for the developerto adopt such design approach,which reliefs his obligation to get involvedin the issue of long term complicatedcustodial of the air conditioningsystem, such as in the case of centralisedor VRF. The real estate nature of suchbuildings will certainly result in an airconditioning system which has less aestheticalvalue and poor in energy efficiency.If one intends to unrealistically pushthe limit of the technology envelope, itwill generally result in greater losses,both in terms of aesthetics and sustainability.As shown in Figure 3, not onlydo such configuration of condenser unitsresults in poor heat discharge, eventually,the tenant has to ‘creatively’ makespace for condenser units away from theinadequate space provided.Figure 4 exemplifies a simple yet efficientapproach to position condenserunits, a back-to-basic installation methodwhich allows good air circulation forefficient condensing effect. How ugly arethe condensers? Do we have better waysto deal with them? Is it really necessaryto ‘camouflage’ these ugly-looking condenserunits? We squeeze them into inadequatelysized shafts, cage them upin louvers and hide them behind planterboxes – despite knowing the fact thatthese are NOT efficient, NOT aestheticallypleasing and NOT sustainable engineeringoptions.Someday, like many environmentalprotection and animal rights advocateNGOs, engineers may need to organisea campaign to ‘free our condensers’ or‘stop caging the low static fanned condensingunits’ in the name of thermodynamics.nfeatureMBAM CCPD Training Programme 2009The Education and Training Committee of MBAM, in collaboration with Akademi CPD Sdn Bhd, has obtained the continuous supportand endorsement of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia to conduct the CCPD Training Programme for2009. The programme aims to sharpen the skills and competencies of construction personnel currently engaged in managerial orsupervisory work.The course fee per module is RM800 (after rebate from CIDB) per person for non-members with CIDB green card and RM112 perperson for non-members without CIDB green cards.announcementFor enquiries on the date of the programme and further details, please contact MBAM Training Services Sdn Bhd; Ms. Lim Bee Yong(ext 115) or Ms. Zharraine Chang (ext 113) at 603-7984 8636 or email to mbam02@mbam.org.my.Keeping Branch Websites Current(Received on 26 February 2009)I am happy to note that several IEM Branches have updated their official webpage after a very long period of hibernation. However,I am disappointed to note the lack of content and substance in these websites if one is looking for local events and information.I believe the purpose of such websites is to serve engineers and all those who wish to seek more information about the engineeringprofession and the community in their respective states or locality.Some websites only display a single page listing their committee member lineup, while others stayed dormant from 2003-2004.letter to editorThe only exception is the IEM Sarawak Branch which outshines all other branches in terms of content presentation and quality ofthe information as it is regularly updated.I hope some effort can be made to rectify this issue as the status of such an affair can reflect badly on the image of engineers.Thank you.Engr. Albert TamFIEM 05941Jurutera May 200915
Page 1: To All Members, Date: 13 April 2009
Page 4 and 5: ADMISSION THE GRADE OF STUDENTADMIS
Page 9 and 10: Dear Members,IEM training centre sd
Page 11 and 12: NPSH available calcTable 2: NPSHA c
Page 13: Table 3: Machine setup time (Hours)

candidates approved to sit professional interview for year 2009

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