BUIDLING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCHEMES AND SUST

The underlying theme of this conference is sustainability, especially with respect to HVAC systems. However, this is a very broad and complex issue. To the HVAC designer, equipment installer or building operator it is more relevant to talk about efficiency, on the basis that the best levels of efficiency should enhance sustainability. Even so, defining HVAC system efficiency is also difficult, given the problem inherent in quantifying the 'output'. Many large centrally air-conditioned buildings fail in performance, either in terms of the quality of the indoor environment, in terms of energy use, etc. It raises a question about the ability of building services engineers to deliver 'performance', despite the wide range of 'solutions' currently available. In the next millennium, engineers will find that many non-technical issues will need to be understood and resolved alongside good quality engineering design, installation and operation. Health and safety, and impact on the environment are bringing new challenges to engineers who need to respond with good solutions, despite ever-present economic pressures. The environmental assessment of buildings is somewhat new to Asia. However, should take -up of such schemes become more widespread, engineers will be required to meet new specifications in respect of environmental performance. In this paper the development of such schemes is discussed in the context of densely populated cities, such as Hong Kong .