Building services no trifle in hospital operations

Sin Yin-sun
Building Services Inspector
Grantham Hospital

Building services engineering is basically categorised into the design, installation, maintenance and monitoring of ventilation system, fire services and safety, water supply and drainage system and electricity supply system. After joining the long-established Grantham Hospital in 2014, Isaac Sin has geared up since then various hospital facilities in order to ensure safe, comfortable and unimpeded patient services.

The most significant impact of major incidents like power outages in residential or commercial buildings is the loss of money. However, a power failure in hospital may cause loss of lives due to suspension of life-sustaining instruments. Therefore, to alleviate repair lead time and cost, Isaac re-strategised contingency plan for different scenarios, set up regular inspection and maintenance plans and reviewed the performance of all facilities and equipment in the hospital. On one hand, he adopted preventive maintenance and repair insurance for facilities with high efficiency performance to improve stability. On the other hand, equipment with poor performance was to be replaced.

Isaac reckons that building services management requires team collaboration and responsiveness. When he previously replaced the chiller system for the operation theatres and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory of Kwok Tak Seng Heart Centre, he first had site inspection and studied the flow of services with frontline healthcare colleagues. Then, he developed an operation workflow and contingency plan, and replaced the system efficiently during non-service hours so as not to disrupt normal operation. Moreover, during the battering of Typhoon Mangkhut last year, he worked hard with colleagues together to remove fallen trees in order to reconnect the hospital with the outside and maintain normal service. The experience of collaborative team spirit left a lifelong impression on him.

He believes that the Young Achiever Award is a significant recognition for all engineers.