Ahmad Ezanee Hashim

Exploring lean construction components for Malaysian construction industry

Malaysian construction industry is suffering problem of producing high wastage and low productivity. Lean construction is an approach which is feasible to cope with the situation and it will be more significant to be applied by all players in Malaysian construction industry. Thus, this paper is to review the lean construction concept and components which are applicable in Malaysian construction industry. It was found that lean construction components comprise of principles, criteria and tools. Components are designated to convey the concept of lean construction which is to add value and eliminate the non added value in acquiring construction end product.

Criteria Overview for Functional Performance Evaluation Pertaining to Refurbished Historical Building

This paper covers the theoretical aspect of building functional evaluation through Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) concept. POE concept has been applied to identify problems in building, and to develop guidance and criteria for future design. Through functional evaluation, it addresses how a building could support the organisation’s goals and user needs. Malaysian historical buildings built over the last century are valuable assets to the country for their architectural landmark and tourism potential. Nevertheless, most of these buildings are dilapidated and left unattended. Several initiatives have been carried out to sustain the buildings such as upgrading and refurbishment works. The issue of inherent complexity and uncertainties of refurbishment work were cited to be one of the main reasons that affect functional performance evaluation. Other issues are constrained by heritage regulations and restrictions in judgment and decision. Other than that, little research has been carried out on POE toward historical building in Malaysia including functional performance evaluation. The main aim of this study is to identify the criteria in POE. Second, is to highlight relevant criteria to be used in measuring functional performance for refurbished historical buildings. The research adopts comprehensive literature reviews from numerous published sources such as journals, magazines, government reports, unpublished thesis, and website documents focusing on refurbished historical buildings in Malaysia. The paper anticipated several criteria that require building managers to ensure good functional performance of future historical building refurbishment projects in Malaysia. The criteria are space relationship, aesthetic value, comfort, amenity, services safety, operational management, and life cycle cost. This research has the potential to create awareness among the designer and building management team on the relevant criteria for future historical building refurbishment which may enhance occupants’ satisfaction.

Facilities Audit in Training Health Care Built Environment

Healthcare organisations have recognised the powerful impact of supply breakdowns and have exploited supply chain management for their quality program, especially regarding lean operations. There are many contributors to poor working environments in the healthcare sector. Some studies relate to inadequate equipment, such as patient lifts and facilities for safe disposal of syringes, needles, and medical waste. However, one area that has so far largely been overlooked relates to the built environment. This study aims to investigate strategic Facilities Management (FM) as a function to support the objectives of providing efficient services to healthcare sector through measuring user satisfaction focusing on public training hospital building. This research involved correlation analysis. The findings show that there is a strong significant relationship among the building performance criteria and the importance of post occupancy evaluation (POE) guidelines in functional and technical performance criteria. Based on the findings, this study proposed the establishment of facilities management and the implementation of systematic annual operation program to ensure that management and services are useful. Secondly, it is intended to establish certain policy instruments such as information tools and economic instruments for hospital management to meet the needs of patients in future hospital development.

Flat Roof Defect: Preliminary Condition Survey for Water Ponding Monitoring

Roof is among defect-prone building part as it exposed to natural factor especially rainfall and sunlight. Thus, the inspection on roof part must be done more frequent compare to other parts of building. However, roof is the most difficult part to inspect because of limited access and safety concern. This paper presents the result of preliminary condition survey for water ponding monitoring on flat roof surface and discussion on the solving method. The survey has been carried out on flat roof of an academic building in Penang, Malaysia on a rainy day. Based on the condition survey, we found that water ponding occurs on some parts of the flat roof. Water ponding on flat roof will cause moisture problem that trigger severe problem on building. Since water ponding problem ineffectively do monitor by traditional method, we proposed to design an intelligent system to monitor water ponding problem on flat roof. By using an intelligent system, water ponding existence can be detected at a real-time. Furthermore, the system is time saving, manpower saving and the data can be manage systematically without the presence of surveyor on site.

The Conceptual Framework of Building Performance-Risk Indicators (PRI) For Buildings Users in Higher Education Institutions

Higher education institutions (HEI) buildings are considered as key functional, as it generates environment, human and economic resources. Initially, growing students’ population with various learning activities has constituted risk emergence, green issues, inefficient of energy use and climate discomfort. To sustain the building efficiency, building performance evaluation plays a vital role to improve performance issues in HEI buildings. This paper presents the construct items of performance criteria, namely Building Performance-Risk Indicators (PRI) as the initial framework for the development of building performance rating tool. The framework considers three criteria as the main focus, i.e. performance element, risk frames and the indicators.