Architect-Builder-Constructor-Project Manager News
Architect News
The
control of architect practice is different in different places.
In Australia, the control is on the use of the title -
architect.
One will need to attain the required qualification
to become
an architect, have sufficient practical experience as an architect,
and register with the architects registration board before the person
can be called an architect. An architect firm needs to
nominate a
registered architect to be the representative architect. When
it comes to submission of development application
to authorities,
it requires that a design proposal will need to be prepared by an
architect depending on the size of the development. An
architect, or architect firm, will need to maintain professional
indemnity insurance in order to be registered as practising architects.
In Hong Kong, the control of architect practice is
similar. One will need to have the required qualification as
an
architect, have sufficient experience as an architect and register with
the HK architects registration board as an architect. That
leads to the title registered architect, instead of chartered architect
used in the old days. However, when it comes to submission of
development application to the HK building authority,
there is one
more qualification requirement for architects. In Hong Kong,
only
authorized persons can submit plans of building development proposal to
the building authorities. An architect, who is not an authorized
person, may still practise building design and provide other
architect's service, but the architect cannot submit plans to the
building authorities. There are three lists of authorized
persons
kept by the Hong Kong building authorities. Authorized Persons
List 1 are for architects. To become an authorized person, an
architect will first need to become a registered architect
in Hong Kong. The architect will then need to prepare and sit for
a professional examination including
interview by 8 or more experts from the building
authorities, building
professional bodies and local
building industry. The stringent requirement and
process is to make sure that the architect has sufficient practical
knowledge and experience in application of the building regulations,
procedures, codes and standards in the local building industry
environment.
AAPAC GROUP has maintained registration as
registered architects in both NSW Australia and Hong Kong.
Our
Principal has also maintained registration as Authorized Person (List 1
- architect) in Hong Kong.
Constructor Builder News
1.
Recently, there have been reports of fire incidents and electrical
shock incidents with photovoltaic solar panel installation in
Australia. Authority has issued alert to the building
industry that if the inverter is immersed in water,
it is highly probable that arching will occur. If arching is
unchecked, it can lead to fire. The hazard is the same whether or
not the solar panel is connected to the mains power grid or not.
Builders and tradespeople should be aware of buildings with photovoltaic
solar panels in flood
affected areas. Areas of attention include:
* PV Arrays will generate potentially lethal
voltages during day light hours.
* These voltages will be present in all cables
between the array and the inverter.
* In NSW and some other Australian states there is
no requirement for an isolator (switch) to be installed adjacent to the
PV Array.
* In regional areas tradespeople are more likely to
come into contact with ground mounted PV Arrays which will be
generating electricity. These Arrays should be avoided wherever
possible.
* PV Arrays cannot be switched off.
* Only when a PV Array is covered with a blanket or
a tarpaulin will it cease generating electricity.
* If tradespeople are to climb onto a roof they
should keep as far away as possible from the Array. (Source: Master Builders Association
NSW)
2. The Engineering Construction Survey conducted by Australian
Bureau of Statistics indicates that the value of all engineering
construction work completed in NSW Australia has risen by 1.6% in the
September quarter of 2011. The rising trend has continued for a
straight six quarters. The type of construction work included in
the survey includes roads, highways, subdivisions, airport runways,
bridges, railways, tramways, harbours, water storage, water supply,
sewerage, drainage, power generation, electricity
transmission and distribution, pipelines, recreation,
telecommunications, heavy industries such as oil & gas, minerals,
mining, coal, etc.
Project Manager News
Is
Virtual Project Management possible? The answer is yes.
With widespread and high speed internet infrastructure, virtual project
management is possible. This means a team of project
professionals in different locations can manage project, produce
design, collaborate, implement and oversee
progress of a project in a different geographical area, whether it is
close by or far away from the project manager and the design team.
Several characteristics of virtual project management include:
* Collaboration platform needs to be easily accessible and user
friendly. In this case, it has to be a web platform which can be
accessed with various digital equipment and devices, such as desktop
computer, notebook, netbook, smartphone, etc.
* Connection among all team members should be group based, except the
occasional necessary one-to-one communication. Email, although
widely used, is not the best mode of communication for collaboration in
this case.
* Connection between the team and the physical project should
preferrably be available anytime online. Whether it is
static graphic images presentation of the status at a time interval or
a streaming video recording depends on the type of project.
* Protocol to present various feeling & expression of views &
opinions should be established for the communication platform.
This is important to replace facial expression and body language which
can be picked up during face-to-face contact.
* Frequent use of VOIP and video conference, particularly group
meetings, will help in managing project virtually. This is
beneficial to the team members because it saves a lot of travelling
time.
* Instant Messaging (IM) and recorded video or audio clips (recording
of meeting or discussion) will also benefit collaboration between team
members located in different parts of the globe and in different time
zones.
The communication platform should include an area for posting of
response. A good custom is for all who has accessed the recorded
material to post a comment or response, no matter how short. This
will facilitate gathering of concensus to suggestion and approach.
AAPAC GROUP has the ability to provide project management service from
a distance using virtual project management technology.
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