As the comeback of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) clouded the city in the second half of 2020, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) stayed alert, stood firm on its mission and continued to render full support to client departments. We left no stone unturned in overcoming obstacles from planning to deployment of innovation and technology (I&T) solutions to put them in service as soon as possible, thereby enabling our clients to focus on the delivery of public services during these uncertain times.
The EMSD team has been working with its I&T partners to keep abreast of the latest technology. At the beginning of the epidemic, we observed that mobile fever screening robots were used in housing estates and high-speed railway stations in the Mainland of China (Mainland). These robots could perform regular patrols automatically free from location constraints, with some even suitable for outdoor use. Not only do they save manpower resources, they also reduce the risk of spreading the virus and could be used to track close contacts of confirmed cases.
In order to provide more options to clients, the team adopted local products and liaised with Mainland suppliers directly for the introduction of robot technology to Hong Kong. As of today, clients such as the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Correctional Services Department, the Hongkong Post and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) have adopted the fever screening robots on a trial basis. With fever screening robots deployed to the CIC’s headquarters, the Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) - Kowloon Bay Campus and the CIC Training Academy Tai Po Training Ground, the CIC was highly satisfied with the results.
Through the EMSD, clients can try out new technologies, such as the robot system originally designed for the Mainland’s 5G network but later modified for the 4G transmission speed in Hong Kong. To ensure the imported technology complies with the stringent local standards of information security, the team also requested the Mainland suppliers to port the cloud systems to Hong Kong. In view of the severe epidemic situation, it was crucial to quickly execute the proposed ideas and allow clients to gain first-hand experience. To this end, the EMSD team swiftly arranged for professional evaluation, selection and set-up of the proposals to ensure that the complex fever screening robot equipment is ready for trial by clients in a timely manner.
Besides, in order to carry out comprehensive evaluation, each fever screening robot proposal was tested and verified by an independent third-party robot professional organisation for assessment of its technical performance, enabling clients to have a better grasp of the performance of different proposals and the appropriate application scenarios.
The CIC has introduced two fever screening robots, one of which is stationed at the Multifunction Room of the HKIC - Kowloon Bay Campus, which is used for worker registration and student admission, as the second line of defence for temperature measurement. Dr. Cheng Tak-ming, Eric, Principal of the HKIC - Kowloon Bay Campus, who was responsible for project co-ordination, commended the EMSD team for their comprehensive, accurate and efficient support. The team visited the campus together with the contractor long before robot delivery, offered professional advice on the robot routes and adjusted the software settings accordingly. The planning work for outdoor fever screening robot for the CIC Training Academy Tai Po Training Ground commenced in August 2020. Speaking of the close follow-up by the EMSD staff on the set-up of the waterproof charging unit, Principal Cheng said, “Sophisticated technology requires engineering personnel to exercise great care in the setting up. The professional colleagues from the EMSD did a great job in this respect.”
Following our collaboration with a contractor in introducing the contactless lift solution with QR code technology for floor selection, we have provided two more contactless button technologies for our clients’ consideration recently. The first one is the floating floor button solution with the application of holographic technology, which features a projection box installed in the lift that projects virtual buttons in the air to allow users to select the floor by tapping the buttons. Titled “kNOw Touch”, the other one is a contactless lift control panel solution jointly developed by the EMSD and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. It features a set of infrared distance sensors installed near the control panel of the lift and calibrated according to the distance and layout of the lift buttons. Users can select the corresponding floor by pointing their fingers at the floor buttons at close range. These two solutions are currently installed at the lifts of the EMSD Headquarters Building on a trial basis.
For video demonstration on how “kNOw Touch” works, please visit https://bit.ly/33QRElh.
Located on the fourth floor of the EMSD Headquarters Building, the E&M InnoZone showcases the collaborations between the EMSD and local universities, start-ups and research institutions, covering applications of Internet of Things, automation technology and artificial intelligence. In mid-2020, we enriched and updated the collection of exhibits at the InnoZone, and added some of the above solutions and a number of I&T anti-epidemic solutions for different scenarios under the epidemic.
You may visit http://bit.ly/emsd_innozone to view the I&T solutions displayed at the E&M InnoZone through a 360° panoramic tour anytime and anywhere.
If clients are interested in visiting the E&M InnoZone or would like to learn more about the solutions therein, please contact Mr. Lam Kam-chun, Tommy, Senior Engineer, at 2808 3879.
To cope with the epidemic outbreak in Hong Kong early this year, the Correctional Services Department (CSD) installed additional mask production lines at Lo Wu Correctional Institution and Stanley Prison. The EMSD performed site modification for Stanley Prison and provided support in the assembly, calibration and maintenance of mask machines.
Mr. Cheung Chun-kit, Chief Officer (Industries and Vocational Training) of the CSD, said that the race against time was the greatest challenge in the setting up of the filter mask workshop at Stanley Prison. Planning, site visits and workshop modification work must be completed within two weeks. In addition, enormous difficulties were encountered in the installation of mask machines. For example, the disassembled parts of mask machines delivered to Stanley Prison were found slightly damaged, and the manufacturer concerned was unable to provide immediate support due to the epidemic. Fortunately, thanks to the full support rendered by the EMSD colleagues and their relentless efforts in conducting research, calibrating and testing the operation of the mask machines, the machines were successfully launched into production eventually.
After the mask workshop was put into operation, the EMSD has continued to offer support to the CSD, helping to optimise the equipment of the mask machines to enhance operational stability and production efficiency. However, the EMSD also encountered a number of difficulties in rendering its support. Take the procurement of parts for the mask machines as an example. As the mask machine manufacturer was unable to supply sufficient machine parts, the EMSD team needed to purchase the parts from different manufacturers in the Mainland or even resort to custom-made parts. Mr. Cheung expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Kong Ho, Senior Engineer of the EMSD, and his team for their unfailing support and assistance in the setting up of the mask workshop at Stanley Prison. While the process was full of challenges, both teams could still work closely together, fully demonstrating their professionalism and mutual trust.
As the CSD is likely to introduce production lines for other personal protective equipment in the future, the EMSD will then continue to provide full technical support.
The cargo clearance facilities of the Liantang Port (LP)/ Heung Yuen Wai (HYW) Boundary Control Point (BCP) was officially opened on 26 August 2020, furthering the co-operation and development of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, eastern Guangdong and neighbouring provinces. The EMSD participated in this important cross-border infrastructure project and realised the principles of “people-oriented” and “direct access to people and vehicles” at the BCP.
For the LP/ HYW BCP project, the EMSD was responsible for managing more than 50 engineering projects and related procurement work, involving electronic systems with a total value of approximately HK$350 million, eight client departments and more than 30 contractors. One of the projects conducted by the EMSD was the introduction of a “gantry type” vehicle X-ray inspection system for the LP/ HYW BCP. The system allows handling of two 45-foot container trucks simultaneously in a single inspection and can “see through” containers, i.e. can reveal the goods inside according to their physical properties. The system can handle a maximum of 20 container trucks per hour, which greatly improves the accuracy of inspection and the efficiency of cargo clearance.
Besides, for the LP/ HYW BCP project, the EMSD also procured closed-circuit television systems with more than 600 cameras, automatic vehicle clearance support systems, mobile X-ray vehicle scanning systems and high-tech narcotics analysers, etc. for our client departments such as the Customs and Excise Department and the Immigration Department, which cover different parts of the inspection processes for passengers and goods. The EMSD was responsible for co-ordinating the tendering, design, implementation, installation, commissioning and acceptance of these electronic engineering projects for providing professional and reliable support to client departments. The EMSD is also responsible for the maintenance of electrical and mechanical facilities, air-conditioning facilities, lifts, etc. in the Passenger Terminal Building. With the cargo clearance facilities at the LP/ HYW BCP being put into operation first at the end of August, the EMSD has continued to carry outdaily maintenance work for the Passenger Terminal Building and got ready to greet cross-border passengers.
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund (EMSTF) has been committed to providing customer-oriented services. To better understand clients’ needs and monitor our service delivery, we have commissioned an independent market research company to conduct the biennial Customer Opinion Survey (COS) in the fourth quarter this year. We believe that listening to clients’ views is the key to addressing their aspirations and establishing a long-term partnership with them.
In recent years, we have actively introduced I&T to meet the needs of our clients, through making extensive efforts in different areas to facilitate the research, development and application of I&T projects. For instance, since its launch in 2018, our E&M InnoPortal has successfully matched suitable I&T projects for clients, with more than 60 I&T solutions implemented.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 early this year, the epidemic has been ravaging the city. In view of this, we promptly installed automatic body temperature monitoring systems for our clients, stepped up cleaning and disinfection of air-conditioning and ventilation systems, and converted general wards into negative pressure wards in government venues and hospitals. On the other hand, a dedicated webpage on the E&M InnoPortal was launched in February 2020 to publish I&T wishes for anti-epidemic applications. In a mere two weeks, more than 200 anti-epidemic solutions were received. A number of I&T projects on body temperature screening and environmental hygiene, which were successfully matched through the platform, have already been put in place, providing the community with timely support in the fight against the epidemic.
About 2 000 questionnaires were distributed to clients in the previous COS conducted at the end of 2018. The survey returned a record high score of 6.61 (out of 8) in the Customer Satisfaction Index. Based on the valuable feedback from our clients in the previous survey, the EMSTF has adopted targeted strategies and improvement measures. We hope that clients will continue to actively participate in the COS this year and offer insights into our performance in different areas for our service enhancement.
In recent years, the EMSD has obtained ISO 55001 Asset Management System Certification for maintenance of numerous major electrical and mechanical assets for clients, with the certification for maintenance of infusion pumps of the Hospital Authority (HA) being one of the latest examples. This is the second time the EMSD has gained this certification jointly with the HA, following that for haemodialysis equipment.
At present, the EMSD provides maintenance services for about 12 000 infusion pumps of the HA, involving more than 30 models distributed in nearly 40 hospitals or clinics. Infusion pumps, which are used to control the amount of infusion fluid or medicine for patients, are indispensable high-risk medical equipment in hospitals. In order to ensure effective management and safe use, the EMSD has developed standardised maintenance procedures and formed a team to conduct regular reviews and risk assessments so as to facilitate early detection and handling of equipment-related risks. Besides, the EMSD uses big data to analyse the condition of the equipment, which will help enhance the cost-effectiveness of parts procurement and enable early planning of asset replacement.
Mr. Chan Ka-chung has been appointed as Acting Assistant Director/1 of the EMSD with effect from 22 July 2020. The Engineering Services Branch 1 under his charge comprises the Boundary Crossing Facilities and Transport Services Division and the Security and Vehicle Services Division. It is tasked to provide client departments and policy bureaux with consultancy, project planning, operation and maintenance services relating to vehicles, electrical and mechanical, electronics and building services facilities, covering the airport, boundary control points, roads and tunnels, and disciplined services facilities, etc.
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Published by: Corporate Services Division, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
Telephone: (852) 2333 3762
Facsimile: (852) 2882 1574
Website: www.emsd.gov.hk
E-mail: ccsd@emsd.gov.hk