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Kelcroft News and Articles
Occasional news reports, articles and media involving us here at Kelcroft, covering the built environment and sustainability issues in the Asia.
click here to read our news archive
2017
15 June 2017
Our director, Mr John A. Herbert attended the BEAM Society AGM on 15 June 2017 and he was re-elected as BSL Director.
5-7 June 2017
Mr John A. Herbert represented Kelcroft at the World Sustainable Built Environment conference, WSB17, this year held in Exhibition centre in Hong Kong. And he also attended the gala dinner, with awards for BEAM projects were presented. #greenbuilding
22 April 2017
Energy saving experts can find cost saving opportunities
Energy targets set through energy codes is an important issue, it is a start,
but actual performance impacts the cost of energy. The design code may demand an
energy efficient chiller, but outside in the real world, operations matters.
Energy saving experts can find deferred maintenance
And later in the lifecycle, energy costs rise and energy improvements are sought, often
without expert oversight, every day heat pumps, and other energy saving devices are
sold, with little thought how, or if, the device will work once installed. to learn more about energy cost savings
5 April 2017
Design is only one issue, but ask any owner, delivery is critical. Checking material delivered to site is important for green building projects, particularly certified PEFC sustainable timber seen above, and then checking the documents also match the delivery.
follow this link to learn more about Hong Kong green building...
13 February 2017
Fire and fire protection have been pushed to the front of the news in recent years, with increasing number of fires in Hong Kong, our director John A. Herbert was interviewed by the South China Morning Post about Hong Kong's system published by SCMP on 13 February 2017.
"We spend a lot of time in buildings and always find irregulaties" Herbert said. Fire safely needs to be a higher priority in Hong Kong's high density urban environment, tall buildings are a challenge. As Herbert explained in the SCMP piece, people may be surprized to learn that Hong Kong Fire Services Department do not automatically check buildings after occupation, after occupancy the responsibility rests with the owner to declare the fire fighting systems are fit for purpose.
Hong Kong building fire safety...
7 February 2017
Our director John A. Herbert is a volunteer for BEAM PLUS, Hong Kong's Green Building rating tool. Herbert
was presented a certificate to recognise his expert contributions over the last six years.
link
1 February 2017
Hong Kong requires mandatory energy audit every ten years, undertaken by Registered Energy Assessor (REA). EMSD website publish the basic results of the energy audit {http://www.emsd.gov.hk} and we plotted the EMSD data on Google Map for easy reference: Hong Kong Building Energy Mapping
4 January 2017
One less excuse to delay energy improvement works..
Lack of funds is cited as the number one reason for delaying energy improvement work, the good news is that upto HK$ 200,000 is availble for Incorporated Owners of residential buildings on Hong Kong Island, on matched funding basis (that means dollar for dollar) for energy saving projects......call Kelcroft today.
2016
16 December 2016
The BEAM Neighbourhood rating tool, or BEAM ND, is the latest member of the suite of BEAM Hong Kong Green Building rating tools. This rating tool covers community-wide developments, and is designed for assessing and rating the master plan stage.
If you're familar with BEAM rating tools, the format and content of BEAM ND is easily recognized, using the same system for scoring points, in each of the categories.
#greenbuilding
14 December 2016
Kelcroft's director, John A. Herbert, attended the BEAM Society Limited (BSL)
annual dinner.
18 November 2016
More than your ordinary consultant, we helped our client avoid a PR disaster and jail time. in Hong Kong new construction requires signed EMSD COCR stage 1 within 2 months of consent, and EMSD COCR Stage 2 within 4 months of OP, both signed by REA (Registered Energy Assessor), call the expert John A. Herbert +852 2335 9830 today!
REA
14 November 2016
Condensate from steam system is often dumped, wasting energy and water, recover condensate, it is not rocket science #EnergyEfficiency pic.twitter.com/d0EuFRVxZb
— John A. Herbert (@johnherbert) November 14, 2016
A byproduct of the steam systems is the condensate often dumped into the drain, what a waste of "high grade" energy.....learn more
8 August 2016
A power outage at Delta Airlines USA caused their datacenter and then the IT system to fail, creating worldwide problems. "This is not the first major incident, and surely it will not be the last, the approach to risk is simply ignore it." Herbert said.
The costs, well the cost is unknown at this stage, the backlog of flights and passengers is on-going, but it will run into many USD millions. There are media reports indicating that a switch failed, which seems odd since an obvious single point of failure should have planned redundancy.
Don't ask me, ask Delta airlines, what is the cost for ignoring your IT infrastructure #delta #powercut
— John A. Herbert (@johnherbert) August 10, 2016
#delta #poweroutage #design
11 July 2016
Considering the importance of good ventilation, the ratio of exhaust air flow and replacement make-up air is often overlooked, with dire consquences for your health. Contamination can be drawn into your breathing space from drainage pipes, with bacteria. In 2003 SARS was circulated from poor drainage systems. Take a minute to review this short video to see negative air flow in action Building Ventilation and Air Balance
1 July 2016
Summer has offically arrived, with outdoor temperature reaching 35 Deg C, and high humidity to match, the air conditioning chillers will be operating at full blast, but...
HKO Hot Weather Warning
Chilled Water Piping Losses
Polystrene and tar insulation, banned due to fire and smoke risk, they were was replaced by glass fibre, the only and therefore preferred choice at that time. But glass fibre was never intended for chilled water applications, it developed as a wall insulator.
Chilled water piping cladding covered with condensation
indicating a serious problem, wasting energy
In the event that the vapour barrier installation is not
100% perfect, moist air condenses on chilled water piping,
destroying the thermal resistance of the insulaton.
Capillary action and gravity causes the water damage to widen,
but it is difficult to notice the losses, the concealed chilled
water gets warmer and warmer.
Modern piping thermal insulation is less likley to be damaged
by condensation.
28 June 2016
Hong Kong's greenhouse emissions (2013 figures) are rising the Government reported. The GHG equivalent carbon emission for 2013 is 44,400 kilotonnes up from 43,200 kilotonnes in 2012. (link). with the bulk used by Electricity, accounting for 68.29% and then Transport accounting for 16.9%. John A. Herbert, a local energy expert said "It's clear that Government and end users, that's you and me, focus on reducing electricity consumption".
Electricity accounting for nearly 70% of Hong Kong carbon emissions 2013 data
Herbert said "We already know that Air Conditioning is
largest electricity end-use in Hong Kong, predicting emissions for 2015 will be higher, that needs to
be the focus". Emissions result from waste, industry, and farming all combined only
accounted for 9.52% in 2013.
An interesting, and often overlooked point to note about the data, the Govt. scheme
to permit potable water use for comfort cooling using cooling towers since 2000,
was predicted to save approx. 950 kilotonne per year, so dispite having
that windfall, emissions continue to rise.
6 June 2016
The science behind damp and mould in air conditioned hotels, hospitals, and domestic buildings... .....learn more
3 June 2016
#energyefficiency #HongKong pic.twitter.com/EavyVWKr5u
— John Herbert (@johnherbert) June 4, 2016
3 June 2016
reflective white roof outperforms a lawn every day of the week #greenbuilding #carbonreduction #reflectiveroof pic.twitter.com/aV7t8YCefu
— John Herbert (@johnherbert) June 4, 2016
27 May 2016
The sports hall roof collaspe at City University on 20 May 2016 has caused alarm bells about green roofing in Hong Kong. Energy expert John A. Herbert speaking on RTHK radio news explained "A reflective white roof is a better alternative for existing buildings it can lower the cooling load and reduce the cost for air conditioning space below" Herbert said.
A white roof works by reflecting the energy from the sun, it avoids absorbing energy, more effectively than a regular lawn used in Hong Kong, it will cost less to maintain, and does not add wieght which is an important factor for an existing structure.
Whilst it does mitigate the urban heat island effect, just like a green roof, he agreed that a white roof does not tick the biodiversity box "a lawn is not meadow of wild flowers providing habitat for countless species, its just a lawn" Herbert said.
A white coloured roof is not expensive solution, it protects the waterproofing
membrane, increasing longvity, and reduce the operating costs by 50% or more for
air conditioned areas beneath....read more
30 April 2016
The dirt on EMSD cooling tower audit, clean your cooling towers!
EMSD cooling tower audit uncovers poor tower conditions #legionella #HongKong pic.twitter.com/0xAAClqAI2
— John Herbert (@johnherbert) 8 May 2016
4 April 2016
Kelcroft's director John A. Herbert will be guest on the RTHK Backchat programme on 5 April 2016, regarding light pollution. Herbert said "Hong Kong BEAM rating tool already has criteria, under SA15, for controlling light pollution measures at the design stage.
31 March 2016
Our director, Mr John A. Herbert attend the opening of 2016 MIECF in Macau SAR.
24 March 2016
John A. Herbert, a long standing member of the Hong Kong Green Building leaders attended the launch of the new BEAM PLUS EB v2, with Sec. for the Environment Mr K.S. Wong at the ZCB in Kowloon Bay.
John A. Herbert attended BEAM Existing Buildings EB launch
with HKSAR Sec. for Environment Mr KS Wong
17 Feburary 2016
Kelcroft was a supporting organisation for the HKGBC Recognition Scheme Award Presentation Ceremony held on 17 February 2016.
29 January 2016
John A. Herbert attended the BEAM event honouring contributions from past BEAM members, including Cary Chan.
26 January 2016
John A. Herbert, a long standing member of the Hong Kong Green Building Faculty, attended the faculty annual dinner at YMCA. Since posting photos of food is popular in Hong Kong...
John A. Herbert attended HKGBC Faculty Dinner
21 January 2016
Cooling tower with dirt and debris in the basin, keep towers clean to reduce #legionella risk #hongkong pic.twitter.com/gU8AWHcEJ2
— John Herbert (@johnherbert) January 21, 2016
7 January 2016
Chinese only, a rough translation: the Hong Kong Lead (Pb) in water inquiry finds a firm involved with procuring plumbing materials forged documentation for Lead (Pb) solder to state it was Lead (Pb) free Yahoo reports Chinese Only
1 January 2016
Happy New Year!
2015
31 December 2015
Besides the hottest year on record in terms of temperature, Hong Kong also achieved another record, the highest number of Legionairres' Disease cases, 66 cases
were reported in 2015, significantly more than 28 cases in 2013 and 41 cases in 2014. the majority 79% are believed to be local (legionella case breakdown). And as we know Legionella is generally under-reported. Many of the patients were treated as Pneumonia cases
before the Legionella diagnosis was made, again not a surprize given that it generally presents as a Pneumonia.
Furthermore, Legionella cases both worldwide and locally occurred in the colder months, hopefully dispelling the myth
that Legionella is only a summer time risk.
Although EMSD has been monitoring cooling towers in Hong Kong, still high and very high Legionella counts persist.
EMSD reported in 2015 that eight (8) cooling towers exceeded 1,000 cfu/ml
2015 was also notable because ASHRAE published ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems
Click here to read more about
the Kelcroft Legionella Risk Assessment
tag: legionella
27 December 2015
WSD has upgraded its potable water quality scheme to become the Quality Water Recogintion Scheme for Buildings - Fresh Water PLUS. This voluntary scheme has been updated and extended, and now includes additional water quality test parameters, including testing for heavy metals, and copying the BEAM and BEAM PLUS requirement, now demands sampling from water tanks, refer to the WSD website for further information. http://www.wsd.gov.hk
tag: waterefficiency
20 November 2015
Kelcroft's director Mr John A. Herbert attend the 6th HKGBC anniversary at Central Plaza, Hong Kong...... read more...
right: John A. Herbert
17 November 2015
Kelcroft provides independant datacentre auditing for facilities in Asia, if you need surgury you dont ask for the cheapest Doctor, same applies for your building.
Lightning Protection Installation
Indeed you may have read that lightning recently struck a Google
data centre, but is your data safe? Has you operation been checked?
All too often, the investigation starts after the incident has already
occurred.
Perhaps Kelcroft's attention to detail does count
The cable connection is damaged, just another another item added to the defects
list, details that others overlook, Kelcroft uncovers, making data centre safer.
Backup systems are critical for data centre operations, they normally operate under emergency
circumstances, so it is vital that all batteries are installed and commissioned correctly?
Battery backup system continuity failed
Kelcroft's independant checking, with our detail approach, uncovered this failed backup
system BEFORE data centre operations commenced.
9 November 2015
Mr John A. Herbert was the instructor for BEAM Professional training (Water Aspects).
tag: greenbuilding
2 November 2015
Our director, Mr John A. Herbert, in his role as HAESCO chairman organised an energy seminar with speakers from BSRIA on the topic of air tightness, and Swire on the topic of Big Data for VAV energy savings..read more #energyefficiency
Left to Right: BSRIA Tom Jones and John A. Herbert
29 October 2015
World Green Building Council Conference Hong Kong. Our director Mr John A. Herbert attended WBS14 last year held in Barcelona, this year he attended the global green building event held in Hong Kong! .........read more..
World Green Building Council Conference 2015 Hong Kong
Build Green
Kelcroft 2015 HKGBC patron
28 October 2015
Kelcroft's director Mr John A. Herbert attended Eco Asia Expo 2015, promoting green building and energy efficiency in Hong Kong ....... read more
tags: greenbuilding, energyefficiency
27 October 2015
Mr John A. Herbert, a member of energy and environment committee attended the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong energy efficiency seminar with Under Sec. For Environment Bureau HKSAR Ms Christine Loh........read more.
tags: energyefficiency
14 October 2015
HAESCO are organsing a building energy seminar on 2 November 2015, the topic click here to learn more
tags: energyefficiency
8 October 2015
A new building with poorly designed air conditioning, is it really 2015? An engineer should know that locating an air grille near the wall is just asking for trouble, the beauty of infra-red imaging, it allows us to easily demonstrate defects to non-engineers.
Do you want your buildings designed to a particular standard or actual performance? Stakeholders in Hong Kong have always demanded performance over promises.
tags: thermography
Thermography reveals more than the eye can see
Thermal image manhole cover
8 October 2015
Poor building design and/or operation is a severe risk for Legionella, so far the Hong Kong Government health dept. has reported 53 cases of Legionaires Disease this year (2015) far exceeding the number of cases for the whole of 2014.
tags: legionella; hong kong; infection
2 October 2015
The HKSAR consultation document for handling Edible and Waste oils give us the hint of the future, License holders shall be required to dispose of waste oil to 'licenced contractors' or face stiff penalities.
25 September 2015
Kelcroft was a sponsor for the BEAM 5th Anniversary Dinner. John is also a director at BEAM Society Limited. Herbert said "It is our honour to support BEAM on the occasion of its 5th year of incorporation." ............read more
tas: greenbuilding, kelcroft
Paul Chan HKSAR Sec. for Development presents BEAM green building award to Mr John A. Herbert
Our guests
21 August 2015
Thermography reveals an infra-red world that the naked eye cannot see. It is just one of the tools in Kelcroft's arsenal to help guide our work, to improve energy efficiency to lower your energy costs. Every body emits radiation, but we can only see visible light, infra-red imaging converts infra-red spectum into light that we can see. order thermal scanning today!
tags: thermography, thermal scan
Visualising with infra-red benefits
18 August 2015
Kelcroft's director Mr John A. Herbert member of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Energy and Environment Committee attended the August 2015 meeting.
tags: energyefficiency
30 July 2015
Kelcroft's Mr John A. Herbert conducted BEAM Professional training (Water Use).
tags: BEAM, greenbuilding
6 June 2015
Mr John A. Herbert attended BEAM Neighbourhood training. "A green building rating tool for the Neighbourhood is the next step to encompass and engage the wider community". Herbert said.
tags: greenbuilding, BEAMPLUS
21 May 2015
Our Mr John A. Herbert presented at Enviroserises Conference 2015. The key topic was water efficiency! Herbert, chairman of the BEAM Technical Review Panel, and BEAM Water Use expert panel chairman, explained that BEAM Plus buildings have already reduced water consumption by approx. 39% per annum, a fact often overlooked in green building, and critical for Hong Kong's future and water security.
Furthermore, he explained that BEAM has changed the industry, engineers are now forced to account for Hong Kong's skyscrapers, and now design water efficient systems to gain BEAM certification. .....learn more
tags: greenbuilding
BEC Chairman Mr John Chai (LEFT) presents award to Kelcroft's John A. Herbert (RIGHT)
18 May 2015
Kelcroft's John A. Herbert was guest on RTHK Radio 3 backchat programme the topic Hong Kong's energy blueprint. Herbert said the governments target (40% Energy intensity reduction from 2005 level) was not ambitious (equates to say 6.5% reduction in absolute terms).
Also Under Secretary for the Environment Ms. Christine Loh agreed that the BEEO Energy Audit results presently only on paper, should be available digitally! {listen here LINK}
John A. Herbert (Photo credit RTHK Radio 3)
15 May 2015
Mr John A. Herbert attended the Hong Kong Government's launch ceremony of the Government Energy for All campaign at the Hong Kong Government Office, Tamar, Hong Kong.
tags: energyefficiency
23 April 2015
Our John A. Herbert attend the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) Anniversary ceremony celebrating fifth year since the establishment of BSL (formerly BEAM Society).
tags: greenbuilding
20 April 2015
Kelcroft's director Mr John A. Herbert was speaker and panelist at the Enviroseries Conference 2015 held 21 May 2015 in Hong Kong.
#greenbuilding http://bec.org.hk/events-current/bec-enviroseries-conference-2015
18 April 2015
Mr John A. Herbert Kelcroft's director, conducted the BEAM BAS training for BEAM Water Aspects.
tags: greenbuilding, BEAM
10 April 2015
Kelcroft attended BEAM Existing Buildings (EB) stakeholders consultation to comment upon draft EB documentation.
tags: greenbuilding
26 March 2015
Kelcroft exhibited and attended MIECF 2015 conference and exhibition in Macau, a leading regional green building conference for Asia....... ........read more
tags: greenbuilding
9 Match 2015
WSD has retitled the Quality Water Recognition Scheme For Buildings (QWRSFB) to the Quality Water Supply Schemes For Buildings - Fresh Water And Flushing Water.
tags: water efficiency
1 March 2015
Happy St Davids Day!
23 February 2015
Kelcroft's director John A. Herbert chaired the first BEAM Water Expert group meeting in 2015.
26 January 2015
Director of HAESCO Mr John A. Herbert chaired the first HAESCO meeting in 2015
17 January 2015
Mr John A. Herbert attended the BEAM Directors brainstorming meeting at the Holiday Inn, Hong Kong.
tags: greenbuilding, BEAM
15 January 2015
Kelcroft is once again supporting green, a patron sponsor for Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) this year (2015).
tags: greenbuilding
click here to read Kelcroft's archieve news.......