EMSD Wins Grand Award for openBIM Innovation at 2024 Awards in Marrakesh

EMSD receives grand award in openBIM Awards 2024

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) received the grand award under the "Handover" category of the openBIM Awards 2024 at an award presentation ceremony held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on October 3 (Morocco time).

The organiser, buildingSMART International, received over 160 submissions from universities and organisations worldwide this year, shortlisting 22 finalists and awarding grand awards to nine teams in their respective categories. The EMSD's award-winning submission is about creating procedural guidelines and software tools for electrical and mechanical systems that simplify conversion to openBIM. It is the first department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government winning this grand award.

A spokesman for the EMSD said, "The award recognised our efforts in applying and promoting openBIM as well as our contribution to the continuous enhancement of openBIM standards. The EMSD will further promote openBIM and facilitate the application of construction digitalisation to help the industry cope with challenges arising from the handover of engineering projects."

A groundbreaking digitalisation technology, openBIM is characterised by its open data formats that enable different engineering teams to use a common language and protocol for information exchanges. This facilitates co-ordination between teams, tools and processes across various stages of design, construction, handover and maintenance, and will help promote construction digitalisation.

EMSD receives grand award in openBIM Awards 2024 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EMSD investigates suspension incident of Hong Kong Observation Wheel

​The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is investigating the suspension incident of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel happened today (December 5).

An EMSD spokesman said, "Upon notification of the suspension incident of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel at 5.26pm today, EMSD officers immediately conducted an on-site investigation. The preliminary findings revealed that the failure of the backup system of the observation wheel has triggered the safety system to suspend the observation wheel. The operator followed the operation procedures to restart the observation wheel and release the passengers. All passengers were safely evacuated at 5.48pm, and no passengers were injured in the incident."

For safety's sake, the EMSD has requested the Hong Kong Observation Wheel to conduct a detailed inspection and reopen it only after confirming safety by the competent person of the amusement ride. The Hong Kong Observation Wheel is required to submit a report on the incident. TheEMSD will continue closely monitoring the operation of the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.