Glossary
Quote from BEAM Society, 'A means by which to benchmark and improve performance in the planning, design, construction, commissioning, operation and management of buildings.' BEAM Plus is a comprehensive environmental assessment scheme recognised by the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC). Issued in 2012, BEAM Plus Version 1.2 for New Buildings and Existing Buildings was enhanced from the earlier version in providing Passive Design as an alternative method for assessment. BEAM Plus Version 2.0 for Existing Buildings has been officially launched in 2015. The new version contains major revisions to the assessment guidelines and offers greater flexibility in the scope of assessment, with a view to encouraging more participation by the existing buildings in Hong Kong. BEAM Plus Version 2.0 for New Buildings has been officially launched in 2019. The new version introduces new assessment credits that promote healthy living in order to place more emphasis on wellness of building users. In whilst, new assessment aspect – Integrated Design and Construction Management – is added to encourage adoption of integrated design approach to green buildings.
Building Information Modelling is the process of generating and managing building data during its planning, design, construction and operation stage. The process uses multi-dimensional building modelling software and unified data structure to enhance team collaboration and increase productivity.
The Code on Access to Information (the Code) defines the scope of information that will be provided, sets out how the information will be made available either routinely or in response to a request, and lays down procedures governing its prompt release. The Code authorises and requires civil servants, routinely or on request, to provide information, and sets out procedures for review or complaint if a member of the public considers that the provisions of the Code have not been properly applied.
ArchSD aims at enhancing its operational efficiency by applying smart and innovative technologies in the work process through the CO-i development. The core of the proposed CO-i development is a big data bank with linkage to various application systems to facilitate the 'Architectural Intelligence', including integrated project management platform, advanced asset information system integrated with Building Information Modelling (BIM), mobile platform for construction site supervision and work flow digitalisation, etc.
It is a proactive design approach which focuses on the ease of manufacture and efficiency of assembly, enables offsite manufacture of high-quality construction components and efficient assembly of components on site. It is a well-established approach for accomplishing significant improvements in productivity, safety, quality and sustainability. It also enables identification, quantification and elimination of waste or inefficiency in product manufacture and assembly to achieve lean construction.
The ArchSD Extranet is a private secured web portal with restricted access to enhance communication and information exchange with external users such as consultants and contractors, and to streamline contract management of works projects undertaken by the Department.
A multi-stakeholder-governed institution which provides a framework for sustainability reporting, which is commonly used all over the world. This framework sets out the principles and disclosure requirements that entities can use to measure and report their economic, social and environmental performance. GRI launched its Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) in October 2016.
Greenhouse gases refer to those which absorb and hold heat in the atmosphere, either occurring naturally (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, ozone and water vapour) or exclusively resulting from human activities (e.g. hydroflurocarbons).
Greenhouse Gas Protocol establishes comprehensive global standardised frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and mitigation actions. It also supplies the world's most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standards.
In line with the spirit of the Paris Agreement, the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 report, published by the Environment Bureau, sets out the strategies and targets for combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality before 2050. The new plan outlines the four major decarbonisation strategies and measures, namely net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction.
The Hong Kong Green Organisation Certification (HKGOC) aims to benchmark green organisations with substantial achievement in green management, to encourage participants to adopt environmental practices in different aspects and to recognise their efforts and commitments to the environment. It consists of five Certificates, namely ‘Wastewi$e Certificate’, ‘Energywi$e Certificate’, ‘Productwi$e Certificate’, ‘IAQwi$e Certificate’ and ‘Carbon Reduction Certificate’.
ISO 14001 is an international standard first published by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1996, which specifies requirements for the establishment of an environmental management system. It is intended for use by organisations seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.
ISO 45001 is an international standard first published by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2018.The standard specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety management system, and gives guidance for its use, to enable organisations to provide safe and healthy workplaces by preventing work-related injury and ill health, as well as by proactively improving its OH&S performance.
ISO 50001 is an international standard first published by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2011, which specifies requirements for the establishment of an energy management system. Adopting ISO 50001 Energy Management System enables organisations to improve their energy performance, which generally includes energy use, energy efficiency and energy consumption, in a systematic approach.
ISO 9001 is an international standard first published by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1987, which specifies requirements for the establishment of a quality management system. Adopting ISO 9001 Quality Management System supports organisations to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and enhance customer satisfaction through the different improvement processes.
The Integrated Management System is the combination of our obtained certification of ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard and ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Standard which altogether constitute our Integrated Management System.
Microclimate generally refers to the specific climatic conditions within a small area (such as street, park, riverside, etc). Due to the influence of the surrounding terrain, orientation and density of buildings, weather conditions during the time as well as other factors, the climatic characteristics at an area may differ from those prevailing over the surrounding large region.
Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) refers to a construction method whereby free-standing volumetric modules (with finishes, fixtures, fittings, etc.) are manufactured off-site and then transported for constructing buildings.
Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) refers to the integration of multi-trade building services components into a single assembly of prefabricated modules, manufactured in a factory then transported to the site for connection of modules to complete various trades of building services installations on site.
The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) is an independent non-profit organisation that sets standards to guide the disclosure of financially material sustainability information by companies to their investors.
The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) covers a wide range of recommendations for making Web content more accessible. These guidelines help make content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities, including blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing loss, learning disabilities, cognitive limitations, limited movement, speech disabilities, photosensitivity and combinations of these.