BMAM Expo Asia industry briefing invited top experts in Thailand to discuss on “Facilities Management outlook 2013 toward AEC”. Facilities Management in Thailand to flourish with the onset of AEC 2015 and urge all facilities owners to improve on their facilities safety standards as their top most priority.
BMAM Expo Asia 2013, the 6th International Exhibition and Conference on Building Maintenance and Facilities Management, held in Thailand for the Asia market has organized an industry briefing and show update at Ballroom 1, Sofitel Sukhumvit. The industry briefing attracted over
300 attendees and one of the highlights on the industry briefing is on the panel discussion on “Facilities Management outlook 2013 toward AEC".
Mr. Pinit Lertudomtana, Director of Building Control Division Department of Public Works, commented “Bangkok has over 2 million buildings with more than 3,000 Large Size Facilities, and over 7,000 condominiums. Safety system and facilities management of the buildings are some of the major concerns for the department of public works, ministry of interior. Building owners must consider these issues as their top most priority as these relates to the health and safety of the occupants, the durability of the facilities and the safety standards of Thailand. The investment will translate into the asset value of the facilities in the long run. To strengthen the message, Department of Public Works, the Ministry of Interior, has made mandatory law for 9 types of building in terms of facility security. Further to add, the inspectors appointed must be an engineer or architect who are trained by institutions accredited by the Department of Public Works. All these standards that are newly implemented are the beginnings for Thailand to enter the AEC and strengthen our standards in Facilities Management".
Mr. Viroje Chowjiraphan, Expertise Engineer of Department of Industrial works shared, “Thailand has 140,000 factories. Our department’s mission is to ensure the safety operations of the factories or facilities under the regulations. We are ready to supply information, data and knowledge on machinery, environment, safety, and act as a consultation body to improve and develop our industries to world class standards. We have also launched “Good Governance” program to encourage our factories and facilities owners to improve on their standards together with us. Building in Thailand was older than 20 years, innovations and technology has helped our industries to improve the safety and sustainability of our industries. We have also inculcated the “safety by design” standards whereby factories have to make safety considerations on where is the equipment location, the type of materials used and other safety regulations to ensure safety and preventions are in placed in our industries.”
Mr. Vichian Bussayabuntoon, President of The Building Safety Inspectors and Officers Association said that “As Thailand continues to grow, the demand for security grows in tandem. Nowadays peoples are in favor to live in high-rise buildings like condominiums. There are many safety systems in these facilities that professionals are required to handle, such as lift systems, fire alarm systems, fire exit route and s standby lighting planning and implementations, etc. Such system requires professionals to design, install, manage and maintains. Safety is just a small part of Facilities Management and with smarter, more sophisticated and green facilities coming up in Thailand, the needs and importance of FM professionals are set to grow at a exponential rate. With the onset of AEC 2015, Facilities Management will see more influx of overseas Facilities Management professionals and the development of Facilities Management will very soon be in line with the international standards. Currently, the premium markets are for foreign owned facilities where the implementations of Facilities Management are already a standard in their own country. This will in turn brings up the profession to a new level where Facilities Management professionals in Thailand are currently paid low wages. However, the current building technicians will have to improve on their skills to match up to the job expectations of a Facility Manager. The downside will be less technicians in the industry to serve the lower end building needs.
Mr. Kittiphop Kaewvilas, Vice President of Hotels & Buildings Chief Engineering's club who works in the Metropolitan Bangkok Hotel said “The hospitality sector is always deemed as the country’s showcase and therefore, there are many audits and checks by various government agencies before the hotel can allow their customers to check-in. With international chains, we have to maintain the international standards in respect to our security, responsibilities to the environment and to maintain the service standards of our employees and facilities. In short, we are responsible for all our guests’ needs, safety and security.”
The organizers are confident that BMAM Expo Asia 2013– the 6th International Exhibition and Conference on Building Maintenance & Facilities Management held in Thailand for the Asia Market, will provide total solutions for the building maintenance, facilities and property management sector. The event is held on19 – 21 September 2013 at Hall5-6 IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Center. For more information about BMAM Expo Asia 2013, please contact Mr. Ajinveat Vhongthong, IMPACT Exhibition Management at phone: +66 2-833-5210, Fax: +66 2-833-5127-9 e-mail ajinveatv@impact.co.th or visit www.maintenance-asia.com or www.greenbuilding-asia.com
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