CABE Malaysia Conference addresses shared global challenges
A number of issues facing the construction industry – the impact of the Hackitt report and future directives of UK legislation; the true value of sustainable buildings and standardisation of contracts – have been debated at a conference in Malaysia, illustrating the fact that many issues are not restricted by geography, but indeed are shared global issues.
The conference was delivered by Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) in conjunction with the Lighthouse Club of Kuala Lumpur and supported by the Malaysian CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) and the AIAC (Asian International Arbitration Centre).
More than 100 delegates attended the one-day conference at the AIAC centre in Kuala Lumpur, which featured a keynote speech by David Taylor, President of CABE who spoke on the topic of ‘Performance Standards: Safer Together’. This address looked at the industry core issues of risk management, industry standards and industry image, illustrating that everybody in the sector – no matter their role or geographical location – plays an important role and is accountable for their actions.
Other topics and issues covered included the value of sustainable building using standards such as BREEAM; how the new AIAC Standards Forms of Contract will impact the industry; the Hackitt Report on Grenfell Tower and how the future directives of the UK legislative requirements will affect the construction industry. Working at height; durable and safe concrete structures, and post-tensioning and industrialised building systems (IBS) were also debated.
A series of panel debates allowed speakers and delegates to discuss the key issues raised. With accountability forming the theme for the opening address, it become clear that this risk, integrity and competence, and accountability thereof, are all consistent issues that affect multiple parts of the sector from fire engineering to working at height; delivering sustainable buildings to creation of contracts.
“The purpose of CABE is to provide Building Engineers with the recognition of their skills required to work competently across the design, construction and operation of our buildings,” commented Gavin Dunn, Chief Executive of CABE. “We have a growing international presence and events such as our conference in Malaysia provide the perfect opportunity for members to share information and learn best practice. It is also clear that many issues are global issues and by being an international organisation CABE is ideally placed to share knowledge to help improve standards across the built environment.”
CABE has a diverse membership covering design, construction, evaluation and maintenance professionals. The organisation has eight international chapters – USA, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Macau, Malaysia and Middle East. Now in its third year, the conference reflects the diversity of the CABE membership as well as issues facing the industry, both locally and internationally.
