The Hong Kong Institute of Engineers

Welcome to the HKIE - Building Services Division

What is building services engineering? It is an engineering stream concerning with the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and maintenance of mechanical and electrical services in buildings. It is multi-disciplinary in nature and typically includes such expertise as: heating, ventilation, refrigeration, air-conditioning; electrical supply distribution and utilization; lightning protection; lighting; acoustics; fire engineering, plumbing and water supply; sanitation and drainage; vertical and horizontal transportation; control and building automation; security and alarm system; project management and facilities management; etc.

Nowadays, buildings mean much more than merely places for people to take shelter from inclement weather and adverse outside conditions, or to accommodate their properties and belongings. People spend very substantial amount of their time engaging in various kinds of activities indoors. Modern buildings need to provide a safe, healthy, comfortable, functionally effective and flexible indoor environment for their users. With due consideration of the conditions of and the effects on external environment and building fabric, building services engineers strive to achieve these goals in a scientific and efficient manner. The end results are satisfied building users and buildings of enhanced value.