Modular Integrated Construction / Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing

IntroductionModular Integrated Construction (MiC)

To support the adoption of high productivity construction methods for Hong Kong's construction industry, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is committed to facilitating the implementation of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) method / Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) method, and providing advice and guidance to the trade on how these methods can comply with the Electricity Ordinance, Gas Safety Ordinance and Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance.

The EMSD has prepared and updated the relevant guidance notes on electrical and gas installations and supply of electrical and gas appliances in buildings/developments with MiC / MiMEP method, aiming to facilitate the understanding of and compliance with the relevant requirements by MiC / MiMEP contractors, project developers, owners of MiC / MiMEP modules, private developers, electricity/gas supply companies, registered electrical contractors, registered gas contractors, etc.

 

Fixed Electrical Installations and Household Electrical Products

Fixed electrical installations in MiC / MiMEP projects shall comply with the requirements stipulated in the Electricity Ordinance (Cap. 406) and all electrical works in Hong Kong shall be carried out by registered electrical contractors (RECs), in line with the requirements for conventional construction projects. For the electrical installations in MiC / MiMEP modules being installed at a workshop outside Hong Kong, the MiC / MiMEP contractor is recommended to liaise with the project owner and the relevant RECs at an early stage, see below flowcharts, for establishment and implementation of a quality control and supervision system so as to ensure the electrical installations being installed, inspected and tested at the workshop with good workmanship and suitable materials.

MiC / MiMEP contractor is recommended to liaise with the project owner and the relevant RECs at an early stage for establishment and implementation of a quality control and supervision system so as to ensure the electrical installations being installed, inspected and tested at the workshop with good workmanship and suitable materials.

Household electrical products supplied in MiC projects are regulated by the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation under the Electricity Ordinance (Cap. 406) if they are supplied in Hong Kong. Under the Regulation, the categories of persons that are regarded as suppliers are wide-ranging, and include manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, etc., if such persons supply household electrical products in Hong Kong. Property developers may also be regarded as suppliers, as the Regulation also applies to the supply of household electrical products as part of or in connection with a disposition of any premises, if such a disposition, which includes a sale, lease, licence and permission to occupy, is the first disposition made prior to the first occupation of the premises.

For details, please refer to the following guidance notes:

 

Gas Installations and Domestic Gas Appliances

Gas installations in MiC / MiMEP projects shall comply with the requirements stipulated in the Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap. 51) and all gas installation works in Hong Kong shall be carried out by registered gas contractors (RGCs), in line with the requirements for conventional construction projects. For the gas installations in MiC / MiMEP modules being installed at a off-site workshop (e.g. a factory outside Hong Kong), the RGC is recommended to liaise with the project owner, the relevant MiC / MiMEP contractors and the registered gas supply companies (RGSCs) at an early stage for establishment and implementation of a quality control and supervision system so as to ensure the gas installations being installed, inspected and tested at the workshop with good workmanship, quality and suitable materials.

Any domestic gas appliance to be imported for use in Hong Kong shall be of an approved type / model and bears the GU mark as stipulated in Gas Safety (Miscellaneous) Regulations (Cap. 51F). If a MiC / MiMEP contractor intends to pre-install a domestic gas appliance in the integrated module for delivery into Hong Kong, he may engage an importer who has already obtained EMSD's approval of that particular brand and model of domestic gas appliance for importation. Alternatively, the MiC / MiMEP contractor may apply for EMSD's approval by himself to import any domestic gas appliance in accordance with the Code of Practice GU05 - Approval of Domestic Gas Appliances [PDF format ( 323 KB )].

For details, please refer to the following guidance note:

 

Energy Label Prescribed Products

The Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Cap. 598) is implemented to facilitate the public in choosing energy efficient appliances and raise public awareness on energy saving. Under the Ordinance, energy labels are required to be shown on the prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong to inform consumers of their energy efficiency performance.

A MiC contractor may purchase a prescribed product from a Mainland/overseas supplier or manufacturer for installation at the integrated module. The MiC contractor who imports and supplies the integrated module with the prescribed product shall submit the specified information of the product model to EMSD for assignment of an energy label reference number in its name. Alternatively, a MiC contractor may purchase a prescribed product from a Hong Kong importer (i.e. the specified person whom is assigned with a reference number for the prescribed product under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance) for installation at the integrated module. All stakeholders (including importers, contractors, project agents, integrated module owners, private developers, etc.) shall not supply the prescribed product unless they have ensured that the prescribed product is a product of a listed model, and bears an energy label.

For details, please refer to the following guidance note:

 

Successful Cases in adoption of MiC / MiMEP

 

Corruption Prevention Measures for MiC Projects

The special features of MiC have shifted or give rise to new integrity risks.  Contractors and sub-contractors should put in place adequate corruption prevention measures when undertaking MiC projects. As such, the Corruption Prevention Department of ICAC has published publications relevant to MiC to assist construction practitioners to develop their corruption prevention capabilities in managing MiC projects. These publications are accessible via the hyperlinks below.

  1. Animated training videos on Corruption Prevention Measures for MiC

    The animated videos visualise integrity risks and provide recommended control measures to enhance practitioners' understanding in three aspects, namely integrity management, fabrication at MiC factory and processing after fabrications.

  2. Integrity Risk Management (IRM) plan on Prefabricated Work (including MiC) outside Hong Kong

    The IRM plan on prefabricated work outside Hong Kong (including MiC) for use by contractors / factory operators help them to identify, evaluate, and manage integrity risks faced by them in their operations.

 

Enquiries

For enquiries and feedback, please contact us by the following means:

24-hour Public Enquiry Hotline (852) 1823
Email info@emsd.gov.hk
Address Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
  EMSD Headquarters, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong.