2019冠狀病毒病在世界各地傳播，令香港社會高度警覺。面對突如其來的挑戰，機電工程署(機電署)立刻啟動應變措施，全力支援各政府部門，共渡時艱。
在是次抗疫工作中，我們支援醫院管理局(醫管局)及衞生署，服務全港40間公立醫院及逾百間診所，除了為公共衞生設施進行檢驗、評估、維修保養和提供工程方案外，我們更優先為隔離病房、監察病房、指定診所及急症室等高風險地方的空調和通風系統，以及其他機電設備進行系統評估和加強維護，務使醫護人員及病人在安全的環境下工作和接受治療。此外，我們亦因應客戶需求，加強通風系統的出風量；調校和增設負壓房；設計、建造和安裝空氣過濾系統等，並為衞生署及醫管局在各邊境口岸和醫院調配和裝設紅外線發燒偵測系統。
抗疫之路從來不易走。我們以現有的人力資源承擔更大的責任和應付更廣的工作範疇；加上公眾與客戶對公共衞生的要求和期望提高，如何做到預防勝於治療確是一大挑戰。儘管如此，面對突發的疫情，機電署也責無旁貸，積極參與各檢疫中心的準備工作，包括協助衞生署在各個檢疫中心的選址為通風系統及其他機電設備進行評估；參與度假村及駿洋邨檢疫中心的建設準備工作；以及為多個檢疫中心的機電設備提供維修服務。
除了公共衞生設施需要把關外，確保曾運送病人或接觸過確診個案的車輛清潔衞生同樣重要。我們全面為救護車的空調系統進行深層清潔及消毒，噴灑專門的消毒劑於系統製冷及出風口位置以作消毒，完成後再進行徹底清洗，並在後置空調系統加裝過濾效能更高的空氣過濾網，從而更有效阻隔細菌。由於救護車使用頻繁，我們安排救護站駐場同事加裝空氣過濾網以加快工作進度。此外，對於曾接載感染人士的警務處車輛，以及在確診患者住處附近進行清潔行動的相關部門車輛，我們也會為其空調系統消毒。
確保邊境設施安全可用及清潔衞生也很重要。因此，我們在短時間內協助檢查並加強保養機場政府貴賓室及港珠澳大橋管制站的空調和通風系統及空氣淨化器，以提供更流通及潔淨的空氣。同時，我們又檢查所有紫外線消毒燈以確保其消毒功能正常，務求降低病毒傳播的風險。
因應疫情發展，我們最近在專為促進初創企業及大學把創科方案與政府部門及公營機構的需求進行配對而設的機電創科網上平台上，增設「同心抗疫」專頁，發布一系列支持抗疫的創科願望，並於短時間內收集逾百個方案，當中「移動發燒偵測機器人」是該平台正在物色的解決方案之一。我們期望透過提供創科方案配對平台服務，可向各政府部門提供支援，以回應客戶的需求，共同對抗疫情。
汲取了嚴重急性呼吸系統綜合症(沙士)的抗疫經驗，我們在對抗2019冠狀病毒病方面作出了更充足的準備，並竭盡全力配合客戶的運作，在與時間競賽之餘，調整應變策略，務求把病毒的威脅減至最低，為客戶及市民大眾提供更優質可靠的服務。
如客戶有創科方面的需求，請與我們的高級工程師林鑫駿先生聯絡(電話：2808 3879)。
登入網址 https://inno.emsd.gov.hk/tc/together-we-fight-the-virus/index.html，觀看機電創科網上平台的「同心抗疫」專頁。
The spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) around the world has put the Hong Kong society on high alert. Facing the sudden challenge, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has immediately initiated emergency measures to render full support to various government departments during these difficult times.
In the ongoing anti-epidemic efforts, we have assisted the Hospital Authority (HA) and the Department of Health (DH) in serving 40 public hospitals and over a hundred of clinics across the territory. In addition to conducting examination, assessment, repair and maintenance works and providing engineering solutions for public healthcare facilities, we have prioritised system evaluation and strengthened the maintenance of air-conditioning and ventilation systems as well as other electrical and mechanical (E&M) equipment in high-risk areas such as isolation wards, surveillance wards, designated clinics and Accident and Emergency Departments to ensure medical staff are working and patients are receiving treatments in a safe environment. Besides, in response to the requests from our clients, we have enhanced the air flow of ventilation systems, adjusted and added negative pressure wards, and undertaken the design, construction and installation of air filtration systems. We have also supported the DH and the HA in the deployment and installation of infrared fever screening systems at border control points and hospitals.
Combating an epidemic is never easy. We have to shoulder greater responsibilities and take up a wider scope of work with the existing staff resources. This, coupled with the ever-increasing demands and expectations of the community and our clients in respect of public health, has posed a great challenge to the work of achieving the goal of “prevention is better than cure”. Notwithstanding, in face of the unexpected outbreak, the EMSD is duty bound to play an active role in making preparations for quarantine centres. For instance, we have assisted the DH in conducting assessment of the ventilation systems and other E&M equipment at the prospective sites of quarantine centres, participated in the preparation works to convert holiday villages and Chun Yeung Estate into quarantine centres, and provided maintenance services for the E&M equipment at various quarantine centres.
Apart from our gate-keeping role in respect of public healthcare facilities, the cleanliness and hygiene of vehicles that have transported patients or come in contact with confirmed cases are equally important. We have carried out comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of the air-conditioning systems on ambulances. We first disinfected the system cooling units and air vents by spraying a special disinfectant, followed by thorough cleaning and installation of additional air filters of higher efficiency in the rear air-conditioning systems to filter germs in a more effective manner. Since ambulances are frequently used, we have arranged for resident staff at ambulance depots to carry out installation of air filters to expedite the work progress. Moreover, for police vehicles that have transported infected people, and other departments’ vehicles providing support to the cleaning operations in the vicinity of confirmed patients’ homes, we will disinfect their air-conditioning systems.
Furthermore, it is important to maintain the safe operation and hygienic conditions of border facilities. We have inspected and enhanced maintenance of air-conditioning and ventilation systems as well as air purifiers at the Government VIP Lounge at the airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge control point within a short period of time, ensuring better circulation and fresher air. Meanwhile, we have also inspected all UV disinfection lamps to ensure proper functioning, reducing the risk of virus spreading.
In light of the development of the epidemic, our E&M InnoPortal, which serves as a dedicated online platform to facilitate the matching of innovation and technology (I&T) solutions by start-ups and universities with needs of government departments and public organisations, has recently rolled out a special page entitled “Together, We Fight the Virus!” showing a list of I&T wishes to support the anti-epidemic efforts. In just a short period of time, we have received over a hundred of proposals in response, and the Mobile Fever Screening Robot, for instance, is one of the solutions being sought on the platform. By providing the I&T solution matching service, we hope we can support all government departments to meet clients’ needs and fight the virus together.
Having learned a lesson from the fight against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), we have become better prepared for the COVID-19 epidemic and are committed to supporting our clients’ operations. Amid the race against time, we are also constantly adjusting our strategy, striving to minimise the threats posed by the virus and rendering more quality and reliable services to our clients and the general public.
Should you have any request involving I&T, please feel free to contact Mr. Tommy Lam, Senior Engineer, at 2808 3879.
Visit the website at https://inno.emsd.gov.hk/en/together-we-fight-the-virus/index.html to view the special page “Together, We Fight the Virus!” of the E&M InnoPortal.