Assignment

Professional Ethics

(BME 4042)

Submitted By

Name: SHAH AMIRUL BIN BADRI

Metric No: 22B09D005

Year / Course: 1 BEET

Semester / Session: 1 2022/2023

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Definition of Ethics

3. Issues for Discussion

4. Case Study Based on Real Incident

5. Lesson Learnt from The Case Study

6. Conclusion
Introduction

This subject requirement to identify one event is related to one section from the code
of conduct of registered person of Engineering Technologist under Board of Engineer
Malaysia (BEM).

The case study shall be in accordance with Code of Conduct of Registered Person under
Board of Engineers Malaysia Circular No. 001, Rev No:0 Date: 27.10.2016 Scope covered
within clause 4.0 until 4.3.4 under Engineering Technologist.

The study will focus based on engineering failures/incidents which are particularly
occurred in Singapore. Thus, I have selected the Incident of the collapse of the Hotel New
World as a civil disaster that occurred in Singapore at the junction of Serangoon Road and
Owen Road on 15 March 1986.

Hotel New World officially called the Lian Yak Building was completed in 1971 and
consisted of six storeys and a basement garage. The Hotel New World, previously known as
the New Serangoon Hotel until 1984, was the main tenant occupying the top four floors, and a
branch of the Industrial & Commercial Bank (which merged with United Overseas Bank in
1987) took up the ground level.

However, the Hotel New World suffered a catastrophic failure when it collapsed in an
instant around 11.20 am resulting to the entrapment of 50 people, where eventually 17 of
them were rescued while 33 of them were killed.
Definition of ethics

Ethics can be defined in different meanings, to reflect the meaning with Code of
Conduct Guideline such as following;

“A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct business

honestly and with integrity”.

“A code of ethics, also referred to as an "ethical code," may encompass areas such as business
ethics, a code of professional practice, and an employee code of conduct”.

This code of conduct to ensure and guide all engineer to be conducted himself
honourably, responsibly, ethically and lawfully so as to enhance the honour, reputation and
usefulness of the profession. A Registered Engineer shall act for each employer or clients as
faithful agent or trustee.
Issues for discussion

This case study is mainly focused on the responsibility and integrity of the
Professional Engineer as per clause ’2.1.1’and ‘2.1.2’ as below.

Figure 1.1 : Responsibility of the Professional Engineer

Case Study Based on Real Incident

Many potential causes of the accident were investigated. Surviving sections of

concrete were tested to ensure they were built to proper construction standards and it was
found that they were. The undergoing construction work at the same time as the underground
railway – built by tunnellers who had assisted in the rescue – was investigated, even though
the excavations were more than 100 yards (91 m) from the collapsed building. It was found
they did not affect the building's stability

These micro-cracks reduced the weight that was supported by the pillars and
eventually initiated a progressive collapse. Hence, forensics had checked the loads applied to
the building to investigate the causes of the cracks. It could be either the miscalculation of
load of the supporting elements during construction process or under-design and uncontrolled
weight management during the building’s operation that brought these cracks. After intensive
research, investigators discovered a horrible mistake in the original design of the building
which is the structural engineer had absolutely left out the buildings “deadload,” in other
words, the weight of the building itself was doomed from the beginning.

Nevertheless, all these additional loads were already accounted for under the live load
category in the design plan. The engineer’s calculations proved that the extra amount of
weight does not contribute much to the collapse.

Again, the engineers checked the blueprints and original design plan of the building.
After the calculation process, the root cause behind the collapse was finally discovered.
Throughout this investigation, it was found that the dead load of the building was not
accounted for in the original design plan and which means that the building itself had been
stressed to the allowable limit from the first day and the collapse cannot be avoided.

The source of the collapse was determined to be the fault of the engineers responsible
for the structural integrity of the building as they overlooked the importance of dead load in
the construction stage which caused the under-designed columns and foundation of the
building’s supporting elements to crack easily during the addition of the huge live loads.

The tragedy of the Hotel New World building is a type of progressive collapse.
Progressive collapse occurs when a structural failure in an area continuously spread to other
areas through connective structures causing enormous destruction to a building. In this case,
it is due to an over-stressed column that caused micro-cracks in the building and subsequently
downfall.
Lesson Learnt from The Case Study

This incident has brought many attentions to the entire Singapore and across the
world. All incident impacts are justified based on the 4 elements, which is People,
Environment, Assets and Reputation. This incident cost a big impact to people, environment
and Singapore's reputation.

Based on the root cause analysis, this incident has several factors that led to New
World Hotel collapse. The related personnel to modify the building design. That kind of
mindset should have been discarded. It is unacceptable for one to ignore a matter that is
related to the public’s safety. Instead, they should have just performed anonymous whistle-
blowing to higher management, appropriate authority or the public, where they do not have to
worry that other people will know the identity of the whistle-blower. This action could have
saved many lives.

From the mistake that happens, the engineers in charge of the building construction
have to break the BEM code of ethics 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 which turns to causes the collapse of
the building and numerous loss of life. The engineers should check the final design of the
plan, calculation and other details thoroughly before approving the plan to prevent any
unwanted tragedy.
Conclusions

The Engineers are responsible to ensure the integrity of the job being executed. Every
discipline has their own expertise. Each step of engineering task is based on knowledge not
on our own thoughts or assumption. Engineering is very detail process from very beginning
until post completion. By having good and responsible engineers we can avoid or minimize
the impact of any incident if occurred.

The professional ethics of engineers are compulsory and important to learned

profession. As members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest
standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of
life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty,
impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health,
safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behaviour that
requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.

References:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse_of_Hotel_New_World
[2] chrome-
extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://bem.org.my/documents//20181/100833/
C+001+Code+of+Conduct+of+Registered+Person+%28Rev.1_27.10.2016%29.pdf/c481407f
-90da-4da7-b3d9-ddccdbc56360
[3] https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_783__2009-01-02.html
[4] https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/35-years-ago-in-singapore-the-hotel-new-world-
collapse-of-15-march-1986-
073736338.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&
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zssux5FoBXosd1TzwJ49Inax5rDPw-
OmgtL_u7JVYsxWR7WfDqZZtaQ4L5ko7QJzpSoRMbfYWARfrrfCfaGotT0n33HOuTjHlS
OwcpVbZCdE-XZM5dOJZgsHc-c_9zMLoM11a9