© The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Not to be removed from examination venue.

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING & REAL ESTATE

Programme : 32405-BEM/PMT/SUV/32461
Session : Semester 2, 2016/2017

Subject Code : BRE326

Subject Title : Maintenance Technology and Management

Date : 15 May 2017

Time : 1230 - 1430 Time Allowed : 2 Hours

Subject Examiner(s) : Mr. Y.S. Wong / Prof. M.W. Chan

This question paper has a total of TEN pages.

(Some pages may be intentionally omitted.)

Instructions to candidates:

(i) This paper has 30 questions.

(ii) Attempt ALL questions in SECTION A, selecting the best answer choice.

(iii) Attempt ONE question in SECTION B and ONE question in SECTION C.

(iv) Each Section (A, B and C) carries equal weighting.

DO NOT TURN OVER THE PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

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BRE326
 © The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Not to be removed from examination venue.

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SECTION A (Answer ALL Questions)

SECTION B (Answer ONE question from this Section)

Question 27

Tenant living on the 9th Floor (9/F) complained that there is water seepage at the ceiling of his
bathroom. It is suspected that the water source is from the bathroom of the upper floor.

(a) Propose ONE probable cause of the water seepage and recommend investigation plan
(include appropriate test(s)) to verify the proposed cause. (70%)

(b) Suggest ONE corresponding repair method to rectify the defect as suggested in part (a).
(30%)

You may assume that the two floors are of the same layout.

Question 28

Cathodic Protection is found to an effective way to protect steel reinforcement bars inside
chloride-contaminated concrete.

Elaborate the working principle of Cathodic Protection method. (20%)

With the aid of annotated sketches, explain the set-up of ONE of the following:-

(i) Impressed Current Cathodic Protection system; OR

(ii) Galvanic Protection (Sacrificial Anode) system. (80%)

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BRE326
 © The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Not to be removed from examination venue.

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SECTION C (Answer ONE question from this Section)

Question 29

A 5-star hotel is to be refurbished. Describe measures how the management could reduce the
nuisances caused to the residents during the refurbishment period.

Question 30

The existing air conditioning system of a hotel building needs to be replaced due to low energy
efficiency. There are two alternatives to the management: (1) use air-cool chiller or (2) fresh
water evapourative cooling chiller. The cost information of the two alternatives are summarised
as follow:-

Air-cool Chiller Fresh Water Evapourative

Cooling Chiller
Capital Cost (Supply & Install the $6,000,000 $8,000,000
System)
Energy Cost $500,000 per annum $200,000 per annum
Make up water Cost $0 $20,000 per annum
Change of Spare Parts $200,000 in $150,000 in
Year 10 Year 10
Expected Service Life 15 years 15 years

Advise the management on the choice of system, with supporting calculation. (60%)

What are the pros and cons of using the Present Value method to evaluate alternatives? (40%)

In this question, you may assume a discount rate of 5% and use the financial factors provided in
the table underneath.

Years (n) Year 5 Year 10 Year 15

Present Value of $1 after n years 0.78 0.61 0.48
Present Value of $1 per annum 4.33 7.72 10.38
Sinking Fund Factor 0.181 0.080 0.046

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BRE326