HEALTH AND SAFETY
DR MUHAMMAD SYUKRI IMRAN ABDULLAH – REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, BEM MALAYSIA DR KHAIRUL AZMY KAMALUDDIN – PRESIDENT OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA (BEAM)
Managing condensation and mould in Malaysia
Dr Muhammad Syukri Imran Abdullah, registered professional engineer with BEM Malaysia, and Dr Khairul Azmy Kamaluddin, president of Biomedical Engineering Association of Malaysia (BEAM), look at the strategies Ministry of Health Malaysia is using to manage condensation-related mould issues in healthcare facilities, showcasing how they prioritise health and safety while navigating moisture control complexities.
The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) has been dedicated to providing healthcare services to the nation’s citizens while maintaining high standards in its facilities. However, the challenge of condensation and mould growth persists due to Malaysia’s humid climate. MOH has taken proactive steps to address this issue, given the health and structural risks it poses. Over the years, as Malaysia has urbanised and built more healthcare facilities, some constructions did not fully consider the climate’s challenges. Notably, classic cases like the Sultan Ismail Hospital (SAMY, 2004) and Air Keroh Healthcare Clinic (YEEN, 2008) mould outbreaks highlighted this issue, leading to temporary closures. In MOH facilities, managing mould growth due to condensation is a significant concern. This challenge arises from moisture accumulation, the tropical climate, and building design.
Local experience and lessons learned Issues of condensation in healthcare facilities in Malaysia can be primarily attributed to two major factors: building design and ventilation systems. High humidity levels pose unique challenges in maintaining indoor environments that are free from excessive moisture. The design of healthcare facilities plays a crucial role in determining how effectively moisture is managed within the buildings. Real world incidents underscore the tangible consequences of inadequate moisture management as shown in Figure 1, which shows condensation on ceiling and metal supports which led to ceiling collapse in a general hospital. The building design in many older healthcare facilities, and even
IFHE DIGEST 2024
Figure 1. Condensation on ceiling and metal supports.
occasionally in new facilities, did not sufficiently consider the impact of the local climate on indoor air quality. Insufficient insulation and inadequate air and vapour barriers allowed warm, moist
air to come into contact with cooler surfaces, leading to condensation. Additionally, older building materials might not have been adequately moisture-resistant, further contributing to
Dr Muhammad Syukri Imran Abdullah
Dr Muhammad Syukri Imran Abdullah, B. Eng. Civil Env. Eng., M. Eng. Civil Eng. holds a PhD in energy efficiency. He is an ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer, a registered professional engineer with BEM Malaysia, and
registered professional technologist (green technology) with MBOT Malaysia. He is also accredited LEED AP (O&M) by USGBC, and certified professional in
M&V by MGTC. Dr Abdullah has 20 years’ experience in healthcare engineering, healthcare FM, civil engineering design and projects management, including
green building and sustainability programs. He is currently a fellow of Institute Sustainability and Renewable Energy at University Malaysia Sarawak and, since 2022, is a full-time lecturer focusing on R&D opportunity in healthcare settings.
Dr Khairul Azmy Kamaluddin
Dr. Khairul Azmy Kamaluddin,
B.Sc. in Electrical (Power) Eng.,
M.Sc. in Building Services Eng. and Ph.D. in Energy Efficiency for Healthcare Buildings, is
current president of Biomedical Engineering Association of Malaysia (BEAM), a council member to IAC-CFM and IFHE, a certified ASAPM project
practitioner, a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a Registered Electrical Energy Manager (REEM). He is regarded as MoH expert referral on all
healthcare related building and engineering system design, with focus on building condensation issues, energy efficiency, and green initiatives.
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