The hospitality industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic because trans-border movement has not been allowed since the outbreak started. The question is now how this sector can survive and bounce back, especially in terms of technical operations and building maintenance, as well as mechanical-electrical (ME) aspects.
The main difference between commercial and hospitality buildings is the absence of services such as a laundry room, a restaurant or a kitchen. Commercial buildings may have a restaurant and a kitchen, but they are usually managed by a third party. Another difference is the operation hours. Hotels are occupied for 24 hours, while commercial buildings are only occupied during the office hours. That is to say, in terms of maintenance, the needs and considerations are different.
After the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB or Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar), which was followed by the PSBB Transisi and the new normal (adaptasi kebiasaan baru) in June, the hospitality industry’s trend began to move in a positive direction at around 10 to 20 per cent. At that time, the demand for hotel use, aside from room rentals, came from the reopening of restaurants, wedding receptions and events.
The building maintenance is still being carried out even though the pandemic has started to hit Indonesia since March 2020
DEDDY EL RASHID
Founder dan Advisor of ASATHI (Asosiasi Ahli Teknik Hotel Seluruh Indonesia or Indonesian Hotel Engineers Association)
Deddy has been working for 40 years in managing high-rise buildings, especially hotels and commercial buildings although his previous experience is in the field of shipping machinery. Throughout his career, he has taken up a role as a trainer and certification examiner for ASEAN Energy Management Scheme (AEMAS), Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi (BNSP), Auditor Assessor, Merchant Marine Engineer to Green ship certification from the Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI). He is also a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE); National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); Chartered Institution Building Service Engineers (CIBSE); and Association of International Energy Engineers. Deddy has also served as President of ASHRAE Indonesia.
To read the complete article, register your details above
to be notified once the revamped Construction Plus App is ready!
