-Put an end to tragic cases of fallen trees wounding citizens
HONG KONG, Aug. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is aware of trees falling and causing significant injury or even casualties in Hong Kong, and suggests speeding up the adoption of thermal technology for the inspection of trees to protect public safety.
The existing tree inspection procedures involves normal visual inspection first, and if a problem is spotted by the eye, to proceed with sonar detectors or micro-drilling resistance tests. However, these measures are not able to fully measure internal problems of diseased trees, which in turn can lead to trees falling and causing tragedy once again. RICS proposes adopting a tree inspection method used in the U.K. which uses thermal imaging to identify if there is imbalanced heat emissions from the tree. The thermo image upon interpretation by experts would then signify that the tree may be unhealthy from within. Thermal imaging can work at a reasonable distance and can effectively examine trees high above the ground, and ultimately compensate for deficiencies in the existing visual inspection method.
Cheng Wai Pun, Chairman of the RICS Hong Kong Geomatics Professional Group Committee mentioned, "In recent years, several cases of fallen trees in Hong Kong have led to casualties. The government should accelerate the adoption of effective new technologies in tree inspection procedures and solutions. Not only will this help prevent tragedies from happening again, but also strengthen the overall management and maintenance of trees, which then ensures healthy trees and a safer Hong Kong for the public."
About RICS & RICS Asia
RICS is the world's leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction.
In a world where more and more people, governments, banks and commercial organisations demand greater certainty of professional standards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognised mark of property professionalism.
Over 118,000 property professionals working in the major established and emerging economies of the world have already recognised the importance of securing RICS status by becoming members.
RICS is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter. Since 1868, RICS has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity – providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society. RICS is a regulator of both its individual members and firms enabling it to maintain the highest standards and providing the basis for unparalleled client confidence in the sector.
The RICS Asia supports a network of over 18,000 individual professionals across the Asia Pacific region with an objective to help develop the property and construction markets in these countries, by introducing professional standards, best practice and international experience. It promotes RICS and its members as the natural advisors on all property matters. It also ensures that services and career development opportunities are provided to members.
The RICS Asia region covers national associations and local groups locating in Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong SAR. It also has members working across the region such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos PDR, Macao SAR, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, The Maldives, The Philippines, Timor East and Vietnam. For more information, please visit: www.ricsasia.org.
Source: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
