Singapore Building Industry Corruption

INDUSTRY NEWS 24 October 2014
It was with expectation of success that the Singapore Government, had, at inception instituted
anti-corruption agencies and the Auditor General. To eliminate activities that create downward
industry spirals.
Unfortunately the government, legal profession and judiciary focused only on financial mis-doings.
Moral ineptitude was left untouched.
In the building industry lots of technical jargon allowed large leeway of exemption from above-mentioned
audit. We have a larger proportion of corruption within the mechanical engineering
and air-con industry. More so, in the industry of cooling towers and water treatment.
Specifications are created by engineers both in professional consulting engineering firms, and
government. These are full of errors, conflicting sections and contradictions. Intentionally?
“Professional” implies financial and morally upright conduct, supposed to engender/enhance
public trust.
Generally it can be seen that at the point of implementation, professional engineers maintain a
spirit of “misconduct-by-silence”. So if dishonest suppliers submit tenders through contractors,
with direct false statements, such as “in compliance” to specifications, engineers remain
complicit.
When omissions in quality, quantity and design are made by contractors, engineers take an
attitude that there is probably an error by contractors’ suppliers. Engineers/quantity surveyors
and site clerks collude by a knowing stoic silence.
When false replies are entered during site meetings, selective recording is made for benefit of
owners’ favourable release on payments. Site clerks are inevitably in awe of consultant
engineers and highly eloquent QS seniors.
When a famous USA water treatment company sent out “engineering nonsense”, patently false
circular on meaning of Cycles of Concentration (COC), no engineer objected. It served its
corrupt purpose, maybe.
We should choose the right way – the professional way!
Look at our professionally designed integrated cooling towers with Silver ionization non-chemical
water treatment attached. There are no maintenance or operating costs! We have 40 years
track records and no unhappy customer.
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to customerservice@lulla-motion.com
“Industry New” is a newsletter produced
monthly for building industry.
Lulla-Motion (S) Pte Ltd
1

CHEMICAL-FREE COOLING TOWER
WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
Frame to hold infill
(Loosen for washing infill
Just pull aside & wash
AquaIonz®
Silver Plated Rods with mini-voltage
discharge-ionisation of complete water
system. Just lay-in.
No Electrical Power Needed
Combination of Louvre, Infill
and Eliminator in UV
resistant PVC
Wash with hosed water
2
AquaIonz
®
AQUAZEE
CROSSFLOW

The line of authority in Project management is very clear, but the line of responsibility
is completely diffused. No one holds the ball, no one is the leader.
One ‘Japanese” brand cooling tower broker/sole proprietor is now famous in the
industry in saying that he can “settle” all matters that become of issue. Even false
entries and data in contract specification, he can “settle”. Well, “settle” he does.
Except at Changi Airport his product failed a CTI Test and then he disappeared. Of
course the project air-con contractor was debarred and money forfeited.
If it is so, that from 2005 – 2012 (8 years) he managed to settle his dishonest intent
that his “Japanese” brand’s cooling tower is “made in Japan”, then our building
industry is in trouble. Truth be it, his product is not made in Japan, but in PRC and
some parts made in Malaysia. Who takes responsibility on dishonest submission in
contract, specifications and technical data?
In fact, some engineering consultants see contractors who attend meetings, making
totally false statements on so many aspects. All that happens, (as we saw only once,
after writing firmly to the engineering consultant with full evidence) is that the Quantity
Surveyor is asked to write for deduction of difference in price for cost savings gained
by the contractor.
It is only when there is total equipment failure in operation after start-up. Otherwise
the code of silence reigns within the project management structure. Corruption
ensures intensive moral ineptitude.
Sounds good for contractors who cheat: lie 70% of the time in so many ways. Get
found out 20% by clever consultants. Not bad, contractors have 50% extra gain.
Dishonest suppliers have 100% gain with zero risk.
May we invite you to look at the attached counter-flow cooling towers integrated with
3-in-1 Silver Ionization non chemical water treatment system operating seamlessly
with near zero maintenance and operating costs.
3

Counterflow, FRP, Modular, High efficiency, small footprint
AQUAIONZ
3-in-1 Silver Ionization non-chemical water treatment system
4
AQUAZEE
COUNTERFLOW
AquaIonz® is easily installed in the sump of cooling tower or in pump tank

Sometimes an entire project team is paralysed by the owner’s project manager.
Daily interference with professionals within the team is rampant.
He says privately “ ….. put in ABC product, even that you cannot recommend the
design…….” It is obvious to the professional that his integrity is being
compromised.
But what can you do? Not so much work in the market, if the professional insists
on total integrity they go hungry.
So it is after 50 years of repeated misconduct by “oversight” that we have the
whole building industry in a dilemma. Are there any honest engineers left in our
industry?
If there are any, are they in good wealth and in comfort, holding their integrity close
to their chests? The answer is probably no.
Singapore loses!
Energy saving and water reduction rules are in focus by the Government, BCA and
NEA. There are so many cash awards, grants and 10-year IRAS property tax
discounts. Owners are actively promoted to accept a quick return on capital to
renovate to build new projects within highly commendable BCA and NEA
guidelines.
Of course the need to closely monitor implementation by the project team is even
more critical.
Please consider to invite our specialist energy conservation and maintenance
specialist to address your team in a private seminar in your office premises.
Attached is a specimen you may use to circulate an invitation to your project team.
State just the date, time and place. We will be there to present valuable
information.
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(For internal circulation) You are invited to a seminar on Power and Energy Savings in
Chilled water Systems at (location)………………………………….….… Conference
Room on ……………..……. at ………………………………………………
Seminar leader is Mr Nari Lulla, a specialised cooling system integrator and the inventor
of an integrated water cooling tower combined with non chemical water treatment
system. Nari Lulla has been extensively published in specialised journals, and newspapers for his work
on a myriad of subjects. In particular he specialises in total cost management in heat transfer applications
and is able to help us understand the crucial role in reducing operating energy water and maintenance
costs for owners of infrastructure heat transfer projects. See http://www.lulla-motion.com/resume.htm
SEMINAR TOPIC
ENERGY, WATER & MAINTENANCE ABATEMENT IN
CENTRALLY COOLED BUILDINGS USING
BETTER DESIGNED COOLING WATER SYSTEMS
TOPICS COVERED
1. GOVERNMENT DIRECTION & FOCUS on Health and Energy Issues – NEA, MND,
PMO etc. Primary cost of energy in buildings – air-conditioning equipment.
2. COOLING TOWERS design structure. Inherently easy to inspect and maintain and
corrosion free. Certified and rated to perform closely to condenser parameters
specified.
3. ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY CHILLERS – Due primarily to fouling of cooling water
system, fouling can be prevented.
4. PROPOSED NON-ELECTRICAL NON-INVASIVE MAINTENANCE FREE full-flow
(not side-stream) complete non-chemical water treatment system.
5. Water Savings & Elimination of Sewer Charges – Comparison of costs between
chemical and non-chemical water treatment – quantitative and qualitative.
Maintenance Issues
– Can you cope with dynamic interaction of 18 parameters in water?
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We want to celebrate that our building industry is corruption-free. But we cannot.
Even government buildings are installed with low quality, high energy and heavy
water consumption cooling towers and chemicals. Private sector follows closely.
Singapore’s Auditor General may know this. But what to do to a project team – that
includes professionals and qualified persons. When they appear blind to obvious
defects in implementation.
In essence, everybody’s hands are tied. By definition only financial corruption is
subject to laws. It is difficult to trace the path of money. But moral malfeasance is
accepted as not legally binding. Courts do not deal in morals.
Building owner-investors pay in full but they get a poor low quality project for which
breakeven operating costs become intolerable in 2 – 7 years.
In that time, chillers can consume up to 43% more power. Chemicals flood the open
circulating water, and disinfection (throw away all circulating water) is required 2 – 3
times a year. There is a collusion-of-silence by culture, particularly within industry.
So merrily, the industry jointly celebrates. Owners have to renovate or re-build.
Such a waste of resources. The industry abuses its true end customers. There is
bound to be a major shake-up or collapse. Losses will culminate in a loss of jobs, the
country’s prospects. Buildings are a major, prominent feature of the landscape in
developed economies.
We invite your review of the attached. Select some technical papers of interest on
integrated cooling tower system with ionization non-chemical water treatment. We
can save you 50% power costs on chiller operation, 50% on circulating cooling water
and bring your maintenance operating costs close-to-zero.
It would be a pleasure if you call in and invite us to explain details or make a detailed
project submission including energy and water savings!
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LIST OF COOLING TOWER AND WATER TREATMENT DOCUMENTATION
No. Category Description 
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1. Cooling Towers • CTI Test Performance – Extract From Standard for Certification
• High Temperature Application For Process Cooling Water
• Aquazee L-SF FRP Cross Flow Cataloque (Brief)
• L-Maintenance Free Tower
• Photo Study of Why Old Design Cross flow Infill cannot be
cleaned
• What is “Modular”
• An Evaluation of Cost and Saving (8 pages)
• Facts & Features – Ten good reasons to buy Aquazee Crossflow
Cooling Towers (2 copies)
2.
Energy & Water
Conservation
• Cost Savings In Open Cooling Circuit Makeup Water
• Elimination Of Bio-Film & Microfouling
• Energy Benefits Of Using CTI Certified AquaTower
• Energy Consumption Of A Chemically Treated Water Cooled
System
• Simulation Of Thermal Loading On Cooling Tower
• Simulation Water Temperatures (2 Types – MS Words & MS
Excel)
• Tabulation Of Water Power
• ENERGY BENEFITS OF USING CTI CERTIFIED AQUAZEE
Case Study of 1200 RT Commercial Building
• The Natural Draught Utilization System of Cooling Tower
Arrangement

9
• Cooling Towers – Energy Saving
By means of Natural Draught and Return Water Control Unit
• Cooling Towers – Energy
Conservation By Design or Controls – An Overview
• Energy Saving Return Water Controls & Cooling Towers By M
Tressel, Chief Engineer, Lulla-Motion
• Energy Savings By Optimisation of a Cooling Tower System
3.
Non-Chemical
Water Treatment
• Advantages Of AquaIonz
• AquaIonz – Theory
Silver Ions – One Stop Treatment of Water
• Centrifugal Water Separator With Auto Purge
• Comparison Of Total Costs
• Cooling Water Parameters
4. Chiller Critique
• Calculation Of Corrosion Rate Of Closed Loop Circuit – No need
for Water Treatment
• Why Centrifugal Chiller Waste Energy – Solutions In Clean
Cooling Water Systems
5. Government • Law & Penalties On Legionella
• NEA June 2001 Survey On Legionalla
• Letter of No Objection To AquaIonz
• Code of Practise on Control of Legionella (Singapore)

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6.
Instruments &
BMS
• Bio-film Legionella Trap
• Makeup water Flow Meter
• Conaire Megatron pH / Conductivity / ORP / Temp / Local /
Remote / Web / BMS reading and control
• Conaire Corrater Meter & Probe mpy readings of corrosion
• Conaire Corrosion coupon Panel
• AquaLight CS AOC
• AquaLight CS BAT
7.
Recommended
Specifications
• Detailed AquaIonz Water Treatment System with Filtration &
Instrumentation
• Long Form Cooling Towers & Water Treatment Specifications
• Short Form Cooling Towers & Water Treatment Specifications
• AquaTower LMSS Counterflow
8. Synopsis • Air-con Compressor Power Saving Controller
• Aquazee Cooling Towers That Eliminate Problems
• Curtain Blade Fire Damper Systems that also operate as smoke
dampers

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9. Training Notes • Heat Rejection Capacity
• Air-conditioning – Heat Rejection Capacity of Cooling Towers
• Cooling Towers – Anticorrosion Coating
• Cooling Towers – Condensation of Water from the Exhaust of
Cooling Towers
• Cooling Towers – The position of J.C.I. and C.T.I memberships
and CTI Certification – A Commentary
• Cooling Towers – Fire in Cooling Tower at World Trade Centre,
Singapore
• Cooling Tower Plume
• Loss of Water from Japan Design Cooling Tower – Carry over
Volume

What can we do to straighten out the building industry project procedure?
A remark by contractors is often overheard: look at what the architects’ group
arranged as a “recommended standard contract” and promoted by Government.
It is simply not par for the course. Slanted, obtuse and abusive? Well, yes it is
written with such wide loopholes that elephants need not squeeze to get through.
Maybe the word transparency was not invented yet. But on what basis must a
contractor of sub-contractor be required to complete their contract, if they remain
unpaid for certified completed work? Why must an unpaid contractor enter
“arbitration” (known to be a long arduous and unfruitful procedure usually adjudged
by ordinary lawyers upgraded to adjudicators)?
We feel maybe the architects’ group, untrained in law, simply got their not-too-innocent
lawyer friends to draft a contentious project agreement, from which only
lawyers make more money, but obviously contractors and others also lose out,
ultimately.
The only solution lies in the selection of equipment that is tested before installation.
Transparent and open (published on internet) award of contracts.
Awards that state all materials and equipment to be used. Allow and invite feed-back
from all tenderers to a central board of professional assessors. Why is there so
much secrecy in awards?
It appears widely that timelines and specifications are never real and never
implemented. Tenders documents appear “rigged”. Complaints are routinely labelled
as jealousy of loser.
The entire process, award and implementation are shrouded in mystery and heavy
cover. Everyone is willing to keep a secret. The “pay-off” follows in the next award
by the same professional. The tender award could be equally in-transparent and
bold. The benefit shows up when no one is looking any more.
Lulla-Motion would be happy to provide totally transparent and independent
assessment on our cooling towers integrated with our non-chemical silver ionization
water treatment systems all on BMS auto control attached.
12

What can you do to an industry that remains blind to basic civil rules, in operating in
an urban society that cannot cope with chemicals in water supply? Of course the
answer sounds simple? Do not use chemicals in water, right?
But no! Even after, the world’s leading chiller manufacturers published openly since
1967 in their handbooks, that chemicals used in water circulating in their chiller-condensers
will cause fouling over 7 years to the extent of increasing power usage
up to 43% in energy operating costs!! Some engineers quite mischievously just
simply oversized the chillers (and therefore their condensers) by 25% - 40%. Owners
die, die!
This way engineers enjoy extra on the 6-7% consulting fee, on all purchases
because of the higher purchase price for ‘big-big” chillers. Owners are assured they
will not get less than needed capability even after 7 years. Then owners find their
oversized equipment high depreciation and high operating costs (you know of
course, bigger chillers consume more power from first day) unsustainable. Is this
conscionable?
Who are the winners? Yes, the unconscientiously professional engineer and the
chemical supplier. The whole industry is the loser. The government intervenes to
encourage good behavior by getting BCA to give cash awards. Now after 10 years,
still more than 50% consulting engineering specifications remain unchanged and ask
5-8 types of chemicals to water, as a rule. Purifying recycled public water costs
substantially more. So Government increases utility costs by 20% in 2012.
Everybody loses!!
We invite your review of the attached as proof that chemicals cause pollution in
water supply while losing owners of buildings up to 50% in operating power costs.
Get yourself independently tested cooling towers integrated silver ionization non-chemical
water treatment all connected to the BMS get true performance at zero
operating costs.
You can get legally justifiable evidence that you are losing money because of failure
in performance of uncertified cooling towers, and use of chemicals in your system.
Look at the attached power savings if you just throw away uncertified cooling tower
and chemical systems!
13

Singapore Building Industry Corruption

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