Professional Practice, Ethics and Engineering Judgement
Domain 8 tests professional judgement under pressure. The examiner wants to see that you can apply the HKIE’s ethical expectations, recognise your limits and act in the public interest when commercial, contractual and safety pressures collide.
Core rules
- The HKIE Code of Conduct expects integrity, competence, objectivity and respect for public safety, health and the environment. A member should not accept work outside their competence, should declare conflicts of interest, and should not disclose confidential information without authority.
- A gift or hospitality that could influence a tender decision should be declined or declared. The Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201) makes corrupt offers and acceptances criminal; the Competition Ordinance (Cap. 619) prohibits anti-competitive conduct.
- Professional sign-off is a personal act. If a design, installation or energy claim does not meet the Building Energy Code, the ordinance or good practice, do not certify it as compliant. Record the non-compliance, ask for correction and escalate through the proper channel.
- Sustainability and carbon claims must be honest. Avoid greenwashing, selective boundaries and unsupported payback figures.
- Continuing professional development, accurate records and clear communication are part of professional practice, not administration.
Worked example
During commissioning, you find that a chiller system bypasses the Building Energy Code requirement and the contractor asks you to sign the completion certificate because the tenant is moving in. The facts: the design does not comply; the contractor proposes a temporary waiver. Stakeholders: client, tenant, contractor, public safety and the profession. Options: sign, refuse and report, or sign with a caveat. Signing with a caveat is still certification and is not appropriate. The defensible action is to refuse, document the specific non-compliance against the code clause, require a correction or a lawful alternative, and inform the client in writing. If pressure continues, escalate to the employer’s authorised signatory and, if necessary, the relevant authority.
Traps
Letting loyalty to an employer override public safety; accepting hospitality during a tender; bluffing outside your competence; breaching confidentiality; signing off incomplete or non-compliant work; and using “everyone does it” as an ethical justification.