MEP Volume 8 April 2013 Issue

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MIDDLE EAST
NEWS UPDATE |

03
BIG PICTURE |

07
COMMENT |

14
ANALYSIS |

16
PRODUCTS |

52
THE LAST WORD |

56
An ITP Business Publication | April 2011 Vol. 6 Issue 4 Essential information for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and HVAC professionals An ITP Business Publication | April 2013 Vol. 8 Issue 04
BREAKING
Habtoor Leighton Specons Thrasos
Thrasyvoulou on why his company
is looking ahead to new markets
H b L h S TThh
NEW GROUND
INTO THE
UNKNOWN
The mystery of the Kuwaiti
MEP market and the
men in its midst
KUWAIT FOCUS
COMMISSION MAN
Paul Kirby
of Commtech on
his companys
race to the top
PIPE
WORK
Future Pipe
Industries
and its
progressive
Abu Dhabi
facility
This year will see
our efforts in 2012
to move into other
countries materialising,
particularly in Iraq and
Saudi Arabia.
Thrasos Thrasyvoulou
ALSO: ENGINEERING GENIUS - A NEW WAY OF WORKING
www.constructionweekonline.com April 2013 | MEP Middle East 1
APRIL 2013 VOLUME 8 ISSUE 04
CONTENTS
03 NEWS
Drake and Scull lands $83.5m
mixed-use contract in Doha
08 NEWS UPDATE
MEDC to invest $431.2m in
Muscat grid and substations
14 COMMENT
Dr. Ozan Koseoglu on how BIM
can transform the MENA region
16 ANALYSIS
What will Dubais 2014 green
building regulations mean?
52 PRODUCT FOCUS
Check out the latest MEP
related products in the market

56 THE LAST WORD
Kirk Rosenbaum of KEO
Consultants on re safety
COMMISSION MAN
Commtechs Paul Kirby on why he thinks
his company will soon be number one.
ENGINEERING GENIUS
Lee Hall from Atkins analyses the effects
of the trend towards design and build.
INTO THE UNKNOWN
MEP Middle East unravels the mysteries
of the Kuwaiti MEP market.
20
28
26
BIG INTERVIEW
Thrasos Thrasyvoulou tells MEP Middle East that his company is ready for an
assault on new markets across the Gulf.
SITE VISIT
MEP Middle East visits Future Pipe Industries manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi to
discover what lies ahead for the pipe producer.
20
42
36
32
EDITORS NOTE
2 MEP Middle East | April 2013
The cost of
undercutting
I
n my discussions with MEP contrac-
tors recently, a recurring theme has
been their difculty in securing pro-
jects due to the unrealistic pricing strate-
gies of some of their competitors. While
competition is healthy for any industry
driving innovation, encouraging crea-
tive business strategies and improving
standards there is a point where it can
become an insanely destructive force.
From what I can gather, the MEP industry may have reached
this point. Reports of contracts being awarded at less than most
bidders costs have become depressingly common and have left
many scratching thier heads as to how the winning contractors
hope to make a prot from these projects. Some have exhausted
all avenues in their determination to nd out how these gures
might add up, but have had to reach the infuriating conclusion
that it cannot be done without making a loss. Which begs the
question, what are these undercutting contractors up to? What
magic formula have they uncovered that has escaped some of
the best estimation minds in the industry?
In this issues Big Interview, Thrasos Thrasyvoulou, man-
aging director of Habtoor Leighton Specon, decries the un-
dercutting trend which has beset the industry in recent times,
asking what is the point of running a business if not to make a
prot. Those making these reckless decisions to bid at such low
prices are inevitably risking the security of their own businesses
and those who work for them. But they are also damaging the
wider industry, depriving reputable contractors the opportunity
to deliver quality jobs at a reasonable price, and damaging the
reputation of the MEP industry as a whole.
Of course, main contractors are not blameless in all of this
either. They have encouraged this price war and have benetted
from it on those occasions when undercutting MEP contractors
have surprisingly managed to struggle their way to delivery,
even if the standard of material and MEP engineering on such
projects have a damaging question mark over them. Other pro-
jects have seen undercutting MEP contractors run into trouble,
requiring the assistance of those they undercut initially.
Thankfully, as Thrasyvoulou reveals in his interview, many
main contractors seem to have realised the danger of squeezing
sub-contractors to danger point. It can only be hoped that those
MEP contractors more inclined towards quality and realism are
rewarded for their values in future.
Cathal McElroy
cathal.mcelroy@itp.com
or views on this issue, please email cathal.mcelroy@
itp.com. For subscriptions and more information, visit
www.itp.com/subscription. More stories at www.
constructionweekonline.com
If you
have any
comment
PRINCIPALS
OUR SPECIALIZATION
Qatar Civil Defense Approved
A M G C L ALKI ROUP OF OMPANIES
Arabian MEP Contracting Arabian Airconditioning (Facility Management Division)
Arabian Controls & Switchgear Factory CAT Duct Factory Al Malki Trading &
Contracting Central Airconditioning Trading & Services CREO Lighting Co.
Orientals Al Malki Edgewater Qatar lntegrated Technical Services Co.
Qatari Pesource Trading & Contg Co. Al Malki Peal Estate Qatar Marketing
lnternational Hospitality Division Joint Venture Companies
Partners for Growth
www. a l ma l k i g r o u p q a t a r . c o m
MEP Contracting
Maintenance & Facility Management
Manufacturing of HVAC Ducts & Accessories
Manufacturing of Electrical Panels
Trading in Mechanical & Electrical Equipments
ELV Controls / System lntegration
Oil & Gas Services
Manpower Agency
Hotels & Restaurants
Real Estate Development
Winner of CW Qatar Awards:
MEP Company of the Year 2012
Subcontractor of the Year 2012
Specialist Subcontractor of the Year 2011
Tel. +974 4407 1000 | www.arabian-mep.com
Highly Commended in MEP Middle East Awards:
Q A T A R
LV Panels
LV Panels
www.constructionweekonline.com
NEWS UPDATE
April 2013 | MEP Middle East 3
CONTRACT
Drake & Scull Qatar
has landed an $83.5m
deal for the design,
supply and installa-
tion of MEP works for
a mixed-use project
in Doha.
The company said
that the works cover
substructure and su-
perstructure works
on a project contain-
ing three superblocks
housing various struc-
tures including residen-
tial buildings, schools,
ultilities, ofces and
retail buildings.
Drake & Scull Qa-
tars area general man-
ager Karem Akawi
said: The develop-
ment serves as one of
our agship projects
in Qatar that strongly
demonstrates the
full spectrum of our
service portfolio.
Our integrated EPC
The news of the Qatar
win was followed by con-
tract awards for Drake
& Scull International
(DSI) worth $100.5m
for the construction of
three projects in Saudi
Arabia and the United
Arab Emirates.
The contracts include
$78m worth of work
awarded by Al Rajhi Bank
to construct the banks
cash centre, operations
centre and a data cen-
tre facility in Riyadh. A
further contract worth
$22m was secured for
the construction of a gov-
ernment utility project in
Abu Dhabi.
Commenting on the
award Saleh Muradweij,
executive director of
Drake & Scull Construc-
tion, said: These proj-
ects are indicative of the
favourable market condi-
tions and the aggressive
pace of development be-
Dubai-based contractor announces contract win which will see company execute design,
supply and installation of MEP works as group wins in KSA and UAE promise further work
Karem Akawi, Qatar general manager, Drake & Scull lauded the win.
ing undertaken across
the public and private
sectors in two of our
main growth markets.
DSIs broad expertise
in general contract-
ing and our deep un-
derstanding of the
regional construction
landscape will allow us
to deliver on time our
new contracts with Al
Rajhi Bank in KSA and
the utility project in
Abu Dhabi.
He added that DSI is
well suited to execute
data centre projects
given their experience
in electrical systems.
Drake & Scull secures $83.5m
Qatar deal for mixed-use project
3
6
6
.7
%
:
2012 increase in
net loss
FAIR SHARE PROFIT AND PAYOUT
ARABIAN PIPES COMPANY LAST 12 MONTHS TRADING Source: Bloomberg
ARABIAN PIPES COMPANY:
2012 results
$181.3M:
2012 turnover
247.3%:
2012 rise in
turnover
-$5.5M:
2012 net loss
solutions and particularly
the MEP and the Water
& Power are vital factors
that will strengthen our
presence in Qatar, which
we expect to develop into
a long-term market on par
with other regional pow-
erhouse markets such as
KSA and the UAE.
The development serves as
one of our agship projects in Qatar
that strongly demonstrates the full
spectrum of our service portfolio.
Karem Akawi, Qatar general manager, Drake & Scull
NEWS UPDATE
4 MEP Middle East | April 2013 www.constructionweekonline.com
Wasim Haider, general manager, Al-Futtaim Engineering BPD. Tawar Mall will include over 100 retail shops and a Cineplex.
CONTRACT
CONTRACT
Al-Futtaim Engineering has signed multi-million dir-
ham contracts with two UAE hotels for the supply of
various sanitary ware and plumbing products.
The contract will see Al-Futtaims Building Prod-
ucts Division (BPD) provide the Waldorf Astoria Hotel
on Dubais Palm Jumeriah and Abu Dhabis Southern
Sun Hotel clients with TOTO sanitary ware, faucets
and accessories.
Wasim Haider, general manager of Al-Futtaim En-
gineerings BPD, said: These prestigious contracts
demonstrate strong condence in Al-Futtaim Engi-
neerings reputation for quality products and excellent
project management capabilities. Our expertise, years
of experience and support from our principals, will
enable our project teams to meet the highest levels of
delivery standards.
Headquartered in Dubai, Al-Futtaim Engineerings
BPD has delivered hospitality projects such as the
Park Hyatt Hotel, Dusit Thani, Eastern Mangroves
and Crowne Plaza in Abu Dhabi, and Intercontinen-
tal Hotel, Radisson Royal, Conrad Hotel, Novotel and
Pullman Hotel in Dubai amongst others.
The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has signed three deals worth $263m for
projects to improve the power grid in a number of major Saudi cities.
The rst of the deals is a 29-month contract worth $59.74m to establish a sub-
station and a series of transmission lines and underground cables in Madinah.
The second deal is a $141m contract to build a 380kv network of cables within
the city of Makkah. According to Saudi Electricity Companys CEO, the deal
will strengthen cable links in the holy city and is estimated to take 23 months
to complete.
The third contract to install underground 380kv cables in Jeddah is worth
$71.5m and is expected to take 29 months to complete.
SEC revealed that all of the contracts were awarded to Saudi companies.
CONTRACT
Arabian MEP Contracting has won a contract for the
MEP works on the Tawar Mall project in Dohas Du-
hail area. The contract was awarded directly by the
client for an undisclosed sum.
With a total built up area of 241,500m, Tawar Mall
will be comprised of three basement oors, a ground
oor and three aboveground oors.
Arabian MEP Contractings scope of work involves
providing MEP building services which includes a
6,250 TR (tonnes of refrigeration) capacity HVAC
(heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) water-
cooled centrifugal chiller system, plumbing, drainage,
reghting, electrical and ELV (extra-low voltage)
systems including a car parking management system.
Commenting on the award, Vasanth Kumar, CEO of
Arabian MEP Contracting, said: We are delighted to
win this prestigious Tawar Mall contract which adds to
our large portfolio of mall projects.
Tawar Mall will include an entertainment area and
in the basement levels, hundreds of retail shops in the
ground and rst oor levels, and a 12-screen Cineplex,
large food court and 80-room hotel in the upper oors.
SEC awards $263m worth of contracts
Al-Futtaim inks two
UAE hotel supply deals
Arabian MEP wins
deal for Tawar Mall
COPPER
NICKEL
STEEL
METALS PRICES
Source: London Metal
Exchange Prices per tonne
$7,550
18 March
$8,216
15 February
$205
18 March
$265
15 February
$16,550
18 March
$18,230
15 February
Domestic boilers,
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NEWS UPDATE
AL RAHBA HOSPITAL IN ABU DHABI ISSUES TENDER FOR MEP MAINTENANCE
MEP rms are being invited to
temder for a three-year contract to
taintain electro-mechanical services
at Al RahbaHospital in Abu Dhabi.
Firms interested in bidding
for the contract can collect ten-
der documents from the hospi-
tals purchasing sectionbetween
8.00am-2pm daily.
Companies looking for more infor-
mation can contact the hospital on
02 506 4035.
Al Rahba Hospital opened in 2003
and has been managed by health-
care group John Hopkins Interna-
tional since 2008.
The facility is licensed for 163
beds, but currently operates 116
beds and has recently expanded its
neo-natalintensive care unit.
Located on the Sheikh Maktoum
Bin Rashid Road in the northern
part of the UAEs capital city, the
hospital is managed by John Hop-
kins International under patron-
age of SEHA & Health Authority of
Abu Dhabi.
PROJECT
Work on Abu Dhabis $1.6bn Cleveland
Clinic project has been delayed by around
four months.
The joint venture partnership building
the hospital was initially due to hand over
the hospital in March following a three-
year construction period, but will not now
complete the work until July.
The hospital is being built under a
$1.4bn contract by partners Six Construct
(which owns 60% of the joint venture)
and South Korean rm Samsung C&T
(40%) - the same team which built Dubais
Burj Khalifa.
In a ling to the South Korean stock
market, Samsung said that its contract
had been varied from an initial period of
36 months to 40 months, and that instead
of completing it by March 3 it will now be
handed over to the client , Abu Dhabi Gov-
ernment-owned Mubadala Development
Company, on July 2.
The huge new facility at Al Maryah Is-
land (formerly Sowwah Island) was initial-
ly meant to accept new patients from June.
Once complete, the building will be the
largest structural steel building in the
UAE, weighing in at more than 30,000
tonnes. The project has been developed
for Mubadala by Aldar Properties and has
been designed by Aedas, with Henning-
son, Durham and Richardson serving as
project architects.
Cleveland
Clinic to be
delayed by up
to four months
Qatar Solar Technologies
powers Passivhaus project
SOLAR POWER
Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) has presented Barwa
with the rst of 136 solar modules that will be used to power
Qatars Passivhaus-Baytna project.
When installed, the SolarWorld-QSTec photovoltaic mono-
crystalline silicon panels will provide all of Passivhaus electric-
ity requirements, with excess power being exported back into
Kahramaas power grid.
Dr Khalid K. Al Hajri, QSTec chairman and CEO,
said: QSTec aims to bring solar into the mainstream of Qa-
tars energy mix. Solar is recognised as Qatars primary renew-
able energy technology and an essential part of our sustainable
energy future.
Barwas Passivhaus-Baytna project will demonstrate that,
by using solar and environmental technologies, you can build
quality homes and buildings, complete with all the latest mod-
ern conveniences, while substantially reducing our carbon
footprint and protecting the environment for future genera-
tions, he added.
The QSTec-supplied high-efciency panels have an installed
power of 34 kilowatt peak and will produce around 58,000
kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Using this solar power
system to supply Barwas Passivhaus will help avoid approxi-
mately 35 metric tons of CO emissions per year.
The Passivhaus-Baytna project will have two identical 225m
villas built side-by-side in Barwa City to compare the energy
use and environmental footprint of each dwelling.
A regular villa is being constructed to a one-star Global
Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) standard while the
Passivhaus villa, with all the comforts of a modern home, will
consume 50% less energy and water, resulting in a halving of
of its carbon footprint.The villas will be ready for occupation
later this year.
QSTec and its partners are leading the way in providing
high quality solar solutions to Qatar and the region and we
are proud to be a part of this ground-breaking project, Dr Al
Hajri added.
Barwa receives rst of 136 solar modules set to power eco-villa
The project will have 136 solar modules.
QSTec aims
to bring solar into
the mainstream
of Qatars energy
mix. Solar is
recognised as
Qatars primary
renewable energy
technology and
an essential part
of our sustainable
energy future.
NEWS UPDATE
Installed in Over 500 Prestigious Project
A I R H A N D L I N G U N I T S
GROUP
I N D OOR C L I MAT E S OL U T I ON S
www.mekar.it - mat@mekar.ae
Mekar is an Italian manufacturer of
high quality chillers, air handling units
and fan coil units.
Our strength lies in our diverse and
energy efcient product range,
exibility in design and manufacturing
which is backed up by reliable after
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Mekar Air Handling Units LLC
For Inquiries, Please contact us at:
tel. +971 4 3574469
tel. +971 2 815 2815
tel. +974 4 4153742
tel. +966 5 95840943
tel. +966 2 6930000
ext. 2895
tel. +96524815077
ext. 673
tel. +39 045 6630536
fax +971 4 3574479
fax +971 2 815 2888
fax +974 44420609
fax +966 2 2683923
fax +96524839725
fax +39 045 6630513
(HQ) Dubai:
Abu Dhabi:
Qatar:
Riyadh:
Jeddah:
Kuwait:
Italy:
Burj Al Arab - Dubai Bahrain City Centre and Hotel Burj Khalifa - Dubai The Business Park & Hotel - Doha YAS Marina Hotel - Abu Dhabi
PROJECT: Burj Al Salam
LOCATION: Number One Sheikh
Zayed Road, Dubai
MAIN CONTRACTOR: Dubai
Construction Company
MEP CONTRACTOR: ETA Star
CLIENT: Abdulsalam Al Ra Group
The Burj Al Salam project has one of the most exclusive addresses in Dubai.
Situated just opposite the citys World Trade Centre at Number One Sheikh Zayed
Road, the project will be home to a 477-room hotel, ofces and 180 serviced
apartments. The development comprises three towers linked at the base by a
large podium and boasts four basement levels, a ground oor, mezzanine, 54
upper oors, two mechanical oors, and a 14-storey car park at its rear.
B
I
G
P
IC
T
U
R
E
NEWS UPDATE
Contractors [are
venturing] into
Oman, with little
knowledge of the
responsibility of
training and em-
ploying
national
youth.
SURESH VIRMANI,
Head of Bahwan
Engineer-
ing Group
[BEC]
ng
nal
h.
RRMMMANI, MM
hhwan
The technical com-
plexities of con-
necting embedded
generation schemes
to distribution net-
works are every-
where.
RICHARD SAXON,
director of power
distribution, Parsons
Brinckerhoff
y
ons
INFRASTRUCTURE
Muscats electricity network is to receive $431.2m of investment in
high-voltage (33kV and 11kV) and low-voltage networks as well as
a number of new stations, according to Eng Abdullah bin Said al
Badri, CEO of Muscat Electricity Distribution Co. (MEDC).
The new stations, which will be developed in association
with Oman Electricity Transmission Co (OETC), are part of
the companys 2012-14 project plans and are designed to meet
increasing demand for energy in Muscat governorate.
This will include meeting the needs of residential layouts for
energy, as well as enhancing existing distribution networks and
expanding them to include residential layouts in the wilayats of
Seeb, Amerat and Bausher.
Badri also revealed that MEDC is preparing a strategy
to deal with customer complaints over meter readings and
delayed bills. He said that the company is working closely with
providers of meter-reading, billing and collection services to
improve performance.
MEDC has recently started
a self-reading service and
developed solutions that help the
costumer be part of the solution,
according to Badri.
This requires end-users
to relay the meters reading
to the company by either
completing a meter-reading
form, by e-mail, sending SMS
to the companys web portal or
through the call centre or via
smartphone applications.
MEDC also reveals plans for new stations
in bid to meet governates rising demand
Muscat to invest
$431.2m in grid
SMART GRIDS
Qatars Kahramaa has formed a high-level,
six-member committee to promote the
concept of smart electricity grids in Qatar.
The committee has been established
by Eng. Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, the
president of Qatar General Electricity &
Water Corporation (Kahramaa).
The aim of the new committee is to look
after the ongoing smart network project
for the electricity and water sectors, said
Eng. Al Kuwari.
The six-member committee headed by
Eng. Ali Al Ali, conservation and energy
efciency department manager, will
study the current situation and suggest
an action plan to implement transfer to
smart networks.
The committee will submit a thorough
report pertaining to the general strategy of
Kahramaa for implementing this project.
Kahramaa is developing intelligent
solutions ranging from network
management to distribution, in order to
guarantee a high level of reliability in
future power and water supply.
In January Kahramma launched a smart
grid pilot project in Duhail, which will be
implemented in two phases in cooperation
with Iberdrola, a Spanish private electric
utility company. The rst phase will have
an installed capacity to produce 3 to 5MW
of electricity and about 500m of water. Both 33 and 11kv networks will be built.
Kahramaa takes
action to promote
smart electricity
The concept of
FM is way, way
behind in Saudi,
but the concept is
crucial and a gold
mine of opportu-
nities in
the mar-
ket.
YASSER AL
SHARIF,
CEO,
Manafea
Holding
Co.
The reason for
res in warehous-
es is often sub-
standard cable,
but the saving
in cheaper cable
against the
whole
project is
minimal.
ANDREW SHAW,
managing
director,
Ducab
g
heaper cable
ainst the
ole
ject is
nimal.
W SHAW,
ng
es in
mar- rr
AL AA
2013 CALENDAR
EVENTS
AWARDS
APRIL
Cityscape Abu Dhabi
16-18 April
Place: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

MAY
Project Qatar
Date: 6 9 May
Place: Doha Exhibition Centre

NOVEMBER
Big 5 Dubai
Date: 25-28 November
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
MAY
Construction Week Awards
Date: Tuesday 7 May
Place: TBA

JUNE
Facilities Management Awards
Date: Tuesday 4 June
Place: TBA

SEPTEMBER
Construction Week Awards Kuwait
Date: Tuesday 17 September

NOVEMBER
MEP Awards
Date: Wednesday 13 November

DECEMBER
Construction Week Awards KSA
Date: Tuesday 3 December
Construction Week Awards
Date: Wednesday 11 December

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NEWS UPDATE
10 MEP Middle East | April13 www.constructionweekonline.com
DISTRICT COOLING
Empower has recorded
a net prot of $51.7m for
scal year ended Decem-
ber 2012, representing a
17% increase over 2011.
The district cooling
companys total rev-
enues reached $190.9m,
an increase of 5% over
previous year.
Announcing the re-
sults at a press confer-
ence in Dubais Grand
Hyatt, Ahmed Bin Shafar,
CEO of Empower, said:
Empower achieved an
annual increase of 8% in
its cooling capacity, with
over 400,000 refrigera-
tion tonnes (RT) in 2012.
The company boosted
its production and com-
missioned new plants as
well as launching new
customer service and call
centres in 2012. It also re-
inforced its commitment
towards the environment
by maximising the usage
of treated water for dis-
trict cooling, instead of
normal water.
Bin Shafar said that
the company increased
its workforce by 9% in
2012, adding: The dis-
trict cooling industry
achieved signicant
growth in the UAE and
GCC in 2012, and GCC
governments are now
more determined to
adopt it, thus reducing
their dependence on
conventional cooling sys-
tems.
In 2012, Empower
settled loans amount-
HSSG will carry out the shoring and enabling works for Empowers new DC plant in Business Bay.
TES (Thermal Energy
Storage) requirements
of the Dubai Execu-
tive Council Directive
aimed at environmental
resources, including wa-
ter, in providing district
cooling services.
Upon completion, the
new plant will provide
34,000 RT (Refrigera-
tion Tonnes) to meet the
needs of the Business
Bay residents, business-
es and ofces.
Commenting on the
award, Bin Shafar said:
We awarded this project
to Al Habtoor STFA Soil
Group LLC (HSSG) as
the company is handling
projects of a similar na-
ture in Business Bay. We
always select our con-
structors after due dili-
gence and we have cho-
sen this company for its
record and experience in
the UAE in this domain.
The implementation
of the contract will take
three months. We are
getting ready to open the
tender to appoint the pri-
mary constructor to build
the plant, with preference
being given to local com-
panies and those that we
worked with in the past.
The new plant will
serve the needs of resi-
dents and ofces based
in Business Bay around
the area of Al Khail
Road. It will increase the
production capacity of
Empower by 10% once it
is up and running, Bin
Shafar added.
Empower posts 2012 prot of
$51.7m as Bay deal is awarded
District cooling provider announces 17% increase in net prot and 5% increase in revenues from
2011 following award to HSSG for shoring and enabling works on new Business Bay DC plant
ing to $64m as per the
agreed schedules which
demonstrate the robust-
ness and sustainability
of Empowers business
model and effectiveness
of its nancial strategy,
the company said in
a statement.
Empower said it has
adopted a business model
that works on the strate-
gy of investing in plants
and network infrastruc-
ture driven by actual
demand in specic proj-
ects. This has resulted in
sustainable growth of the
company and avoided un-
productive investments.
The company boosted its production and
commissioned new plants as well as launching new
customer service and call centres in 2012.
During the last year,

Empower invested in
enhancing its infrastruc-
ture in a number of real
estate projects, including
Business Bay, TECOM
Site C, DHCC Phase 2
and Mirdiff.
Bin Shafar revealed
at the press conference
that Empowers strategy
was to focus on the UAE
market before expand-
ing its footprint to other
regional markets. He
added: We are open to
transferring our know-
how and technology to
other peers in the region.
We have got inquiries for
potential joint ventures
in many markets and we
would like to do this at
the right time.
The results announce-
ment followed the com-
panys award of a contract
to Al Habtoor STFA Soil
Group LLC (HSSG) for
carrying out shoring and
enabling works for its
Empowers new district
cooling plant in Dubais
Business Bay.
The new facility is
the rst district cooling
plant to be constructed
in Dubai compliant with
the new TSE (Treated
Sewage Efuent) and
NEWS UPDATE
April13 | MEP Middle East 11
GREEN BUILDING
DEWAs Sustainable Build-
ing, which is the largest
government building in the
world to secure a LEED
Platinum rating for green
buildings, has opened
for business.
The buildings green
features help it reduce
energy consumption by
66% and water by 48%. In
addition, 36% of construc-
tion material used was
recycled content.
HH Sheikh Hamdan
bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Deputy Ruler of Dubai,
Minister of Finance, and
President of Dubai Elec-
tricity and Water Authority
(DEWA), ofcially opened
the building in Al Quoz at a
special ceremony,
The new building,
which occupies 340,000
square feet is part of our
Green Buildings initia-
tive to achieve the highest
levels of efciency in the
consumption of electricity
and water, said Abullah
Obaidullah, EVP of Water
and Civil at DEWA.
The building has been
completed as per DEWAs
Green Building regula-
tions, with recycled mate-
rials accounting for 36%
of the total construction
materials used.
It has a laboratory to
ensure that the quality of
water conforms to all the
environmental standards
applicable to green build-
ings around the world. In
addition, the building has
a fully automated control
tomer call centre, an engi-
neering and control center
and the Supervisory Con-
trol And Data Acquisition
(SCADA) centre for water
systems.
Shortly after the opening
DEWA announced that it
has signed a contract for a
new 132 kV electricity cable
network for the Gardens
and Dubai Investment Park
area in Dubai.
The contract, worth
$5.3m, is expected to com-
plete in February next year.
DEWA said the deal was
part of its plan to strength-
en its infrastructure by
boosting the capacity and
efciency of its electricity
transmission networks.
Led by our vision to be-
come a sustainable world-
class utility, DEWA con-
tributes effectively to the
social, economic and envi-
ronmental development of
the emirate, by providing
uninterrupted and stable
electricity and water ser-
vices to achieve the vision
of Dubai, said Al Tayer.
The new cable network
further strengthens our
infrastructure and enables
us to provide swift and ef-
cient power supply to our
customers.
The length of the new
cables network is up to 26
kilometres, and covers a
wide area in Jebel Ali, with
the scope of work covering
the supply and drilling of
extensions, testing, com-
missioning, and managing
links with existing net-
works, he added.
DEWA celebrates new LEED
Platinum sustainable building
Contract award for $5.3m electricity cable network follows opening ceremony for authoritys
new sustainable Water and Civil Engineering Division building said to be largest of its kind
panel to control the cool-
ing, and air conditioning
systems, and a number of
ventilation units, to reduce
energy consumption,
said Abullah Obaidullah,
EVP of Water and Civil
at DEWA.
The building will achieve
an energy performance ef-
ciency level of over 66%
by providing additional
insulation in its walls and
roof. Special glass has
been installed to reduce
heat transfer into the build-
ing, while highly-efcient
water-cooled chillers cut
down energy consumption.
The building also uses
low-powered LED lights
and automatic lighting
control systems with
occupancy sensors.
In addition, renewable en-
ergy is available through an
on-site 660 kW solar power
plant, thereby reducing the
buildings carbon footprint
even further.
Home to the headquar-
ters of DEWAs Water and
Civil Engineering Division,
it features a storm-water
management plan that
ensures recycling of wa-
ter for irrigation. Special
regulators, sensor taps, low
ow xtures and waterless
urinals help reduce water
consumption by as much
as 48%.
It is now the largest
government building in
the world with a Platinum
rating for green buildings
from Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design
(LEED), the US Green
Building Council institute,
which has a set of rating
criteria for the design,
construction and opera-
tion of high-performance
green buildings, homes
and neighborhoods in the
world. The DEWA Sus-
tainable Building achieved
98 out of 110 points, said
HE Saeed Mohammed
Al Tayer, MD and CEO of
DEWA .
The building includes
DEWAs 14th customer
service centre; providing a
variety of services, a cus-
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA hailed the new building at an opening ceremony.
The building has been completed as per
DEWAs Green Building regulations, with recycled
materials accounting for 36% of the total
construction materials used.
HVAC
DISTRICT COOLING
Tabreed, the Abu Dhabi-based district
cooling company, has signed a partnership
agreement with the Masdar Institute of Sci-
ence and Technology to perform research
into energy consumption in district cooling
plants.
The company said that it is already cur-
rently working on one research project that
aims to create a smart control system capable
of independently managing cooling plants to
improve operational performance and reduce
energy consumption with minimal interfer-
ence from operatives.
The two organisations are also developing
a software module that can be integrated
with cooling plant control systems to mea-
sure all of the external variables that can
affect a plants performance, such as the out-
side temperature and humidity levels, chilled
water supply levels and the return ow to
decide at what capacity major equipment like
chillers, water pumps and cooling towers
need to run.
Tabreeds CEO, Jasim Thabet, said: We
are delighted to be partnering with the
Masdar Institute in this important area and
hope to utilise this project to gain some
critical insights.
Although we are in the data gathering
stage at this point, this system offers interest-
ing possibilities for the future as it can poten-
tially lead to signicant energy reductions.
Masdar Institute president Dr Fred
Moavenzadeh said: Our research initiatives
aim to bring operational benets to organ-
isations while contributing to mitigating
carbon emissions.
Dr. Peter Armstrong and Dr. Afshin Af-
shari will be the principle Masdar research-
ers on the project. Dr Armstrong said:
For the Tabreed project we will model and
monitor a typical chiller plant in order to nd
cost effective ways to reduce peak-demand,
energy and carbon impacts.
Actions may include variable-speed drives
and multi-stage compressors as well as
optimal control to coordinate operation of
compressors, pumps and cooling towers.
Phase 2 will consider cool storage and ad-
vanced controls to shift chiller load (and thus
also electric utility load) to morning hours
when cooler temperatures result in more
efcient operation.
Air-conditioning accounts for 40-50%
of Abu Dhabis total energy consumption.
although this can rise to around 70% on its
hottest days.
Tabreed joins
with Masdar to
research energy
efcient cooling
Abu Dhabi-based National
Cooling company announces
signing of partnership
agreement with the Masdar
Institute of Science &
Technology to carry out
research into reducing the
amount of energy consumed
within district cooling plants Jasim Thabet, CEO of Tabreed, welcomed the partnership.
We are delighted to be
partnering with the Masdar
Institute in this important area
and hope to utilise this project
to gain some critical
insights.
DISTRICT COOLING
Belhasa Projects has been award-
ed a contract for a 10,000RT
(refrigeration tonne) expansion
project by Sorouh and Tabreed
for the Shams Abu Dhabi district
cooling project.
The deal is part of the total
20,000RT development and will
include relocation of the existing
cooling tower, pumps and piping
to the new location.
According to Aziz Ayoub, busi-
ness unit manager, Belhasa Proj-
ects: The regions district cooling
industry is rapidly expanding and
we have the technical expertise to
deliver projects on schedule and
up to standards.
Apart from setting up of a dis-
trict cooling plant, it is the mainte-
nance that is a main challenge to
utility companies. We are focused
on minimising the operating cost
for the plant in Shams Abu Dhabi
and keeping the project on sched-
ule by delivering as promised,
he added.
Belhasa Projects has also won a
contract for the construction of a
sewage pumping station for Wes-
tin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort, located
within the existing Abu Dhabi
Golf Club, which is fully owned
by Tourism and Development
Investment Company (TDIC),
Abu Dhabi.
Belhasa Projects wins Shams district cooling deal
14 MEP Middle East | October 2012 www.constructionweekonline.com
BIMBIMBIM: Is it going to happen in the Middle East or are
we going to keep asking the same old questions?
W
hat is BIM? :Building Information Modeling (BIM)
is a new dimension for managing construction pro-
jects throughout the lifecycle within a virtual col-
laborative working environment.
Which piece of software do you suggest? : BIM is not like an
illness that requires prescription of medicine/treatment in order
to get better. The idea is to understand the business needs and
requirements; know the strength of all products in the market;
choose the right solution in the right place; and know how to utilise
them in the process with the right skill set.
How much is it going to cost?: Regardless of being a client,
quantity surveyor, contractor, consultant, architect or facility man-
ager; it will save you a huge amount of money and strengthen
future prospects if you
concentrate on how to
best apply with the right
methodology, process
and protocols.
Is BIM good for me
while xing the form-
work and pouring the
concrete?: Yes, BIM should lead your program, cost plan, quanti-
ties and construction methodology while improving safety and re-
ducing the waste (with construction being one of the largest waste
producing industry).
These are normal and typical questions due to lack of knowl-
edge about BIM or misunderstanding due to the BIM experts
who have been overselling the capabilities of pure technology
without understanding the process, implementation and nature
of collaborative working throughout the lifecycle of construction
projects. But nally and very recently, the industry has come to a
point where we started discussing this topic around BIM Round
Tables, and conducting BIM Forums in order to nd the right way
of delivering it on the ground throughout the lifecycle of construc-
tion projects in UAE and MENA.
There are various issues behind the question of How to Make
it Happen? Some of them are: setting clear standards and guid-
ance for BIM Management including modelling, implementation,
monitoring the performance through the lifecycle and ownership;
upskilling of workforce, not only training for BIM, but also for de-
sign management, project management and
safety management; and addressing the limita-
tions in collaborative working due to traditional
procurement methods.
These questions and issues can be resolved
and BIM has the potential to be a norm in
the Middle East adopting an industry wide
approach once governments, universities,
industrial bodies, technology providers and
other relevant parties from the construction
sector get together with a unied initiative
to be achieved within a specic time frame.
A good example that sets the benchmark for
BIM is UK with a clear strat-
egy and a government initiated
BIM Task Group for deliver-
ing public projects with BIM
until 2016.
Another good example to
take lead from is Singapore and
their BCA-Building Construc-
tion Authority where they have an approach
similar to the UKs government-supported
BIM. They allocate specic funds for setting
the guidelines, standards and furthermore sup-
porting projects with a certain level of funding
for achieving widespread BIM implementation
by 2015 and upgrading construction industry
to the next level.
The industry is keenly looking forward to see
the next level of BIM development in Middle
East countries and the key question is who is
going to set a new benchmark with a clear BIM
strategy and time frame?
Dr. Ozan Koseoglu is an Asst. Professor for Con-
struction Management and Surveying at the
School of the Built Environment, Heriot-Watt
University in Dubai. and an expert in Building
Information Modelling.
The BIM question
BIM is not like an illness that
requires prescription of medicine/
treatment in order to get better.
COMMENT
April2013 | MEP Middle East 15
International and local contractors need to join forces to meet if
they are to meet the goals of Qatars 2022 FIFA World Cup
T
here is no greater reminder of the pulse of a city than
being stuck in its trafc. Recently I was reminded of
this maxim when commuting from the West Bay area to
Salwa Road.
Well, commuting in ts and starts, with a leisurely view of the
construction work underway along Salwa Road, which is an abso-
lute nightmare to negotiate at present. While I was dgeting and
glancing at my watch constantly, the driver was rather more stoic,
and told me that the trafc situation in Doha was only likely to
worsen as work on the metro got underway in earnest.
In many respects Doha reminds one of Dubai before the big
boom and its subsequent upheaval in terms of construction work.
The city is only at the beginning of an amazing transformation
that will see it become
a proud world-class host
of the 2022 World Cup.
A local contractor
at the vanguard of this
transformation is Ur-
baCon Trading & Con-
tracting. MD Ramez
Al Khayyat tells CWQ
that the secret to Qatar
achieving all its World
Cup goals both in
terms of timeframe and
the range and quan-
tity of infrastructure re-
quired lies in the design-and-build approach.
Al Khayyat argues that this will promote upfront involvement on
the part of contractors, and encourage them to use their expertise
and experience from as early on as the design stage in order to
meet their clients goals for cost-effective and fast delivery of qual-
ity projects.
One only has to look at the Lekhwiya Sports Complex, a design-
and-build project that UrbaCons sister company Khayyat Contract-
ing & Trading delivered in 18 months from start to nish, which is
a remarkable achievement.
No stranger to challenging projects, UrbaCon is also deliver-
ing the Banana Island Village Resort & Spa project at present, lo-
cated on an island about 10km offshore from
Doha itself.
All building materials and equipment have
had to be barged in, while a labour camp and
full facilities have had to be established on the
island itself.
Al Khayyat says that UrbaCons success
with this project, which is on track for comple-
tion towards the end of the year, despite some
changes being brought about at this late stage
by the client itself, is to have a tightly-knit pro-
fessional team encompassing all facets, from
design through to MEP.
Such integration is critical
from a planning and logistics
point of view, especially with a
project as complex and as con-
strained as the one to found at
Banana Island.
One gets the feeling from
speaking to local contractors
like UrbaCon that Qatars
World Cup legacy is in very
good hands.
There has been a lot of
speculation about the coun-
try being slow off the mark in
awarding critical infrastructure
contracts, but it is clear that the government
is focusing on project integration and planning
before it lets any work go.
It is equally clear that Qatar should not be un-
der-estimated when it comes to the expertise
and commitment of its own contracting sector,
especially as the local construction industry
becomes increasingly competitive as interna-
tional companies continue to enter the market
hoping for a slice of the World Cup pie.
Gerhard Hope is editor of CW Qatar.
The big win-win
Such integration is critical
from a planning and logistics
point of view, especially with a
project as complex and as
constrained as the one to be
found at Banana Island.
NEWS ANALYSIS
Dubai Municipalitys new green building rules and
regulations, which are set to come into force in 2014,
will transform the MEP industry in the emirate from
top to bottom
materials, improving public health, safety
and general welfare and by enhancing the
planning, design, construction and operation
of buildings to create an excellent city that
provides the essence of success and comfort
of living.
The regulations are intended to support
Dubais Strategic Plan, create a more sus-
tainable urban environment and extend the
ability of the Emirates infrastructure to meet
the needs of future development.
Green building is claried by the docu-
ment as the practice of creating structures
and using processes that increase the ef-
ciency of resource use energy, water, and
materials while reducing building impacts
on human health and the environment dur-
ing the buildings lifecycle, through better
siting, design, construction, operation, main-
tenance, and removal.
The rules and regulations cover all as-
pects of the construction process, with many
having universal application to all parties
involved. For example, Section 401.02 deals
with air quality during construction, renova-
tion or decoration, stating that building oc-
cupants and systems must be protected from
airborne contaminants which are generated
or spread during construction or renovation
inside the buildings. Other uniform meas-
ures tackle environmental tobacco smoke,
the use of environmentally-friendly materials
and resources, and the responsible manage-
M
andatory green building rules
and regulations on all build-
ings in Dubai are scheduled to
be enforced in 2014. Currently,
it is optional for private buildings.
According to Dubai Municipality, the pur-
pose of the regulations is to improve the
performance of buildings in Dubai by reduc-
ing the consumption of energy, water and
ment of waste generated by the various con-
struction processes.
However, at its heart, this document is
a new testament for the MEP industry in
the emirate of Dubai. The bulk of its con-
tent deals with freshly dened standards
for HVAC systems, electrical efciency
and lighting, and water efciency through
plumbing and drainage. Consequently, it is
set to transform work practices and behav-
iours in the industry from the design and
planning stage right through to testing, com-
missioning and maintenance.
Section Four of the document, which deals
with Building Vitality, has several points of
Greener on
the Other Side
EXTERIOR LIGHTING LEVELS
IN DUBAI ARE SET TO BE
SUBJECTED TO STRICT
NEW RULES
75%
Domestic hot water requirements to
be provided by solar water heaters in
new villas and labour accommodation
3 seconds
Maximum time allowed for escalator to
operate at full speed when no activity is
detected
25mm
Minimum air break allowed between
potable water sources and greywater
collection systems
NEWS ANALYSIS
interest for MEP practitioners. Its rst chapter
deals with ventilation and air quality, opening
with the decree that All new and existing air-
conditioned buildings must be mechanically or
mixed mode ventilated and must comply with
the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Stand-
ard 62-2007.
The ner detail of the chapter goes on to
establish strict thresholds for compliance
with indoor air quality in new buildings in
section 401.06. Maximum acceptable limits
are outlined for contaminants such as formal-
dehyde (<0.08 parts per million [ppm]), total
volatile organic compound (TVOC) (<300
micrograms/m ) and suspended particulates
Water-conserving xtures must be installed meeting the criteria in
the table below
Fixture Type Maximum Flow Rate
Showerhads 8 Litres Per Minute
Hand wash basins 6 Litres Per Minute
Kitchen sinks 7 Litres Per Minute
Dual Flush Toilets 6 Litres Full flush, 3 Liters Part flush
Urinal 1 Litre per flush or waterless
Source: Dubai Municipality Green Building Regulations and Specications in the Emirate of Dubai
NEWS ANALYSIS
greater interest in section ve which covers
resource effectiveness specically energy-ef-
ciency. Chapter One sets out the parameters
for air-conditioning design, with the heat load
of buildings to be calculated by factoring in the
outdoor condition of a building with a dry bulb
temperature of 46C, wetbulb temperature
of 29C, Dubai City location latitude of 25N,
and an extent of variation on the day of design
of 13.8C. Further parameters are outlined
for the indoor condition of a building and the
sensible and latent heat safety factors applied.
Regulations on air loss from entrance and exit
and air leakage are also covered.
Perhaps the most singularly prescriptive
aspect of the entire document can be found in
section ves second chapter which provides
exhaustive detail on the minimum energy ef-
ciency requirements of HVAC equipment and
systems. The reference table it provides speci-
es equipment type, size category, heating
section type, subcategory or rating condition,
minimum efciency (T1) levels, maximum ef-
ciency (T3) levels, and test procedure. While
it will surely limit the selection of HVAC sys-
tems across various applications, its clarity is
sure to simplify decision-making and focus
efforts on necessary action. Of further inter-
est to HVAC professionals will be the chapters
stipulations on demand controlled ventilation.
Lighting also comes in for rigourous regula-
tion, with maximum average levels set for the
watts per square metre (W/m) across the to-
tal interior area of a variety of building types.
Retail outlets, shopping malls and workshops
must not exceed 14W/m, while manufactur-
ing facilities (13), educational facilities (12),
smaller than 10 microns (<130 micrograms/
m). The sampling schedule must also take
place pre-occupancy, while the duration of
sampling must be an hour of continuous moni-
toring (8 hour time-weighed average [TWA]).
Similar levels for existing buildings are set
in section 401.06, with additional samples re-
quired for respirable dust, ozone, carbon di-
oxide, carbon monoxide, bacteria and fungi.
Section Fours rst chapter also regulates on
maintenance of HVAC equipment and ventila-
tion in parking areas, while HVAC profession-
als should also note chapter two of the section
which rules on thermal comfort and the range
of conditions which a system should be able to
provide for 95% of the year.
The Building Vitality sections last chapter
addresses water quality, with particular atten-
tion paid to the risk posed by legionella bacte-
ria and building water systems. The document
requires such xtures to be periodically main-
tained, cleaned and disinfected, which has
specic relevance to MEP maintenance and
FM contractors.
However, the importance bestowed on wa-
ter by the municipality is more thoroughly
manifested in section six of the document
which looks at resource effectiveness. With
detailed rules regarding water efcient t-
tings, condensate drainage and recovery, irri-
gation, metering, wastewater usage, and water
consumption for heat rejection including heat-
ing towers, Dubai Municipality ensures that
the emirates most precious resource will be
handled with great care, with the MEP indus-
try the glove in which that hand rests.
HVAC professionals will undoubtedly take
commercial/public ofces, hotels, resorts
and restaurants (10), and warehouses (8)
must all use less. Exterior lighting gets simi-
larly tight treatment while lighting controls
are to become mandatory to further minimise
energy usage. Elevators and escalators are
also included in the energy efciency drive
as demands are made for the introduction of
reduced speed and use-on-demand controls.
The move to more managed consumption of
energy is extended to HVAC with a require-
ment that control systems also be introduced
to such installations, as well as to hotel rooms.
Chapter two of section ve rounds off its
comprehensive assault on building systems
energy-inefciency with pronouncements on
exhaust air energy recovery systems, pipe and
duct insulation, thermal storage for district
cooling, ductwork air leakage, and mainte-
nance of mechanical systems.
All of this regulation amounts to a seismic
shift in the Dubai MEP landscape. Many old
habits and practices will have to be scrapped
in order to survive in the new world hearlded
by the municipal legislation. This will take time
and may be costly, but it also presents an op-
portunity for those quickest to seize the ini-
tiative. The ordinance represents a necessary
evolution in construction in both a local and
global context, but the MEP industry would do
well to remember that evolutions essence has,
and always will be, adapt or die.
The performance of elevators, as well as escalators, will be regulated in order to limit energy usage when not in use.
The rules and regulations are prescriptive on HVAC systems.
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THE BIG INTERVIEW
20 MEP Middle East April 2013 www.constructionweekonline.com
THE BIG INTERVIEW
April 2013 | MEP Middle East 21 www.constructionweekonline.com
THE BIG INTERVIEW
Thrasos Thrasyvoulou, managing director of Habtoor
Leighton Specon, on how a patient and prudent approach
in recent years means his company is well positioned for a
move into new markets
BREAKING
New Ground
I
f a book were to be written on
the history of the MEP industry
in the Gulf over the last 35 years,
there may be no better author than
Thrasos Thrasyvoulou, managing
director of Habtoor Leighton Specon
(HLS). Having worked in the region
since 1977, he has seen it all, and
with a boundless enthusiasm can
relay much of it in such incisive detail that it
would be sure to make interesting reading.
The master-raconteurs wealth of experi-
ence has undoubtedly been central to the
steady rise of his companys fortunes in the
years since it was established in 2005 as an
MEP partner to the Habtoor Leighton Group
(HLG). It was certainly put to good use dur-
ing the trauma suffered by the industry in
recent years. Although exposed like the rest
of the industry to the rougher elements of
the economic climate during that time, HLS
has seemingly weathered the storm better
than some of its competitors, and is now pre-
paring to make the most of that advantage
with committed moves into the rapid growth
markets of the region.
For Thrasyvoulou, this is a big moment
for HLS. We are at a very important time
for the company, he says. This year will
see our efforts in 2012 to move into other
countries materialising, particularly in Iraq
and Saudi Arabia. It is the beginning of a
THE BIG INTERVIEW
HLS carried out the MEP projects on both the Sheikh Zayed (left) and Paris-Sorbonne (right) universities in Abu Dhabi.
This year will see
our efforts in 2012 to
move into other countries
materialising, particularly
in Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
2005
The year HLS was established as an
independent partner of HLG
very interesting period. Our vision to expand
geographically is underway and it will see
us continue to be one of the major players in
the region.
Of all the Gulf states, Thrasyvoulou
believes that Iraq holds the most promise.
He says that the relentless tragedy which
the country has suffered since its war with
Iran in the 1980s has left the country in need
of major reconstruction, development and
investment. With proven oil reserves in the
country on a par with Saudi Arabia, currently
the worlds largest oil producer, Thrasy-
voulou says it is only a short matter of time
before Iraq is transformed into a hotbed of
fevered construction activity.
I personally believe in two or three years
that Iraq will surpass Saudi Arabia in terms
of the amount of [construction] business
there, adding that it is always in my
thoughts to enter in there very decisively.
HLS is already assisting HLG in securing two
or three oil and gas and infrastructure jobs
in Basra and North Iraq, and Thrasyvoulou
says that this is a precursor to HLS develop-
ing something very serious in Iraq by the
end of the year.
More predictably, Saudi is also of huge
interest and HLS is expecting to make
signicant inroads into the market in 2013.
Currently the biggest construction market
in the Gulf, Thrasyvoulou says the work
needed in Riyadh and Jeddah should mean
Saudi is busy for years to come. While other
companies have rushed into Saudi over
the last ve years, HLS has been patient,
which has given his team and he ample time
to analyse the market before proceeding.
They have concluded that the best approach
The New Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi, seen here in November 2011, is currently HLSs biggest project and is being carried out as part of a Habtoor Leighton/Murray Roberts JV.
HLS executed the MEP work on Daman Towers in Dubai.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
will be to establish strategic partnerships in
pursuit of individual projects. With this ap-
proach Thrasyvoulou expects the company
to pick up maybe two to three projects
there by the end of this year.
Like several other Dubai-based MEP con-
tractors, HLS has already made a signicant
dent in Qatar. It has had a presence there for
the last two and a half years and is currently
nishing work on three hotels, Merweb,
Rotana and Shangri-La, with a total value of
around QAR 600m. Further projects are be-
ing sought in the power sector with Kahram-
ma, the Qatari power and water corporation,
and other discussions with several main
contractors for upcoming work are ongoing.
According to Thrasyvoulou, Qatar needs
1bn
HLSs approximate turnover at its
highest peak in UAE dirhams
The MEP works on Mafraq Hospital constitute around 40% of the entire project value and are set to be complete in early 2014.
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to build around 55 more hotels before the
2022 World Cup in order to meet the ac-
commodation needs of the expected visitor
numbers attracted by the tournament. Along
with the imminent rail and metro project,
for which HLS are pre-qualied along with
their Spanish partner Cobra, and work on
the stadiums, he says that there should be
sufcient contracts to be won there by most
of the major contractors in the region.
However, he is doubtful of predictions that
Qatar will replicate the construction boom
experienced by Dubai between 2003 and
2008. I believe that, because of the smaller
THE BIG INTERVIEW
size of Qatar and the fewer number of tourist
attractions in the country, it will never reach
the peak that sometime ago Dubai had, but
it will reach an enviable level of business for
all big contractors to get their fair share, he
says. Thrasyvoulou also predicts that Dubai
itself will recover signicantly but will never
return to the crazy heights of the last dec-
ade: It has already built most of what was
required, he says. Maybe the healthcare
sector and education may offer something,
but I dont think other sectors require much
more work, for now at least.
Beyond the big growth markets of Iraq,
Saudi and Qatar, HLSs ambitions for geo-
graphical expansion also extend to Oman
and Kuwait, where they currently have
invitations to tender for hospital projects.
However, HLSs plans for growth do not
stop there with Thrasyvoulou revealing that
the company is targeting growth through
diversication of specialities as well. We are
one of the few companies who have in-house
oil and gas, energy and power, and solar
capability, he says. Together with Cobra
[HLSs Spanish partner] we have submitted
a tender to Kahramma in Qatar for seven
substations in the past few months. We are
also in a good position to secure an award for
a 12MW power station in Corsica.
The aim of this growth, both geographi-
cally and by diversication, is to make HLS
number one in terms of turnover and
prot, Thrasyvoulou says. He describes
HLS as a 1bn dirham company in terms
of turnover, although a difcult 2012 for
the entire industry saw that gure drop.
The companies backlog currently stands at
approximately AED 1.5bn, with a workforce
made up of 150 qualied engineers, 500
to 600 support staff, and 4000 technicians
spread between the UAE and Qatar. With the
moves into new territories and new sectors,
Thrasyvoulou expects the company to reach
AED 2bn in revenue in the next few years.
However, he is quick to highlight that
turnover is not his or the companys barom-
eter of success. A healthy bottom line is
fundamental to his thinking and central to
the daily operation of any sound business,
he says. I want the company to do well and
make a prot so I can look after my people.
If I dont have a prot we cannot take care of
our employees. We could win ten contracts
tomorrow morning and have a huge turno-
ver, but if we dont make a prot from those
contracts then it is of no use.
Such behaviour, unfortunately, has been
quite common in the industry of late. The
HLS managing director can offer a glut of
tales about other contractors, who he is too
polite to mention by name, undercutting his
company only for those parties to run into
trouble on the job and HLS to be brought in
to clean up the mess. He believes that the
current price-cutting war besieging the MEP
industry can only end badly, but he thinks
main contractors are beginning to realise the
danger of encouraging this behaviour.
The mechnical corridor in Mafraq Hospital through which the chilled water pipes travel illustrate the size of the project. Thrasyvoulou says turnover is not HLSs biggest priority.
I want the company to
make a profit so I can look
after my people. If I dont
have a profit we cannot take
care of our employees.
HLS was established in October
2005 following an agreement between
Thrasyvoulou (Specon Ltd) and Al Habtoor
Engineering (now HLG) to establish a
standalone MEP partner to the group,
with ownership split 49/51 between
Thrasyvoulou and HLG respectively.
When we signed the MoU (Memorandum
of Understanding) we set out the basic
principles such as the legal status,
working capital, nance and management
Thrasyvoulou explains. I undertook the
overall responsibility for the companys
operations and was appointed the rst
managing director and deputy chairman
of the company. Obviously we regularly
consult the groups board of directors
on major issues and strategy, but the
agreement is that I have the responsibility
for running the company.
These rst few years saw HLS focus
primarily on projects on which HLG was the
main contractor as the company had an
extensive backlog of work. This dynamic
continued up to 2011 when Thrasyvoulou
decided that HLS would like to expand
business with other contractors.
We are now in search of work and the
objective is to have at least 50% of our
turnover coming from other contractors, he
says. It was 15% at times, and sometimes
even lower, because there was no need to
over-expand. Recently we are looking for
more work beyond HLG as part of our longer
term strategy in becoming the leading
diversied MEP player in the region.
THE GROUP DYNAMIC
THE BIG INTERVIEW
2bn
Turnover target in coming years in UAE
dirhams
You are not getting the best service on
a difcult MEP project if you get the lowest
price, he says. We want to maintain quality
and, speaking to main contractors in the
last few months, they are realising that it
is not in their interest to keep squeezing
sub-contractors. Its not as difcult to secure
work these days with our reputation for qual-
ity and history, but if it is a matter of price
we have our red line on price and we dont
accept projects that we know will not provide
a return to the group.
This restraint in a time of difculty for
the industry, particularly in the UAE, has
apparently allowed HLS to avoid the pitfalls
into which others have walked. While 2012
saw its balance sheet take a marginal hit, its
backlog of projects following the construc-
tion market collapse has enabled it to
carry on without too much of an upset to its
structure and nances. Work on the Paris-
Sorbonne and Zayed universities in Abu
Dhabi, as well as the ongoing New Mafraq
Hospital project, have meant the company
has been kept occupied during the darkest
days of the downturn. Thrasyvoulou believes
that the worst is certainly over and expects a
return to growth for the entire industry this
year and in the years to come.
We have been hearing in the last six
months that liquidity has increased in the
banks, investors are more condent now
and there will be a lot of projects, he says.
We are having discussions about three to
four major projects in the region, in which
our partners HLG are also involved, that are
more than AED 2bn in total in terms of MEP
works. We expect those to come through and
the backlog to grow once again, which will
set us up well for the coming years.
Going forward, Thrasyvoulou says that his
vision to rmly establish HLS as the number
one diversied MEP contractor in the region
will depend on maintaining its reputation as
a company that delivers quality on time and
within budget. But he also stresses that this
vision must be shared by everyone in the
company and that, without their investment
in it, the vision is unattainable.
As a leader, you must share your vision
with your people, he says. You must have
a strategic plan on how to get there and they
must know how it is to be implemented. If
your people dont know where you are going,
they cannot follow, and no one can make it
happen alone.
Mafraq Hospitals HVAC system is of the highest standard.
SITE VISIT
Stuart Matthews visits the Future
Pipe Industries facility in Abu
Dhabi, to see how this manufacturer
has built a business one layer of
glass bre at a time
WORK
Pipe
SITE VISIT
F
or some manufacturers accreditation is a must. Its not enough
to say a product is a quality performer, it has to be proven be-
yond any doubt. Thats why Future Pipe Industries Abu Dhabi
facility has 29 accreditations to its name.
Coming from internationally recognised and respected
bodies, such as DNV and TUV and a host of others, these accredita-
tions are essential to the success of the companys pipe manufactur-
ing business. Without them the company would nd it difcult, if not
impossible, to secure contracts on the large-scale projects that drive
this production facility and the four others operated around the Gulf.
Each individual facility must have its own accreditations and getting
them represents a major investment in time, money and manpower.
All the facilities are run the same way, to the same standards. Its the
effort and diligence involved that makes Sameer Abu Hannun, the
companys vice president of GCC manufacturing, so proud of what the
company has achieved.
They are very important to us, says Hannun. They really cost us,
but if you want to run a professional operation, you must have them
and you must keep them.
We are happy and proud to have made this kind of investment
because it impacts on the services we provide. The accredita-
tion secures the product performance and the customer can feel
much safer.
The Abu Dhabi factory features its own testing facilities, where
SITE VISIT
both nished products and raw materials
are put through their paces. Long-term
pressure testing under extreme tempera-
tures is just one of the hurdles the n-
ished products have to clear, to keep their
accreditations valid.
As general manager Fady Assad explains,
the products are tested well beyond their
normal operational boundaries.
If a product is rated at 10 bar, we may test
it to 30, he says.
The manufacturing process is one the
company is always striving to rene, whether
its for its smallest 25mm pipes, or those with
a 4m diameter. In fact, just recently, one pro-
FPIs helical winding machine takes polyester fibres from various spools and wraps these around a mould while reesin is applied in order to make fibreglass piping.
Pipes are produced for infrastructure and for plumbing.
The companys yard acts as a spacious storage facility.
SITE VISIT
TOP 5 GCC PROJECTS
Project name Country End User Value
Ras Laffan common cooling seawater project
(largest berglass pipe system project in the world)
Qatar Qatar Petroleum $500m
Ghantoot water transmission UAE DEWA $65.9m
Sohar 3 / barka 2 power and desalination plant Oman Oman power and water
procurement company
(OPWP)
$6m
Petrochemical complex pipe system Kuwait Equate $25m
Jubail Export Renery KSA Saudi Aramco
Total Rening and
Petrochemical company
$30.7m
Pipes
ROJECTS
SITE VISIT
duction process underwent some additional
automation, reducing the manpower needed
on the job from three people to one.
You can always improve, says Hannun.
We are concentrating on being more ad-
vanced in everything we do. Were concen-
trating on automation and looking at improv-
ing processes to boost our efciencies.
PRODUCTION LINE
With an annual capacity of around 150,000
tonnes, regularly updated automation equip-
ment and software across its 12 produc-
tion lines is key to the Abu Dhabi facilitys
efciency. Overall FPI has 45 production
lines of breglass pipe across all its global
manufacturing facilities.
The plant operates two distinct types of
production. One is helical winding, where
pipes are formed over a mandrel by winding
bres around the mould while resin is ap-
plied. Built up layer by layer, the pipe moves
from the winder to an oven to be set, before
being separated from the mandrel.
Sameer Abu Hannun, VP of GCC manufacturing.
Future Pipe Industries also produce custom made pipes.
The continuous winding unit in action at the facility.
Sam
The other method is continuous winding,
where, as the name suggests, a machine
continually adds layers of bre to the pipe
until the desired thickness is met. These
pipes can be made to any length, with the
only restrictions being the size of the factory
and the practical issue of transporting the
nished product.
The technology behind the manufac-
turing process is owned by Future Pipe
We are happy and
proud to have made
this kind of investment
because it impacts on the
services we provide. The
accreditation secures the
product performance and
the customer can feel
much safer.
Sameer Abu Hannun, VP-GCC manufacturing
SITE VISIT
.
industries. Part of it was acquired when
FPI bought the breglass arm of a Dutch
manufacturer in the 90s.
The team at the site are quick to empha-
sise the benets of the breglass product.
Much lighter than the steel equivalents it
can replace, breglass pipe products can
be easier to handle on site thanks to that
weight reduction and the subsequent reduc-
tion in lifting capacity required. They also
claim a 50-year lifespan for the product, so it
requires less frequent replacement. In some
applications the pipes also result in lower
pumping costs, since the internal friction of
the product is lower than steel alternatives.
AGILITY AND PROXIMITY
As with any product, client education is key
and Future Pipe Industries acknowledges that
making things easy for clients and customers
is an essential part of a successful business.
To help contractors get to grips with the prod-
uct, it offers engineering services that help to
turn a pipe from a simple product into that
favourite output of all companies: a solution.
These services include guiding contrac-
tors through the installation process. The
company also conducts third-party-certied
training, to teach the skills needed to
complete pipe joins, resulting in contractors
gaining the skills they require to work with
the product.
These qualities and services, reinforced
by the st-full of accreditations the company
has worked hard to earn and maintain, have
resulted in major project success.
Hannun doesnt want to talk project
value in simple contract terms, he wants
to position the companys work in the
context of each projects importance. From
Ras Laf fan to Ruwais, or Al Ain to Abu
Dhabi, the companys products are going
into projects that make a dif ference to
national economies.
From left: Sameer Abu Hannun, VP of GCC manufacturing; Fady Assad, general manager.
We are so exible,
for any project we can
easily install machines
and increase capacity in a
couple of weeks.
Fady Assaad, general manager, Abu Dhabi
Future Pipe Industries gets closer to its
customers by adding value to its product
through additional services
Future Pipe Industries site services
department offers an after-sales service to
its customers to provide site supervision and
technical assistance for laying the pipes it
has supplied.
The department takes on the preparation
and execution of the services provided as
part of the companys contracts. This can
range from supplying an entire site crew to
join pipes, to simply providing a site engineer
to oversee a pipe-laying.
Future Pipe Industries also uses its
strategic alliance partner, Dynaow
International, to provide engineering
consulting services for all aspects of piping
structure. Dynaow develops software for
clients to address issues ranging from small-
scale ad-hoc stress problems, to large-scale
uid ow problems and has built up a broad
experience in all design aspects of glass
reinforced polyester (GRP) piping systems.
KEY STRATEGY
Flanges are added to connect to steel piping.
SITE VISIT
Number of football pitches equivalent
to Abu Dhabi plant
12
Its a big-picture view and the project cred-
its make for a long list, but it takes an agile
company to manage the spikes in production
these big projects demand. The uctuating
costs of the resin raw material, linked to the
price of oil, also contributes to a complex
balancing act that needs careful stewardship.
FPIs spacious Abu Dhabi plant - its the
size of 12 football pitches - has more capacity
built in, but the company has a more mobile
back-up plan, in case a big order lands in one
particular plant.
We are so exible, for any project we can
easily install machines and increase capacity
in a couple of weeks, says Assaad. We have
two machines ready to be transported to any
plant in the group.
This transportable machinery, ready to
move to any of the companys ve plants
Future Pipe Industries produce a vast array of pipes at the Abu Dhabi facility, from 25mm to 4 metres in diameter.
around the Gulf, can be assembled and
producing in a matter of weeks, allowing the
company to boost capacity as, where and
when its needed.
The team at Future Pipe Industries
builds a picture of a good business to be in.
The pipes it makes are a necessary part of
infrastructure and plumbing development
on all scales and across many sectors.
Demand is broad and the range of prod-
ucts the company can produce is intended
to match the market needs. It makes for a
P.O. Box 120672, SAF-Zone, Sharjah Tel: +971 6 5578148 Fax: +971 6 5578149
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market ripe with opportunity for a manu-
facturer that has spent decades building
the experience and agility needed to take
advantage of it.
We have the advantage of being a pioneer
in this kind if manufacturing, says Hannun.
We have our own technology, a wide range
of products, the ability to engineer them,
plus the experience, the capacity and the
know how.
www.constructionweekonline.com 32 MEP Middle East | February 2013
T
o much of the MEP and wider construction in-
dustry in the GCC, Kuwait must seem like a
quiet stranger seated in the corner of a lively
party. As its Gulf counterparts loudly engage in
a game of build the biggest, best or brightest,
their neighbour to the north appears content
to observe the spectacle with a curious indif-
ference, all the while keeping its own counsel.
News from Kuwait is scarce and the impres-
sion given is of an insular country moving at its own pace. It
has the coffers to match the peacock displays of the UAE,
Qatar and Saudi, with a 2011 GDP close to $180bn according
to the World Bank and the fth largest oil reserves in the
world, but it has taken somewhat of a tortoise approach to
development. With the 2012 construction market in Kuwait
estimated at $2.5bn, it is comparatively the lowest spender
in the GCC when GDP and GDP per capita are considered.
Based on the common estimation of the MEP market repre-
senting 25 to 30% of total outlay on construction, the Kuwaiti
MEP market sits at somewhere between $625m and $750m
modest by GCC standards.
However, the experience of some of those in the industry
operating in Kuwait suggests that those frugal gures may
be about to change. Darrel Strobel, managing director of
MEP engineering at KEO International Consultants says that
there are signs that investment may be nally making its way
into the construction market after a particularly lean period
brought on by recent events.
While the government continued to spend on healthcare,
education and some major road and infrastructure projects
such as the new bridge crossing Kuwait Bay, the private sec-
tor slowed down quite a substantial amount in recent years
with the global recession. There are signs, however, that this
is starting to come back to life, he says.
The next few years are key for a lot of services in Kuwait
as construction and government spending are likely to in-
crease, and the MEP industry is going to get pulled along for
the ride. Kuwait never experienced the boom and bust of the
KUWAIT FOCUS
MEP Middle East sets its gaze on a market that is a potential goldmine
for the industry but, having shunned the attention so craved by its GCC
counterparts, has remained something of a mystery until now
UNKNOWN
Into the
www.constructionweekonline.com February 2013 | MEP Middle East 33
KUWAIT FOCUS
LIGHT ON THE HORIZON
Kuwait's construction industry never
reached the Icarus heights of its GCC
counterparts during the last decade, but
its construction sector has still suffered a
noticeable decline in the last few years.
However, there has been some
movement in the market recently which
has given those operating in the country
a ray of hope that their perserverance in
Kuwait might be rewarded.
The quiet man of the Gulf has announced
some major projects and, while the
MEP industry might not be the rst
in line to benet from them, there is
the potential that the projects may
give the entire sector the boost it has
badly needed.
"Recent articles in the press have
indicated that the government has
announced several infrastructure
developments and re-introduced others
that had been delayed due to either scal
constraints or parliamentary hurdles,"
says KEO's Darrel Strobel.
"Some examples include the $486.5
million contract to construct a port
next to the Al Ahmadi renery, the $6
billion expansion of Kuwait International
airport, up to $14.2 billion of roads work
to be completed over the next 5 years,
and a new sea port on Boubyan Island.
These mega-projects in conjunction
with an expected increase in the private
sector may point to better times ahead,"
he adds.
rapid expansion evident in other GCC coun-
tries and, while Kuwait has never been con-
sidered an overactive market, it has a more
steady stream of projects in the pipeline.
Some of those projects have been in the
pipeline so long, that many believed they
would not happen, but some recent events
such as the start of the Sulaiybiya Causeway,
has given an indication that the government
is serious about spending and is keen to im-
prove a broad range of sectors, he adds.
This optimism that the construction mar-
ket can move beyond public infrastructure
projects, which generally present scant op-
portunity for the MEP industry, and towards
the bigger bounties of privately funded pro-
jects, is shared by Tawq Abu Soud, Drake &
Sculls managing director for both MEP and
Water and Power divisions.
There are clear signs that Kuwaits con-
struction industry could receive a boost from
the private sector as demand in the residen-
tial, investment and commercial segments ap-
pears to be rising steadily, he says.
If such advocacy for Kuwaits construc-
tion sector means a move there seems like
a tempting proposition, further attraction
may be derived from testimonies revealing
how the MEP industry there is not really
that different from those of the more popular
Gulf markets.
There are only minor differences in the
requirements from the various authorities in
Kuwait compared to other GCC countries and
there are no signicant variations in design
issues, says Strobel. The only item that pre-
sents sizable differences is the requirements
in the eld of sustainable engineering. The
UAE, in particular Abu Dhabi with Estidama,
has rigorous demands in this eld, whereas
Kuwait lags behind a bit, he adds.
For Abu Soud, there are also some distin-
guishing features to the approach of contrac-
tors in the country.
MEP contractors in Kuwait are keen to
gain a competitive edge by offering a scal-
able and comprehensive contracting service
solution, complemented by effective qualied
manpower for project design, installation, and
service support, he says.
KUWAIT FOCUS
He also believes that the Kuwaiti market
shares the characteristics of other GCC states
in the demand to meet short deadlines and
the challenge of rising costs, but offers a
general prole of the challenges facing con-
tractors in Kuwait itself.
Broadly speaking, some of the major chal-
lenges being faced by MEP contractors in Ku-
wait include: nding a balance between the
tight deadlines imposed by clients and high
Tawfiq Abu Soud, managing director of Drake & Scull's MEP division and Water and Power division.
quality work; ensuring that MEP installations
comply with the new green building stand-
ards; the availability of suitable manpower;
the growing cost of commodities and equip-
ment in the MEP sector; and ination.
On the consultancy side, similar difculties
are encountered, but some of the challenges
appear to be a bit more specic to Kuwait and
its business culture.
The Kuwaiti MEP market has several
very well qualied consultants, says Dar-
rel Strobel. Most of these companies and
practices have long-term client relationships
and at times forging new connections can be
challenging. Recruiting new staff can also at
times be difcult since the available labour
pool of professional staff is very small. Fur-
thermore, getting authority approvals for con-
struction can be challenging as it is, at times,
a complex procedure.
$750m
Top end estimation of Kuwaiti MEP
market in 2012
$180bn
Kuwait's GDP in 2011
KUWAIT FOCUS
Darrel Strobel, managing director of MEP engineering at KEO International Consultants.
D&S executed the MEP works on Kuwait's State Audit Bureau.
Ronny Bittar, export sales manager, Refrigeration Industries.
On the supplier side, Kuwait offers its fair
share of hurdles too. Ronny Bittar, export
sales manager for Refrigeration Industries,
which has had a base in the country since
1973, says that competition through low pric-
ing and the standard of technical expertise of
some in the Kuwaiti industry, mean that qual-
ity suppliers are having to ght for business.
Price competition is affecting the quality
of the products on the market, Bittar says.
The technical weakness of both consultant
ofces and ministry engineers is also lead-
ing to these lesser quality products being ap-
proved for various projects.
Bittar adds that the number of projects
since the economic downturn has dimin-
ished, while the number of suppliers in the
market has increased, making for a very dif-
cult business environment. The effects of
the downturn also required suppliers to adapt
their product range in response to the behav-
iour of buyers.
Many projects applied the cost-cut policy
after the downturn to minimise expenses,
Bittar says. This forced suppliers to change
the quality of their products so as to compete
and stay in the market.
This competition in recent years has been
mirrored among consultants and, says Darrel
Strobel, while it has resulted in a few casual-
ties, it has had its benets for the market.
We are sure that there have been many
consultants who have left the Kuwait market.
This is the natural selection process only
the strong survive. It improves the quality of
the supply chain for the clients within those
markets. The effect of the economic chal-
$2.5bn
Value of Kuwaiti MEP construction
market in 2012
lenges has also lead to manpower reduction
and lower design fees. However the standard
of project design has not changed.
Tawq Abu Soud says that the economic
challenges of recent years have also focused
efforts among contractors in Kuwait.
The market dynamics have changed when
compared to pre-2008, as today we are seeing
a more mature market that makes it impera-
tive for MEP contractors to adhere to tight
deadlines, be exible to inationary pres-
sures and rising construction costs, and also
adopt environment-friendly practices.
While all have had to adapt to the constric-
tion of Kuwaits already tight belt, there is a
consensus that the MEP market in the coun-
try is on the verge of picking up. Ronny Bit-
tar describes the outlook as promising and,
while Tawq Abu Soud takes condence from
predictions on Kuwait, he says MEP contrac-
tors will still have to be on top of their game.
Industry analysts have predicted strong
growth for Kuwaits economy for the next few
years, banking on the governments contin-
ued focus on infrastructure and development
projects, he says. This in turn translates to
a period of increased business opportunities
and growth for the countrys MEP contrac-
tors. However, MEP players will have to con-
tinue to focus on delivering high quality ser-
vices within the stipulated timeframe, while
also budgeting for ination and uctuating
construction costs, he adds.
ENGINEERING GENIUS
With a shift in procurement methods and practices in GCC countries seeing Design
and Build let contracts become increasingly common in recent years, Lee Hall, design
director for Atkins across the Middle East, explains why MEP consultants with strong
design and build experience are increasingly in demand.
T
he design and build (D&B)
procurement route, although
already well established in
Europe, the USA and Australa-
sia, is becoming increasingly
prominent in the GCC. Initially
reserved only for large scale in-
frastructure projects, a recent
spate of traditionally developer
lead contracts are being let through D&B.
The main drivers affecting the choice of pro-
curement route are schedule, cost and qual-
ity. Perceived advantages of D&B are known
to tick those boxes : reduction in overall
capital cost; reduced program through faster
start on site; better buildability through the
designer and contractor working as one crea-
tive entity; and the quality element of tender
submission, which can often swing contract
award away from simply the lowest bidder.
Clear understanding of the roles and
responsibilities of the client and his
construction team, and the contractor and
contractors designer is crucially important
in setting up the initial team and contract
hierarchy. The swing towards D&B is still
fairly recent in the Middle East, so this makes
clear denition of roles, responsibilities and
contractual relationships even more critical.
The client has an obligation to clearly set
WORKING
A New Way of
ENGINEERING GENIUS
out the scope of contract, explicitly and
unambiguously dene the design criteria and
construction standards required, and set an
achievable budget and program. Failure to do
so may lead to the client losing their design
intent once a contract has been let, resulting
in a building that does not meet the clients
expectations or leads to claims for variation
in scope and delay from the contractor,
jeopardising the clients program and budget.
Furthermore, the client must also ensure
that the correct contractor is employed
since they will become the single source
of accountability for the project once the
contract is let. Contractors with sufcient
project/sector specic experienced resources
and local expertise to enable them to Design
and Construct to the quality, budget and
timescales required.
The D&B contract places signicant
responsibility on the contractor in terms
of absorbing the clients design intent and
turning it into an effective design, while
managing the expectations of the client and
other stakeholders. The contractor becomes
the architect, design engineer and design
manager and wholly absorbs the liability
for design and subsequent construction so
they must be in a position where they can
successfully manage that responsibility.
So what does this all mean to MEP
consultants?
D&B procurement is a role reversal of the
traditional contractor/consultant dynamic.
Instead of the consultant acting directly on
behalf of the client, in a D&B context the
contractor becomes the consultants client.
The successful D&B design consultant must
change their mindset to adapt to that new
relationship of being part of the contractors
supply chain. The consultant needs to
embrace the contractor as an integral part
of the design team, working closely with the
contractors estimating and purchasing teams
to ensure that the contractors supply chain is
engaged throughout the process in order to
maximise cost efciency.
"Value engineering" must be an inherent
driver part of the design process and not a
separate cost-saving process applied after
the design is complete as can be the case
with more traditional procurement methods.
The consultant needs to be acutely aware
of the contractors construction program
and provide a phased release of design
information allowing the contractor to meet
their procurement schedule, often resulting
in out-of-sequence working for the consultant.
The skill sets of the consultants engineers
must also be honed to be more "contractor
savvy". The level of design detailing required
for D&B is a step up from that normally
delivered under traditional design-tender-
build projects. The design may incorporate
manufacturer specic details and require
detailed equipment selection based on
cost, lead in times and compliance with
employers' requirements.
The traditional skills and competence
separation between contractors and
consultants is becoming more blurred as D&B
becomes more prominent and it is common
now too see engineers with contractors
experience working in consultancy practices
and vice-versa. This results in well-rounded
engineering capability and improved skill on
both sides.
The emergence of BIM (Building
Information Modelling) on D&B projects
has had a positive affect on the design and
construction process and can dramatically
improve the nal product if used to its full
potential. Clients are now being more vocal in
their desire to see a design proposal through
a BIM model so that they can walk through
and visualise the design in 3D, helping them
to verify that their aspirations are being
delivered before a spade has entered the
ground onsite.
A BIM lead design creates efciencies
for the design and build contractor too. The
potential to ensure thorough coordination
between all disciplines and readily identify
clashes helps to cut down on rework and
waste onsite, helping to protect program
and the cost model. The BIM model is a tool
that the entire D&B project team can use to
ensure a more joined-up means of working,
ensuring that design conicts and clashes are
reduced, more efcient use of space and easy
visualisation of the design intent.
The continuing shift towards D&B in the
region presents the MEP consultant with an
opportunity to take a step beyond traditional
design responsibilities and become an integral
and inuential part of the entire construction
process. In order to meet the challenge,
consultants must be dynamic, take a holistic
view of the whole project in terms of design
deliverables, construction cost, schedule of
information release to match procurement
schedule and program. Consultants must
embrace the fact that they are an integral part
of the contractors supply chain and work with
other suppliers and stakeholders to optimise
their clients' objectives.
The move to design and build is likely to change the relationship between contractors and consultants. (Getty)
Lee Hall, design director for Atkins Middle East.
D&B procurement is a
role reversal of the
traditional contractor/
consultant dynamic.
ELEVATORS
2
3
8
9
1
Noha Kadora, marketing
and communications
specialist at Kone, explains
how the rms maintenance
team ensure the smooth
service of their elevators
A
t Kone, we believe that
great service adds value.
The Kone technicians rely
on their tools and equip-
ment to perform mainte-
nance of elevators.
These vary from the very
basic screwdrivers and
wrenches to sophisticated
tools for analysing even the slightest
abnormalities in operations. Safety and
comfort of usage are important factors when
selecting tools. Just as with processes and
methods in general, the tools are also very
much aligned and consistent throughout
Kone units globally.
The rm believes that great service
adds value and ensures you get the longest
lifespan and best performance out of
your equipment. It provides world class
maintenance packages to more than one
million elevators and escalators from both
Kone and other manufacturers. The rms
packages provide high-quality and reliable
service as well as high safety standards.
The service technicians are trained and
dedicated professionals, and the front line
in keeping its customers elevators and
escalators working smoothly and safely.
1910
Year Kone was founded
UP
Tooling
ELEVATORS
11
4
5
6
7
10
The starting point for each Kone Care
solution is a thorough understanding of both
the equipment and customer requirements.
A maintenance plan ensures attention to
the right components at the right time,
minimising equipment downtime. The
Kone Modular Based Maintenance method
has been developed through decades
of experience.
Being dedicated to people ow means
moving people smoothly, safely, comfortably
in buildings. Around the world, around
the clock, technicians are at work keeping
equipment up and running. In the images
you can see some of the equipment we use.
Kone is dedicated to providing its customers
with enjoyable elevator rides; its technicians
use the D-T5 tool to analyse ride comfort by
measuring sound and movement (vibrations
and jerks) of the elevator. All installations are
tested to ensure a smooth ride.
The technicians also use a clamp meter
to measure power consumption. Kone is
committed to a high level of eco-efciency,
helping cut energy consumption in buildings.
To make sure that the highest safety
standards are being provided, the Meggar is
used to measure the insulation resistance of
the coils of the motor.
Kone technicians use the Lux Meter to
measure the intensity light in the elevator
car to ensure adequate lighting is achieved
for safety and accessibility.
If abnormalities are found in operations,
Kone technicians use the palm scope to
analyse the wave form and signals to the
motor from the drive and control circuits.
Kone strives for a service mindset:
this means understanding customers
requirements and working to win the
customer on a daily basis, not only by
delivering exceptional service but also
by recognition.
Service is about the customer experience
and a satised customer is the best indication
to a job well done.
Around the world,
around the clock,
technicians are at work
keeping equipment up and
running. In the images you
can see some of the
equipment you use.
1
The service team
on-site. (L-R) G.
Senthur Murugan,
service engineer,
and, KS Sri Vidhya
Kumar, service
technician.
2
Palm scope analy-
ses the wave form
and signals to the
motor from the
drive and control
circuits.
3
D-T5 analyses ride
comfort.
4
The standard Lock-
out Tagout kit.
5
Meggar used to
measure the insu-
lation resistance
of the coils of the
motor.
6
Performing basic
checks on the el-
evator.
7
Regular tools found
in a service techni-
cians bag.
8
LUX meter for light-
ing checks.
9
Fluke clamp meter
used to measure
power consumption
of the motor.
10
Looking inside the
elevator.
11
Kones car fleet is
optimised for size,
utility, and fuel
efficiency.
MEP FORUM 2013
As the MEP Middle East:
Qatar Forum approaches,
an impressive line-up of
major industry gures are
preparing to have their say
on the issues that matter in
Qatar
T
he MEP Middle East: Qatar
Forum returns this year fol-
lowing a hugely successful
2012 event which threw a
much-needed spotlight on the
issues, opportunities and con-
cerns the industry faces in the
rapidly developing peninsula
state. This year's event will
take place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha
on Wednesday 15th May, 2013 and promises
to build solidly on the engaging and insight-
ful contributions of the speakers and panelists
from 2012s edition.
Qatar, and the unprecedented process of
development to which it has committed over
the next decade, is now one year older. A
lot has happened in that time, though some
would say not enough, but nevertheless
there is much to discuss and resolve. If Qatar
is to deliver the major projects required
for the hosting of the 2022 World Cup on
time, substantive action is required in the
next year. Movement is expected on both
the metro and stadium projects during this
time, but there is still room for constructive
debate on the most effective means of
delivering the MEP that will be at the heart
of these developments.
With this in mind, the MEP Middle East:
Qatar Forum 2013 provides a platform to the
industry to share its collective knowledge
at a critical juncture. MEP contractors,
consultants, developers, architects, engineers
and government representatives will convene
to discuss the latest developments affecting
the industry in Qatar and debate how these
might mould its future. By bringing together
the greatest minds, talents and gures of
inuence in Qatari MEP, the conference is
sure to develop and potentially transform the
thinking of those who will be powering the
countrys globally renowned development
over the coming years.
Among this years list of attractions
is a keynote presentation focusing on
Qatars imminent metro and rail projects.
A team from Samsung and Arabian MEP
Contracting, one of a host of JVs in the
running for the contracts, will consider
the design, engineering and logistical
challenges posed by the project. Focus will
also be placed on solar power and outdoor
cooling by Viessmann, the forums gold
sponsor. Further insights into key issues in
the Qatari MEP industry will be offered by a
panel discussion on re safety, mediated by
KEO Consultants Kirk Rosenbaum.
Additional speakers and panelists of
similar calibre will be conrmed in the
coming weeks, all of whom are sure to
conrm this event as a date that cannot be
missed for MEP professionals in the region.
SHOP
Talking
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MEP FORUM 2013
Oscar Wendel on the
crucial role of the MEP
industry in delivering
Qatar's fantastical 2022
World Cup plans
T
he challenges ahead to meet
the building and infrastructure
needs in Qatar can seem daunt-
ing both in scale and the limit-
ed timeline. Whenever the top-
ic of the 2022 World Cup comes
up in discussions I have with
MEP professionals, it always
boils down to the question of
whether or not it is possible to pull off pro-
jects. It is essentially a matter of overhauling
the citys infrastructure, including 12 stadia
with surrounding sports areas that are all to
be air-conditioned with solar energy, all built
in less than a decade.
Yes, the challenges do seem overwhelming.
But so did many of the greatest and most
difcult projects undertaken in modern
history. When I think about the great
engineering accomplishments of the past
century, two MEP-related endeavours
springing to mind are the race to the moon
and the Hoover Dam. Yet, looking at the
political and economic landscape today, it is
questionable if projects of such magnitude
could be delivered anymore, in the US or
anywhere else.
The inghting in Congress is only part of
the USs inability to vamp up its infrastructure,
which has now fallen in ranking and is placed
between Spain and Chile. Its bureaucratic
system is practically ensuring that every
major public project is delayed, if not
cancelled outright. A recent example was
the bullet train initiative that was effectively
shot down.
Complexities in the US are aggravated
by an over-regulated business environment
inuenced by campaign nance and
lobbying of special interests that makes any
change tedious.
Looking beyond the US to India, South
America and Africa, these regions have their
own homegrown barriers to delivering on any
substantial projects efciently. Despite being
burgeoning economic powerhouses showing
explosive year-on-year growth, many mega
projects are pursued but few see completion.
Drawn-out investigations of bribery and
political scandals, with ensuing years of
delays, are almost becoming an expectation
in any large publicly-funded project. The 2010
Commonwealth Games in Delhi allegedly ran
over budget to the tune of billions of dollars,
largely due to embezzlement. In Nigeria, The
Economist cites a moderately estimated $4bn
to $8bn being stolen yearly from Nigerias
state coffers, while not a single politician is in
prison for corruption.
The competitive advantage in Qatars
strong and unied leadership is evident in
contrast to the paralysis of bureaucracy and
stiing business climate seen elsewhere. Is it
possible that Qatar might be the last frontier
today where achieving seemingly impossible
feats is viable?
The build-up to the 2022 World Cup is our
times equivalent of the race to the moon. The
event is a pretext and impetus to gather the
worlds brightest engineers and designers to
come together and deliver on their ambitious
vision in the short time given. In the decade
ahead, the world will again be shown what a
determined and collective action towards a
shared goal can achieve when it is backed by
sufcient resources and a sense of urgency.
The legacy it will leave behind will benet
the whole world with the leaps forward in
developing MEP technologies that enable a
more environmentally-friendly habitat with
the likes of more efcient cooling systems
and urban transportation systems.
Oscar Wendel is the Conference Manager of
Construction Week.
Oscar Wendel, Construction Week conference manager.
The competitive
advantage in Qatars strong
and unied leadership is
evident in contrast to the
paralysis of bureaucracy
and stiing business climate
seen elsewhere.
UP
Build
The MEP Middle East: Qatar Forum offers an array of presentations and panel discussions on the issues that matter.
COMMISSIONING
Paul Kirby, Commtechs country manager for the Middle
East and India, on the unique challenges of testing and
commissioning in the GCC and why he feels his company is well
on the way to becoming number one in the region
MAN
Commission
I
f one were to gauge the reality of the
much-mooted recovery in the industry by
the recent news from Commtech, it would
be hard to argue against the suggestion
that things are on the up. The rst quarter
of 2013 has witnessed a urry of activity by
the testing and commissioning outt that
has yielded numerous contract awards
and encouraged a bullish attitude from the
man leading the company's charge in the Middle East
and India.
Paul Kirby, Commtech's country manager for the
two regions, is a picture of positivity as he relays the
progress his company has been making in the last few
months. The affable Northern Irish man reels off the
various deals he and his company has struck which
have set it on a solid path to success in 2013.
We recently got the nod from Trans Gulf to do the
testing and commissoning on H.H. Sheikh Nahyan's
family villa in Abu Dhabi, he says. Since then the
phone hasn't stopped ringing.
Among the calls has been conrmation of
an approximately $110,000 award for the full
commissioning management contract for the new
Premier Inn Hotel in Abu Dhabi's Terminal 2. Other
wins have included an approximately $220,000
deal for work on Deereld's shopping mall in Abu
Dhabi awarded by Fibrex; commissioning on the
extension to the Aviation Club in Dubai; work on
the new Jumeirah Creekside Hotel; an appointment
by Sensaire to work on the Al Jalali Hospital; as well
as work with Hyatt Hotels in India which is planning
to build around 57 hotels across the country in the
next three years. Further cause for celebration has
come with recognition from the Dubai Department
of Economic Development of Commtech's status as
a licensed commissioning management company, the
rst in the emirate, according to Kirby.
Hotels look like being a key source of business
for Commtech in the coming years. The company
has been approved worldwide by Hilton, Hyatt and
Jumeirah Group to commission each company's
hotels, subject to the agreement of the developers.
Kirby has even written a commissioning plan for
hotels which has been patented. No one can copy it
and its foolproof. If you follow the document
page-by-page the hotel will not go wrong,
he says.
Kirby moved to the region in
September 2007 to join Arabtec
as senior MEP project and
commissioning manager, but he
has engineering in his blood.
His father was a talented
engineer, according to
Kirby, and he spent much
of his young life on building
sites learning the trade.
From Arabtec he moved
to ADNEC in 2009, where
www.constructionweekonline.com April 2013 | MEP Middle East 43
COMMISSIONING
COMMISSIONING
he spent two years before taking his current
position at Commtech. While he has only
been in the region for a relatively short time
compared to some of the GCC industry's
veterans, his sociable nature has ensured that
the industry knows him well, and this has
benetted Commtech in securing business.
This personal dynamic has seen Commtech
strike up with a relationship with Ted Jacob
Engineering in the region. We're doing a JV
with them on all their projects, says Kirby.
To keep it simple, when they go onto a
project and they've got the PI for the design,
we get involved with them at an early stage to
do a commissionability report. We try to get in
at the design stage so that the building can be
commissioned above all else.
$220,000
Approximate value of Deereld's deal
Commtech Asia tested and commissioned the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, then the world's tallest building.
The recently opened IKEA store in Doha Festival City on which Commtech completed testing and commissioning.
A member of the Commtech in action onsite.
Commissioning
management in the old
days in the UAE was like
money for old rope. It has
been ignored in the past.
PUT TO THE TEST
A key aspect of Kirby's leadership
approach is knowing the technical detail of
each job Commtech is executing.
"I take a hands-on role in everything
because, if I don't know my business, I'm
in trouble," Kirby says. "Everything from
invoicing to operations, the guys cc me
into the emails. A lot of directors over here
don't get involved in that, but I think that's
madness. I need to know what's happening
on every project, and my clients can ring
me up at any time and I will be able to tell
them straight away what is going on. You
have to be in control."
This approach has kept Kirby abreast of
engineering developments on the ground
and he is more than condent in his ability
to answer any question relating to to the
testing and commissioning eld.
"I've been on a building site since I was
seven years old," he says. "While most
kids were running around with their GI
Joes and skateboards, I was working with
my dad. I defy any consultant to question
me on my ability as an engineer.
"Commissioning management is about
xing what other people can't x. If I don't
know instantly what is wrong, give me an
hour or so and I'll go through the drawings
myself, as the director of the company, and
nd a way to do it," he adds.
For Kirby, testing and commissioing has
too often been an afterthought in the region's
construction industry, and he says Commtech
will endeavour to change this attitude through
its discussions with contractors and clients.
Commissioning management in the old
COMMISSIONING
days in the UAE was like money for old rope,"
he says. "It has been ignored in the past. It is
down to elite commissioning companies like
ourselves to lead the way and educate the
owners and developers of properties about the
importance of commissioning. We're slowly
but surely educating the market and trying
to put a bit of faith back into commissioning
management. For years, the companies who
have been operating here have tarnished the
name of commissioning management.
Kirby also believes that the poor standard
of commissioning management in the region
over the last 15 years may well have disastrous
consequences in the near future. Eventually
all the bad workmanship in the region,
the projects which haven't been properly
commission managed, will falter. Just because
a company has been operating here for a long
time, it doesn't mean they are better qualied
to do the job.
$110,000
Approximate value of Premier Inn deal
2007
Year Kirby arrived in the UAE
Commissioning is all about having the right
people, explains Kirby, who know the industry
and how technology can improve it. I'm
passionate about commissioning being done
correctly, he says. Commissioning hasn't
changed here in the last 15 years, but we're
changing it now. This is because we have the
technology and we're bringing in the more
experienced guys in the industry to do the
work. All our guys have ten years minimum
experience in the job.
Commtech's operations here also benet
from the company's global status, according
to Kirby, which means it can call on backup
if necessary from a team operating in perhaps
the most sophisticated commissioning
environment in the world.
If we have to bring in our serious guys
in from Hong Kong and Singapore, we can
do it, says Kirby. That's the beauty of
having talent all over the world and not just
here, in the Middle East. Asia is so far ahead
technologically and Commtech's team there
are head and shoulders above the rest. We're
using the technology the company has as a
group to improve our guys and their skills. If
commissioning companies don't change their
outlook on technology, they are going to be
left behind, and that is what's happening.
Commtech's approach inspires such
condence in Kirby that he is willing to
venture that the company will take top spot in
the region by the year's end if a move into
the Qatari market meets his expectations.
Qatar is a market that we're really looking
to get stuck into at the moment, he says.
We're working very closely with Trans Gulf
to establish a joint venture to operate there.
I'm predicting that by the end of 2013 we will
be the major player in the entire Middle East.
With the way things have gone so far in
2013, who would argue.
Kirby gets his hands dirty on one of the company's jobs.
Kirby says he is passionate about commissioning.
The Premier Inn Hotel project at the ongoing Abu Dhabi Airport development has the Commtect team onsite.
If we have to bring in
our serious guys from Hong
Kong or Singapore, we can
do it. That's the beauty of
having talent all over the
world and not just here.
B
ehind the hotels and ofce
buildings of Dubais Sheikh
Zayed Road, stands a rela-
tively inconspicuous castel-
lated building that is qui-
etly and efciently keeping
a range of the surrounding
developments comfortably
cooled. The rst plant to be
opened in the city by Abu Dhabi-based dis-
trict cooling giant Tabreed, the facility has
been providing this service since way back
in 2002, and now serves approximately 13
customers, including residential skyscrap-
ers and a number of DubaiMetro stations
within the area.
The vertical stack plant has 12 chillers
providing a total capacity of 22,500
Refrigerated Tonnes (RT), and cools water
from about 13.3 to around 4.4 degrees
Celsius. Though the facility is relatively
quiet given the time of year when we visit
(typically the facility runs at between 15
20% of full capacity in the winter), we are told
that nine of the machines were called into
action during the busiest peak of last year.
Equipment at the site is arranged over
four main levels, with distribution pumps
and water storage housed at the basement
level, chillers and electrical equipment on
the ground oor, chemical treatment on the
rst oor and the cooling towers replete
with giant fans on the rooftop.
At its core, the business of district cooling
is a relatively straightforward process
that involves utilising chillers to reduce
water temperature and then pumping this,
via underground pre-insulated pipes to
customers within the area (for example,
MEP Middle East takes a look at some of the technology and
equipment being used in the rst district cooling plant that
Tabreed built in Dubai
LEAST
First but not
DISTRICT COOLING
DISTRICT COOLING
IN THE NEWS
TOP COOLING PROJECTS
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
35,000 RT capacity plant cooling Yas
Marina Circuit, Ferrari World and hotels.
Qatar Pearl, Qatar
Worlds largest district cooling plant, with
massive 130,000 RT capacity.
UAE University, Al Ain
Recently expanded facility providing
campus with over 18,000 RT of cooling.
Saudi Tabreed plans $150 Jabal
Omar cooling project
Saudi Tabreed, an afliate of Tabreed,
announced in February that it is set to
invest almost US $150 million into a new
district cooling project to serve the Jabal
Omar development in the Holy City of
Mecca. The new project will see the rm
partnering with the Saudi-based Jabal
Omar Development Company (JODC) to
develop the rst two phases of a new plant
with a nal capacity of 55,000 RT.
The 20-year Build-Own-Operate-
Transfer arrangement is set to be
completed by a special purpose vehicle
called Central District Cooling Company.
Saudi Tabreed holds a 60% stake in this
project company, with JODC holding the
remainder.
We are delighted to be investing
alongside our partners at Saudi Tabreed
in such a landmark development in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This project
marks a major step forward for Tabreed
in Saudi Arabia as it underscores
the signicance we attribute to this
market given the growth opportunities
present here as a result of the nations
commitment to utilising energy efcient
solutions to meet its increasing cooling
demands, said Tabreed chairman, Waleed
Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi.
The rst phases of the project are
expected to reach completion in around
18 months, with a contracted capacity of
35,900 RT.
Tabreed CEO, Jasim Thabet, added:
The Jabal Omar project is one of the key
infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia and
is intended to cater to Meccas expanding
population. As cities in the GCC continue
to grow, district coolings energy and cost
efciencies have proven to be the ideal
solution for densely populated areas that
have a high demand for year-round air
conditioning.
REFRIGERATION TONNE
One refrigeration tonne is equivalent
to the amount of refrigeration capacity
needed to freeze one tonne of water
at 0 degrees Celsius within 24 hours
(equivalent to 12,000 BTUs).
Roof-top
cooling tower fans give
cooling plants a distinc-
tive appearance.
A chemical dosing
system treats the
circulated water.
3.3kV soft
starters on the
ground floor.
Water is treated
to remove
impurities.
The control room
can monitor all plant
operations.
Chillers reduce
water temperature
to about 4.4 degrees.
DISTRICT COOLING
in the case of the facility MEP Middle East
visited, this network extended to metro
stations 1.5 kilometres away). Units within
each building then use the water to reduce
the temperature of air within the buildings
air conditioning system. The warmer waste
water is then pumped back to the plant,
where it is treated (to remove corrosion-
causing impurities) and re-cooled, to be
used again.
The gains in efciency of this process
are considerable in terms of power use
the difference is 0.9 KW/tonne for district
cooling compared with 1.5 KW/tonne
for conventional air conditioning. Such
energy savings translate into substantial
cost reductions for customers, as well as
consequently reduced CO2 emissions and
higher reliability.
Pumps circulate the water to the cooling towers.
The cooling plant sits behind Dubais Sheikh Zayed Road.
16- 18 APRI L 2013
ADNEC I ABU DHABI I UAE

Source sustainabilityDeIiver protabiIity
Register to attend free of charge at www.ecoConstructexpo.com
Hosted alongside Organised by Principal Sponsor Strategic Partner
SUPPLIER NEWS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
WATER TECHNOLOGY
TMW, a French start-up company specialis-
ing in water technology, has opened an ofce
in the UAE as it prepares to target the Middle
East market with its new generation of desali-
nation and water treatment units.
The technology, which took ten years of
research and development, reproduces the
natural water cycle using low-temperature
evaporation at atmospheric pressure, accord-
ing to the company.
TMW states that the magneto-hydrody-
namic process itself generates 80% of the
thermal energy needed, as the heat produced
during evaporation is used to heat the seawa-
ter to be desalinated.
Thierry Satg, president of TMW Middle
East, said: The UAE is an obvious location
for us for a number of reasons. It provides
access to a potential market of two-billion
inhabitants, which has limited water re-
sources that need to be protected by any
means possible.
The region is also seeing genuine indus-
trial development of which Europe is largely
unaware, while offering a favourable climate
for entrepreneurs and innovation. The move
also brings us closer to all of the neighbour-
ing regions, from the Middle East to Asia.
If you want to be active in a market, you
need to have a presence there everyday
and be accessible to your customers, espe-
cially when theyre ready to put their trust
in you regarding an innovative solution,
Satg added.
TMWs Aquastill module is built entirely
of plastic and is fully resistant to seawater
corrosion and chemical products, which
makes cleaning the module is a simple task,
according to the company.
Its design eliminates moving parts and
does not require any sensitive technology,
such as electronics, pneumatics, membrane
systems, vacuum or compressor systems,
thus minimising maintenance requirements,
the company claims.
Energy management specialist
Schneider Electric has launched
its Energy University Online
learning platform during the
fourth Gulf Intelligence Doha En-
ergy Forum 2013.
Energy University is an online,
educational resource offering
more than 200 vendor-neutral
courses on energy efciency and
data centre topics to help people
identify, implement, and monitor
efciency improvements within
organisations. Courses are self-
paced and available on-demand.
Prospective students can choose
Schneider Electric launches online learning
course to aid drive towards energy efciency
TMW sets up
UAE ofce to
target Middle
East market
Regional prmotion push to
focus on system offering
energy savings of up to 30%
TMW hopes that the opening of its new ofce in the UAE will give its products greater access to an important market.
The region is also seeing genuine industrial development
of which Europe is largely unaware, while offering a
favourable climate for entrepreneurs and innovation.
from two certication opportuni-
ties: Data Centre Associate and
Professional Energy Manager
(PEM). With over 18 endors-
ing organisations, the online
free course is available in 12
global languages including Arabic
and English.
SUPPLIER NEWS
WATER EFFICIENCY
Grohe has signed an MoU with AWQAF
and the Minor Affairs Foundation to use its
range of sanitary ttings at UAEs rst eco-
friendly mosque.
As part of the regional implementation
of Grohes water sustainability project, The
Grohe Green Mosque initiative (across KSA,
Syria and Jordan), the partnership will see
Grohe donate its sustainable ttings to the
Khalifa Al Tajer Mosque in Deira, with the
intention of reducing water consumption in
the mosque.
The mosque is set to feature the latest
green technologies including solar panels
and the recycling and purifying of ablution
water for irrigation and washroom supply.
Grohes self-closing mixers and ushing
systems will provide the mosque with solid
sustainable water solutions, reducing the
excess waste water consumption of the thou-
sands of worshippers.
The UAE is reported to have one of the
highest water consumption rates in the world,
with per capita water usage at 550 litres per
person per day, compared to a global national
average of 250 litres per person.
Tayeb Al Rais, secretary-general at AMAF,
said: With Grohes sustainable technol-
ogy we are looking forward to reducing the
amount of excess water consumption that
many mosques see. Grohes ttings will en-
able the mosque to make considerable water
savings to the benet of both the mosque and
the environment, and we very much look for-
ward to its completion.
Firas Ibrahim, UAE regional manager,
Grohe, added: We are delighted to have
signed this MOU with AWQAF and the Mi-
nor Affairs Foundation.
Together we hope to raise awareness of
water conservation in the UAE whilst imple-
menting practical solutions as part of Grohes
global water conservation initiative Water-
Care. Through our collaboration, we hope to
play our part in reducing the water footprint
of the UAE.
The installation of our advanced faucets
will aid in reducing water consumption and
provide worshippers with easy to use facili-
ties whilst performing ablution.
The Khalifa Al Tajer Mosque will be the
rst eco-friendly mosque in the UAE, and
the largest in Dubai. It is scheduled to be
completed in 2014. It will accommodate
3,500 worshippers and will be constructed
over an area of almost 10,000m .
Grohe to supply products to
UAE eco-friendly mosque
Khalifa Al Tajer mosque
in Deira to benet from
companys range of sanitary
ttings as part of water-
efciency initiative
Biren Patel takes role for hydronics distribution systems company
Mosques throughout the UAE could eventually benet.
Biren Patel, the new MD of TA Hydronics in the region.
APPOINTMENT
TA Hydronics has appointed Biren Patel as
its managing director for Middle East, Africa
and India operations.
Patel has worked with the company since
December 2006 as regional manager and
was instrumental to the company winning
contracts on Burj Khalifa, the Formula 1
racetrack at Yas Island, and Cleveland Clinic
in Abu Dhabi.
I am delighted to be appointed as the
Managing Director for TA Hydronics Middle
East & India operations. Although it an exi-
gent time for our industry, I am certainly op-
timistic of the future outlook in this region,
Patel said.
As the world leader in hydronic balancing
solutions, given the nature of TA Hydron-
ics core business offering, our focus is to
spread the knowledge and expertise using
our in-house technical resources. I believe
that much needs to be done for educating all
concerned entities regarding the potential
benets of correctly balancing, controlling
and pressurizing a chilled water system with
good water quality.
Despite unacceptable temperature re-
gimes, higher energy consumptions, poor
indoor climate as seen on several installed
projects, we do not see emphasis on cor-
rectly designing the distribution chilled
water network.
We look forward bringing a change here
by stepping up to be a solution provider. Un-
doubtedly, the benets will be reaped by all
stake holders due to enhancement in equip-
ment performance, better indoor conditions
and most notably, signicant energy savings
to the end user, he added.
TA Hydronics will also maintain its focus
on developing it human resources under Pa-
tels leadership and believes that recent in-
vestments in an exclusive Hydronic College
Training Centre in Dubai will benet the en-
tire industry.
TA Hydronics appoints new managing director
PRODUCTS
WANT TO FEATURE YOUR PRODUCT HERE? Email: cathal.mcelroy@itp.com
BUYERS
GUIDE
New products come on
to the market at a great
rate. While many shout
about their innovation or
competitive pricing, it can
be difcult to spot the true
merit of a product without
the right information. MEP
offers a few top tips that
are always worth keeping
in mind when purchase
orders are on the way.
TOP TIPS
1. FOCUS
Know what you are looking
for and exactly what you
need it to do
2. RESEARCH
Get suppliers to provide
detailed product
information based on your
specic requirements
3. PRICE VERSUS...
Is price the most important
factor?
4. ...QUALITY
Or will quality matter more
in the long run?
5. IS IT NEEDED?
Is the product something
the project really needs?
Could it be done without or
bought at a later stage?
6. SUSTAINABILITY
Does this product need to
be green?
7. STANDARDS
Does the product need to
conform to any specic
standards?
8. SHIPPING
Will the product make it to
site on time, or is there an
order backlog?
9. LIABILITY
How long will your
company be liable for the
products performance?
10. SORTED
Will this purchasing
decision sort the job or will
it come back to haunt you?
Product focus
MEP Middle East reviews the latest gadgets, essential kit and serious
product innovations making an impact in the GCC construction market.
Let us know if there is something you would like to see on these pages.
VIESSMANN VITOCAL 350-HT
The Vitocal 350-HT delivers outputs of 60 to 100 kW regardless of heat source and
is the only series-produced CO2 heat pump in this output range in Europe. CO2 is
a natural component of air, is present in large amounts and allows especially high
ow temperatures up to 90 C when used as a transfer medium in heat pumps. The
Vitocal 350-HT fulls the requirements of the Associations for Gas and Water in
both Germany (DVGW) and Switzerland (SVGW) for heating domestic hot water
in large systems, making it very suitable for efciently generating affordable hot
water. The above-average spread of the primary input temperatures of -15 C to 37
C means that the Vitocal 350-HT can be operated as both a cold water generator
and for heat recovery.
CYCLO VAC
Over the last 45 years, Cyclo Vacs commitment to research and
development has created high-standard, quality central vacuums
which have revolutionised the industry. Some of the many
advantages of the Cyclo Vac central vacuum system include:
indoor air quality, quietness due to its unique design, efciency
and ease of use. Distributed by Khalifa Saeed Al Gaizi General
Trading, Cyclo Vac central vacuum machines can be used with
a bag or, to save money in the long-run, without. Its patented
carbon dust lter, unique worldwide, captures the ne black
dust produced by the motor, which would normally be deposited
on surfaces surrounding the central vacuum unit. Ideally, the system is installed during the construction
stage, but can also be tted in existing buildings.
COOLEX ROOFTOP PACKAGES
COOLEX Rooftop packages are high-efciency products designed
specically for tropical operation up to 125 F ambient temperature
without tripping and with high performance. They offer low power
consumption (1.4 kW/T.R @ 118.4 F ambient) with easy installation,
advanced microprocessor controller and low noise operations. These are
factory run-tested, produced in an ISO 9001-2000 listed manufacturing
facility, constructed in compliance with ASHRAE 15 safety requirements
and UL listed. Quality and efciency make COOLEX units the preferred
choice for cooling systems in commercial and industrial applications.
COOLEX is the pioneer manufacturer of air conditioning in Kuwait
since 1986, offering high standards, competitive pricing and a wide array of products (Package A/C, Ducted split,
Concealed, Chillers, AHU, Fan coil) covering all Middle East market needs.
www.cyclovac.com
PRODUCTS
SNAP BRIM RIGID SUNSHADE
Given the GCCs hot and sunny climate, construction workers face a number of
health concerns as they do daily battle with the elements. Chief among these is
their sustained exposure to harmful UV rays from the strong desert sun, and the
greatly increased chance of developing skin cancer. The standard hard hat offers
little protection from the sun and these dangerous UV rays. The snap brim rigid
sunshade is designed to offer a consistent shade to the wearer of hard hats,
which can assist in lowering the possibility of sunburn, sunstroke, dehydration,
fatigue and the effects of dust.
SILENT LAG ACOUSTIC LAGGING
This innovative product is now being extensively used to arrest
sound created in drainage pipes upon the ushing of water. Most
consulting engineers are now specifying this product where
reduced sound is a important issue, such as in hotel rooms,
villas and residential apartments. This is a one-shot integral
acoustic lagging material known as Silent Lag. The product comprises
polymeric mass barrier material together with a glass bre quilt on one
side and reinforced aluminium foil on the other side, thus maximizing acoustic
performance. The acoustic performance of Silent Lag has been tested and the STC of
28 db has been achieved. Barrier material shall be a 2.5mm-thick, highly-exible polymeric
sheet incorporating additional mineral lters to increase the products mechanical strength and
durability, with a reinforced aluminium foil on one side. Nominal density of barrier material is 5kg/m
2
. Signicant
levels of sound reduction can be achieved by employing heavy barrier materials, particularly those with essentially
limp characteristics. The introduction of an absorber layer to achieve a sprung mass will further improve the
JOHN GUEST SPEEDFIT
John GuestSpeedt is a push-t solution for all plumbing and heating
systems.Simply inserting a pipe into a tting produces a permanently
leak-proof connection. The ttings can be disconnected with
ease and retted without the need for replacement parts, thus
reducing cost and wastage of pipe and ttings. The low insertion force makes
the product easy to install, while the clean, all-white appearance of pipe and ttings
enhances aesthetics.Speedt ttings are suitable for copper, PEX and polybutylene piping.
The Speedt system has over 25 years guarantee resulting in zero maintenance costs.
BIM Demystied
By Steve Race
BIM Demystied is
a short, practical
introduction to
Building Information
Modelling (BIM).
Addressing BIM
from the point of
view of mainstream
practice as opposed
to a cutting-edge
technological
perspective, it offers
an easy-going yet
thorough explanation
of the subject.
TAKE A LOOK
BIM in
Small-Scale
Sustainable
Design
By Francois Levy
This work is the
leading guide
to architectural
design within a
building information
modelling (BIM)
workow, giving the
practitioner a clear
procedure when
designing climate-
load dominated
buildings. The book
incorporates new
information related
to BIM, integrated
practice, and
sustainable design,
as well information
on how designers
can incorporate the
latest technological
tools available.
GEBERIT SHOWER ELEMENT
With the exible Geberit shower element, the design of the wall drain for
oor-even showers looks clean and well-engineered. The shower elements can
be easily installed in nearly any wall construction, as well as with Geberits
proven dry wall systems, transforming your shower into a private wellness
oasis. Be it in a hotel, private villa or residential apartment, the Geberit
shower drain is the ideal design solution for your shower. The combination of
innovative design and practical technology has been awarded the renowned
international IF product design award.
PRODUCTS
MOBILE
TECH
Mobile devices are
becoming a ubiquitous
tool in many industries.
MEP takes a look at
some of the latest
mobile applications that
may help to make an
engineers working life a
little bit easier
7 TOP APPS
1. ENGINEERING
CALC
This Agilent Technologies
app is pitched at engineers
and students who need a
reference tool for electrical
and RF engineering.
2. CIVIL
ENGINEERING
FORMULATOR
Multieducators
engineering app collects
together 100 important
formulas for engineers.
3. UNIT
CONVERTER PRO
Concrete Softwares
massive conversion tool
helps sort all those mixed
measures.
4. AIR PRESSURE
Gas Liquids Engineering
has created an app to
calculate height above sea
level based on air pressure
measures.
5. POWERONE
SCIENTIFIC
CALCULATOR
PowerOne combines
an algebraic and RPN
calculator with spreadsheet
templates.
6. OHMS LAW
A quick and simple Ohms
Law calculator from
Christopher Pepsen.
7. MECHANICAL
ENGINEER
Another app from
Multieducator that collects
together more than 300
important mechanical
engineering formulas.
VRFI-EPR FIRE DAMPERS
Aldes has developed a new re, smoke and heat damper, VRFI-EPR.
This product is the rst of its kind, and has been designed to suit the new
European requirements for nuclear power plants. According to Aldes, the
VRFI-EPR has passed four major performance tests. It offers
two-hour re-resistance under 1500Pa; the damper will stay open in case
of earthquake. It has been tested for manoeuvrability (ageing resistance):
these tests guarantee the possibility to control the damper without stopping
the ventilation system and without any damage to the damper itself.
TEKLA BIMSIGHT NOTE
Tekla BIMsight Note, available in the Apple App Store, allows users to
contribute to Tekla Open BIM workow via an iOS mobile device.
With this new application, anyone can use an iPhone or iPad to
receive and reply to notes created in Tekla BIMsight. Tekla BIMsight
Note is a free, purpose-built tool for instant communication on-site and
on-the-move. The application connects notes to the full Tekla BIMsight
project. A remark that would previously have stayed in a text message or
had been forgotten after a phone conversation is now attached to the project.
The Tekla BIMsight Note tool leaves a traceable mark to the BIM workow so
information is not missed. Tekla BIMsight maintains the communication trail.
NOVEC 1230 FIRE PROTECTION FLUID
Chemetron engineered systems with Novec 1230 uid work hand-in-hand with
state-of-the-art controls and detection components to detect and extinguish res
long before substantial re damage can occur. Provided by Concorde Corodex
UAE, Chemetron systems safeguard lives, assets and reputations. Our ability
to engineer solutions that meet challenging business and industry applications
is evident in the variety of market sectors served worldwide. Novec 1230 re
protection uid is an environmentally-acceptable, people-compatible clean agent
for vital facilities with a wide range of hazards. Novec 1230 suppresses the re
by removing the heat energy and interrupting the combustion process. With
extinguishment capabilities of ten seconds or less, Novec 1230 re protection
uid has the capability to extinguish res fast and effectively before any
damage is done to your valued assets.
VARIABLE VOLUME DIFFUSER BY TROX
Manufactured by Trox South Africa, the variable volume diffuser is ideal for comfort air-conditioning and industrial
applications, achieving savings through reduced energy consumption. This diffuser is an electronically-operated
unit, incorporating rate-aided proportional air-volume control. It automatically regulates the room temperature,
which is measured by either a sensor at the diffuser, or by a wall-mounted thermostat. According to
the thermal demands in the room, the controller regulates the damper blade by means of
a push/pull actuator and stainless steel spindle until the room temperature
reaches the set point. Onboard heating is optional. Power is provided to the
main diffuser unit only which can then daisy chain link to nine sub
diffusers. All diffusers are supplied with modular sockets that are
used to connect the diffusers via the supplied cables. Flow rates
range from 62 to 420 l/s to cover most applications. Trox Middle
East currently has these diffusers on display in its Dubai-based showroom.
PRODUCTS
7 QUESTIONS
TO ASK
1. If my order
quantities increase,
will I receive a better
price?
2. When will the
order be delivered
to site?
3. Has the product
been used or tested
in the GCC?
4. What guarantees
are in place for the
product?
5. What after-sales
support is available?
6. Will we recieve
any installation
advice or
assistance?
7. Can the product
be customised to
suit our specic
requirements?
TAKE A LOOK
Bim a Lean Tool?:
Use of Lean and
Building Information
Modeling (BIM) in the
Construction Process;
Does BIM make it
Leaner?
By Geetanjali Ningappa
A relatively new tool that
is increasingly getting
popular is BIM, which has
been playing a major role
in reducing construction
waste. More and more
companies are adopting
BIM as an acceptable
waste reduction tool. The
question is is BIM a tool
for leaner construction?
Bim a Lean Tool?:
SILICONE SEALANT
American Dolphin GP silicone sealant is an acetoxy-based sealant system capable of
polymerising at room temperature. The sealant possesses superior long-term weathering
UV and ozone resistance properties.
It is easily applied from caulking cartridges, pails or drums with automated pumping
equipments attached to dispensing lines and collapsible tubes. It offers potential savings
in installation and maintenance labour expenditure. American Dolphin GP Silicone Sealant
adheres to most metal painted surfaces, glass, ceramic, enamel, PVC and other plastics.
The sealant is ideally suited for overhead or sidewall joint application since it does not
ow. It can be used in glazing applications, weather sealing of sheet cladding and curtain
walling, general sealing and assembling, sealing AC systems, draught-proong and more.
TROX TECHNIK - AIR / WATER
COOLING SYSYTEMS - CHILLED BEAMS
TROX have once again identied this need and have adapted
their product portfolio to suit. In addition to the highly successful
passive, active and multi service chilled beam range, they also
offer a beam specically adapted to suit more adverse climates.
The TROX high induction exposed active chilled beam allows
for a lower primary air requirement with increased induction for
maximised cooling performance and optimum comfort levels.This
product provides an aesthetic solution, marked energy savings,
increased comfort conditions, greatly reduced operating cost.
PANASONIC TROPICAL AIR-CONDITIONER
These new air-conditioners run on minimal power with precise temperature
control. By reducing wasteful cooling operations, the inverter series can achieve
up to 30% less energy usage compared to non-inverter units. In addition to energy
savings, the intelligent inverter rechnology also delivers constant comfort with a
wide power output range and quick cooling during the start-up period.
Inverter control in the desert climate is now possible thanks to unique,
innovative technologies. The result is a new dimension in air-conditioning that
lets users enjoys more powerful cooling than ever, a stable room temperature,
and outstanding energy-saving performance. Cooling is possible even when
the outside temperature is 55C, since the new models feature a highly
durable compressor and fan motor to maintain room comfort.
AEROFOAM
A newcomer to the scene, launched in early 2011, Aeorofoam NBR (elastomeric insulation) and
Aerofoam XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene insulation) have since proven to be a
complete solutions package to customers in the HVAC eld. The products are
available in a wide choice of tubes or sheets and self-adhesive, continuous-
length and pre-cut versions as well. The range includes tubes of various levels
of thickness and diameter, with different foil covers for the sheets.
Aerofoam has a high resistance to diffusion of water vapours and low
thermal conductivity. The resistance to diffusion is built up continuously-cell
by cell throughout the entire material thickness.
All Aerofoam products have been tested and cleared according to BS and ASTM standards, as
per industry requirements.
THE LAST WORD
news to report is that over the last
ve years and especially in the last
two years, the code authorities in
the region have made great strides
in standardising and improving
their review and inspection pro-
cesses. This development is greatly
reducing the differences in re and
life safety approaches across the
GCC and standardisation and con-
sistency will soon be the new nor-
mal condition if it has not, already
been achieved.
How capable are current sys-
tems of combating such a res
started by ammable cladding?
Flammable building cladding is a
problem that existing re and life
safety system designs do not ad-
dress and cannot combat. Fire
alarm and re protection systems
monitor and protect the interior of
the structure and are intended to
allow occupants to exit the burning
building and re ghters to extin-
guish the re. The only features
in current re suppression design
that can be utilised to address clad-
ding res are the standpipe and re
hose systems that will be utilised
by re ghters. Local building
codes need to be revised to elimi-
nate the use of ammable cladding
on buildings.
How much of a role does cost
play in the quality of a re
and life safety system? How
can a design maximise safety
while keeping costs as low
as possible?
Fire and life safety codes are pre-
scriptive by nature but many of
them allow for performance-based
or engineered features to be uti-
lised in a projects design if they
produce equal levels of occupant
safety. Some of the codes allow-
ing performance-based design pro-
visions include the International
Building Code (IBC), International
Fire Code (IFC) and National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA)
Codes 1, 101, & 5000. These perfor-
mance-based features can result in
either cost savings or the ability to
implement unique design features.
Performance-based studies can
result in an increase in allowed oc-
cupancy, increase in allowed travel
distances to egress the building in
a re condition, reduce or eliminate
the need for smoke management
systems, reduce the number of ex-
its or egress paths required and/or
reduce physical re barrier require-
ments with the proper application
of active re suppression systems.
The possible features are limited
only by the ability of the design
team and the exibility of the local
code ofcials.
Can you see a time when a zero-
threat re and life safety system
is designed?
Fire is a natural occurrence that
results from human activity. Some-
times it is planned but most times,
at our current stage of develop-
ment, it is accidental. Because of
this random nature, any re and
life safety system capable of a zero-
threat condition would be prohibi-
tively costly to implement.
Kirk Rosenbaum, senior
commissioning manager at KEO
Consultants, on building re and life
safety systems, the latest developments
in the eld, and their limitations
What are the latest develop-
ments in building re and life
safety system design?
Fire and life safety systems continue
to develop as do all building compo-
nents and systems. Recent changes
in re and life safety systems do not
however directly equate to large
improvements in building occupant
safety. The developments mainly
focus on reducing capital cost and
improving exibility, accuracy, and
efciency. With these changes,
building owners are now capable
of installing more robust systems
in new buildings and cost effec-
tively retrotting existing buildings.
This in turn results in improved
occupant safety.
Recent advancements in re
alarm systems include the deploy-
ment of wireless components that
greatly reduce installation cost,
the introduction of smart detec-
tor heads that can be programmed
to eliminate nuisance alarms from
dust, welding or other miscel-
laneous activities, and the use of
Video Image Detection that utilises
cameras and software algorithms
to monitor large areas where other
detection means are inefcient
and unreliable.
Wet re suppression systems
have also had recent advancements.
New systems allowing exible con-
nectors to sprinkler heads and the
approved utilisation of chlorinated
polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pip-
ing have decreased cost and im-
proved the ease of system design
and installation.
How much of a difference ex-
ists between the various GCC
states in their approach to re
and life safety system design?
All countries of the GCC have local
re and life safety codes that are
supplemented by the codes of the
National Fire Protection Associa-
tion (NFPA) Codes, the Internation-
al Building Code (IBC) and/or the
British Standards. These codes of-
fer a great deal of consistency from
country to country and city to city;
however, historically these codes
have not been uniformly applied.
This inconsistency has come into
play at the level of the individual
plan reviewer and individual project
inspector. Even buildings from a
period as recent as ve years ago
within a single city can be found to
have dramatically different re and
life safety systems depending on
the person involved in the approval
and inspection process. The good
Local building
codes need to be
revised to eliminate
the use of
ammable cladding
on buildings.
MAN ON
Fire
See your optimal
Air Distribution solution
come to life in our
ow demonstration studio.
TROX Middle East
Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE
Tel.: +971 4 341 7448
www.trox.ae
info@trox.ae
Amtech has been recognised as the
market leader in building services
software for many years. Our MEP
applications are used by consultants,
contractors and facilities managers
across the globe. Whether you are
specifying building services, creating
a design, responding to a tender,
testing/inspecting or providing asset
maintenance, Amtechs software and
services can help your business do
it more efectively. To fnd out why
the worlds most proftable building
services companies use Amtech visit
www.amtech.co.uk
amtech.co.uk
+44 (0) 800 028 28 28
Market leading software for building services professionals
Mechanical - Electrical - Plumbing
Achieve more with
integrated software
Specifcation writing
Estimating
Design
Financial
Consulting
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Prices and Labour Rates
Asset Data
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H

During the last year,

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