14 minute read
TALKING POINT
ADDRESSING
the Challenges
Mohamad Abou Laban, CEO of Deyaar Facilities Management, discusses a variety of topics affecting the FM industry regarding employee well-being, breaking into the hospitality sector, establishing a relationship with the developers, and contractual gaps
Mohamad Abou Laban with more than twenty years of experience working in the GCC facilities management industry, Mohamad is a top-performing and result-oriented professional. He is customer-focused with proven success in growing territories and opportunities through utilising comprehensive knowledge of products and over-exceeding goals. Mohamad has a proven track record in implementing international best practices, improving safety standards, increasing profitability and driving efficiency. Consistent performer who identifies areas for improvement and implements robust initiatives to reduce cost, increase productivity, and positioning an organisation for long-term growth. He is the winner of CEO of the Year 2021 by CBNME and FM Executive of the Year 2021 by FM ME Awards. Mohamad was also ranked 8th in the Construction Business News ME Power 30 FM list in 2021.
MANAGING LARGE TASKFORCE: The value of employee well-being by the FM Companies and Clients contracting manpower services For any company the biggest asset is their staff, and it is important that we take care of them. With the recent weekend changes, Deyaar FM decided that our white-collar staff will work a 4 and half day week to increase productivity and motivation of staff. We are already noticing a change in the right direction.
Deyaar FM had its staff accommodation previously located in Jebel Ali. Taking into consideration the location of our existing projects, we decided to shift to a new upgraded accommodation in Al Quoz. We were able to reduce the travel time of our staff from an hour to 15 minutes. This had a huge impact on staff productivity.
Such initiatives are necessary as everybody is raising their standards now, and clients also expect FM companies to provide sufficient welfare provisions for their staff. One of our core values is passion and we have adopted that into our business – this means making the staff feel that they are part of a big family so that they deliver services to our clients with passion. >>>
EXPANDING INTO THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR: How can the FM Industry break into the hospitality sector? Whether it comes to tech and providing core FM Services Deyaar FM first entered the hospitality sector three years ago and now have more than 25 facilities that we provide various services to. The most important point is to understand the challenges each Client is going through and tailor a solution accordingly. The pandemic hit the hospitality sector hard, and it accelerated those problems. This is a sector where the preference was to have their own in-house staff which helps them have a better control on the services being offered. Also, this is a sector where the staff are provided continuous training to develop their skills all the time. Losing a customer in the hospitality sector not only results in loss of revenue on that day but also future business with the same Customer and referrals that he or she may have. The hospitality sector has peak and low seasons of demand, hence by outsourcing, they have the flexibility of having the minimum number of staff during low seasons, ramping up during the peak season and vice versa. In this way, the risk is transferred to the facilities management service provider.
The standards implemented by some of the big FM Companies have helped bridge the gap between a Hotelier’s expectation and what FM Companies can provide. Leading FM companies now have a clear understanding of the service levels required to be successful in this sector.
The pandemic has been a driver to this as most hotels had to go into complete or partial lockdown. For Deyaar FM the hospitality sector is extremely important as we look to expand on our credentials by providing tailor made solutions to each and every Client.
ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP WITH DEVELOPERS ON PROJECTS: How can the FM Industry establish an open line of communication with developers at the beginning of new construction projects It is important for the developer to engage with facilities management consultants during the development stage and the earlier you reach out, better the benefits they reap. From
my knowledge, the bigger developers do engage with FM Consultants on their master plan design review, service charge calculations, the operating model, etc. So, they will look at the design from an operability and maintenance perspective. They can help identify obstacles that may arise when a particular design or system is chosen, make more cost-efficient and practical recommendations aligned with the asset owner’s goals, and preserve its long-term value.
One of the reasons why developers are hesitant to engage FM Consultants at an early stage is that it would incur a cost. However, this could avoid potential risks down the line once the building is operational. This will also help transitioning of management between construction and operational teams and to lay a solid foundation to go with the lifespan of that facility.
CONTRACTUAL GAPS: What are some of the gaps seen by the FM Industry when it comes to contracts and tendering processes? Contracts can be very tricky at times. In most cases, we have seen that the contracts are non-negotiable which puts FM Companies in a difficult spot. Despite a proper explanation of risks from the FM service provider, most Clients do not entertain any comments and are reluctant to change the terms. For example, limitation of liability is an issue, most Clients request unlimited liability irrespective of the value of the Contract. From an FM Company perspective, the liability has to be limited to the Contract. Another example is Termination at Convenience. Irrespective of how good your performance is, this clause can always be applied and the Contract can be terminated which puts the FM Company at risk.
When it comes to Tenders, we have observed for most projects that the submission timelines are very short, and it is a race against time for FM Companies. However, once submitted, there is a lot of delay in decision making. Certain tenders have taken six months or more to be finalized. There should be sufficient time given to FM Companies to do a proper evaluation of the facility and prepare the right solution for services to be rendered.
Some clients engage third party consultants for their tender process to ensure the tender process is effective. Most Clients are familiar with the new trends of output driven contracts. However, we quite often see a combination of input and output driven contracts. At the end every Client wants the service provider to be creative and think outside the box and this happens when you have output driven contracts.
WITH CONSTRUCTION 100% COMPLETE, THE 30-MEGAWATT LOWCARBON POWER PLANT IN SHARJAH IS NOW ENTERING THE TESTING AND COMMISSIONING PHASE, GROWING CLOSER TO SHAPING A ZERO-
WASTE, CLEAN-ENERGY FUTURE IN THE UAE
Construction has been completed on the UAE’s first waste-to-energy plant, with the project now entering the testing and commissioning phase. The Sharjah Waste to Energy plant is the first project of Emirates Waste to Energy, a joint venture established by BEEAH Energy, the renewable energy business of BEEAH Group, and Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies.
Once tested, commissioned and operational, the plant will enable Sharjah to become the Middle East’s first zero-waste city, turning unrecyclable waste into clean energy and increasing the current landfill diversion rate from 76% to 100%. It will also help reduce waste sent to landfill across the UAE, while contributing to the nation’s clean energy resources.
At full operational capacity, the plant will help divert up to 300,000 tonnes of unrecyclable waste away from landfill each year while producing 30 megawatts (MW) of low-carbon electricity, enough to power 28,000 homes in Sharjah. Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, said: “Completion of construction is an important milestone for our Emirates Waste to Energy venture, as we continue to pioneer clean energy innovations in the UAE. We look forward to a successful testing and commissioning phase followed by achieving full operations, which will make Sharjah the Middle East’s first zero-waste city. This will also be a landmark moment as we work towards a zero-waste, clean-energy future for the nation, the region and beyond.”
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar CEO, said: “Masdar is proud to be partnering with BEEAH, leveraging our more than a decade and a half of experience in the clean energy sector to help pioneer the UAE’s first waste-toenergy power plant. With the construction phase of the project now complete, we look forward to harnessing our knowledge in the growing waste-to-energy space to help tackle the global climate challenge through sustainable waste management enabled by clean energy solutions.”
Constructed by France-based industrial contractor CNIM, the plant covers an 80,000 sq. m area and follows EU Best Available Techniques to align with the strictest environmental standards globally. Within the plant, unrecyclable waste is fed into a boiler to produce high-pressure steam, which turns electric turbine generators. Toxins and pollutants are filtered from the flue gas produced during the process. Bottom ash is collected to recover metals and ash material for use in construction and roadwork applications, while fly ash is collected and treated separately.
Adjacent to the waste-to-energy plant is an award-winning waste-management complex operated by BEEAH Recycling, BEEAH Group’s recycling and material recovery business, which has already helped achieve a 76% landfill waste diversion rate in the emirate of Sharjah. Unrecyclable waste from the complex will be transported to the waste-to-energy plant.
“From conception to completion of construction, the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy plant has demonstrated sustainability and innovation by design. Going into the testing and commissioning phase, our goal is to ensure that these fundamentals continue to be upheld,” Al Huraimel said. Speaking about the impact the plant will have on clean energy in the region, the BEEAH Group CEO added: “We are confident that with a successful testing and commissioning period, and once the plant is fully operational, we will also demonstrate how waste-to-energy is an essential innovation to sustaining the circular economy, tackling the challenge of unrecyclable waste, and serving as a more affordable, low-carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuels.”
In addition to diverting 300,000 tonnes of waste away from landfill, the 30 MW plant will displace almost 450,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year and preserve the equivalent of 45 million m3 of natural gas.
The Masdar CEO said: “Through the Emirates Waste to Energy company, Masdar and BEEAH are pioneering a new clean energy innovation for the UAE. With construction complete on our first plant, we will soon demonstrate the efficacy of this innovation and work towards replicating its success in more areas of the UAE and beyond.”
BEEAH and Masdar have begun exploring opportunities for the Emirates Waste to Energy company to open similar plants across the UAE and the wider region. “We are aligned with the national and regional sustainability agendas, as well as the UNSDGs, across our businesses, ventures and partnerships. Our goal is to realise a zero-waste, clean energy future, starting with the UAE, where we are driven by the Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. We believe more such wasteto-energy innovations will be critical in achieving this vision and pioneering a sustainable quality of life for all,” the BEEAH Group CEO said.
Emirates Waste to Energy, BEEAH and Masdar are planning a ceremony to formally open the Sharjah Waste to Energy plant in the near future.
PUMPS: YOUR ANSWER TO SAFER, STRONGER SPACES
BY KEVIN LAIDLER, SALES DIRECTOR, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, ARMSTRONG FLUID TECHNOLOGY
Our building’s function much like a human body – they are complex ecosystems, comprised of diverse subsystems that must work in harmony to create safe and comfortable indoor environments. Just like a heart pumps blood around the human body, HVAC pumps are central to powering the smooth operation of building facilities.
Pumps may remain out of sight, however, they are deeply linked to supporting human life in buildings. They are responsible for the supply and transport of water for heating and cooling throughout a building, helping to create indoor spaces that support occupant health and sustainability.
While they are integral to the seamless operation of a building, pumps and related HVAC systems also account for a significant amount of energy consumption. Currently, building facilities account for an estimated 40% of all energy usage in our cities, and a similar proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. Global energy demands are projected only to rise, predicted to grow by 55% in the next ten years.
In the Middle East in particular, energy consumption has grown faster than GDP since 1980 and continues to rise today. Given the region’s future energy demands, now is the perfect time for countries in the Middle East to adopt solutions that improve energy efficiency, and ultimately to reduce the region’s carbon footprint. This approach also supports wider national strategies for sustainability. The UAE, for example, has outlined a strategy to reduce carbon footprint by 70% by 2050.
Innovative pumping technology can make a true difference when it comes to improving energy efficiency, consequently reducing energy consumption, and saving costs. For HVAC systems, approximately 5% of the lifetime carbon footprint can be traced to the manufacturing of components. The other 95% comes from energy usage during the operating life of the equipment. Evidently, improving performance deficiencies that arise during operation is the key to enhancing energy efficiency.
Furthermore, HVAC and plumbing systems operate highly efficiently when first installed. However, over time, system efficiency ‘drifts’ away from the original levels of performance. This is known as performance drift, which
ultimately leads to energy waste, high operating costs and more greenhouse gas emissions. As performance drift ensues, system performance deteriorates, which may also result in more failures or reduced comfort for occupants.
The key is improving these performance deficiencies by reversing and preventing the loss of energy efficiency. Buildings today often operate below their optimal efficiency because facility managers lack the time or tools to collect, analyze and evaluate data from their cooling system. Without data, or the ability to analyze it, managers cannot properly optimize the systems.
In my experience with Armstrong Fluid Technology, the most significant opportunity to improve a building’s energy efficiency lies in our choice of HVAC and plumbing systems. Selecting the right smart systems is key to creating a high-performing building that better supports sustainability. In the last decade, technology for HVAC systems has been improved, combining high performance with intelligent energy management, to deliver up to 70% energy efficiency savings compared to traditional systems.
For example, variable speed pumps, such as Armstrong Design Envelope Pumps, are an effective solution to optimize system performance. These pumps respond to real-time system “IN MY EXPERIENCE WITH ARMSTRONG FLUID TECHNOLOGY, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE A BUILDING’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY LIES IN OUR CHOICE OF HVAC AND PLUMBING SYSTEMS. SELECTING THE RIGHT SMART SYSTEMS IS KEY TO CREATING A HIGHPERFORMING BUILDING THAT BETTER SUPPORTS SUSTAINABILITY.”
conditions to dynamically adjust equipment operation and match system demand. So the heart of your system now has a brain. The result is highly efficient systems that deliver substantial energy savings and costs compared to conventional fixed speed pumps. These pumps not only reduce the carbon footprint through their lifetime, but also during installation, as the pumps can be mounted in the pipeline, regardless of size, as they do not require the inertia concrete bases.
These smart pumps can be integrated with Active Performance Management systems, like our Pump Manager solution, that enables pump performance to adjust and reduce the impact of performance drift. Innovations such as these enable pumps to operate at optimum levels based on demand to consume as little energy as possible. They also help enable condition-based maintenance, providing real time alerts when they detect issues, allowing for early detection to prevent failures and service disruptions.
The truth is every building has a role to play in supporting sustainable development. HVAC systems account for 35% of total building consumption, revealing the important role they play in the ecosystem of our buildings. The reason building operators may hesitate to upgrade is because more sophisticated systems require investment. However, the returns from using more efficient systems are impressive. Simple payback on energy upgrade projects is typically reached within 3 to 5 years. Furthermore, the energy and carbon savings continue for the life of the system. Properly executed energy upgrades deliver up to 40% savings on energy consumption related to HVAC operation.
If we embrace innovative energy saving solutions in the building services industry, then we can begin to make a difference. Employing systems with the in-built capability to optimise energy efficiency is extremely beneficial for creating indoor spaces that will support occupants and our planet for generations to come.
