Fresh air solutions for every need: Case studies across the GCC region

Many government and commercial properties across the Middle East have seen the benefits of investing in high-quality ventilation solutions, coupled with good design. Here are a few from around the region…

UAE: CSS CLOUD KITCHEN, DUBAI:

Systemair custom-designs ventilation solutions that enhance a cloud kitchen’s IAQ at the customer’s desired power consumption requirement

Like any professional kitchen, the cloud kitchen under City Storage Systems (CSS) Holding, in Arjan, Dubailand, in Al Barsha South, Dubai, places high emphasis on hygienic operations, high-quality operations, and the health and comfort of its personnel. A cloud kitchen utilises a commercial kitchen for the purpose of preparing food for delivery or takeout, with no dine-in customers. As such, the company demanded ventilation solutions that would meet these requirements.

The critical requirements were for the FAHU, ecology units and make-up fans to modulate as per the kitchen’s operational demand. The ventilation solutions had to consume 22 kW less than standard industrial power standards, and were required to be delivered within the strict project completion time of 4-6 weeks.

To meet these requirements, Systemair engineered its already energy-efficient solutions even further.

To start with, Systemair provided the following:

• FAHU with condensing unit,

• Two customised ecology units,

• 15 K inline duct fans, and

• Six CDRE box fans

Systemair adapted and customtailored the solutions to meet the project’s needs. The new design saw improvements in:

• The geometry of the fins,

• Condenser coil size, and

• PLC control panels for both FAHU and ecology modulation, as per demand in the kitchen hoods

While the FAHU power input was initially 125 kW, the new design reduced this to 111 kW. The modification resulted in an energy savings of 14 kW, supported with PLC controls that modulate according to use.

These custom changes resulted in 11% energy savings.

QATAR: NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORY, DOHA

Systemair delivers an extensive and specialised product range to ensure the most hygienic air quality levels without sacrificing energy-efficient operation

The National Health Laboratory, in Doha, Qatar, embodies the country’s strong focus on actively raising the quality and standards of the healthcare sector in the Middle East region.

Below were critical considerations that contributed to the design:

• Site integration concerning the master plan and climatic conditions,

• Functional distribution to achieve optimum spatial use,

• Outstanding architectural design that gives the building its iconic façade, and

• A comfortable and friendly working environment

The National Health Laboratory was a second-place winner in the ‘Engineering Excellence and Innovation’ category during the 2023 Ashghal Forum, organised by the Qatar Public Works Authority. The laboratory also meets the three-star Global Sustainable Assessment Scheme (GSAS) level. GSAS is the first performance-based system in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, developed for assessing and rating buildings and infrastructure for their sustainability impacts.

The project, led by Focus Design Partners, is one of the first labs in Qatar to use Building Information Modelling (BIM), an issue for which Systemair has a dedicated department available to provide quality models across all product groups.

Several factors made the project especially challenging to meet higher-than-usual standards. The architectural design divides the spaces into departments, depending on the functioning and connection restrictions between laboratories. Being a critical healthcare facility, the project demanded the highest quality ventilation solutions that comply with relevant codes, offer reliable operations and withstand the region’s conditions.

Furthermore, the mechanical engineering design was challenging. Due to the requirement for hazardous exhaust and speciality gas requiring unique piping systems, the building needed denserthan-usual ceiling cavities. This required constant coordination between designers and engineers to avoid clashes and ensure systems routing meets the project’s high design and performance aspirations.

As a result, Systemair supplied the project with the following solutions:

• K in-line duct fans,

• PRF fans,

• AJR jet fans for car park,

• AXC fans for car park,

• Hygienic BA-H Series AHUs,

• BA Series FAHU,

• EX-centrifugal fans (ATEX),

• SBA AHU Filter,

• AHU Filter Boxes, and

• Ducted UV lamps

Systemair had an advantage over other bidders owing to its specialised product range, as the laboratory project had specific requirements for fans for aggressive media. The Systemair team also highlighted the benefits of Eurovent-certified hygienic AHUs to Ashghal and their ability to provide the highest quality indoor climates in an energy-efficient manner.