SAUDI ARABIA BAHRAIN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES QATAR OMAN KUWAIT
Construction An ITP Business Publication
WEEK
CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM
NOV 14–20, 2009 [296]
NEWS, ANALYSIS, PROJECTS, TENDERS, CLASSIFIEDS, AND JOBS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
INSIDE FACE TO FACE Green experts discuss the challenges of building sustainably PAGE 19
SAUDI SAND
BAN BAHRAIN CONTRACTORS ANGRY AT BEING FORCED TO DREDGE
SITE VISIT CW visits Saudi Arabia’s ‘Smart City’ being built in Riyadh PAGE 24
CABLES Low quality cabling can affect safety on site; CW investigates PAGE 30
CITY FOCUS The latest news, projects and tenders in Dammam, KSA PAGE 46
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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 14-20, 2009 | ISSUE 296 17
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FEATURES 24 SITE VISIT CW discovers the progress behind Riyadh’s “smart city.”
30 SPECIAL REPORT CW investigates how cabling installations affect safety on site.
9
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
21
DIRECTORY 38 SHOWCASE 40 TENDERS 41 PROJECTS 42 SPECIALIST SERVICES 30
REGULARS 2 ONLINE 4 MAIL
23
FRONT 8 SAUDI SAND BAN TO HAVE ECO IMPACT Bahrain’s concrete suppliers have said a new ban on importing sand from Saudi Arabia will force them to increase usage of marine sand.
14 EVENTS Industry dates for your diary.
9 HRW BAHRAIN MINISTRY SLAMMED Human Rights Watch this week criticised Bahrain’s Labour Ministry for ignoring rogue employers who violate labour laws.
11 RAK TO ENCOURAGE INDUSTRY WITH SUPPORT Global Glass Solutions has opened its new 280,000m² processing facility in Ras Al Khaimah.
17 NEWS ANALYSIS Should the government have more control over developers in the region?
19 FACE TO FACE Sustainability experts discuss how much of an impact standards and codes will have on green building in the region.
46 CITY UPDATE 21 COLUMN Philip Adams discusses the need to do only as your contract tells you to do.
12 NEWS IN BRIEF
The latest news and projects from Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
48 DIALOGUE
Highlights of the week.
23 LEGAL
13 NEWS IN PICS
Larry Lin talks about the importance of preparing contemporary records to support claims.
Topical images with the latest news.
BACK
Seismic expert SK Ghosh discusses how earthquake provisions will soon be enforced by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipal Affairs.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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ONLINE
www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com MOST POPULAR THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONTRACTORS SAY NO TO PROPERTY IN LIEU OF PAYMENTS WOODS BAGOT WINS TOP AWARD AT CW AWARDS 2009 BURJ DUBAI OPENING DELAYED MORE REDUNDANCIES EXPECTED SOON
HAVE YOUR SAY
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ALLEGATIONS OF DEVELOPER CORRUPTION? Is enough being done to tackle rogue developers in the region?
IN PICTURES: SITE TOUR: JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES The world is descending on Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 19-22 for the Dubai World Championship. We take a look behind the scenes as Leisurecorp put the finishing touches on the course. For more images visit www.ConstructionWeekOnline.com
JOBS OF THE WEEK Director of A/E Services, Doha,Qatar Supply Chain Manager, Damman, Saudi Arabia Project Director, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
ONLINE POLL HAVE YOU HAD TROUBLE GETTING CLIENTS TO PAY UP?
FEATURES Design
NEW WORK ORDER The cubicle has been banished for good.
80.0% 20.0% 0.0%
We’re having serious difficulty getting clients to pay us for the work we’ve done
We’ve had some delays but cash is still coming through Architect MEP
LOOKING FORWARD Cable-maker Ducab reflects on the health of the infrastructure sector.
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THE HABITAT A theoretical model for dense living by Yahya Jan & Norr Group. Design
FORM SWALLOWS FUNCTION Jeff Roberts casts an eye over Yas Island.
CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
Not at all, we’ve been fairly paid, and paid on time
TO VOTE IN THIS WEEK’S SPOT POLL GO TO www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com
VALERIANO HANDUMON/ITP IMAGES
MAIL that such arrangements are agreed upfront and that it is respected by both parties in good spirit. Further opinions are requested to understand the industry views and there is a need to keep projects progressing until the financial institutions facilitate the credit availability to the real estate industry. ASHOK
RE: HARDSHIP PACKAGES NEEDED FOR TOP TALENT
RE: ARE YOU LEEDING THE INDUSTRY ON? I hope you guys in the Middle East are using Leed 3.0, which recognises regional priority. USGBC addressed some of the issues, but in 3.0, it stressed regional priority. For those who are trying to sell a product or a building or real estate as a sustainable one, at the end, they are just sales people, and most likely they are more interested in their paycheck than the environment. Bottom line, we have to start thinking about what is ‘green’, and I don’t mean a colour or just protecting the birds in the trees. IMAD SAKR
This woman has no clue. Dubai is the best place in the world to work. It has worldclass villas, great schools and lots of malls to go shopping in. Working in Dubai is a privilege, not a hardship, but if we have more, qualified people native to the region working here, it would be much better. You can go on calling this place a hardship Anderson. AHMED
RE: CONSTRUCTION WEEK AWARDS TONIGHT RE: DEMOLITION PROJECTS ENDANGERING PUBLIC HEALTH Every time I drive to Dubai I see a huge dark cloud covering the city when I reach the Jebel Ali area, thanks to mass construction. I fully support Yahya and I am sure people like him need the UAE government’s full support in order to avoid high risk health issues. TAWFIK AL JOUNDI
RE: CONTRACTORS SAY NO TO PROPERTY IN LIEU OF PAYMENTS During present circumstances wherein external financing to projects is scarce and constrained, in fact it is even missing for many projects, options of equity participation by contractors, subcontractors and suppliers represent the best way forward for industry professionals. What is essentially required is
The professional coverage of various aspects of construction activities in the GCC is excellent. The magazine is doing a wonderful job of networking the specialists and organisations in this field, as well. Thanks a lot, Construction Week. P B AHMED MOHIDEEN
Construction Week is doing a wonderful job in promoting professionalism and
optimism in the construction industry, both in the GCC and around the world. I am most impressed, and so honored to have had the opportunity to contribute to a number of articles over the past couple of years. Thank you. SHERIFF HASHEM
RE: HI-RISE FIRE IN SHARJAH A new code requiring additional low installation height emergency egress path markings has just been passed by the ICC. These codes require devices within 18 inches of the floor, ensuring illumination below smoke that blocks ceiling height units within 60 seconds. This is a great move by an industry too slow to take action. ADAM LILIEN
RE: WACKY BANKING + WACKY BUILDINGS I very much agree with Rees’ views. While we as architects and engineers must take some responsibility for our present state of affairs, we are challenged by the perspective of our clients. To date, that usually meant a short-term view to maximise shortterm gain. The development community here has the responsibility and a unique opportunity to create longterm value. The question is, are they up to this challenge? I think that if they consider this issue in the right light they will find this to be less of a burden, but rather a matter of enlightened self interest. CHRIS PAL
WRITE TO THE EDITOR Please address your letters to: Post, Construction Week, PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE or email editor@ConstructionWeekOnline.com. Please provide your full name and address, stating clearly if you do not wish us to print them. Alternatively log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com and air your views on any one of a number of the latest Middle East business articles. The opinions expressed in this section are of particular individuals and are in no way a reflection of the publisher’s views.
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
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FRONT
>HRW slams Bahrain Ministry of Labour
9
>RAK to encourage industry with full support
11
>Highlights of the week
12
>Topical images with the latest news
13
>News analysis: Dubai’s disappearing developers
16
THE HEAD OF BAHRAIN’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTRACTOR’S COMMITTEE SAMIR NASS HAS CRITICISED THE DECISION.
SAUDI SAND BAN TO HAVE ECO IMPACT By Benjamin Millington
Bahrain’s concrete suppliers have said a new ban on importing sand from Saudi Arabia will force them to increase usage of marine sand, a resource known for destroying the underwater environment. The ban, which includes gravel products, was announced by the Saudi government end October and will take effect later this month. It is not known how long the ban will be in effect, but the order was reportedly given, following a ministry report on the negative ecological effects of massive sand and gravel removal. But local ready-mix supplier and head of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce contractor’s committee Samir Nass said the decision will have a flow-on negative impact on Bahrain’s environment.
8
“We try to reduce our reliability on marine sand because of the damaging effect that dredging has on our fisheries and the environment,” he told ConstructionWeekOnline.com. “There is also huge pressure on our aquifers and water sources, which we use for washing this marine sand. “So there are environmental concerns and it costs a lot of money - no one in Bahrain prefers this option but we have no choice.” Nass said key construction industry stakeholders, including the government, contractors and suppliers, held an emergency meeting last week, which decided to increase production of marine sand and import more grit and fine aggregate from the UAE to create a new blend.
CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
“This will of course not compensate for the quality of Saudi sand but it will give us an alternative and a bit of breathing space,” said Nass. “It will also mean using more cement in the ratio to increase the strength of the concrete, as well as costing more in the admixtures to maintain that strength.” Andy Rogers of Bahrain’s Haji Hassan Readymix agreed that a blend of washed marine sand, UAE aggregate and increased cement ratios was currently the best alternative. “We’ll be forced to use marine sand from Bahrain waters because there’s no alternative if you can’t get dune sand,” he said. “It’s not great for concrete and the bottom line is we will be throwing more cement into the mix to maintain the quality.”
FRONT HRW SLAMS BAHRAIN MINISTRY OVER WORKER RIGHTS Human Rights Watch (HRW) this week criticised Bahrain’s Labour Ministry for ignoring rogue employers who violate labour laws and mistreat migrant workers. The international NGO called the ministry to task for letting employers get away with retaining wages and passports, practices which appear to be rampant, said HRW deputy regional director Joe Stork. “Bahrain portrays itself as a regional leader in migrant labour rights, but the government has some way to go before it really earns that reputation. It should start by actually enforcing its own law,” said Stork. HRW made the statement following an investigation by ConstructionWeekOnline.com into the case of Muhammad Naseer, an Indian national who ran away from his Bahraini employer after allegedly not being paid for almost four months. Naseer filed a complaint with the Labour Ministry, which helped him retrieve his withheld passport from the sponsor, but said he would need to take his case to the courts to exact his outstanding wages. Under the current system, an employer can force litigation by refusing the Ministry of Labour’s request to settle. Naseer chose to waive all legal claims against his employer in exchange for his passport.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
By Benjamin Millington
BAHRAIN MUST START TO ENFORCE ITS LABOUR LAWS, SAYS HRW.
Stork claimed the case illustrates that there is no system in place to ensure vulnerable migrant workers can recover their wages, let alone punish abusive employers. “Instead of enforcing the law, as it is authorised to, the government steers workers into an arbitration system that favours employers,” he said. Meanwhile, several other workers for the same sponsor have told HRW and ConstructionWeekOnline.com that they are still owed three months’ wages. It is not known whether the sponsor, Ahmed Al Haddad of Handmade Interior Contracting, was prosecuted for withholding Naseer’s passport.
FRONT YEMEN MIXED USE PROJECT LAUNCHED By Benjamin Millington
MUAMMAR KHALED AL KATHEERI SAYS LEED AND ESTIDAMA ARE A GOOD START BUT MORE IS NEEDED.
RAK WILL “PROVIDE ALL NECESSARY SUPPORT” TO ENCOURAGE INDUSTRY By Matt Warnock Global Glass Solutions (GGS), the designer, manufacturer and distributor of glass products, has opened its new 280,000m²processing facility at the Al Ghail Industrial Park in Ras Al Khaimah. With a capacity for up to 1,000m² of glass per day, the GGS facility will manufacture a range of products for the entire GCC. “The new facility has been built to the highest level of European standards and practices, ensuring that we strictly follow the stringent environmental sustainability specifications of Ras Al Khaimah and that we cater to the quality demands of our customers,” said GGS MD Amer Al Aloul. “We believe that RAK is the perfect location for this ambitious project as the emirate offers the best value in terms of world-class infrastructure, cost-efficiency, government
NEWS IN NUMBERS
The UAE demand for water will rise from
5bnto m³ 7bnin m³ 2020
support and easy access to key transport facilities.” The new GGS facility is located in the Al Ghail Industrial Park and operated by Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA), which has recently been extremely vocal in its support of industry in Al Ghail, and the Al Hamra Industrial Zone and Free Zone. Foreign investors can secure full ownership, tax-free status and duty exemptions while RAKIA offers 100% capital and profit repatriation and easy licensing procedures “RAK is prepared to provide all the necessary support to help GGS capitalise on the excellent growth potential of the glass industry in the region,” said His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who inaugurated the facility which has been designed to accommodate two more factories.
Oman’s Galfar Engineering and Contracting
Q3
profits fell
63.8% from the same period last year
Riyada International Hotels and Resorts Co will build its 12th Ramada hotel in KSA and 3rd in Makkah, when it develops the 700room Ramada Plaza Makkah, set to open in 2011
The Yemeni Prime Minister Dr Ali Mohammad Majawar launched the first phase of construction for a new mixeduse project in the country’s capital Sana’a last week. Majawar led a tour of the site where he officially announced the groundbreaking of the Al Rayyan Hills development. Phase one will commence immediately and include land-leveling work and the building of 172 luxury villas and a residential tower, plus the basic infrastructure. Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) was selected to carry out design and construction of the project. It is being developed by Al Yemania Al Qatariah Real Estate Investment and Development Company, a JV between Qatari Diar and Yemen’s Shibam Holding. Qatari Diar’s DCEO of operations Dr Hassan AlFadala said the project had been designed to specifically suit the ancient city by “taking into account the time-honored architectural tradition of Sana’a.”
The UAE has more than
30
desalination plants with a
1.3 billion m3 annual capacity, supplying
98% of household and industrial water
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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FRONT HIGHLIGHTS UAE
Saudi Arabia
ABU DHABI MALL DESIGN FINISHED The design for the Deerfields Shopping Centre in Abu Dhabi has been completed and, speaking to CW, RMJM design director Kevin McLachlan said it took just five months to complete the blueprint. “I’ve a great team of 15 people and we are really pleased with the results.” The shopping centre forms part of the US $272 million (AED1 billion) Deerfields Town Square, a mixed-use Victorian style development, which has a built up area of around 300,000m2. Construction on the mall – developed by Mubarak and Brother Property and Financial Investments – is set to commence next year.
KSA REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION WORTH US $586BN The value of ongoing and planned projects in Saudi Arabia has been estimated at US $586 billion (SR2.2 trillion). Experts from Naseba, a business information company hosting the Real Estate Investment World Summit in Riyadh last week, said affordable housing would be a key future battleground. “The Saudi real estate market still provides a fertile ground for investment. There is an increasing demand for housing in KSA with investments having returns of no less than 30%. As a result, all eyes are on the biggest economy in the Middle East, monitoring the
steps that will be taken in order to overcome the crisis,” said Naseba group managing director Fabien Faure. Saudi Arabia
MEGA-PROJECT TO SUBMIT TENDER DOCS KSA’s Ras Al Zour utility project tender documents are expected to be submitted to bidders this week, with submission offers expected by the end of Q2 2010. The news follows Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) taking over responsibility for the site in September, after the Saudi government pulled the Ras Al Zour IWPP due to financing problems. “The capacity for Ras Al Zour is 2400MW and 1 million m³ of desalinated water, which covers the
needs of SWCC and Maaden,” said SWCC governor Fehied Al Shareef. Fichtner is the consulting engineer for the project that is expected to cost around 20% to 25% less than the US $6 billion (SR22.5 billion) originally estimated. Bahrain
REDEVELOPMENT OF SHORELINE IMMINENT Bahrain will turn its coasts into a network of public corniches. Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs minister Juma Al Kaabi revealed that at least half of all future coastal developments would be devoted to public beaches and amenities. “Many cities all over the world are improving their waterfronts, making them the most attractive parts of their urban development.”
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FRONT
> For more pictures log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com
NEWS IN PICS LEFT: Dubai Properties Group (DPG) has stated that work on its 2.1m² Remraam community, set within Dubailand, is on schedule with 30% of superstructure works complete. In addition, 36% of the buildings having reached the fourth floor, while infrastructure lies at 70% completion. Work on the dedicated 132KV power substation is also underway. “The Remraam community is steadily taking shape with the realisation of several key construction milestones. The consistent progress on all fronts confirms our commitment to our investors and to the scheduled delivery of this groundbreaking development,” said DPG group CEO Khalid Al Malik. LEFT MIDDLE : The chief executive of UK-based machinery firm JCB has stepped down after 18 months in the role. Matthew Taylor will be replaced by Alan Blake who has occupied various management level positions within the company over the past 20 years. The move has triggered several senior level changes in the company – which includes the appointment of new product and market development managers. The UK has been hit hard by the downturn, which has caused the company to look to new markets, such as the Middle East, where it holds the position as the market leader in backhoe loader sales – a product the firm largely invented.
BELOW: An Australian delegation, including chief minister Jon Stanhope and the consul-general for Dubai, met with members of Tecom and Enpark last week to explore ways in which knowledge about sustainable developing could be shared more easily. “This was an important opportunity for Enpark to exchange ideas and gain a better understanding of the progress achieved by the Australian State with regards to the adoption of new sources of energy, energy and water conservation programs, and the adoption of laws to compel a wiser usage of natural resources in order to better preserve the environment,” said Enpark executive director Ali bin Towaih. Towaih said that he hoped to visit the Australian capital of Canberra soon to witness first-hand the city’s achievements in sustainable development projects. NEMANJA SESLIJA/ITP IMAGES
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
LEFT BELOW: Hot on the heels of the Dubai Metro opening, work has commenced on the Riyadh Metro. An official from the Arriyadh Development Authority, which is developing the project, has claimed that work has begun on both routes. Phase one of the project will see the construction of a 25km route from the northern side of the ring road to the southern side, while the 14km phase two will stretch from east to west. Thirty districts are expected to be covered by the project.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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EVENTS
Event: Build Smart 2009 Overview: Build THIS Smart 2009 will present solutions, WEEK! new technologies and best practice for improving efficiency and productivity during project development. But, the main focus at the event will be the official launch of new association, Building Smart Middle East. It will demonstrate that by establishing standards for the construction industry, Building Smart can facilitate improvements in profitability and sustainability in the region. Building Smart will eventually operate throughout the Middle East, as well as North Africa, as a not-for-profit organisation. Date: November 15-16 Venue: Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi Website: www.itp.net/events/buildsmart Event: Index 2009 Overview: Index is the Middle East’s largest contemporary interiors trade show. Now in its 19th year Index is established as the must-attend annual event for buyers and suppliers of the world’s finest interiors. Date: 14-17 November Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre Phone: +971 4 438 0355 Website: www.indexexhibition.com
Event focus
MEP AWARDS 2009 DATE: 9 DECEMBER VENUE: THE WESTIN, DUBAI PHONE: +971 4 435 6133 EMAIL: ANNIE.CHINOY@ITP.COM WEBSITE: WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE. COM/MEPAWARDS The MEP Awards 2009 provides a platform for the mechanical, electrical plumbing sector in the UAE to recognise its achievements and to acknowledge the latest innovations, technology and processes that have adhered to best-practice standards. The awards also highlight excellence in MEP design and installation. Award categories include project manager of the year, engineer of the year, MEP contractor of the year, technician of the year, most sustainable design of the year and best overall MEP project of the year, among others.
S
Event: CID Awards 2009 Overview: This year’s CID Awards will celebrate the success of the Middle East design industry and demonstrate how the region’s sector can stand alongside its international peers when it comes to ambition, imagination and quality of interior design. Presented by Al Aqili Furnishings, the Commercial Interior Design Awards will pay
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THI tribute to the projects, interior WEEK! design firms and designers making their mark on the Middle East’s industry. Award categories include interior design of the year within the fields of retail, hospitality, leisure, office and the public sector; environmentally sustainable design of the year among others. Date: 15 November Location: Park Hyatt, Dubai Email: annie.chinoy@itp.com Website: www.constructionweekonline. com/cidawards
CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
Event: The Big 5 Overview: Big 5 is the annual meeting place for all industry professionals. Over 58,000 key buyers and decision makers from the public and private sectors attended the 2008 event. Date: November 23-26 Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre Website: www.thebig5exhibition.com Event: The Big 5 PMV Overview: International exhibition for plant, machinery and vehicles. Date: November 23-26 Venue: Dubai International Exhibition Centre Phone: +971 4 332 9029 Website: www.big5pmv.com Event: Construct Libya 2009 Overview: Three-day construction fair Date: November 24-26 Venue: Tripoli International Fair Phone: +218 333 2255 Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Home and Life Style 2010 Date: March 2010 Venue: Oman International Exhibition Centre Phone: +968 24 512 100 Email: oiecoman@omantel.net.om Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition and Symposium 2010 Date: April 4-7, 2010 Venue: Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Centre
Phone: +966 2 654 6384 Email: ace@acexpos.com Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Front Roof and Cladding 2010 Date: March 8-10, 2010 Venue: Expo Centre, Sharjah Website: www.eventseye.com Events: DWRW 2010 Overview: A trade show for doors, windows, roofs and walls, as well as cladding products, machinery and accessories. Date: March 8-10, 2010 Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition and Symposium Date: April 4-7, 2010 Venue: Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Centre Events: Saudi International Windows, Doors, Shutters, and Solar Exhibition 2010. Date: March 11-14, 2010 Venue: Riyadh Exhibition Centre Website: www.eventseye.com Phone: +966 2 654 6384 Events: Buildex Syria 2010 Overview: Building, tourism, construction and real estate expo. Date: May 12-16, 2010 Venue: Damascus International Fairground Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Libya Build 2010 Overview: International building and construction exhibition. Date: May 16-20, 2010 Venue: Tripoli International Fair Phone: +218 2 1333 2255 Website: www.eventseye.com Events: FM Expo 2010 Date: May 18-20, 2010 Venue: Dubai International Exhibition Centre Website: www.eventseye.com Events: Saudi Aircon 2010 Date: May 23-26, 2010 Venue: Riyadh Exhibition Centre Phone: +966 1 454 1448 Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Saudi Build 2010 Date: October 3-6, 2010 Venue: Riyadh Exhibition Centre Website: www.eventseye.com Event: Saudi Stone 2010 Date: October 3-6, 2010 Venue: Riyadh Exhibition Centre Phone: +966 1 454 1448 Website: www.eventseye.com
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> For the latest analysis log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com
ANALYSIS
Developer doubts CW CLEARS UP THE STATUS OF CIRRUS DEVELOPMENTS AND KAIZEN DEVELOPMENTS, AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE CELESTIAL HEIGHTS PROJECT By Matt Warnock
Last week, confusion broke out over the whereabouts of real estate firms Cirrus Developments and Kaizen Developments, which are responsible for millions of dollars worth of developments in Dubai, including Aquarius Gate in the Waterfront area, and Kaizen’s Equinox Residences at Palm Jebel Ali. Websites for the companies were no longer active, while no listed phone numbers could be connected. Cirrus Developments had been developing Celestial Heights – a mixed-use project of three towers, in the Downtown Jebel Ali master development, but the project is now being looked after by a firm called Catalyst Project Consultants. “Cirrus was part of phase one of Celestial Heights, then the owners appointed Catalyst,” Catalyst Project Consultants’ director Israr Ahmed told Construction Week. “Cirrus have downsized and moved offices, but they handed over all work related to the project over a two month period.” Ahmed also said that Catalyst was “not at all” related to Cirrus Developments but it did
have links to Kaizen Developments whose per Law No (8) of 2007 and has complied logo featured on early Celestial Heights with the Law.” marketing materials. Rera did confirm to CW that a company “Kaizen is very much up and running – their by the name of Kaizen One Investment server has been down and Limited was still the Kaizen website should in its database of “THE REAL ESTATE be back up next week,” approved develREGULATORY added Ahmed. opers. The phone AGENCY HAD number that Kaizen Dubai’s Real Estate ReguNO RECORD OF latory Agency (Rera) had no had registered with A DEVELOPER CALLED CIRRUS” record of a developer called Rera, however, now belonged to a general Cirrus Developments. CW eventually managed to reach Cirrus trading company, rather than the developer Developments’ brokerage number where a and the registered website that Rera had receptionist said: “Due to the [financial] crisis, for Kaizen One Investment Limited was we have suspended the brokerage side of www.cirrusdevelopments.com. the business”, going on to insist that, despite Moments before going to press, representanot appearing on Rera’s list of approved tives of Kaizen Developments and Catalyst developers, the development side of the Project Consultants contacted Construction company was still in operation. Week to confirm that the developer was, in According to Rera’s official explanation, fact, still present and operating. developers registering with the regulatory body “The website is being migrated to a new is “a legal requirement to build and develop server and has not been online for that property in the Emirate of Dubai. reason,” read the statement from Kaizen “This means that the company you are Developments’ Fayyaz Hassan. dealing with has met the requirements as “We expect it to be back shortly, together with all our contact details.” In the statement, Kaizen clarified that the Equinox Residences project on The Palm Jebel Ali was currently on hold and that there had been no sales made on the project to date. In April 2008, Cirrus revealed that its Aquarius Gate project was the first at Nakheel Waterfront to receive full technical approval from the Dubai master developer. As recently as January 2009, the company claimed that the US $800 million (AED 3 billion) project was well underway, with 2m -deep excavations completed and 50,000m³ of earth shifted from site, as the first third party developer to break ground there. At the time of going to print, CW had received no comment from Nakheel on the current status of Cirrus Developments’ project in THE AQUARIUS GATE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO BE BUILT IN THE WATERFRONT AREA. Dubai Waterfront.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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FACE-TO-FACE REALISTICALLY GREEN
KATHRYN MAYES
NICHOLAS LANDER
Sustainability manager, Carillion Mena
Senior associate – building physics, Inhabit
HOW FAR CAN COMPANIES GO IN TERMS OF CREATING THE ULTIMATE SUSTAINABLE BUILDING? The ultimate sustainable building is a moving target and it depends on many different aspects, such as the clients’ aspirations, budget, regulatory considerations, the physical external environment and what is required internally for operations. One size does not fit all but lessons can be learned and passed on to continue to raise the bar. It is important to realise the easy wins like air tightness and work collectively with clients to get the most of the opportunity.
The ultimate sustainable building is one that you could build over and over and operate forever without degrading the environment. For example, you can sustain it – you have enough materials to build it and enough energy to run it and you’re not exhausting your reserves to do so. I do believe it is achievable, even with a modern lifestyle. But that’s not always practical, so you need to look at how you can get your best environmental return for a given budget.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE INITIAL COST OF GREEN BUILDING IS EXPENSIVE? There are many areas that can be tackled without extra cost. However, people need to take a long-term view and costs may need to be invested up front to make long-term savings. When it comes to buildings, only 10% to 15% of cost accounts for the construction of the facility. Anyone can make something expensive but it is about using relevant technologies and practises and building on past successes and challenges.
Green design is about integration of different disciplines and getting the best environmental value for a given investment. So it’s possible to get a really good result with an extra investment at the start of the project, and not much, if any, additional cash. You can now go beyond the basics and spend a little more on a building to improve its environmental performance, but this is really a matter of good design rather than anything extraordinary.
HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT DO YOU THINK STANDARDS AND CODES HAVE ON SUSTAINABILITY IN THE REGION? It has already had an impact with raising awareness and has got people talking, which is a good thing. As a company, we already complete environmental management and waste management plans, which tackle some of the issues raised in rating systems.
I think both these will raise the bar on construction and give a really good result. The challenge for the best developers and designers will be to take one step further than code in order to stand out. I think these higher standards will spread to other cities and I know several of them are working on their own codes.
WHICH GCC COUNTRY IS LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING? Abu Dhabi has taken on a large role to progress sustainability with Estidama and Masdar City. Dubai, with the new green building regulations and the development of the metro, shows vision and commitment. What is important is to work collaboratively and share successes and challenges to shorten this cycle and enable the rewards to be developed collectively for the region.
I think all the GCC countries have some really great examples of construction that respects its environment and its users, from construction practices that protect nesting turtles in Oman, to some really innovative double façades in Bahrain and Saudi. On balance, though, you can’t go past Masdar, and what they’re trying to do there.
HOW DOES THE MIDDLE EAST COMPARE TO EUROPE AND THE US IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING? One of the biggest triggers in Europe was the creation of legislation. Once this was in place and enforcement could be seen, companies had no choice than to deal with the changes. Legislation in the region is developing but I believe, to make this work more effectively, collaboration is the key to success. The government needs to have open dialogue.
Europe and the US have a much longer tradition of trying to reduce the environmental footprint of buildings. But, they also have millions of non-green buildings compared to just a few tens of thousands of green-certified ones. In the GCC, though, the environment forces us to look at innovative solutions and the uptake in green building certification has been huge.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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COMMENT > For the latest news and comments log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/comment
Design responsibility – do as you are told, no more no less! PHILIP ADAMS DISCUSSES THE NEED TO DO ONLY AS YOUR CONTRACT TELLS YOU TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGN
In the UK there is a paint manufacturer who promotes its product with the slogan ‘it does exactly what it says on the tin’ and I am reminded of this slogan whenever the issue of design responsibility arises, which it does with frustrating regularity. On projects where design responsibility is shared between engineer and contractor, it is common for the contract to describe the contractors design obligations using terms like ‘design to the extent provided or described or specified in the contract.’ Therefore, by implication, the engineer retains responsibility for the design except to the extent provided, or described, or specified in the contract. This seems reasonably clear so far, but what about the interface between elements designed by the engineer and those designed by the contractor? The contractor is obliged to design exactly what the contract says he is to design, no more and no less, and the engineer designs the rest. Therefore, if the contract does not provide, describe or specify that the contractor is to design a particular interface, then the design of that interface remains the responsibility of the engineer. However, this position can be complicated when considering those other great sources of disagreement and difference – coordination and integration. From my experience and whether by accident or design (excuse the pun); engineers, contractors and subcontractors consistently become confused by these terms, and whether and to what extent this involves coordinating or integrating the design. Again my advice is, do only what the contract tells you to do. Where there exists conflicting interpretations and opinions with respect to design obligations, a useful tip is to go back to basics. For example, consider the dictionary definition of the verb ‘coordinate’ ie. ‘to set in order, arrange’; and ‘integrate’ ie. ‘to unite or combine’. If a contractor then applies
these meanings to the contract definition of the term ‘works’ and any specified areas of design responsibility, he can begin to gain some clarity with respect to exactly what his contractual design coordination or integration obligations entail. If a contract does not provide, describe or specify any design responsibility then any reference to ‘coordination’ or ‘integration’ will be limited to arranging or combining the various entities or trades that make up the works ie. works coordination. Alternatively, if the contract does specify some design responsibility then in addition to his works coordination obligations, a contractor will be responsible to arrange or combine the design of those specified elements. Contractors should pay particular attention to any words which impose a coordination obligation with respect to contractors shop drawings. For example, a contract that requires the contractor to coordinate his shop drawings with other contractors, may impose some element of design coordination responsibility. Finally, any comments from the engineer on shop drawings submitted for approval should also be treated with caution. In response to the comment and in an effort to progress the works, a contractor may inadvertently prepare what is effectively a design solution and thereby be held responsible for the design, even if the contract imposes no design obligation (NB - this should also be treated as a variation). It should be remembered that Article 880 of the civil code imposes a ten year strict liability for design. In conclusion, to all you contractors and subcontractors out there, do exactly what it says in the contract. To all you engineers and employers, identify all design interfaces and ensure that the contract clearly allocates responsibility, preferably to the party best able to deal with it.
“IDENTIFY ALL DESIGN INTERFACES AND ENSURE THAT THE CONTRACT CLEARLY ALLOCATES RESPONSIBILITY, PREFERABLY TO THE PARTY BEST ABLE TO DEAL WITH IT”
Adams is a senior consultant at Systech in Dubai. He has provided commercial, contractual and dispute resolution advice on projects ranging from high specification offices, data centres and long distance fibre optic networks to major civil engineering projects, multi-storey offices and hotels. He is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a fellow at the Chartered Institute of Arbitration.
The opinions expressed in this column are of the author and not of the publisher.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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LEGAL > For more legal advice log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/comment
Setting the record straight LARRY LIN DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARING CONTEMPORARY RECORDS TO SUPPORT CLAIMS
Is it possible to avoid claims in a construction contract? In reality, no. However, there may be a contract whereby the contractor does not make any claims and so such a contract can be finalised without any claims. Claims can originate from many different areas under a contract. They are generally for additional payment or additional time to complete. In all cases, the contractor is obliged to notify the engineer/employer that a claim is being made and thereafter the contractor has to submit contemporary records to substantiate the claim further. For example, in the Fidic Red Book, Clause 20.1 – Contractor’s Claims, states that after notifying the engineer of a claim, the contractor shall keep such contemporary records as they may be necessary to substantiate any claim. The engineer may monitor the record keeping and/or instruct the contractor to keep further contemporary records. But what does ‘contemporary records’ mean? The word ‘contemporary’ is defined as ‘living or occurring at the same time’ in the Oxford English Reference Dictionary. Accordingly, it can be implied that ‘contemporary records’ are records that occur at the same time when any event or circumstance gives rise to a claim. While there have been many cases of claims being contested and terms of contract being interpreted in courts, it is surprising to learn that the term ‘contemporary records’ has not been reviewed in any English courts. However, in the Falklands, these two words were being considered by the Supreme Court of the Falkland Islands, in the case of Attorney General for the Falkland Islands v Gordon Forbes Construction. The case was brought by the Attorney General, who made an application for a point of law to be determined under an arbitral action. Essentially, there was a dispute concerning a construction contract between the government and the contractor over an infrastructure project in the Falklands. In accordance with clause 53.2 of the Fidic 4th edition, it requires the contrac-
tor “shall keep such contemporary records as may reasonably be necessary to support any claim. Without necessarily admitting the employer’s liability, the engineer shall inspect such contemporary records and may instruct the contractor to keep any further contemporary records as are reasonable and may be material to the claim of which notice has been given.” The proper interpretation of the terms ‘contemporary records’ in clause 53.2 became an issue during the arbitral proceedings. As the contractor was unable to provide the contemporary records to support his claim, the contractor submitted that in order to “fill the gaps”, witness statements were to be introduced as evidence. The Attorney General disputed such argument and requested the arbitrator to rule against the admittance of such witness statements in lieu of contemporary records. Feeling uncomfortably to rule on such issue, the arbitrator gave leave to the Attorney General, under section 45 of the Arbitration Act 1996, to apply to the court for a ruling. Giving judgment to the applicant, acting judge Sanders held that: “Contemporary records meant original or primary documents, produced or prepared at or about the time giving rise to the claim, whether by or for the contractor or employer. ‘Contemporary records’ does not mean witness statements produced after the time giving rise to the claim where such statements cannot be considered to be original or primary documents prepared at or about the time giving rise to the claim. Where there is no contemporary record to support a claim, that claim fails. A witness statement cannot supplement, or be a substitute for, incomplete contemporary records. Thus, such ruling would serve as a useful reminder for both clients and contractors to prepare ‘contemporary records’ at the right time and not to leave the preparation until there is no substitution.
“WHERE THERE IS NO CONTEMPORARY RECORD TO SUPPORT A CLAIM, THAT CLAIM FAILS. A WITNESS STATEMENT CANNOT SUPPLEMENT INCOMPLETE CONTEMPORARY RECORDS”
Larry Lin is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors with 24 years of experience mainly in civil engineering. He has practiced quantity surveying in the Far East and for the last 4 years, in the Middle East and is currently a consultant QS in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Lin also holds an LLM in construction law and arbitration and LLB from UK and Australia. He has completed the academic stage of the graduate diploma of legal practice with the College of Law, Sydney that will eventually lead to his being admitted as a legal practitioner in NSW, Australia.
The opinions expressed in this column are of the author and not of the publisher.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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I TCC : SAU D I ’S S M A RT C I T Y IN TWO AND A HALF YEARS SAUDI ARABIA’S CAPITAL RIYADH WILL BURST INTO THE CYBER-CENTURY AND BEYOND WITH THE COMPLETION OF ITS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS COMPLEX (ITCC), THE KINGDOM’S FIRST “SMART CITY” By Benjamin Millington; Photos by George Dipin
I
n order to attract the world’s leading Information Technology and Communications (ITC) companies to a place like Saudi Arabia, you need to offer the world’s best ITC services and infrastructure this is the concept behind the Kingdom’s new US $1.65 billion (SR6.5 billion) ITCC development. The project is being developed by Rayadah Investment Company, the investment arm of the government’s Public Pensions Agency (PPA), which is also developing the $10 billion King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh.
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As with KAFD, ITCC aims to generate income to support the PPA’s social security network, as well as achieve the broader
CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
1.6 MILLION M³ OF EARTH WAS EXCAVATED FROM THE CENTRAL AREA FOR UNDERGROUND PARKING
goal of stimulating new jobs and industry to improve Saudi Arabia’s social future. Currently, the Kingdom’s ITC sector is disjointed, lacks sufficient infrastructure and faces numerous challenges and limitations with its internet service providers. ITTC will change that. Included in the project’s 776,000m² will be administration buildings for ITC companies, technical business centres, buildings for research, training and development and software production companies. There will also be support buildings such as hotels, restaurants, a convention centre, residential apartments, a technical college and government service buildings.
FACTS OF INTEREST • The total cost is around US $1.65 billion (SR6.5 billion) • The entire site will achieve at least the basic Leed environmental certification • The four towers will be covered by a golden perforated aluminium sheeting 1.4m away from the curtain wall which will reflect up to 60% of the solar gain • Each of the 4mx2m panels holding the aluminium sheets will have individual lights which will illuminate the towers in various changing patterns at night • ITTC’s data centre will be rated tier four, the highest rating possible which allows virtually zero downtime • There will be an average of one parking space per 25m
LEFT: AN AVERAGE OF 25,000-30,000 TONNES OF EARTH IS BEING EXCAVATED FROM THE SITE PER DAY. TOP: EL SEIF ENGINEERING COMPLETED THE FIRST PHASE OF INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS IN AUGUST. ABOVE: A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF WHAT THE ITCC WILL LOOK LIKE, UPON COMPLETION IN MID 2012.
When commissioned in mid-2012 it’s expected ITCC will make Riyadh a regional hub for ITC services, education, research and innovation.
CONSTRUCTION The master plan for ITCC was designed by a joint venture between local consultants Zuhair Fayez and Singapore’s Jurong International. Zuhair Fayez then carried on with the detailed design of infrastructure and substructures. In April 2008 Rayadah awarded a $65 million contract to local contractor El Seif Engineering for construction of infrastructure for the 487,000m² of the development.
The contract included a sewage treatment plant and a concrete-encased optic fibre cable network and was completed in August. Meanwhile, mobilisation and excavation works for the superstructures began in July following the award of three more contracts for phase one of construction. The main package went to Al Rajhi Projects for construction of ITCC’s central area, which includes four 20-storey towers - the projects main architectural feature. The contract also includes construction of two research and development buildings, two business technology incubator buildings, a sports club and a clinic.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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“THE CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT ARE RELATIVELY STRAIGHT FORWARD; DESIGNING AND INTEGRATING THE ITC NETWORKS OFFERS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE”
ITCC INCLUDES A VAST NETWORK OF OPTIC FIBRE CABLE ENCASED IN CONCRETE FOR PROTECTION.
ITCC – PROJECT DATA SHEET: CLIENT
Rayadah Investment Company (Public Pension Agency)
MASTER PLANNERS
Zuhair Fayez and Jurong International joint venture
MAIN CONSULTANT
Zuhair Fayez
SUPER-STRUCTURE CONTRACTORS
Al Rajhi Projects, Construction Contracting Enterprises, A Yamama Company
INFRA CONTRACTOR
El Seif Engineering
IT CONSULTANTS
Orange
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
The second contract, valued at $150 million, was awarded to Construction Contracting Enterprises to build a 326 room Crown Plaza hotel and a 5000m² convention centre. The third contract, worth $50 million, was awarded to Al Yamama Company for the construction of a residential complex including apartments, villas and recreational areas. All three contracts are due for completion in 30 months. ITCC project director Mohammed Alsabek says construction is progressing as per schedule and few hiccups are expected. “The time frame for this project is satisfactory; with hard work and good coordination we should be able to achieve the completion dates,” he says. Alsabek says excavation work for the superstructures is ongoing and isn’t expected to be complete until the end of the year. He says a staggering 1.6 million m³ of earth must be removed from the central area alone to accommodate ITCC’s extensive parking facilities. “For this development to be successful we wanted to provide enough parking for every tenant,” he said. “So under each of the four towers there will be five basement floors of parking, a total of 22m deep, while under the research and development building there will be two levels and under the hotel and conference centre there will be three levels. “If we don’t have proper parking it will be difficult to market the development properly, so overall we have worked out a design with 1 park per 25m², which is quite a lot.” Alsabek said there are still several other elements within the project that are yet to start construction including a 35-tonne district cooling plant. He said tenders will roll out over the coming months. Meanwhile, phase two of construction, which includes 18 buildings and
MOHAMMED ALSABEK SAYS EXCAVATION WORKS FOR SUPER-STRUCTURES IS ONGOING.
the second infrastructure package, is currently under design and tenders will be open to bidders during the course of next year.
ENVIRONMENT While the focus of the project is certainly on the technology aspects, ITCC will also be up to scratch on its environmental credentials
For our projects in the Middle East we are looking for a
according to systems project director Abdul Muhsin Al Bakr. Bakr says all buildings in ITCC will achieve at least the basic Leed environmental certification through the use of grey water recycling, low energy lighting, low energy air conditioning and most of all – reduction in solar gain. A key feature of the ITCC’s four central towers will be the unique external cladding designed to reflect the sun’s rays. “About 1.4m away from the curtain wall is a golden sheet covering the entire building,” Baker describes. “The sheet is aluminium shined to gold and is perforated which means you can see out of the building but you can’t see the glass from the outside. “The purpose of this cladding is not only for aesthetics but also energy savings as it reflects UV rays and up to 60% of the solar gain.” The aluminum sheets will be held in 4mx2m diamond-shaped panels that will have individual lights which will illuminate
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the towers in various changing patterns at night, he added.
SMART CITY The concept of the “smart city” can be loosely defined as a place which offers widespread broadband services, the latest in voice and video communication platforms and highlevel data security. All of this should be operated on a huge optic-fibre cable network designed to give the fastest speeds and accommodate next generation technologies for years to come. Silicon Valley in the US was one of the first cities specifically designed around the needs of ITC companies. In this region, Dubai Internet City in the UAE is one development, which boasts the smart city tag while India’s Smart City Kochi and Smart City Malta are currently under development. As the world catches onto the economic and social benefits to be gained from a thriving ITC sector, Rayadah’s lead ITC engineer Khalid Al Arfaj says ITCC will ensure Saudi Arabia is not left behind. “We benchmark ITCC with the best hightech smart cities in the world,” he says. “If a company comes to us with a specific need there is no doubt that we will be able
THE OPTIC FIBRE CABLE IS ENCLOSED IN A HIGH STRENGTH CORRUGATED PLASTIC PIPE BEFORE BEING ENCASED IN CONCRETE TO ENSURE ITS LONGEVITY.
to do it. It’s a flexible design, which will suit both Saudi and multi-national companies. “We have no boundaries, the sky is the limit.” Rayadah commissioned international ITC consultants Orange to design all of
“WE BENCHMARK ITCC WITH THE BEST HIGHTECH SMART CITIES IN THE WORLD”
its networks and solutions. Meanwhile the company has already signed MOUs with several leading ITC companies who want to be involved in the project, including Microsoft, Cisco and Cantel. “One of the biggest attractions for these companies is the fact that we will own and operate the infrastructure and ensure the highest quality is delivered to the tenant,” says Al Arfaj. “If you search around you are not going to find a space like this for ITC companies, basically there is nowhere in KSA that can provide all the services that an ITC company needs in one place.” Al Arfaj says he expects only ITC related companies to operate within ITCC. It’s expected that the project’s 22,000m² technical college will help to feed the ITCC with trained professionals and create new jobs. The facility will act as a high-class ITC college and link in with the project’s research and development facility.
60% OF SOLAR GAIN WILL BE REFLECTED BY THE GOLD EXTERNAL CLADDING ON THE TOWERS THE FOUR 20-STOREY TOWERS WE BE THE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE OF THE PROJECT.
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
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CABLE SAFETY HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE VITAL ISSUES ACROSS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE REGION, WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE BUILD PROCESS NOW UNDER SCRUTINY TO ENSURE RISKS ARE MINIMISED. CONSTRUCTION WEEK INVESTIGATES HOW CABLING INSTALLATIONS AFFECT SAFETY ON SITE AND HOW MANUFACTURERS ARE PLAYING THEIR PART IN TACKLING THE ISSUES By Alison Luke
O
ften overlooked as a standard fit-andforget part of a construction project, the cabling installation actually requires some careful input if this is to be true. Ensuring that the correct design, specification and installation of cables are applied are all vital elements of a safe, long-life system. And, this means that every aspect of the cabling installation – from the manufacturing process to the commissioning – must be considered in detail. But there are also risks involved in the installation process of which contractors should be aware. “[In terms of health and safety] there are two sides to this with cables: during installation and during use,” states British Approvals Service for Cables (Basec) chief executive Jeremy Hodge. For contractors and clients these can have very different implications.
ENSURING SAFETY ON SITE There are three main areas of risk for installers on large projects in particular: the physical movement of heavy materials; handling of cable in high-rise buildings; and the existence of live services. “In terms of health and safety, when putting cables in, there are rarely any serious accidents; it tends to be done towards the end of the job and is a relatively safe exercise,” reports Hodge. “The biggest risk comes with the use of heavy equipment for moving the big drums of cable around the site,” Hodge adds. In recognition of this factor, a new British Standard (BS 8512) was published in early 2009 giving advice on the safe movement of cable drums. As with other international standards, BS 8512 can be applied in the Middle East as per the contractor or client’s specifications.
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
KHALED TERMANINI/ITP IMAGES
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As cabling is often installed once, much of the civil construction is complete and often in phases, ensuring that records of the work are kept up to date and properly recorded, is vital from a safety aspect. “There can be damages or even dangers from other services, such as live cables, water lines, fibre optic cables etc while laying new cables,” explains Ducab managing director Andrew Shaw. “You have the problem of other safety issues associated with cables, such as cutting through them and getting an electric shock,” adds Hodge. “Because of this the proper control of power circuitry on construction sites is important ie. people need to know what cables are live, at all times.” Such information should be continually updated as part of the project management job and provided to all firms operating on the site. The third risk, that of installation in highrise buildings, can also be counteracted by a thorough health and safety policy and management on site. “There is a fall risk in [service] shafts when cleating cable to the walls,” explains Hodge. By ensuring that operatives follow strict safety guidelines, work from the correct surfaces and wear harnesses as needed when working at height, the risk of such tasks can be minimised.
POST-BUILD SAFETY After installation, there are several potential issues that could occur if safety has not been considered during the design and build period. More important, however, is that the cables be correctly specified, procured and installed. “Cables are generally fit-and-forget items, the only time when you would have cause to worry is when the quality of the cable is not good or there has been a design problem and the cable is under-sized, which may cause failure,” states Hodge. “Electrical fires, over-heating, short-circuits or electrical disruptions [could occur] due to incorrect selection of cables for the application or poor quality of cable materials such as insulation,” explains Shaw. The principal danger with cabling installations is fire. “Approximately 20% of all fires are caused by electrical installations and a significant percentage of these are the result of faulty electrical cables,” reports Graeme
BRITISH APPROVALS SERVICE FOR CABLES CHIEF EXECUTIVE JEREMY HODGE.
“YOU HAVE THE PROBLEM OF SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH CABLES, SUCH AS CUTTING THROUGH THEM” Aittis, general manager of AEI Cables’ Dubai office. The effects of any fire increases dramatically if the cables selected and installed are not suitable for the task. “Should a fire occur, the use of materials not appropriate to the application may result in dense smoke being emitted,” explains Shaw. “This can cause suffocation and/or poor visibility that may lead to life losses,” he stresses. The increasing selection of products manufactured from low smoke and fume materials is reducing this risk and most of the major cable manufacturers offer such ranges. There is a second area to consider in terms of reducing fire risk. Hodge explains: “At every floor you should make sure that the ducts are filled with appropriate fire-stopping materials to prevent the spread of smoke and fire between floors.” Again, appropriate materials and products are now available on the market to ensure that full fire breaks can be successfully achieved.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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DMITRY DOLZHANSKIY/ITP IMAGES
GETTING THE SYSTEM DESIGN RIGHT
DUCUB MANAGING DIRECTOR ANDREW SHAW.
“THERE CAN BE DANGERS FROM SERVICES, SUCH AS LIVE CABLES AND FIBRE OPTIC CABLES WHILE LAYING NEW CABLES”
Designing a suitable cabling system for a project and ensuring that the correct cables and associated products are specified can be done successfully by following internationally approved standards. There are numerous related standards in existence and these should be selected according to the application. Also important is that the standards selected by the design team should be applied across the entire project. “It’s important that specifiers state the whole construction standard [being worked to] and that designers specify the right cables for the job,” stresses Hodge. Cables should be both manufactured and installed according to British and international standards, stresses Shaw. The major manufacturers offer various help to ensure that contractors can accurately follow these standards and ensure a quality final system. “Ducab provides a special catalogue for installation practices such as the minimum bending radius and maximum pulling tensions that should be adhered to,” explains Shaw. The firm also offers technical support including cable selection and has a dedicated technical service department and jointer academy that offers training for engineers, supervisors and site operatives.
DUCAB TAKES SAFETY SERIOUSLY.
AEI also offers a bespoke design service in order to ensure the specific requirements of each individual project and each cable used is fit for purpose to provide a quality and safe electrical installation. The firm has supplied products to several high-profile developments in the region including the Masdar Project. For Masdar it is providing Firetec armoured and Firetec standard cables to ensure continuity of power for the fire alarm and detection systems.
SAFE HANDLING ON SITE Published in March 2008, the British Standard BS 8512 is a code of practice for the storage, handling, installation and disposal of cables on wooden drums. The standard is aimed at increasing the health and safety of operatives who are responsible for the installation of cables on site. It is also intended to reduce the overall potential health and safety risks posed by the use of large cable drums for the delivery of electric cables. The standard outlines recommendations for the outdoor storage and safe handling of cables up to 300V that are packaged on wooden drums.
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
KHALED TERMANINI/ITP IMAGES
Specifying cables to meet the demand of the project is only the first step in creating a safe and quality installation. The next step is to ensure that the cables specified are properly procured. “The use of sub-standard cable products to cut costs is a major issue, and the potential impact this has on health and safety is a concern,” warns Aittis. “We are aware that there are plain substandard cables with less copper etc coming in from China, but there are also counterfeit cables being made,” warns Hodge. “The most worrying thing we have found in the UAE is counterfeit fire performance cable being used for alarm systems. On first inspection this looks the same as it should, but all the components and materials are wrong. When tested, this cable failed within three minutes,” Hodge reports. The ongoing economic downturn has played its part in this issue as firms seek to cut costs. “In the current economic climate, there is a greater chance for unsafe noncompliant products to be available in the
LOUIS DILLON SAVAGE/ITP IMAGES
ENSURING QUALITY
marketplace,” warns Aittis. “The low demand in the market due to fact that a number of projects have been cancelled or are on hold has resulted in customers seeking cost-cutting approaches to complete projects,” adds Shaw. “This cost saving approach leads to a compromise on product quality and
“IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE, THERE IS A GREATER CHANCE FOR UNSAFE NONCOMPLIANT PRODUCTS” if customers use substandard products it can lead to fire risks and downtime caused by cable failures,” he warns. In order to avoid such problems, contractors should always procure cables from reputable sources and ask for certification of their manufacture to internationally approved standards. “Contractors should be vigilant and ensure that they select manufacturers they know and trust,” stresses Aittis.
AEI CABLES GENERAL MANAGER GRAEME AITTIS.
THANOS LAZOPOULOS/ITP IMAGES
INSTALLING CABLES COMES WITH ITS DANGERS.
“It is important to look at certification from a third-party approval scheme to further ensure that the cable manufacturer is consistently manufacturing to the highest standard,” adds Aittis. “If it’s a reputable brand and traceable to the sources then it’s okay,” agrees Hodge. There are a number of steps that clients can take to ensure that the procured cable is what it is claimed to be. Firstly, cable should be specified with respect to a specific British Standard, which should be adopted
into the project and communicated to those involved, including the contractor responsible for the installation. The requisition should clearly state the standard and require third party approval; it should also specify a brand name from a manufacturer that is recognised as a reputable company. “Where fire performance is paramount, a proper risk assessment should be conducted and the appropriate cable standard and code of practice applied accordingly,” adds Aittis. “On receipt of cable, it should be inspected for the appropriate markings and the size of the cores should be checked to ensure that the cable is fully compliant. This is an area where non-compliant cable manufacturers frequently cut costs given the high cost of raw materials,” reports Aittis. “It is also an area that has the greatest impact on cable safety.” If there is any doubt over the compliance or suitability of the cable for the application, an internet checks can be made via a third-party approval service.
Major cables firms apply strict procedures throughout the manufacturing process in order to ensure final quality of system build. “There is a stringent approval procedure for the selection of raw material suppliers that includes site visits, trials and audits,” explains Shaw. “There is also 100% testing of the final products,” he assures. AEI Cables products also meet the highest accreditation standards from Basec and the LPCB. In some cases the recession has begun to act as a positive factor. “We are generally finding that people are spending more time checking on quality recently,” reports Hodge. “As the workload has gone down, checking has gone up as people have more time to do so. On the projects that are going ahead, firms want to make sure they progress without any hiccups,” he adds. In order to ensure the final system has a high quality, specifiers should insist that thorough checks should be seen through to commissioning and inspection level, concludes Aittis.
CABLING FIRMS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AEI UK-based AEI Cables has been manufacturing a wide range of cables for 170 years, its products being available in many countries worldwide. The firm opened a Middle East office in Dubai in early 2009. The office is intended to help provide support for AEI’s customers in the region. www.aeicables.co.uk
DOW WIRE & CABLE Dow Wire & Cable is a is a leading global provider of plastics-enhanced materials, technology solutions and expertise for wires and cables essential to the transmission, distribution and consumption of power, voice and data. The firm offers a range of products including power and flame retardant cable options. www.dow.com/imea/me
DUCAB Established in 1979 by the Government of Dubai as a joint venture with BICC Cables, Dubai Cable Company (Ducab)
is a technologically advanced cable manufacturing company. Today, the firm is equally owned by the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai and supplies a range of high quality power cables and accessories to 40 countries worldwide. The firm has three cable manufacturing factories, a copper rod plant, and PVC compounding facility and a manufacturing capability of over 110,000 metal tonnes of high, medium and low voltage cables and wires per annum. www.ducab.ae
NATIONAL CABLES INDUSTRY Established in 2001 in Sharjah, UAE, National Cables Industry (NCI) focuses on custom cable designs for a diverse range of applications including commercial, medical and industrial. From its manufacturing facility it offers a wide portfolio of high performance cables including hv, mv and lv; low smoke and fume products; plus wires and wiring. www.nci.ae
RIYADH CABLES GROUP PRYSMIAN CABLE & SYSTEMS Prysmian Cables & Systems is a worldwide manufacturer for the energy and telecommunication cables market. Its product portfolio includes power cables, plant and petrochemical cables, high voltage and submarine cables and the FP range of fire resistant cables. The firm has offices and facilities in several locations throughout the region including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. www.prysmian.com
Riyadh Cables Group of Companies is a leading manufacturer and exporter of power and telecommunications cables. The firm offers a wide range of cables and wires including low, medium, and high voltage cables up to 240KV; telephone, optical fiber, pilot and control cables; overhead line; building wires; and copper rods for the cable industry. It was the first cable manufacturer in Saudi Arabia to be awarded BASEC certification. www.riyadh-cables.com
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/directory
§ § § § § DIRECTORY
DIRECTORY SHOWCASE | TENDERS | PROJECTS | SUPPLIERS | CITY UPDATE
38 SHOWCASE 40 TENDERS 41 PROJECTS SPECIALIST SERVICES 42 Building materials 43 Construction chemicals/concrete 44 Education & training/flooring 45 Recruitment/steel CITY UPDATE 46 Dammam, Saudi Arabia
To advertise please call Shishir Desai +971 4 435 6375, or email shishir.desai@itp.com
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
37
¦SHOWCASE
To buy images within these pages please email itpimages@itp.com or visit itpimages.com
ITP IMAGES TO BUY IMAGES WITHIN THESE PAGES PLEASE EMAIL ITPIMAGES@ITP.COM OR VISIT WWW.ITPIMAGES.COM
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Woods Bagot was responsible for the masterplan, architecture, interior design and landscape design through all design and construction phases of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP); the architectural aesthetic is striking and contemporary and designed for the desert climate; the building’s gently undulating roof provides shading to the outdoor areas and allows the first two Tenant Buildings, each 20,000m2 to be physically and symbolically connected. CENTRE: Woods Bagot did the interior design of the park. The firm used inside-out design theory for the project to create a group of buildings that are both aesthetically and functionally spectacular.
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
ER
WINN
QATAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK
Photos by Jovana Obradovic/ITP; Woods Bagot The Qatar Science and Technology Park was established as an international hub for scientific exploration and a home for start-up enterprises. It was the vision of HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, the wife of the Emir of Qatar and chairwoman of the Qatar Foundation for Education. The building, designed by architectural firm Woods Bagot, was completed in March and is located in Education City, Doha. Woods Bagot also picked up the Supreme Judges choice at the Construction Week Awards 2009 that were held earlier this month.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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LEFT: The patterned stainless steel frame, which creates a sense of movement from below, starkly contrasts the horizontal landscape from afar. BELOW: The veiled ‘incubator centre’ is flanked by clusters of laboratory buildings that are clad in patterned steel screens to create geometric shapes while protecting and facilitating high-level research. The master plan encompasses 123ha of land which is integrated with the facilities of the Qatar Foundation,its new teaching hospital and its new convention centre. Phase 1 construction of the QSTP comprises 115,000m2 of development; People are encouraged to move freely between the the tenant building atrium spaces and the Incubator Centre’s retail outlets and service facilities.
TENDERS §
¦TENDERS FREE TENDERS AND SERVICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO INCLUDE YOUR TENDERS IN THIS SECTION EMAIL TENDER DETAILS TO EDITOR@CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM
Tender focus
PUBLIC WORKS AUTHORITY
To include your tenders in this section email tender details to editor@ConstructionWeekOnline.com
The purpose of Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is to oversee all infrastructure related projects and public amenities in Qatar. Ashgal has since managed a number of projects including the construction Al Khafaji Street and Airport Street, as well as Al Khor Environmental Park and Al Wakrah Hospital. In June, the authority awarded five contracts totaling US $56 million (QR207 million) for the construction of schools in the capital city of Doha. Three contracts, each worth $11.5 million, went to Qatar’s Imperial Trading and Contracting Company. The two other contracts were awarded to Al Aali International and Inshaa Contracting and Trading. Tenders for mosques, roads and a medical training centre, among others, are currently open for bidding.
BAHRAIN Issuer: Electricity and Water Authority Tender No: 286/2009/4310 Description: Erection of crane platforms in transmission substations. Closes: November 18 Fees: BD15 Bond: BD500 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.bh Issuer: Electricity and Water Authority Tender No: 283/2009/4130 Description: Supply, installation and commissioning of chimney lights for Riffa phase one and two. Closes: November 25 Fees: BD15 Bond: BD500 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.bh EGYPT Issuer: Chamber of Commerce in Assuit Description: Construction of the Chamber’s new residence. Closes: November 23 Fees: EP1000 Bond: EP150,000 Contact: Al Awqaf Buildings, Building No.5, Assuit
TENDERS FOR MOSQUES ARE CURRENTLY OPEN FOR BIDDING IN QATAR.
Closes: November 16 Fees: OR225 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om Issuer: Petroleum Development Oman Tender No: C311132 Description: Engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning of an integrated power station at Qarn Alam. Closes: November 21 Contact: www.pdotenders.com Issuer: Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources Tender No: 297/2009 Description: The scope of work includes the construction of a sewage treatment plant and sewerage network system for Misfat Al Abrean suburb in Wilayat Al Hamra. Closes: November 30 Fees: OR500 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om Issuer: Ministry of Health Tender No: 307/2009 Description: Construction of health centre at Musanah. Closes: December 7 Fees: OR375 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om
Fees: QR2000 Contact: Contract Department, Public Works Authority Issuer Public Works Authority Tender No: PWA/GTC/045/09-10 Description: Reconstruction of Najma Road extension. Closes: December 8 Fees: QR7000 Contact: Contract Department, Public Works Authority SAUDI ARABIA Issuer: Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu Tender No: PIC G-1679B Description: Procurement, testing, commissioning and construction of two mosques in Yanbu. Closes: November 15 Fees: SR1000 Contact: Director for Purchasing, Contracting Department, PO Box 30031, Madinat Yanbu Al Sinaiyah Issuer: Ministry of Finance Tender No: 1200 Description: Construction of a dual carriage way in Al Regei outlet. Closes: November 17 Fees: SR2000 Contact: www.mof.gov.sa
QATAR OMAN Issuer: Ministry of Health Tender No: 294/2009 Description: Consultancy engineering services for the design and supervision of a new general hospital in Saham. Closes: November 16 Fees: OR125 Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om Issuer: Oman Tender Board Tender No: 289/2009 Description: Construction of women’s association building in Shinas.
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Issuer: Public Works Authority Tender No: PWA/GTC/041/09-10 Description: Construction of mosques and imam houses in Qatar. Closes: November 17 Fees: QR1500 Contact: Contract Department, Public Works Authority Issuer: Public Works Authority Tender No: PWA/GTC/044/09-10 Description: Construction of temporary and permanent roads in zones 76 to 79. Closes: November 24
CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
UAE Issuer: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority Tender No: CE/0409/2009 Description: Installation, testing and commissioning of 132KV cable laying works for 132/11KV substations and related works. Closes: November 15 Fees: AED5000 Contact: www.dewa.gov.ae > For more tenders check online at www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/tenders
¦PROJECTS
> For the latest projects information visit www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/projects
§ PROJECTS
A QATAR DATABASE - BUILDING PROJECTS FOCUS TO LIST YOUR PROJECTS IN THIS COLUMN EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM
Project focus
BARWA CITY DEVELOPMENT The 2.7 million m² Barwa City, just outside the heart of Doha, will offer 128 apartment buildings, 6000 flats and 1024 studio units. The mixed use development will also include schools, a hospital, mosques, parks, shopping malls, health facilities and other amenities. A district cooling system is also being built on site the US $1.3 billion (QR357 million) development. The city will be built in two phases and phase one is expected to be completed in Q2 of next year. Cansult Maunsell is the main consultant on the mega project. The entire development is expected to be completed by Q1 of 2015.
PROJECT TITLE
BARWA CITY IS A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT IN QATAR.
CLIENT
CONSULTANT
MAIN CONTRACTOR
VALUE (US$MN)
STATUS
AL RAYYAN RESIDENTIAL TOWER
Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani/Maryam
GHD Global
Al Darwish Engineering
59
project under construction
AL SADD OFFICE TOWER
Sheikha Nela Sadd Al Misned
Cansult Maunsell
HBK Contracting
44
project under construction
AL ATTIYAH OFFICE BUILDING
Sons of Abdulla bin Hamed Al Attiyah
Arab Engineering Bureau
Construction & Reconstruction Company
27
project under construction
AL WAKRA HOSPITAL
Public Works Authority
GHD Global
Joannou & Paraskevaides Overseas
508
project under construction
AL REFAA RESIDENTIAL TOWER
Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani
GHD Global
Al Darwish Engineering
31 - 100
project under construction
MODEL SCHOOL AT NAJMA - SCHOOL NO: 23
Public Works Authority
In House
Inshaa Contracting Company
AL EMADI TWIN TOWERS
Mohammed Esmail Al Emadi
Arab Consulting Engineers
Not Appointed
AL MAJID RESIDENTIAL TOWER
Ahmad Mahdi Ali Al Majid
Arab Engineering Bureau
Al Seal Contracting
SIDRA MEDICAL & RESEARCH CENTRE
Qatar Foundation
Cesar Pelli & Associates/Ellerbe Becket
OHL/Contrack International
LIBRARY FOR QATAR UNIVERSITY
Qatar University
Arab Architects Group
Tadmur Contracting & Trading
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING IN FOX HILLS
Buzwair Real Estate/QDREIC
Faim Design
Not Appointed
2.5 - 15
project under design
APARTMENT BUILDING AT AL SADD
Nasser Abdul Aziz Nasser Al Nasser
Consulting Engineering Group
Not Appointed
16 - 30
award awaited for the main contract
PALM TOWERS
Dar Investment and Development Company
MZ & Partners
Al Seal Contracting
218
project under construction
151 VILLAS IN AL RAYYAN
Sheikh Naser Faleh Al Thani
South West Architecture
Imperial Trading & Contracting Company
110
project under construction
BUZWAIR HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
Buzwair Real Estate
A4
Zublin International
13
project under construction
RESIDENTIAL TOWER IN PEARL QATAR - PARCEL 8A
The Land/UDC
Callison Architecture/KEO International
Al Arrab Contracting
31 - 100
project under construction
NDIA-ATC BUILDING
NDIA Steering Committee
Bechtel/Khatib & Alami
Consolidated Contractors International Company
82
project under construction
DOHA HIGH RISE OFFICE BUILDING
Sheikh Saoud bin Mohd Bin Ali Al Thani
Consulting Engineering Group
China State Construction Engineering Company
125
project under construction
QATAR
project under construction project under design
57
project under construction
2400
project under construction
69
project under construction
To list your projects in this section email details to editor@ConstructionWeekOnline.com
11 101 - 250
SPECIALIST SERVICES §
¦SPECIALIST SERVICES CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MADE EASY IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK’S DIRECTORY TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL +971 4 435 6375, OR EMAIL SHISHIR.DESAI@ITP.COM
Supplier focus
ALUMIL MANUFACTURER OF ALUMINIUM SYSTEMS
To advertise please call +971 4 435 6375 or email shishir.desai@itp.com
Alumil is a group of companies, which consists of Alumil, an aluminium systems designer and producer and Alumil Systems, which covers a range of products for windows, doors, curtain walls, railings and other applications. Alumil Gulf is a subsidiary of Alumil in the Middle East. The core business of Alumil is aluminium extrusion and it also produces composite panels, interior doors, polycarbonate sheets and automation systems. The company, which has over 30 years experience, produces aluminium systems for all users, which are designed, developed and tested in the group’s research and development department and then tested and certified by internationally accredited certification institutes. The company has 25 subsidiaries world-wide and owns 600,000m² of industrial real estate, 220,000m² of manufacturing facilities, 19 production plants and employs 2300 people. Alumil has supplied its products to a number of projects in the Middle East including Durrat Al Bahrain luxury sea resort villas, Al Barari Development, Dubai (305 luxury large villas), Dubai Maritime City, University of Bahrain and the Kempinski Dead Sea in Jordan. In addition, the company has supplied green solutions to a building in Athens, Greece. These included solar protective aluminium shading panels and an aluminium
ALUMIL GULF MANAGING DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER HATZIGEORGIOU.
rind that acts as a wind breaker. This has lead to an energy saving of 32% per year.
BUILDING MATERIALS
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
BUILDING MATERIALS
HARD LANDSCAPING SUPPLIER
CEILINGS/PARTITIONS
§ SPECIALIST SERVICES
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Calcium silicate and cement bre boards of thickness 6mm, 9mm and 12mm. Tiles vinyl fabricated and painted. CONSTRUCTION/MANUFACTURERS
CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS
Concrete injection packers and pumps
DEWATERING
Engineering Works Foundation Infrastructure (L.L.C.) P.O. Box: 111245, Dubai - U.A.E. P.O. Box: 2752, Abu Dhabi - U.A.E. Tel: +971 4 340 9022 Fax: +971 4 340 8952 E-mail: brian@ewfi.ae
SPECIALIZED DEWATERING SERVICES: • Specialized in Deepwell, Wellpoint, Open pumping techniques • Professional Service
www.polyplan.com
OTAL (LLC) Dubai, U.A.E Phone: (+971-4) 267 9646 e-mail: otal@eim.ae website: www.otal.ae
• Round the clock backup • Effective Groundwater control NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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To advertise please call +971 4 4 435 6375 or email shishir.desai@itp.com
CONSTRUCTION/MANUFACTURERS
SPECIALIST SERVICES §
¦SPECIALIST SERVICES CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MADE EASY IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK’S DIRECTORY TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL +971 4 435 6375, OR EMAIL SHISHIR.DESAI@ITP.COM
CONTRACTORS/MANUFACTURERS
LANDSCAPING
FLOORING
LOOK!! ½P PRICE
LESS THAN
EUROPEAN STYLE CHERRY SOLID WOOD 2
ORIGINAL PRICE $34m CLEARANCE PRICE 2
2
$15m
2,000m AVAILABLE IN DUBAI
To advertise please call +971 4 435 6375 or email shishir.desai@itp.com
Alomi
Albert +971 50 854 5629 Simon +971 50 854 5327 Office +971 4 885 8825 www.alomirealwoodflooringllc.com A
L
O M
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REAL WOOD FLOORS LLC
HVAC & PLUMBING RELATED EQUIPMENT
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
PP CORRUGATED SHEETS
POST TENSIONING
RECRUITMENT
ยง SPECIALIST SERVICES
> For directory information visit www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/directory
RECRUITMENT
,OOKING TO RECRUIT WORKERS FROM
)NDIA .EPAL
"ANGLADESH 3RI ,ANKA
0HILIPPINES 4HAILAND
6IETNAM 0AKISTAN To advertise please call +971 4 4 435 6375 or email shishir.desai@itp.com
OR LOCAL LABOUR SUPPLY 7E ALSO UNDERTAKE -IGRATION 3ERVICE TO !USTRALIA #ANADA 4EL &AX % MAIL ASSIDUAA EIM AE STEEL
STEEL
HEM, IPE, IPN, UPN
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NOVEMBER 14โ 20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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CITY UPDATE DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA Demand for Dammam SAUDI ARABIA’S THIRD CITY TAPS INTO SOME OF THE KINGDOM’S KEY NEEDS By James Boley
A
s Saudi Arabia’s third largest city, and an important link station between Bahrain and the kingdom, Dammam is a city that is seeing more projects focusing on the country’s key needs. The city serves as an important trade centre for the country, with the port coming second only to Jeddah in terms of traffic. Meanwhile, the neighbouring King Fahd International Airport is the world’s largest by land area, being larger than the entire nation of Bahrain. As a result, Dammam’s largest project will play a vital role in boosting trade, across Saudi Arabia as a whole. The US $10 billion Saudi Landbridge project, which will be the first rail link between the Red Sea and the Gulf, includes a railway station at
the Jeddah Islamic Port and another in the city that would also serve as a junction linking King Abdullah Aziz International Airport with the Makkah-Madinah line and the Dammam line. The line will also be connected with Yanbu and Jubail. The project involves the construction of 950km of new railway tracks between Riyadh and Jeddah, and another 115km line between Dammam and Jubail. Recent months have also seen a variety of important contracts signed in the region, tackling the undersupply of power supply and residential development in Saudi Arabia’s eastern province. September saw South Korean contractor Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, and its Saudi partner Bemco, sign a deal with the Saudi Electricity Company to construct a 1330MW power plant near Damman.
“SAUDI ARABIA, WHICH IS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS POWER SHORTAGES, HAS AMPLE FUNDS THANKS TO RECENT SPIKES IN OIL PRICES AND IS AGGRESSIVELY PUSHING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW POWER PLANTS”
EXPORTS OF OIL FROM LOCATIONS LIKETHE RAS TANNURA PLANT FORM A MAJOR PART OF DAMMAM’S ECONOMY.
TOP PROJECTS Saudi Landbridge Qurayyah Combined Cycle Thermal Power Plant Plastic Goods Factory DEMAND FOR PLANT, MACHINERY AND VEHICLES REMAINS HIGH IN DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA.
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CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009
US$ 10 billion
1 billion 47 million
BILAL QABALAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The contract will see the company provide steam turbines and heat recovery steam generators, amongst other major elements, for the Qurayyah Combined Cycle Thermal Power Plant which is scheduled for completion in 2013. The deal, worth US $1 billion (SR3.75 billion), could be a sign of further things to come. “Saudi Arabia, which is suffering from serious power shortages, has ample funds thanks to recent spikes in oil prices and is aggressively pushing for the construction of new power plants. As such, we expect to
win additional orders,” says Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction executive VP Dongsoo Suh. Meanwhile, the ever-critical Saudi housing market should see a boost from a new masterplanned community to be located between Dammam and neighbouring Khobar. Riyadh-based developer Injaz Development announced in October that its Al Marina project had now received formal approval, and began sourcing investors and sub-developers at Cityscape Dubai.
“We are talking to institutional, as well as individual investors and potential partners who would be interested in developing and constructing hospitals, schools, malls and as residential facilities,” says Injaz managing director Omar Abdullah Al Kadi. Al Marina will be a masterplanned community for 45,000 people on the Al-Khobar-Damman coastal corridor. Of the 3.3 million m² of land allocated to the project, 41.4% will be for residential and commercial purposes, 42.2% for public spaces and over 16% for government services.
NOVEMBER 14–20, 2009 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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DIALOGUE SK GHOSH Damage control SK Ghosh director of SK Ghosh Associates, a seismic consulting practice, discusses how earthquake provisions will soon be enforced by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipal Affairs through the emirate’s new building codes
By Sarah Blackman
How do seismic provisions work?
You can make an earthquake-resistant structure out of any material that is typically used when constructing a building such as concrete, steel or wood. It is not the materials you choose that makes it resistant to earthquakes, but how you put them together to form a structure. This is where the code regulations come in – to ensure that the design will be done properly. In the case of reinforced concrete, which is a popular material in this part of the world, it is about how you arrange the reinforcing bars within the structure – where you place them, how you place them and how many. The code provides information on how to put a structure together that will resist ground motion. Unfortunately, what is good for earthquake resistance is not always what the engineer and architect wants - they want simplicity. So, there is an inherent problem to begin with.
The city tells them that they will either have to correct a violation or they will not get their certificate. How can more contractors in the Middle East be encouraged to implement provisions in their projects?
Adopting a code is one thing, but what is also important, if not more important, is the enforcement of the code. In the US there are designs that are checked with the compliance with the code by the local jurisdiction. There are also inspectors that go to the site to make sure that construction is in compliance with the building codes. These mechanisms have to be developed here. There needs to be inspections because contractors may not then comply with the code and then the purpose is defeated. Is there really a need for earthquake provisions in this part of the world?
There aren’t many earthquakes in the Gulf, but Iran often has them and an earthquake in Iran would definitely be felt out Seismic provisions are the integral part of the international here. Earthquakes are not localised and ground motion caused building code. When Abu Dhabi adopts the code, seismic by earthquakes 100 miles away can be significant. So, seismic provisions will come with it. Seismic provisions are definitely something that design has been done in most cases, but need to be considered. It is almost Ghosh heads his own consulting practice, there is no uniformity or enforcement to like buying insurance – if there is SK Ghosh Associates, in Palatine, make sure it is done with every project. something that you know might happen Illinois and Aliso Viejo, California and it is better to prepare for it now than to is a professor of civil engineering at What are the penalties for nonbe sorry later. Are there many projects in Abu Dhabi that already have implemented seismic provisions?
compliance with the code?
It depends on the local authority but, in the US, it doesn’t actually get to the penalty stage. If the inspector finds violations then the owner will be required to correct them before they are awarded a certificate of occupancy. In the absence of that certificate, the owner cannot start using his building. This is a big leverage that the local jurisdiction has in enforcing the code. I do not know of any case where somebody has occupied a building without a certificate of occupancy.
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the University of Illinois in Chicago. He was formerly director of engineering services, codes, and standards for the Portland Cement Association. He is known internationally for his work in earthquake engineering and has influenced seismic design provisions in the US for many years, by serving on, or chairing, numerous committees and advisory panels. Ghosh specialises in the analysis and design, including wind and earthquake resistant design, of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures.
CONSTRUCTION WEEK NOVEMER 14–20, 2009
Do you think the rest of the UAE will eventually implement building codes?
I’m not sure, but I suspect that the smaller emirates will follow Abu Dhabi’s lead. However, Dubai, which has a significant volume of construction, has three separate authorities – Jafza, Dubai Municipality and Tecom. And, from what I have seen, the three of them don’t talk to one another. So, for Dubai to adopt the codes it might be a bit more difficult. I think Ras Al Khaimah will follow Abu Dhabi’s footsteps.
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