TS O ON JEC INF S RO FERS JECT R P OF PRO TA ME ST QATURESE LATE N H VE T
An ITP Business Publication | March 2010 Vol. 05 Issue 3
Essential information for FM & strata professionals, building owners, developers & contractors
THE BIG ISSUE
INTERVIEW
MAKING M AKING AIR-CON ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY
DILIP SINHA FROM M HONEYWELL ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY
GREEN PRODUCTS
2010 FM AWARDS
FROM CHILLED BEAMS TO LOW-ENERGY LIGHTS
THISS YEAR’S AWARDS ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS
D E R T R E L A t way s e b e Th
Licensed by Dubai Media City
ention v e r p h throug s i s e t fir to figh
CONTENTS
CONTENTS VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3 MARCH 2010
10
07
10 12
21
15
26
07 News
15 Fire risk
10 Awards
21 Green products
12 Interview
26 Big issue
The UAE’s largest pre-insulated pipe manufacturing facility, Empower-Logstor Insulated Pipes Systems (ELIPS), has been inaugurated officially in Jebel Ali.
The 2010 facilities management Middle East awards are officially open for business. Check out this year’s categories and send your entries now.
fmME speaks to Honeywell Electrical Devices and Systems GM Dilip Sinha about the company’s long history in the region, and its outlook for the future.
www.constructionweekonline.com
Find out the important things you need to keep an eye out for when conducting a fire risk assessment of any building under your care.
From chilled beams to low energy lights, there are a host of products that can help you reduce the carbon and energy footprints of your premises.
fmME speaks to a host of cooling experts to examine the best ways to make air conditioning in the Gulf a little more friendly for the environment.
March 2010 1
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IN PICTURES
MOST POPULAR
• Louvre Abu Dhabi enters piling works • Al Hamad to slash salaries • Dubai Pearl: Progress Report • i-Rise office tower reaches 30th floor • Frost & Sullivan predicts MEP market boom For breaking news, go to: www.constructionweekonline.com/news/
DUBAI CHAMBER’S GREEN LEAD The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the first existing commercial building in the region, and one of only four buildings outside the US and Canada, to achieve LEED certification. For more galleries, check out: www.constructionweekonline.com/in_pictures/
COLUMNS & FEATURES INFRASTRUCTURE
BRIGHT FUTURE
Conrad Egbert, Editor Construction Week Announcements of infrastructure projects are once again being heralded, and Dubai’s 2010 budget will have an infrastructure focus.
Greg Whitaker, Editor, PMV Middle East If there was a ‘magic bullet’ to kill harmful toxins in your fleet’s exhausts, would you use it? However, selective catalytic reduction is not at the top of fleet managers’ lists.
ASSESSMENT
DUSTING OFF
Selina Denman, Editor, Commercial Interior Design It could be argued that comprehending cultural differences and being aware of clients’ needs is fundamental for any business, argues Kenneth Laidler.
Jeff Roberts, Editor, Middle East Architect In the wake of the credit crisis, it is safe to say that the the world – most definitely fell off its bike. I’m happy to say we’re beginning to dust ourselves off …
For more columns & features, go to: www.constructionweekonline.com/comments 2 March 2010
EDITOR’S CHOICE • Maxxess brings access solutions to KSA • Abu Dhabi enhances waste collection system • Transguard wins FM con tracts with Emaar and MAF • Robot window cleaners to take over Dubai • AED 3.6bn Gulf security industry shows growth
SPOT POLL: What do you think of green building codes? 45% Irrelevant! Contractors haven’t got a clue 40% Governments should enforce them 10% Developers are already falling over themselves to build green 5% Governments should not enforce them on developers To vote in spot polls, go to: www.constructionweekonline.com
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EDITOR’S LETTER
It’s not easy being green
I
am not carbon neutral. For a start, I come from a long way away and rack up flying time measured in days, not hours. I drive gas guzzling vehicles with a heavy right foot and take ready advantage of cheap petrol. I may have district cooling at home – lauded as environmentally friendly, but murderous on the wallet – but I waste it because I have to pay a high fixed charge, regardless of how much I use. Economists would suggest that there should be an incentive to encourage me to use less. They’re right. But apparently not right enough to have local developers pay any attention. Economists, however, have also come up with other clever incentive schemes to aid carbon neutrality. Carbon credits are an artificial economic device layered over the real economy, allowing companies to buy their green credentials and off-set any carbon they spew into the atmosphere, through the purchase of theoretical trees. Online businesses are flourishing, selling peace of mind to the carbon guilty, after helping them calculate just how bad they are. Airlines like this too. Some include it as an option when you buy a ticket: ‘would you like to off-set your carbon?’ No thanks. Carbon credits are nonsense. The point of trying to be carbon neutral is to stop wrecking the planet’s atmosphere. This should be a genuine effort, not an economic sleight of hand. Buy enough carbon credits and you can off-set anything. Anyone fancy a carbon-neutral coal-fired power station? Or perhaps plant a tree with your next six-litre V8? Pointless. Real change can only come after genuine effort. Yes people, if you want something, you have to work for it. For FMs that means encouraging, coercing, or just outright forcing the people you work for and with, to use environmentally sound products wherever possible. There will be a price to pay for this. Not only is it not easy being green, it’s usually not cheap either. But that’s just in the short-term. Longer term lifecycle costs typically compare more favourably to the low-cost, carbon-heavy alternatives. So, use your position to wave the flag for decent green products and do the world a favour.
Stuart Matthews Senior Group Editor
Registered at Dubai Media City PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: 00 971 4 210 8000, Fax: 00 971 4 210 8080 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Dubai & London ITP Business Publishing CEO Walid Akawi Managing Director Neil Davies Deputy Managing Director Matthew Southwell Editorial Director David Ingham VP Sales Wayne Lowery Publishing Director Jason Bowman Editorial Senior Group Editor Stuart Matthews Contributing Editor Gerhard Hope Tel: +971 4 435 6252 email: gerhard.hope@itp.com Contributors: Alison Luke, Alan Millin Advertising Publishing Director Jason Bowman Tel: +971 4 435 6344 email: jason.bowman@itp.com Commercial Director, Construction Raz Islam Tel: +971 4 435 6371 email: raz.Islam@itp.com Sales Manager Shishir Desai Tel: +971 4 435 6375 email: shishir.desai@itp.com Studio Group Art Editor Daniel Prescott Art Editor Simon Cobon, Nadia Puma Design Lucy McMurray, Angela Ravi Photography Director of Photography Sevag Davidian Chief Photographer Khatuna Khutsishvili Senior Photographer G-nie Arambulo, Efraim Evidor, Thanos Lazopoulos Staff Photographers Isidora Bojovic, George Dipin, Lyubov Galushko, Jovana Obradovic, Ruel Pableo, Rajesh Raghav Production & Distribution Group Production Manager Kyle Smith Production Coordinator Louise Schreiber Managing Picture Editor Patrick Littlejohn Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Distribution Manager Karima Ashwell Distribution Executive Nada Al Alami Circulation Head of Circulation & Database Gaurav Gulati Marketing Head of Marketing Daniel Fewtrell Deputy Marketing Manager Annie Chinoy ITP Digital Director Peter Conmy ITP Group Chairman Andrew Neil Managing Director Robert Serafin Finance Director Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Board of Directors K.M. Jamieson, Mike Bayman, Walid Akawi, Neil Davies, Rob Corder, Mary Serafin Circulation Customer Service Tel: +971 4 435 6000
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An ITP Business Publication
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Essential information for FM
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INTERVIEW
ON HONE M HONEYWELL DILIP SINHA FROM ENERGY EFFICIENCY
THE BIG ISSUE AIR CON AKING AIR-CON MAKING M ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY
2010 FM AWARDS
A OPEN THISS YEAR’S AWARDSS ARE FOR BUSINESS
GREEN PRODUCTS CHILLED BEAMSS TO FRO CHILLED FROM LOW-ENERGY LIGHTS
REDRT ALE st The be
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tion even ugh pr is thro
THIS MONTH’S COVER: Are buildings under your care exposed to fire risks?
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2/19/2010 10:03:14 AM
NEWS
US$25m pipe factory is UAE’s largest Facility gets officiall inauguration in high-level function attended by Danish and UAE dignitaries INFRASTRUCTURE \\
Backwards integration
The UAE’s largest pre-insulated pipe manufacturing facility, Empower-Logstor Insulated Pipes Systems (ELIPS), has been inaugurated officially in Jebel Ali by HRH the Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik Andre Henrik Christian and HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. ELIPS is a joint venture (JV) between Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), a leading district cooling company in the UAE, and Logstor, the world’s largest manufacturer of pre-insulated pipes. The US$25 million facility will cater to the requirements of the district cooling and oil and gas sectors across the Middle East. “This factory represents Dubai’s success in bringing fresh investments into the Emirate. Further, it demonstrates Dubai companies’ progressive outlook in investing in new ventures, expanding existing facilities to provide full integrated solutions, and producing raw material internally instead of importing it,” Empower CEO Ahmad Bin Shafar said at the high-level launch. “Empower decided to enter into this JV with an eye on securing the supply chain of pre-insulated pipes used in district cooling networks, which constitutes 20% to 25% of the total capital investment,” said Bin Shafar.
“This factory represents an opportunity for Empower to achieve backwards integration. It will also consolidate our status as a leading regional player in pipeline systems by meet the industry’s primary requirement for pre-insulated pipes,” said Bin Shafar. Logstor has been serving the Gulf region since 1992, and is now marking its commitment to serve the region by establishing an anchored presence with the ELIPS factory. The factory will offer job opportunities for a wide range of competences, from operators to highly-skilled engineers. ELIPS will use spray technology for manufacturing largediameter pre-insulated pipes, which will ensure high-quality products and also result in savings in raw material costs as compared to traditional injection technology. This technology also enables the JV to enter the oil and gas industry, which is not possible with traditional injections. Currently, only one out of five existing pre-insulated pipe manufacturers are using spray technology.
Empower CEO Ahmad bin Shafar and Logstor CEO Preben Tolstrup.
“District cooling is over 50% more efficient than conventional air-con solutions; it also removes the heavy load on the electricity grid when demand for cooling is high.” – Empower CEO Ahmad bin Shafar
artificial price fluctuations created by various players due to the demand-supply gap, added Bin Shafar. Preben Tolstrup, CEO OF Logstor, which owns a 49% stake in ELIPS, said: “We are the world’s leading pre-insulated pipe manufacturer, with more than 50 years’ experience and ten factories worldwide, serving customers in more than 50 countries. With the prime purpose of supplying top-quality district cooling pipe systems to
LOGSTOR’S 157KM OF PROJECTS
High Quality ELIPS will ensure high quality of insulation and casing of pipes, enhancing efficiency and maintenance costs of district cooling services. It will also ensure price control by improving supply chain and eliminating
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the entire region, the world’s most advanced technology to be introduced at this new plant will set the standards for many years ahead.” Commenting on the prevailing business environment, Tolstrup said: “We believe that the UAE’s economy is in good hands, and our outlook on the future is optimistic. Logstor’s aim is to serve the Gulf region through Dubai, which has strong infrastructure and logistical connectivity.”
• • • •
UAE: Internet City, Madinat Jumeirah (10 km) Saudi Arabia: King Office in Riyadh, Madina Haram (22 km) Kuwait: KOC, Kuwait University, PAAET (87 km) Oman: House of Musical Arts, Al Shattie development, IRACO, Royal Guest House (28 km) • Qatar: Cultural Village (8 km)
20% TO 25% OF THE TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN DISTRICT COOLING NETWORKS IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PRE-INSULATED PIPES USED March 2010 7
NEWS
AdBlue plant to help reduce emissions EMISSIONS \\ A new joint venture between the UAE and Germany has seen the inauguration of the Middle East’s first AdBlue production facility. AdBlue is a fluid required by many new diesel trucks and buses to reduce toxic nitrogen oxide and particles in exhaust gases. Zanath, a member of ETA Star, and Kruse of Germany inaugurated the production facility at Al Qusais in Dubai. The plant has a production capacity of 15 million litres and a storage capacity of 250 000 litres. “AdBlue is a clear, non-toxic solution of a chemical called urea. It is safe
to handle and does not harm the environment,” explained Kruse CEO Matthias Kruse. “AdBlue is stored in a separate tank near the diesel tank and is not added to the diesel. Every truck and bus manufacturer in the region has models that require AdBlue. Having a regional production source will give us an opportunity to further improve on our customer service levels.” ETA Ascon Star MD Syed M. Salahuddin added that “Zenath is an environment-focused company that started out with the collection of wastepaper, and which is now proud to be
associated with the first AdBlue production facility in the Middle East region, which will help not only the environment by reducing the emissions created by diesel engines, but it will also help customers reduce fuel costs by reducing fuel consumption.” AdBlue Middle East commenced regional production in February, and started dispensing the product through dispensers and cans. “We will start offering AdBlue in either a 1000 litre IBC pump set, floor-standing cabinet pumps, smaller 10 litre canisters or in bulk,” said Zenath executive director JSA Bukhari.
“The larger storage facilities use specialist pumps, metres, hoses, nozzles and fittings. The cabinet version can be connected to an IBC or a bulk storage tank.Supplying it blended from a regional plant will help us reassure customers of getting a product of the highest quality.” Bukhari said the whole purpose of this SCR process is to reduce the percentage of harmful NOx emissions in diesel vehicles emissions, by breaking the emissions down into mainly nitrogen and oxygen. Regional legislation requires vehicle manufacturers to use this technology to reach the reduced levels of pollutants.
Wind-tunnel technology for Mirdif City Centre TECHNOLOGY \\ Patented wind-tunnel technology is being deployed at the new Mirdif City Centre for the iFLY Dubai attraction, an indoor skydiving facility. Four gigantic fans, with 400 hp each, located on the roof of the mall at Mirdif City Centre will induce airflow within the flight chambers, generating the same wind speed skydivers
feel during freefall. Air inside the tunnels will be re-circulated using turning vanes that will help to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the tunnels. For younger children, the speed of the fans will be reduced to ensure safety, but will be full throttle for experienced skydivers who describe the adventure as being as close to the real thing without falling out of an aircraft.
The four gigantic fans are 400 hp each.
The wind generators, which have a diameter of over 2.4 m and weigh more than 2 000 kg, are being imported from the US.
iFLY Dubai is one of the five concepts comprising Playnation, a single dedicated leisure and entertainment destination in the upcoming Mirdif City Centre. It is the latest initiative from Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, the company that is dedicated to providing some of the most innovative and original leisure concepts seen in Dubai targeting all age groups.
Energy-efficient electrification for Dubai Fountain SUSTAINABILITY \\ Leading power and automation technology group ABB has ensured that the electrification of the Dubai Fountain, part of the Burj Khalifa complex, is as energyefficient as possible. ABB supplied air-insulated switchgears, dry-type Resibloc transformers, gas-insulated compact switchgear, power monitoring system, 4200A LV MNS switchgear and other low-voltage panels.
8 March 2010
The Dubai Fountain in action.
The contribution to the increased energy efficiency of the fountain is brought about by the capacitor banks and the harmonic filters. The capacitor banks improve the power factor, decreasing
the amount of reactive power consumed, while the harmonic filters improve the power quality by reducing the harmonics. This, in turn, helps to stabilise the entire power network. The ABB team in the UAE started with the engineering activities in December 2008, followed by procurement, assembly, testing and commissioning at site. The entire project was completed by the end of March 2009, in record time.
“The ABB team worked together to ensure a high quality and fast delivery of the solution for this landmark project,” said Tarek El Gani, ABB local division manager for Low Voltage Products in the Gulf. “ABB’s products and solutions are ensuring the highest power quality and availability for the fountain, which thousands of residents and tourists enjoy every day.”
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NEWS
Waste enters ‘exciting new phase’ The GCC’s highest per capita waste generation in the world presents municipalities with a serious challenge WASTE MANAGEMENT \\ Research consultant Frost & Sullivan is planning a comprehensive research report on the solid waste sector in the GCC with a view to capture future trends. The study will include market growth drivers and restraints, along with the challenges market participants are likely to face in this region. Scientific management of solid waste is a grave challenge faced by most modern societies. In the Gulf region, where most countries have the highest per capita waste generation across the world, the scale of the challenge faced by civic authorities is even bigger.
burgeoning waste problem. Preliminary estimates put the total volume of solid waste generated in the GCC region at around 120 million tons a year. A huge proportion of this is expected to be the waste generated from construction and demolition activities; municipal waste is the second-largest waste category by source. At present, the GCC waste management sector faces some challenges. At the same time, this also indicates the vast scope for improvement in the existing set-up and practices followed in the sector. Private players can leverage their technical know-how and
“The pace of waste-management infrastructure development has been lagging the rate at which per capita waste generation has gone up.” – Frost & Sullivan
Fast-paced industrial growth, recent construction boom, increasing population and rapid urbanisation and vastly improved lifestyle and unsustainable consumption patterns have all contributed to this
120 MILLION TONS/YEAR SOLID WASTE GENERATED IN THE GCC REGION www.constructionweekonline.com
experience for significant value addition across the waste management value chain.
The waste-management market is set to enter an exciting phase.
able. In many cases, recycling waste is expensive compared to buying the product. Under-developed market for recycled products: Insufficient demand for recycled products in the local market has hampered the growth of the wasterecycling industry. There are a few units engaged in recycling waste paper, paperboard and plastics.
Opportunities Challenges Weak waste collection, transportation and handling infrastructure: In most GCC countries, the existing waste-handling capacity is insufficient. There is need to streamline the waste collection and transportation operations as intermingling of hazardous waste and municipal waste is not uncommon. Waste recycling is expensive: Though recent years have seen an increase in the number of waste-recycling facilities, the economics of recycling is still not very favour-
Opportunities in the sector are still largely untapped, according to Frost & Sullivan. Waste collection and transportation services: A number of private players are active in the waste collection and transportation market. At present around 70% of the total waste in Dubai is collected by the private sector. There is good growth potential for such services in the market. Management of landfill operations: At present municipalities manage the majority of the landfills. However, it is
likely that new facilities would be built under BOOT or BOT contracts. Waste recycling: Recycling of waste paper, paper board, metals and glass is already practiced in GCC, albeit at very small scale. Currently around 88% of the total waste generated in Dubai sent to landfills, which is high by international standards. Waste-to-energy opportunity: Planning authorities across the region are contemplating setting up waste-to-energy facilities. The market for such technologies is likely to see rapid growth over the next few years. Equipment suppliers: Increased focus on waste management represents a growing market for suppliers of compactor trucks, garbage bins, incinerators and other auxiliary equipment. Frost & Sullivan concludes that as GCC countries work towards the implementation of next-generation waste-management practices, the market is set to enter an exciting phase.
March 2010 9
fmME awards
10 March 2010
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fmME awards
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March 2010 11
INTERVIEW
In control fmME speaks to Honeywell Electrical Devices and Systems GM Dilip Sinha about the company’s long histor y in the region, and its outlook for the future inha, who is an electrical engineer as well as holding an MBA, has been in the region for about 25 years, ranging from Dubai to Saudi Arabia and Oman. “I started with the power industry – generation, transmission and distribution. I was involved in that industry in the Middle East for almost five to seven years. Then I moved into controls and automation, which had more to do with oil and gas, the biggest sector in the region. Then a little over nine years back I moved to Honeywell; my direct involvement in the business which I lead in the region is construction. So if you look at it, I have been involved in all three key areas in the region – power, oil and gas and construction.” This scope of service has given Sinha a unique perspective on the evolution of the region: “I have seen the boom of the early 1980s, the oil-price crash in 1986 and 1987 and its impact on the region. I have seen the bust of the 1990s, the Gulf War, the slowdown for the next seven to eight years actually, and the subsequent boom, particularly in Dubai, followed by the impact of the most recent economic downturn.” So how does the current downturn compare? Is this the worst it has ever been? Sinha says that while the rest of the region escaped relatively unscathed, the biggest
S
12 March 2010
impact was on Dubai due to its phenomenal growth in the past decade. “Dubai is dependent upon trade and business, and not so much on oil, and thus the impact was felt more keenly here. But having said that, if you look back at the last seven to eight years and what Dubai has created, because I have experienced the entire region over many years, it has created a world-class infrastructure. “It is a great business hub, and has always been. It is a great place for most of the multinationals to not only be based here, but to expand their operations regionally. There are other parts of the region with a lot of activity and potential, but in terms of infrastructure, Dubai really stands head and shoulders above the rest. The way I look at it is that while a lot of people have written Dubai off, in the coming years it is going to play a major role, not just in the region, but in the world.
Business ease “The ease with which you can do business here is more pronounced than any other place I have come across, combined with the easy tax laws and the good quality of life to be had with families. As soon as the storm clouds of the current economic crisis start to dissipate, Dubai’s role from a global standpoint will become increasingly important.” Sinha
Dilip Sinha is GM of Electrical Devices and Systems at Honeywell.
argues that the so-called total collapse of the construction industry in Dubai is only a short- to medium-term setback. “Even now infrastructure is a key focus. If you look at power generation, water, wastewater and transportation, phenomenal amounts of money are being spent.” Sinha explains that Honeywell has been in the region for over 30 years, spanning sectors as diverse as building automation, oil and gas, process controls, aerospace, petchem, security and fire alarm systems. “Honeywell is structured in different businesses. The business I represent is Electrical Devices and Systems, and the brand it represents within Honeywell is called MK. For
over 90 years, MK has been the world leader in the construction industry in providing some of the safest and highest-quality electrical switches and cable management products. “We have also been involved with many of the British Standards that have been established, and have been responsible for such global firsts as the 13 A three-pin switch socket, an MK invention. Most importantly for the region, MK as a brand has been there for about 50 years – longer than some of the countries there have been in existence. The brand is held with high regard and passion across the region. Customers hold it very close to their hearts. In most of the countries where we are repre-
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INTERVIEW
sented, if not all, we either have a leading position or are among the top two.” How important is the Middle East market to Honeywell’s global business? Sinha says the company began investing heavily in the region almost a decade ago in terms of setting up operations, staff and engineering and training resources. “So we have really invested a lot. The way Honeywell looks at the Middle East is that it perceives it as being one of the areas with the greatest future potential, along with Asia Pacifica, South East Asia and India. That is why Honeywell has such a lot of confidence in anticipated future growth in the region.”
Major driver Sinha says a major driver of business at the moment is sustainability. “We are paying a lot of attention to energy saving. This is making a big contribution to growth, and will play an even bigger role in the future.” Honeywell has always been very proactive in this regard, and about two years ago launched a range of commercial lighting products that save 30% to 35% of the total energy consumption of an average commercial building. “The range is very easy to install, can be used for retrofit or new projects, and has smart sensing built in. Such products are picking up very well, even in regions like the Middle East where the energy cost is very low. These products offer major savings at minimal cost, with payback periods from two to three years.” Highlighting future growth areas, Sinha says health and education “are two of the biggest emerging markets in the region.” The company has launched an anti-bacterial switching and PVC trunking
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“We foresee a lot of growth in 2010. A lot of people are complaining it is going to be worse, but we see growth across the region. Overall we are going to come out good.” Dilip Sinha
system aimed specifically at the healthcare sector, which is an example of its close collaboration with consultants and designers. “We have design teams to solve problems and give advice on applications and correct use, for example. We do not just leave the customer alone with the product to sort it out by themselves.” The bulk of Honeywell’s products are manufactured in the company’s state-of-theart, highly-automated plant in Essex in the UK. “This is our biggest manufacturing facility in the world. However, being global, we do have manufacturing facilities in India and Asia Pacific as well, for manufacturing country-specific products, because some of the standards do differ.”
Future strategy Commenting on the company’s strategy for the immediate future: “If you look at the region itself in terms of the economy, yes Dubai is down, and it will take time for it to bounce back. The strategy we have adopted is that over the last few years we have been investing in other countries in the region like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and also Bahrain, Libya, Egypt and Jordan. All these countries are giving us realtime growth. “We foresee a lot of growth in 2010. A lot of people are complaining it is going to be worse, but we see growth
across the region. Overall we are going to come out good. We are investing in quite a lot of new product launches for the region over the next two to three years. These are all at the design stage, which reflects our confidence in the region,” says Sinha. “We are also looking at expanding our wiring accessories ranges. We have been market leader in the premium sector, have expanded into the mid segment, and are also entering the mass market with a quality product. We are also looking at investing in new technology, particularly in modulartype home automation. The combination of our industrial knowledge and technological leadership will help us penetrate such markets.” Training is a key element of this strategy. “Again the training is focusing a lot on sus-
30
THE NUMBER OF YEARS THAT HONEYWELL HAS BEEN IN THE REGION
tainability and green products. Sometimes with simple things like switches people think there is no training required, as it is a simple on and off device. But what they do not know is that if such a product is not selected carefully, and is not used properly, it could be the most dangerous product in your building.” Quality is therefore the mantra of the MK brand. “All our processes and systems take environmental, health and safety and quality aspects into account. “In the construction industry in particular you have the contractor, developer, consultant, interior designer and architect. These are the key people involved. What we have done is create a design team of engineers that goes out helping the consultants with specifications, giving design solutions and doing all the necessary calibrations, for example. They do go out and really assist as opposed to just selling the products. “A novelty for the industry is we also have a design team, here in the Middle East and in the UK, concentrating on interior design. While the technical aspect is important, the interior aesthetics are as well. We therefore produce products and assist with the type of design that is required as per the theme of a particular project. That is unique. Not many companies are able to do that, and we are able to do it on a fast-track basis as well.”
March 2010 13
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FIRE RISK
Assess the risk right and you can fi ght fi res the best way possible, through prevention he risk of fire is a threat to all buildings, regardless of age or size. While the condition of a building will inevitably influence how fire safe it is, a good risk assessment, clear
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fire safety plan, the right equipment and well-trained people will all mitigate the danger. Prevention is obviously better than any cure and many fires can be avoided through the right precautions. If a fire
March 2010 15
FIRE RISK
Once you know what the hazard is and who is at risk from it, the next step is to remove or reduce it as much as possible.
TRAINING Fire fighting skills can be gained through short training courses. Training providers, such as Gulf Technical and Safety Training Centre, offer courses covering the correct use of a simple portable fire extinguisher, or basic fire fighting skills, through to more specialist training for hazardous environments. There are also courses offering training for would-be fire marshals.
does break out, the effects can be minimised by having effective controls and procedures in place. Start by knowing who is in charge. If, as an FM, you are not taking personal responsibility for fire safety, know who is. If you are delegating the responsibility, pick more than one person, but make sure you have clearly assigned duties. It’s obvious that those chosen need to be able to cooperate with each other, as well as communicate clearly with other interested parties, such as the building’s occupants. But they also need to be aware of and able to deal with the serious responsibility, taking care that everyone who uses the premises, would be able to escape in the case of a fire, or other building-related emergency. While the majority of people who may be in a building will be able to manage by themselves, consideration needs to be given to everyone who might be on your premises, including
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employees, visitors or members of the public. Particular attention will have to be paid to anyone who may need special help, such as elderly or disabled people, or children.
A thorough risk assessment is the first step. If it’s something you or your colleagues have not done before or are unfamiliar with, get professional help. In many premises achieving fire safety is likely to be a matter of common sense, providing the responsible people make enough time available to go through all the necessary steps. A risk assessment is a process driven exercise that starts by identifying hazards. Hazards are simply anything that may start a fire, such as naked flames, heaters or commercial fixtures, such as cookers or hotair dryers. Anything that can burn should also be considered in the risk assessment. This can include piles of waste, display materials, textiles or other
flammable products. Things that may intensify the fire, such as sources of oxygen from air conditioning, medical products or commercial oxygen supplies must also be considered and accounted for in any actions. The people most at risk from the hazards need to be identified. These include those who work close to, or with, the hazards in question and people who work alone, or in isolated areas. Once you know what the hazard is and who is at risk from it, the next step is to remove or reduce it as much as possible. That means shifting the piles of waste, replacing flammable materials with safer alternatives and keeping anything that can start a fire away from things that can burn.
EQUIPMENT Portable fire extinguishers are one of the most common pieces of firefighting equipment seen in the workplace. When the fire hazards have been evaluated, decisions can be made about the type and capacity of fire extinguishers needed. Fire extinguishers come in several classes, depending on the type of fire they are designed to combat. • Class A fires include wood, paper and textiles • Class B fires include flammable liquids • Class C fires include electrical equipment • Class D fires include metal powders and shavings • Class K fire extinguishers are required for commercial and restaurant kitchens Fire extinguishers should be securely mounted on the wall or inside a cabinet. They must be accessible at all times. Furniture and storage materials should not block access. Inspection, maintenance, and testing are required for fire extinguishers. They must be fully charged and in operable condition at all times; when they are removed for ser vice, equivalent equipment must be provided.
March 2010 17
FIRE RISK
Fire risk tips • carr y out a fire-risk assessment and identify possible dangers and risks • think about who might be particularly at risk - you may have disabled employees, or people who work with hazardous chemicals • get rid of the risk from fire, as far as reasonably possible • put in place fire precautions to deal with any risks that remain • make sure there is protection if you use or store flammable or explosive materials • have a plan to deal with emergencies • record your findings and review them as and when necessar y
It’s worth a note here about asbestos. This is still being used in some Gulf building projects. So let’s be clear, it is not a safe alternative material. If it’s already in your building it should be removed, by experts. With risks reduced as much as possible, you are then left with the process of introducing safety measures to counter the risks that remain. Special measures will need to be taken if the building is still being worked on, whether this is initial construction, or in alterations or extensions. Considerations will have to include how fire safety is designed into the building, as well as issues such as access and ventilation. A system of smoke detectors and alarms must be in place and escape routes should be clearly marked. Smoke doors and other means of limiting the spread should also be employed. For an occupied building, tenants should be put through a regular fire drill. While many companies will provide a warning of a fire drill, this will not
18 March 2010
With risks reduced, you are then left with introducing safety measures to counter the risks that remain. provide a realistic picture of the response and evacuation time. A fire drill, conducted without any prior notice, will quickly provide a picture of how effective the warning and evacuation measures are. Building occupants, be they tenants or employees, should all have some rudimentary knowledge of what to do in the case of a fire, which means providing them with some basic training. You must provide all employees with instruction and training so that they know what to do in the event of a fire. Some items may seem very rudimentary, but it is best to cover everything with everyone, to be certain of the message’s reach. Some basics you should be sure everyone knows include how to raise the alarm if they
find a fire, how to contact the fire brigade, how to use fire fighting equipment, how to evacuate the building, and where to assemble once they’re outside the danger area. This information has to be proofed against changes of personnel. The simple way to make this possible is to keep a comprehensive log of everything, from fire hazards in the building, to the last training sessions run, as well as the emergency plan for your building. These records need to be working documents, not a doorstop file created once and then ignored. In fact, they need to be maintained and updated as much as the equipment you will rely on in a fire, so once the initial risk assessment is done, schedule check ups at regular
intervals. If significant changes are made to the building, a new wave of employees or tenants arrive, or even if there is a fire, the procedures should be reviewed and updated again. Everything from alarm systems, fire doors to the on site fire fighting equipment must be checked and maintained on a regular schedule. Many manufacturers of such key equipment provide after-sales service as part of the purchase package. This should be taken into account when selecting products and assessing their lifecycle cost. Keeping a fire plan updated and equipment in good working order could save lives in an emergency. Make sure you know who is responsible for doing this in each building under your care and make sure it happens.
Download a free fire risk assessment guide from the Fire Protection Association. Visit www.thefpa.co.uk/resources
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March 2010 19
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GREEN PRODUCTS
Green su p p l i e you sho r s uld kno In the p o seeking st- credit crun ch Gulf , achievi ways to ensur e a hea building owne ng thos lth rs e window s to H V highly touted y bottom-line and FMs are g w A Manag ement M C and lightin reen credenti hile also al g supplie i rs and ddle East look systems, Faci s. From pr li s make t his hap oducts that ca at some of th ties e pen n
ith sustainability and life cycle costs now firmly at the top of the agenda for developers in the Middle East, the selection of products and equipment for buildings can have a big impact on meeting project targets. And manufacturers of products across the entire spectrum required, from lighting to controls are offering ranges that can help achieve these goals. Although capital costs were previously
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a primary deciding factor in product selection on many projects, this is now only one aspect being considered, with the long-term operational and maintenance costs and overall energy use having become much more important. In addition, the demand for ‘green’ buildings is having a major impact on the products specified. “It’s all being led by the focus on BREEAM, LEED and legislative standards,” explains Andrew Jackson, SAS International.
“The focus has shifted tremendously to the use of green products in buildings, for three primary reasons: energy utilities started to play a strong role in ensuring the use of energy saving green products; builders began promoting green buildings to impress their customers; there is more self-awareness of using green products for projects to save the environment,” states Hager Middle East Product Manager (Wiring Accessories & Building Automation) K R Arunn.
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“In most advanced countries, saving energy by using green products is prime, and in many cases, a requirement,” adds Arunn. Such demand has led to manufacturers and suppliers reviewing their product offerings and in some cases expanding their ranges to provide more holistic solutions. “The fundamental reason that we’re offering our metal ceilings with integrated cooling products is due to client and legislative demand,” reasons Jackson.
March 2010 21
GREEN PRODUCTS
This longer-term focus and more holistic approach is one that is familiar to all FMs, who are primarily responsible for ensuring the efficient and costeffective operation of buildings. So what products can you expect to see in upcoming projects and how can they help reduce energy and costs?
KEEPING COOL
Chilled beams offer cooling that can consume 50% less energy than conventional options.
22 March 2010
Due to the local climatic conditions, the main energy use in buildings within the region is air conditioning, accounting for up to 60% of the overall energy consumption. An undeniable essential resource in any Gulfbased building, this makes any potential savings in the supply of cool air a huge advantage. The major air conditioning manufacturers recognise this and firms such as Trane, UTS Carrier, Panasonic and LG have all released products for use specifically within the region that enable reduced energy consumption while maintaining the setpoint temperatures required. One of the latest air conditioning technologies to be recognised in the Middle East is chilled beams. Regularly used on projects in Europe, it is now considered as a potential solution in the Gulf, their low maintenance, small space needs and efficient operation all contributing to their attractiveness as a cooling solution. An ASHRAE report released in early 2009 comparing the performance of conventional and chilled ceiling/displacement ventilation systems in Kuwait showed that the chilled ceiling system consumed 50% less energy than the conventional alternative. The use of such systems was shown to be cost-effective in the local climate with a payback period of less than three years depending on the installation cost of the ceiling panel.
An increase in the number of firms offering chilled beams in the region is directly related to an increased recognition of and anticipated rise in demand for the technology. UAE-based Trox Middle East has recently been joined in the market by Swedish firm Swegon. In addition, UK firm SAS International, already well known in the region its metal ceilings and architectural metalwork products, is now offering its room comfort portfolio in the Middle East. SAS is currently expanding its operations within the Gulf and is due to open a new office in Dubai by Q2 of 2010. Its room comfort product range includes radiant chilled ceilings; passive and active chilled beam ceilings; and chilled beams provided as part of integrated service modules (ISM). The products can be provided separately or included as part of a complete solution by being incorporated into an SAS metal ceiling. “The biggest development in [chilled beam technology] is the integrated service modules,” reports Jackson. ISM can incorporate other building services such as cabling, lighting, fire detection and PA systems, for example. “You can have any services you want prefabricated into a single module,” explains Jackson. Advantages of such modules include providing a single point of access for maintenance, reduced onsite installation time and space saving within the ceiling. Chilled beams can be used in retrofit as well as new build applications. Whole life costs of such systems are lower than for other air conditioning alternatives. “There are no moving parts, so there is less maintenance needed and products have a 25 year lifespan in line with bespoke ventilation products,” explains Jackson.
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GREEN PRODUCTS
A 3D image of an SAS chilled ceiling system.
CONTROLLING FEATURES Optimising the use of the products installed within a building by use of controls, in particular the MEP systems, has become a principal way of reducing energy use throughout buildings worldwide. This can be done by using individual controllers and switches on each item of equipment, however more commonly ‘smart’ or intelligent building systems are now employed. With such systems, the use of each item of equipment in a building such as a light or air conditioning unit is constantly monitored and its settings analysed by a central controller to check whether it is running at maximum efficiency in terms of meeting the building needs. In many cases the settings are then adjusted automatically to optimise energy use. Intelligent systems can be used to control individual areas within a building as well as the overall operations. ABB’s i-bus EIB/KNX technology, for example, can be used to control all applications inside hotel rooms or residential apartments. “It is one of the most widely used intelligent building control
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systems in the world,” reports Cleona Godinho-Pathak, ABB editorial and media relations, Gulf sub-region. “The system uses wireless touch screens to enable residents or hotel guests to control all the functions, including lighting, air conditioning, heating and curtains in any room and from any room,” explains Godinho-Pathak. “It relies on sensors and motion detectors to determine when and how much light and heat are needed in each room; a presence detector used for control of the room lighting can simultaneously switch the room thermostat to absent mode as soon as the room is unoccupied for an extended period,” she adds. The ABB i-bus EIB/KNX technology is currently installed in several hotels in the Middle East, including the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, La Cigale Hotel in Doha, and the Four Seasons Hotel in Alexandria.
LIGHT ISSUES The reduction of energy use, maintenance and running costs when it comes to the provision of lighting in buildings can be tackled from two angles: reduc-
ing the amount of artificial light needed overall and controlling the light provided. The first step in cutting the artificial light needs is to maximise daylight in a building. However, with the region’s climate this must be done with care. There is a wide number of specialist glass types now on the market that enable more natural daylight to be introduced into a building without increasing the amount of cooling needed to maintain comfortable temperatures. Al Abbar Architectural Glass (AAG), for example offer a number of products that are aimed at ensuring high light transmittance into a building, while minimising heat gains. The firm’s CoolPane coating is designed primarily to reflect and absorb solar radiation, it provides a low light transmittance level and can act as a screen against direct glare. CoolPane can be combined with a lowemissivity (low-e) glass to offer enhanced solar energy control. AAG’s Coolray coatings maintain a high level of natural light, while reducing solar radiation by spectrally selective filtering. These products are particularly suited to residential applications and high-rise buildings. Pilkington Suncool is a range
of solar control products that offer both high visible light transmittance and low emissivity. It is available in a range of colours and performances, including the self-cleaning option Pilkington Activ Suncool. Emirates Glass also offers a number of products that can reduce long-term energy costs in a building. Its EmiCoolPlus is a low-emissivity (low-e) glass with a nominal light transmission of 70% when applied onto clear glass. It is suitable for applications that need subdued colours, low reflectance and a lot of daylight. The firm’s EmiTherm insulated glass units are made by the dual-seal principle, having two or more panes of glass separated by a dehydrated air space at ambient barometric pressure. In terms of artificial lighting, the choice of lamp used can make a significant difference to long-term energy use and many manufacturers now offer low energy products. The actual use of lighting can be optimised by including sensors and controllers within the system. “Fagerhult Lighting creates lighting solutions which help people to optimise their capacity
March 2010 23
GREEN PRODUCTS
our Tebis range,” reports orts Hager managing director Sean ean Cain. “The products contribute bute to energy savings as if they hey are well designed the watt losss is reduced and they become very y efficient,” adds Cain. Other products within thin Hager’s range that are proving g popular within the Middle East st are PIR motion and presence detectors, plus astronomical time switches. “Motion/presence detectors provide automatic lighting on motion and save energy, they also make life easy [for operational control],” explains Hager Middle East Product Manager (Wiring Accessories & Building Automation) KR Arunn. Such products can be used in a wide range of applications including conference rooms, car parks, corridors, offices and toilets. “PIR presence detectors with remote control can provide high-end standalone DSI / DALI dimming solutions and remote controls for overrides and scene settings,” adds Arunn. The firm’s astronomical time switches can be used to provide intelligent street lighting controlled by sunset and sunrise times depending on the latitude/ longitude position of the lamp. The use of dimmers and scenesetting controllers give a potential energy savings of 10% reports Arunn. Up to 15% energy can be saved by the use of automatic switches in areas such as corridors and outdoor light control in residential areas can produce 20% energy savings. For FMs, ease of use is as important as energy savings and such controllers KR Arunn, Hager Middle East product manager. fit
with minimal influence on the environment,” states Fagerhult CEO Johan Hjertonsson. The firm offers decorative lighting products, plus develops and manufactures professional lighting systems. Among the first lighting manufacturers to develop fixtures for energy efficient T5 fluorescent lamps, the firm has made a further move towards sustainable product design: from January 2010 all its luminaries that are supplied with lamps will be fitted with the T5 Eco lighting source. T5 Eco can produce energy savings of up 10% compared to standard T5 lamps the firm reports. In addition, the firm is continuing to develop reflector technology that can help reduce the amount of light and energy needed to produce the same environmental conditions. Hager offers a wide range of lighting control products that can be installed in a new build property or retrofitted to meet renewed energy demands. These include time lag switches suitable for use in areas such as staircases to switch the light off after a predetermined time; universal dimmers up to 1,000W; and twilight/light sensitive switches for use with outdoor lights to ensure they only operate when the light level becomes too low. “We offer many products that are considered green, from building controls to standalone light sensors and passive infra-red products. We also offer more integrated solutions that work on the KNX protocol, such as
24 March 2010
Carbon C b reduction d i guidance id M&E Sustainability, a joint venture between UK trade bodies the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), has published guidance on the reduction of carbon in large organisations. The guide, entitled Getting the most from the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is aimed at both clients and contractors. It focuses on ways to reduce carbon use in the operation of buildings. Although primarily intended to help organisations understand the implications and prepare for the introduction of the UK’s Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), the phased implementation of
which is scheduled to begin in April of this year, it includes advice that can be applied to building projects worldwide. Practical advice is provided for contractors, building owners and users on monitoring and reducing energy usage and how to achieve commitment from all stakeholders, including staff, to an energy-saving culture. Key sections address reviewing the energy needs of a building and the potential introduction of renewable technologies. The document also emphasises the expert role MEP contractors can play in the achievement of a sustainable built environment. The guide is available as a free download at: www.mech-elec.org.uk.
these criteria. “All of these products are standalone, meaning they can perform the function on their own and do not require integration or complex programming,” stresses Arunn. “Simple, user-friendly programming is the key to the success to all these control products,” he states.
in the Middle East. A number of options now exist to reduce the amount of water used in a building without affecting the overall performance. Manufacturers such as Kohler offer a wide range of products aimed specifically at conserving water, such as faucets, showers and urinals. With manufacturers continuing to research and develop new products aimed at sustainable building, the options likely to be encountered by FMs in the future is only set to get larger.
WATER WORKS While energy use is one of the most important aspects of a green building water use is also high on the agenda, particularly
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FEBRUARY 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK
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March 2010 25
AIR-CON A sustainable hotel building services design by Scott Wilson, where energyefficienct HVAC played a major role
Green cooling fmME speaks to major air-con companies about how they are meeting the increased demand for energy-efficient products ir-con accounts for up to 70% of the total electrical output in the GCC. This has resulted in a large-scale focus on energy-efficiency measures to try and reduce this consumption. “Over the last eight to ten years, developers have focused on how we can reduce the electrical consumption for cooling,” says Scott Wilson associate director of building services Cathy Crocker. This has resulted in a major focus on district cooling in the region. “A district cooling solution, in the correct application,
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with the correct design, can consume up to 55% less energy than the equivalent standalone cooling system,” says Crocker. However, it is equally important to try and reduce energy consumption at the source, which means the buildings themselves – and this is where the latest developments in air-con technology are playing a major role. LG Electronics senior sales manager Dharmesh Sawant says that “of late there has been a high interest in environmentfriendly air-conditioners.” Trane Middle East, Africa and India region marketing manager
Peter Blanchflower adds: “The energy-efficiency drive is moving away from individual components like chillers to a more holistic system overview (‘system’ kW per ton). “A high-efficiency chiller does not automatically translate into a high-efficiency system. The pumps, cooling towers and controls must all be integrated to minimise the energy consumption of the entire system.”
Eco-friendly refrigerant Sawant points to the Multi V, LG’s premium-brand inverter system. This VRF air-condi-
tioner uses a new eco-friendly refrigerant and high-efficiency inverter. The new inverter allows for optimal control of a single large compressor, based on multi-compressor technology comprising a DC inverter compressor and high-efficiency, constant-speed compressor. The adoption of this technology has enabled precise control dependant on the cooling/heating load, leading to ultra energyefficient heating and cooling. “LG Electronics is currently focusing on eco-friendly air-conditioners, whereby the carbon dioxide emissions are controlled
March 2010 27
AIR-CON
throughout the lifecycle from design and manufacturing to usage and disposal, thus allowing the products to be more energy-efficient. In the past few years, LG’s residential air-conditioner segment has witnessed enormous growth, together with an expanding market share in commercial air-conditioners, all due to its high energy-efficiency technology.” The latest development is LG’s innovative hybrid energy solution systems such as Hybrid COGEN and Hybrid XEO, which has further demonstrated the company’s capabilities in energy-savings and cost reduction. Hybrid COGEN simultaneously generates electricity and heat, utilising liquefied natural gas (LNG). Hybrid COGEN uses 32% less energy, while also reducing the emission of environmental pollutants such as carbon dioxide gas. Hybrid XEO, a hybrid airconditioning system, combines a highly-efficient, energy-saving inverter system air-conditioner with geothermal heat pumps, one of the most innovative renewable energy solutions. Hybrid XEO is said to reduce energy consumption by about by 30% a year.
Cathy Crocker of Scott Wilson.
Latest trends As to the latest trends in the industry, Sawant says: “The HVAC industry has developed rapidly in recent years, and the market for HVAC products has been expanding consistently. It has also been catering more for eco-friendly products. The continuous increase in the number
“The right HVAC system is critical to green building.”
of supermarkets and shopping malls has provided an impetus to the growth of the market for commercial refrigeration and cold chain equipment. This certainly highlights the fact that the HVAC industry in the UAE will undergo many changes and expansion within the next five to ten years. Thanks to pending regulations by the UAE authorities, developers are now considering the lifecycle cost of Nigel Hawley of Trane. products. “Through sustainable product management, LG Electronics is helping to promote
28 March 2010
environmental awareness in society at large. Our motto is: ‘Life’s good when it’s green …’ Our eco-products will go a long way in helping to create a safer, cleaner world. LG is Electronics is committed to establishing clear operational accountability, and creating products that not only enhance consumers’ lives, but which also encourage an environmentally responsible lifestyle,” concludes Sawant. Panasonic Middle East FZE senior manager: consumer electronics department Abby Thomas says his company’s key focus area for 2010 will be split air-conditioners, followed by large-room air-conditioners using ducted units. Ducted capacities range from 24 000 Btu up to 108 000 Btu units. “In the case of split air-conditioners, our aim is to provide for multi-functional products – that is, air-conditioners plus in-built air purifiers plus energy-conserv-
Nigel Hawley, Trane ing patrol sensors. In the case of large-room air-conditioners, we would like to focus on thin indoor ducted and quiet operational units.” Thomas says that consumer trends or patterns have been changing rapidly, with such new additional requirements as a quick air-cleaning facility and humidity control for both the residential and commercial sectors.
our energy-efficiency ratio as per industry standards is the highest. If customers require any documentation in this regard, Panasonic can provide this for purposes of comparison.” As for the main market drivers, Thomas says growth will invariably come from the major markets such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. “We should also not forget Oman and Qatar, which cater for large-capacity unit requirements for the major industrial projects that have been confirmed in the region.” Trane’s new GM for the Middle East, Africa and India region Nigel Hawley says: “Our growth initiatives are focused on market expansion (Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and India) and new product introductions. With regard to the latter, we are especially excited by our new AquaStream range of air-cooled chillers, which are equipped with high-efficiency scroll compressors. “The key benefits to users are high levels of energy efficiency, low sound levels, easy and quick installation, even greater reliability and durability and enhanced serviceability and safety. We are also focusing on expansion of services (maintenance, repairs, parts, etc.), new offerings from
Energy efficiency In terms of energy efficiency, Thomas boldly claims that Panasonic is the undisputed industry leader: “Recent tests carried out by ITS, and also by our internal laboratories, show clearly that
Peter Blanchflower of Trane.
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AIR-CON
Abby Thomas of Panasonic.
our controls and contracting businesses, while we also aim to attract, develop and retain the best talent in the industry. “Despite the current market we stay fixed on a strategy of profitable growth based on aggressive new product introductions, market expansion and, of course, providing even better levels of customer service. Growing our services, controls and contracting business is a key part of this.” Hawley adds that the district cooling and unitary business segments have been “badly affected by the
and efficient selections. We are the global leader in direct drive, low-pressure, high-efficiency centrifugal chillers, which is the industry’s preferred choice for large district cooling projects. “Trane’s philosophy is to produce and sell the most energyefficient and environmentallyresponsible HVAC systems and solutions possible. Refrigerant change is a constant in our industry. Last year was particularly exciting and challenging as a result of the US decision to stop producing equipment with R22 from 31 December 2009. “This was the catalyst for a massive redesign project that resulted in Trane introducing more new models in 2009 than we had in the previous 20 years. But I want to be clear that this redesign process went much further than simply regulatory compliance. We used this opportunity to further raise the performance of our range in areas where we already lead the field – that is, energy efficiency, reliability, durability and serviceability. “Even in markets like the Middle East, which are not being driven by legislation, we
“Of late there has been a high interest in environment-friendly air-conditioners.” Dharmesh Sawant, LG Electronics
market downturn, especially in Dubai, and I do not expect to see this changing dramatically in 2010.”
The move to green Commenting on the move to green, Hawley says: “We detect a greater emphasis on indoor air quality from owners and developers, which is also driving demand for more sophisticated
are seeing increasing interest and demand for newer environmentally responsible and efficient product ranges, and we are happy and determined to remain at the forefront of these developments,” says Hawley. Trane’s offering for 2010 focuses on the following products: AquaStream, new R410a unitary products, a new TVR product (VRF applica-
LG has been proactive in adopting environment-friendly R410a refrigerant in its inverter system.
tion), chilled beams and eddy current testing.
Green is wise
tive in the fact that there are still more new projects here even today than anywhere else in the world.” Enhanced efficiencies achieved with air-con products also translate into more efficient district cooling. “District cooling has been a popular way of providing cooling to large developments. If we can achieve a 30% reduction in energy use through purely building measures, we can in turn reduce district cooling plant sizes, whereby you can service an increased area through the same plant,” concludes Crocker.
Hawley says that the demand for environmentally responsible buildings is growing as people realise it is not a cost, but a wise investment. Green buildings are designed with energy efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ) and sustainable materials in mind. “The right HVAC system is critical to green building. As a leading global supplier of HVAC systems and services, with more than 450 LEED Accredited Professionals (APs), Trane can help clients achieve their green building goals.” Commenting on the current business environment, Hawley says: “I believe 2010 will be just as difficult as 2009 – and, in some respects, more difficult this time around, as we all know what to expect now. I believe we will continue to see growth in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but at lower levels than experienced previously. Dubai itself will stay depressed for several years to come, but one has to put things into perspecDharmesh Sawant of LG Electronics.
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COMMENT
Puzzling pieces Alan Millin examines the pieces from the FM puzzle missing in Dubai in terms of training and upskilling rom the many discussions that I have had recently with key players in the FM world in Dubai, there is clear consensus that something is missing. Everyone seems to agree that there is a need for both technical skills and supervisory/management training. As we win new business, we need to staff up. We cannot simply recruit a whole contract full of new staff and assign them to our new contract; the risk and expense would usually
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be too great. Typically we see good staff moved from existing contracts to the new ones, and new staff mixed across both existing and new sites. This leaves the experienced staff that we have transferred to manage not only the new facility, but also the new people, and possibly there will also be a need to promote someone on our existing contract to fill the gap created. Although we assigned our staff to their new roles because they were technically good
in their last role, we usually have not made sure that these people have the necessary supervisory, management and/ or leadership skills to deal with everything they are going to meet. Usually we just hope. If the new assignment is a promotion, the new supervisor will probably find himself interacting with the client at a completely different level. Is he ready for this? If he is, you can count yourself fortunate.
Impressions First impressions count. If the supervisor is found wanting at the first contact, you have a problem. Potentially this is a very big problem. Now you have to deploy the upper-level team to firefight and restore client confidence in the new supervisor. If the technicians in his team
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COMMENT
What’s missing from regional FM managers? Often it’s the skills they need to manage and lead a team of people and it’s something employers need to do something about.
see any weakness, they will start to exert their influence over their supervisor, rendering him ineffective. The newly-promoted supervisor will tend to migrate back to his comfort zone unless he has support. That comfort zone is usually his technical ability. He will begin to get more involved with the technical aspects of an issue, trying to demonstrate his ability by identifying and implementing technical solutions. But what is his team doing while he is engrossed in his technical task? And what of those personnel who are transferred to the new contract at technician level? If our new supervisor worked alongside these people before, is he able to lead the team now? Does he have the skills needed to take control effectively? Consensus says he does not. I have seen new facilities managers flounder while HR departments and department managers ignore the problem and go about their daily chores. It is not a pretty sight. In one case, if it had not been for the ‘unofficial’ support of colleagues from other departments who recognised the problem and collectively took action to help,
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“There is a saying that we all rise to our level of least competence, and this appears to be true.” the new FM would have been looking for a new job.
Support Indeed, one HR department member of the company in question remarked that, if the FM did not improve, he would be fired. No support; no training; no root-cause analysis; nothing. But just whose fault is it that the concerned person was ill-equipped? He was, after all, interviewed for the position by the very staff that now stalked him. Just what questions did they ask at the interview? Not everyone is born a manager or leader. Most of us need support and training to be effective as we move up the corporate ladder. There is a saying that we all rise to our level of least competence, and this appears to be true. We do well at one level and then, because we were good at that job, we get promoted into
a new position that we are not fully equipped for. If nothing goes wrong in the first few months, we learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible and survive. At the end of the year, our team has performed well. Upper management recognises our potential; after all, we have delivered results – even if those results came from the actions of the previous team leader. Then we are promoted again,
to a higher level, and our skills are even more inadequate. Again, if nothing goes horribly wrong at the start of our new appointment, we survive and, because we have performed at our new level and the company does well, we get promoted yet again … Now we are even more incompetent than ever. But how do we know when we have got the right skills to operate at the highest level? Surely the answer cannot be total incompetence? So prepare your training plans and give your people the skills they need before you throw them in the deep end. They will thank you, your company will reward you and, perhaps most importantly, your clients will appreciate your service. Go on, make a difference!
Alan Millin is a Chartered Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional. He is an independent consultant, coach and trainer, based in Dubai. He has over 35 years’ experience in the HVAC industry, and has led the consultancy mission of two major Dubai FM companies. Contact Alan at akmillin@ hvacandr.com for more information on his upcoming seminar on ‘Get Clients Now! The Effective 28-Day Marketing Alan Millin suggests the newly-promoted will need support from management and colleagues.. Programme’.
March 2010 31
PROJECT TRACKER
PROJECT FOCUS QATAR PROJECTS DATABASE - BUILDING PROJECTS FOCUS PROJECT TITLE
CLIENT
CONSULTANT
MAIN CONTRACTOR
VALUE / VALUE RANGE (US$ MN)
PROJECT STATUS
PROJECT TYPE
Al Rayyan Residential Tower
Shk. Mishaal Bin Hamad alThani/Maryam
GHD Global
Al Darwish Engineering
59
project under construction
Residential Buildings
Al Sadd Office Tower
Shka. Nela Sadd M. Al Misned
Cansult Maunsell
HBK Contracting
44
project under construction
Commercial Buildings
Al Attiyah Office Building
Sons. of Mr. Abdulla Bin Hamed Al Attiyah
Arab Engineering Bureau
Construction & Reconstruction Company
27
project under construction
Commercial Buildings
Al-Wakra Hospital
Public Works Authority
GHD Global
Joannou & Paraskevaides Overseas
508
project under construction
Hospital
Al Refaa Residential Tower
Shk. Mishaal Bin Hamad al-Thani
GHD Global
Al Darwish Engineering
31 - 100
project under construction
Residential Buildings
Mesaieed Housing Development - Phase 2
QP/Qatar Real Estate Development Co;
Arab Engineering Bureau
Not Appointed
2,000
project under design
Residential Development
Al Emadi Twin Towers
Mr. Mohammed Esmail Al Emadi
Arab Consulting Engineers
Not Appointed
101 - 250
project under design
Commercial Buildings
Al Majid Residential Tower
Mr. Ahmad Mahdi Ali Al Majid
Arab Engineering Bureau
Al Seal Contracting
57
project under construction
Residential Buildings
Sidra Medical & Research Centre
Qatar Foundation (QFESCD)
Cesar Pelli & Associates/ Ellerbe Becket
OHL/Contrack International
2,400
project under construction
Hospital
Library for Qatar University
Qatar University
Arab Architects Group
Tadmur Contracting & Trdg Est.
69
project under construction
Educational Facilities
Residential Building in Fox Hills
Buzwair Real Estate/QDREIC
Faim Design
Not Appointed
2.5 - 15
project under design
Residential Buildings
Apartment Building at Al Sadd
Mr. Nasser Abdul Aziz Nasser Al Nasser
Consulting Engineering Group
Not Appointed
16 - 30
award awaited for the main contract
Residential Buildings
Palm Towers
Dar Investment & Development Co.
M.Z. & Partners
Al Seal Contracting
218
project under construction
Mixed Use
Business Park & Hotel Facilities in Najma
Shk. Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Thani
Arab Engineering Bureau
Redco Construction
101 - 250
project under construction
Mixed Use
Labour Accommodation at Wakrah - Phase 2
Public Works Authority
Al Aqsa Consulting & Engineers
Ramco Engineering
5
project under construction
Residential Buildings
Samiriya Towers
Mr. Ali Mohammed Al-Khayareen
M.Z. & Partners
Gulf East Trading & Contracting
124
project under construction
Commercial Buildings
NDIA-ATC Building
NDIA Steering Committee
Bechtel/Khatib & Alami
Consolidated Contractors Int'l Company
82
project under construction
Airport
Doha High Rise Office Building
Shk. Saoud Bin Mohd Bin Ali Al-Thani
Consulting Engineering Group
China State Construction Engineering Co
125
project under construction
Commercial Buildings
St. Regis Hotel & Residential Towers
Al Fardan Real Estate
Dar Al Handasah
Construction Development Company
412
project under construction
Mixed Use
Tivoli Showroom & Office Building
Tivoli Furniture
Gulf Design Concept
Al Darwish Engineering
16 - 30
project under construction
Commercial Buildings
Office/Residential Building at Najma
Mr. Abdul Jaleel Abdul Ghani Nasser
Consulting Engineering Group
Not appointed
41
award awaited for the main contract
Mixed Use
Residential Tower in Viva Bahriya
Juma Al Majid Group/UDC
Meinhardt
Charilaos Apostilides (Chapo)
31 - 100
project under construction
Residential Buildings
Hotel & Office Buildings at Al Rayyan Road
Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Muftah
South West Architecture
Al Muftah Contracting
16 - 30
project under construction
Mixed Use
Al Dar Hotel
Mr. Mohammed Al Majed
Al Jazeera Engineering / EGEC
Not Appointed
16 - 30
project under design
Hotel
Residential Tower in Porto Arabia - Parcel 18
Construction Development Company/UDC
Callison Arch./KEO Int'l
Construction Development Company
31 - 100
project under construction
Residential Buildings
Qatar Tower in Dafna
Mr. Mohammed Al Khayareen
Consulting Engineering Group
Al Huda Engineering Works
31 - 100
project under construction
Commercial Buildings
Note : The above information is the sole property of Ventures Middle East LLC and cannot be published without the expressed permission of Ventures Middle East LLC, Abu Dhabi,
32 March 2010
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