MEP Middle East - March 2010 by ITP Business Publishing

MIDDLE EAST

Essential information for mechanical, electrical and plumbing professionals

SMART BUILDINGS THE LATEST PRODUCTS AND STRATEGIES TO SLASH ENERGY CONSUMPTION

An ITP Business Publication | March 2010 Vol. 5 Issue 3

THE BIG INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS FROM NIGEL HAWLEY, TRANE’S NEW GM FOR THE MENA REGION

IN THE GROOVE The role of grooved mechanical piping as an element of sustainable design in infrastructure development ALSO: DILIP SINHA FROM HONEYWELL ON THE MERITS OF REGIONAL EXPANSION

MARCH 2010 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3

CONTENTS 14

24 03 CONSTRUCTION WEEK ONLINE 05 COMMENT 06 UPDATE

19 SMART BUILDINGS The ‘smart grid’ presents a major opportunity for buildings to become even greener.

28 LIFTS & ESCALATORS The world’s fastest lift.

30 LEGAL

14 THE BIG INTERVIEW Nigel Hawley, Trane’s new GM for the Middle East, Africa and India.

16 PROFILE Honeywell Electrical Devices and Systems GM Dilip Sinha reﬂects on the company’s long history in the region.

www.constructionweekonline.com

24 PLUMBING Larry Thau from Victaulic on grooved mechanical piping systems.

33 BUSINESS LEADS A look at MEP projects in Oman.

35 METAL MONITOR 36 PRODUCTS

26 PLUMBING Alan Millin plumbs the depths of contractor quality.

40 THE LAST WORD R&M technical director: MENA Andrew Sedman.

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 1

Everybody is talking "going green". We have the right solar and renewable energy solutions for you. The Viessmann Group, whose head office is located in Germany, is an internationally leading manufacturer of heating system technology. With its current product range, Viessmann offers heating equipment in three distinct categories with output ranging from 1.5 kW to 20 MW. On offer are freestanding and wall mounted boilers for oil and gas, DHW calorifiers, as well as systems utilising renewables, such as heat pumps, solar heating systems and boilers for sustainable fuels. The product range is rounded off with control technology and data communication equipment. Viessmann represents quality made in Germany. Check us out at www.viessmann.com.

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CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM OM M IN PICTURES

MOST POPULAR

• Six of the best: Top GCC road projects • Makkah land prices hit $133 000/m² • Dubai Metro Red Line set for April completion • Project Showcase: Qatar • Arabian Bemco secures SR2.14bn loan

EDITOR’S CHOICE

DUBAI CHAMBER LEEDS IN GREEN BUILDING 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/galleries

COLUMNS AND FEATURES

• Dubai Chamber bags LEED certiﬁcation • Largest solar initiative in Lebanon

ASSESSMENT

DUSTING OFF

• MEP sector is not cutting corners

Selina Denman, Editor, Commercial Interior Design

Jeff Roberts, Editor, Middle East Architect

• Saudi builds solar desal plant

It could be argued that comprehending cultural differences and being aware of clients’ needs is fundamental for any business, argues Kenneth Laidler.

BRIGHT FUTURE 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.

In the wake of the credit crisis, it is safe to say that the Middle East – and the rest of the world – most deﬁ nitely fell off its bike. I’m happy to say we’re beginning the slow process of dusting ourselves off …

INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE Stuart Matthews, Senior Group Editor Announcements of infrastructure projects are once again being heralded, and Dubai’s 2010 budget will have an infrastructure focus.

• DSI records 32% increase in proﬁt

SPOT POLL

Is your company renegotiating contracts?

60.0% Yes, we were forced to.

25.0% Yes, it’s great.

15.0% Nope, we’ve dodged that bullet so far.

0.0% No way, never.

For more comments, check out www.constructionweekonline.com/comments www.constructionweekonline.com

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 3

ARE YOU REALLY INSULATING? ARE YOU PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT?

Insulation of pipes has not been given enough importance or attention, previously the main focus has been on condensation prevention. Now Engineers, designers and owners NEED to consider the environmental impact AND the opportunity to SAVE ENERGY and REDUCE CO2 Emissions. INSULPHEN is THE MOST EFFICIENT THERMAL INSULATION vs Fibre or Rubber. YOU WILL SAVE ENERGY - ask us for comparisons. Also in High Occupancy buildings Thermal Insulation MUST be Fire and Smoke safe - low flame spread and low smoke emission is critical to enable people to escape in the event of a fire. Products selected must meet the regulations - Class 0 to UK buildings regs AND ASTM E84 25/50 flame spread/smoke emission rating!! Only Insulphen WORLD CLASS Insulation gives you the best of all worlds.

COMMENT MIDDLE EAST

Giving more than what you take

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 Tel: +971 4 435 6293 email: stuart.matthews@itp.com Editor Gerhard Hope Tel: +971 4 435 6252 email: gerhard.hope@itp.com ADVERTISING Publishing Director Jason Bowman Tel: +971 4 435 6344 email: jason.bowman@itp.com Business Development Manager Atif Majid Tel: +971 4 435 6328 email: atif.majid@itp.com STUDIO Group Art Editor Dan Prescott Designer Angela Ravi PHOTOGRAPHY Director of Photography Sevag Davidian Chief Photographer Khatuna Khutsishvili Senior Photographers 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 Devaprakash V A Managing Picture Editor Patrick Littlejohn Image Retoucher Emmalyn Robles Distribution Manager Karima Ashwell Distribution Executive Nada Al Alami CIRCULATION Head of Circulation & Database Gaurav Gulati MARKETING Head of Marketing Daniel Fewtrell 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 Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions Certain images in this issue are availiable for purchase. Please contact itpimages@itp.com for further details or visit www.itpimages.com Printed by Atlas Printing Press L.L.C. Dubai

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.

Average Qualified Circulation 6,724 (Jan - June 2009)

www.constructionweekonline.com

The Town Town Erdberg

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

consumption by about 77% and 47% respectively between 1998 and 2008, leading to significant carbon emission reductions and accumulated power savings of around AED7.1 million. It has done this by such means as capturing condensate water for use in the fountain feature and toilet system, saving 0.85 million litres of water a year, adjusting lift weighting loads to decrease energy consumption by 20%, reusing municipal grey water for landscaping and the toilet system, and providing VIP parking for staff and free valet parking for visitors using fuel-efficient vehicles. The Chamber’s 18-storey building is the first in the region to demonstrate that even existing older buildings can be improved significantly. This ties in nicely with our Smart Buildings feature, where we look at some of the latest trends and developments in building control and energy management. As Johnson Controls vice-president: global energy and sustainability Clay G. Nesler says: “When we look at issues like climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, some of the studies suggest that the number one abatement strategy is to tackle energy consumption of buildings.”

he Sustainability Award of the 2010 MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Awards has gone to the (oddly-named) Town Town Erdberg building from design firm Coop Himmelb(l)au of Vienna, Austria. Dubbed as one of the most energy-efficient building designs in the world, it produces more energy than it consumes. It achieves this through such features as an ‘energy-active’ façade comprising PV lamination, together with a wind turbine on top of the tower. A potential prototype of the façade is currently being tested in conjunction with SFL Technologies. Coop Himmelb(l)au CEO Wolf D. Prix describes the project as encompassing ‘active’ rather than ‘passive’ design. The building also manages to make better use of its internal space (86% of floor space is usable, as opposed to 82% average in other buildings, it claims), by combining two typologies, namely the high-rise slab and cylindrical tower, in conjunction with a cleverly-positioned central circulation and access core functioning as a ‘hinge’. While such high-profile projects dominate the media, Dubai has quietly clocked up another amazing achievement in its long march towards the total sustainability of its urban fabric: the first existing building in the Arab world to achieve LEED certification. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has succeeded in reducing its water and energy

GERHARD HOPE Editor gerhard.hope@itp.com

Keep up-to-date with all MEP Middle East news at

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 5

UPDATE

US$25m pre-insulated pipe factory High-level function in Jebel Ali is attended by Danish and UAE dignitaries

Empower CEO Ahmad bin Shafar and Logstor CEO Preben Tolstrup

Denmark Crown Prince Frederik and Dewa MD and CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer

PIPING

will ensure timely delivery and installation of pipe networks that will have a major impact on Empower’s project timelines,” said Bin Shafar.

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.

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 preinsulated pipes used in district cooling networks, which constitutes 20% to 25% of the total capital investment. The facility

The ofﬁcial walkabout

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 diverse requirements of the district cooling and oil and gas sectors across the Middle East region. “This factory represents 6 MEP Middle East | March 2010

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 artificial price fluctuations created by various players due to the prevailing 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 custom-

20%to25% Of the total capital investment in district cooling networks is attributable to the preinsulated pipes used. Ofﬁciating at the glittering occasion

Adding some glamour to the event

ers in more than 50 countries. With the prime purpose of supplying top-quality district cooling pipe systems to 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.” ELIPS stands to beneﬁt from its location in the Jebel Ali Industrial Area, which will provide easy access to both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi markets, which are one of the biggest markets for district cooling and oil and www.constructionweekonline.com

UPDATE gas in the region. “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. Empower’s position as the region’s number one com-

Independent Technical Solutions LLC P. O. Box: 62447 Dubai Tel: +971 (0)4 2679885 Fax: +971 (0)4 2679886 Email: sales@intechsolutions.ae

At the ofﬁcial launch

Cutting the ribbon

pany for district cooling is more realised now with the opening of this factory,” said Bin Shafar.

COMMITMENT 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. Depending on dimensions and output from 100 to 300 pipe joints a day, 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 will also enable the JV to enter the oil and

gas industry, which is not possible with traditional injection techniques. Currently, only one out of ﬁ ve existing pre-insulated pipe manufacturers are using spray technology. ELIPS also aims to make a major contribution to a greener environment as its technology helps lower carbon dioxide emissions. “District cooling is the most eco-friendly technology in meeting the world’s carbon dioxide reduction targets,” argued Bin Shafar. “Empower’s vision to supply reliable and environment-friendly comfort cooling is in line with Logstor’s ambition to meet the critical need for high-quality pre-insulated pipes across the entire Gulf region. “ELIPS will supply worldclass pipe networks and meet the demand for hundreds of kilometres of pre-insulated pipes for the region’s future district cooling,” he concluded.

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Pre-insulated pipes manufactured by Elips www.constructionweekonline.com

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 7

UPDATE

Strong growth for Gulf security sector Gulf homeland security budgets are set to double over the next decade

The tax-free hub located in Aqaba, Jordan, adjacent to the country’s only container port SECURITY

The security industry in the Arabian Gulf is worth an estimated AED3.6 billion, and is projected to grow at 10% a year. This is according to Victoria Lee, senior show manager: Intersec, Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, speaking upon the opening of the 2010 event at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre towards the end of January. Intersec is the world’s largest security and safety event outside Europe. It is also the largest in the MENA region for the safety and security industry, combining

AED3.6 BILLION Value of the security industry in the Arabian Gulf

8 MEP Middle East | March 2010

a major international proﬁ le with a strong regional impact. “The Arabian Gulf is one of the most exciting markets in the world for the security industry,” said Lee. She added that homeland security budgets in the Gulf are set to double from AED20 billion to AED40 billion over the next decade. “The security industry in the Middle East is a fast-growing market. It is projected that, within the next few years, more than 60 000 buildings and assets in Dubai will be fully installed with direct alarm systems. Alarm system installation will be a mandatory requirement by law, to ensure and enhance the safety of the city,” said Lee.

DEMAND FOR CCTV In addition, the demand for sophisticated CCTV is growing at a rapid pace in the MENA region. “This is evidenced by the Dubai Metro’s 3 000 CCTV cam-

eras installed to monitor the 74 km of rail tracks and 29 stations. CCTV is a crucial element in securing buildings, banks, ports and airports,” explained Lee. Intersec also boasted a dedicated health and safety focus. “Construction-site falls are second only to motor-vehicle accidents as a cause of fatalities,” pointed out Lee. The exhibition featured a special fall-protection display featuring rescue-at-height specialist companies. Fire safety was also a key focus – according to official statistics from Abu Dhabi Civil Defence, a total of 1 543 fi res occurred in the fi rst ten months of 2009, causing 30 deaths and 115 injuries. “The Gulf region is one of the most challenging markets for fi refighting, fi re prevention and rescue. Major investment in infrastructure, construction and related sectors helps to continuously raise the bar in fi re and safety issues,” commented Lee.

SURVEILLANCE SOLUTION An IndigoVision high-definition (HD) IP video solution has been deployed to protect the Aqaba Logistics Village (ALV), which is a tax-free hub located in Aqaba, Jordan, adjacent to the country’s only container port. Both IndigoVision’s HD and standard 4SIF resolution IP cameras have been installed to provide blanket CCTV coverage with the minimum number of cameras – one of the many advantages of deploying megapixel HD cameras. Aqaba is an important gateway for Jordan and neighbouring Iraq, and the addition of a state-of-the-art surveillance system allows ALV to provide a high-security solution for its many international clients. In addition to monitoring the security of the site, ALV now has a video record of the logistics transactions, providing an audit trail in the event of a customer dispute. The system was designed and installed by IndigoVision’s approved local Partner, Megatech. FIRE-SUPPRESSION SYSTEM Firetrace International is supplying hundreds of its genuine FIRETRACE® stand-alone, automatic fire-suppression systems for DOKAAEP [Development of King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project] in the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, the company revealed at Intersec 2010. The systems are being used to provide dedicated fire protection to vital electrical cabinets throughout the architecturally-distinctive complex, which comprises seven high-rise towers overlooking the Holy Mosque that will accommodate 65 000 guests and visiting pilgrims. The 1 445 000 square metre structure is believed to be the largest mixed-use complex of its kind in the world, and is scheduled for completion in 2011.

www.constructionweekonline.com

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FEBRUARY 13–19, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

UPDATE

First World Plumbing Day Global plumbing organisations invited to participate PLUMBING

The ﬁ rst-ever World Plumbing Day is to be celebrated globally on 11 March 2010, according to World Plumbing Council (WPC) chairman Robert Burgon. Details of the inaugural event were announced at the WPC’s annual meeting held in Centurion, South Africa towards the end of last year. With the theme ‘Plumbing – Vital to Global Health’, plumbing organisations throughout the world will be invited to undertake a range of activities with the aim of raising awareness of the important role played by today’s plumbing industry. “There are international days for all sorts of other causes, and their purpose is always about overall awareness raising,” said Burgon. “World Plumbing Day is no different, and we simply want to make more and more people realise that plumbing is a signiﬁcant industry and a major contributor to public health and the environment.

“This year we have chosen the theme ‘Plumbing – Vital to Global Health’ with the intention being that we highlight just how much our industry contributes to both the health of our people and the health of our planet.” The aim is to involve local communities to spread the word, which Burgon feels is the only way to bring about the required results. “Our idea is that WPC members and indeed any organisation or individual in the global

plumbing industry takes the opportunity to do something in their country or even their city as a way of alerting their fellow citizens to our industry. The more local activity there is, the more chance we have of the message being seen and understood. “It is not just about ﬁxing pipes; it is plumbing as a whole system solution that is the message being touted. World Plumbing Day is about the value of sanitation. I believe that, in developed countries, effective sanitation is usually taken for granted – until something goes wrong,” says Burgon. “In developing countries where there is often no effective sanitation, then there is a lack of awareness of just how signiﬁcant even basic sanitation could be. We should never miss the chance, wherever we might be, to stress the importance of sanitation and the role which our industry plays in the design, installation and maintenance of such systems.” For more information visit www.worldplumbingday.org.

Big fan base for new Mirdif City Centre FANS

Patented wind-tunnel technology is being deployed at the soon-to-be-opened Mirdif City Centre for the ﬂ agship iFLY

10 MEP Middle East | March 2010

Dubai attraction, an indoor skydiving facility. Four giant fans, with 400 hp each, located on the roof of the mall at Mirdif City Centre will

induce airﬂ ow within the ﬂ ight chambers, generating the same wind speed skydivers feel during freefall. Air inside the tunnels will be recirculated 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 it as being as close to reality without falling out of an aircraft. The wind generators, which have a diameter of over 2.4 m and weigh more than 2 000 kg each, are being imported especially from the US.

Iris Bay tops out PROJECT

The 32-storey Iris Bay ofﬁce and retail tower at Business Bay has topped out. Designed, engineered and project managed by Atkins, the tower comprises two identical double curved shells which are rotated and cantilevered over a fourstorey podium, underneath which are three levels of basement and underground parking for 920 cars. The topping out ceremony brought together the site supervision team, the client and key members of the design team to celebrate the milestone, which culminated in the last structural slabs being poured on top of the 170-mtall structure. “We are delighted the project has quietly but successfully advanced to this milestone stage,” says Hesham Abdelaziz Gabr, Atkins resident engineer for the project. “It was a real challenge to meet the demands of the unique design, but working alongside the contractor to resolve on-site issues, with the coordination and support of the design teams here in Dubai, we have been able to keep the project fully on track.” Atkins was commissioned in 2006 as lead consultant for architecture, structural, MEP design and project management for the entire development by client Sheth Estate International. The project was an early opportunity for Atkins to explore the challenges of sustainable design in a hot climate, and incorporates both passive and active environmental features. The distinctive ovoid shape creates areas of negative pressure that draw air through the building and reduce dependence on mechanical ventilation. The rear elevation is a continuous vertical curve punctuated by balconies, while the front elevation is made up of seven zones of rotated glass. This includes naturally-ventilated spaces and integrated solar energy and shading ﬁlms in the glass façade. www.constructionweekonline.com

UPDATE

Upsurge in electrical fires An estimated 30% of GCC building ﬁ res caused by wiring faults STANDARDS

An estimated 30% of building fi res in the GCC are caused by short circuits, faulty wiring and non-conforming electrical products, according to the fi rst international conference for standardisation and conformity assessment in electrotechnology held in Bahrain. Part of the problem is the absence of third-party conformity assessment. Use of IEC International Standards in third-party conformity assessment increases the safety and health of local populations and encourages the development of manufacturing in the GCC, according to the conference fi ndings, which were emphatic in their conclusions: better protect the citizens of the Gulf

region from the many accidents caused by low-quality electrical appliances and components. With the rapid growth of the consumption of non-conforming electrical appliances in the Gulf region has come an increase in accidents and electrical ﬁ res. Badly-insulated oven doors in low-quality products burn many innocent hands. Inferior quality material used in switches, socket outlets, fuses and appliances may cause ﬁ res in buildings that can cost billions of dollars to local economies, and endanger the lives of millions. The event was opened by the Minister of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain, HE Hassan Abdulla Fakhro. It was co-organised by the IECEE, the Sys-

tem of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain and GSO, the GCC Standardisation Organisation. The event brought together key players from manufacturing, testing laboratories and government bodies from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It looked at the safety of household appliances and electrical appliances and buildings, as well as the role of conformity assessment in improving the quality and performance of electrotechnical products and systems in these countries.

Energy-efﬁcient Dubai Fountain ELECTRICAL

Leading power and automation technology group ABB has ensured that the electriﬁcation of the Dubai Fountain, part of the Burj Khalifa complex, is as energy-efﬁcient as possible. ABB supplied air-insulated switchgears, dry-type Resibloc

www.constructionweekonline.com

transformers, gas-insulated compact switchgear, power monitoring system, 4200A LV MNS switchgear and other lowvoltage panels. The increased energy efﬁ ciency of the fountain is brought about by the capacitor banks and the harmonic ﬁ lters.

The capacitor banks improve the power factor, decreasing the amount of reactive power consumed, while the harmonic ﬁ lters 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.”

EVENTS SAUDI PMV SHOW 6-9 March KAEC, Saudi Arabia. www.saudipmvshow.com WETEX 2010 9-11 March Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre PROJECT QATAR 12-15 April Qatar www.ifpqatar.com CITYSCAPE ABU DHABI 2010 18-21 April ADNEC, Abu Dhabi www.cityscapeabudhabi.com BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY INTO THE MIDDLE EAST CONFERENCE 28 April Dubai www.itp.net/events HARDWARE & TOOLS MIDDLE EAST 18-20 May Dubai www.hardwaretoolsme.com MIDDLE EAST WASTE SUMMIT 18-20 May Dubai www.wastesummit.com CONBUILD RIYADH 23-26 May Saudi Arabia www.biztradeshows.com SAUDI AIRCON 24-27 May Riyadh, Saudi Arabia www.recexpo.com CONSTRUCTION WEEK RIYADH 8 June Riyadh, Saudi Arabia www.itp.net/events BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY ABU DHABI CONFERENCE 29 September Abu Dhabi www.itp.net/events

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 11

UPDATE

Green flag for updated Standard 189.1 First code-intended commercial green building standard in the US ASHRAE

Published by ASHR AE in conjunction with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and the USGBC, Standard 189.1, ‘Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except LowRise Residential Buildings’, is believed to be the ﬁ rst code-intended commercial green building standard in the US. From site location to energy use to recycling, this standard will set the foundation for green buildings. It covers topics such as site sus-

tainability, water-use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources. The energy efficiency goal of Standard 189.1 is to provide significant energy reduction over that in ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007. It offers a broader scope than Standard 90.1, and is intended to provide minimum requirements for the siting, design and construction of high performance, green buildings. “The far-reaching influence of

Qatar Cool launches second plant in Doha

The Pearl in Qatar DISTRICT COOLING

Qatar District Cooling Company, the sole distributor of district cooling services in Qatar, has announced the operational launch of its second plant in Doha’s thriving ﬁ nancial district in WestBay, catering for a further million square metres. “At Qatar Cool we are progressing quickly in implementing a comprehensive district cooling system that complements the rapid growth of Qatar,” commented Qatar Cool GM Fayad Al Khatib. This is the third operational plant for Qatar Cool, having 12 MEP Middle East | March 2010

launched its fi rst Plant in WestBay in 2006, and at The Pearl in Qatar earlier this year. The Pearl plant is the world’s largest single integrated district cooling plant, and will have a network capacity of 130 000+ TR of cooling when the plant becomes fully operational next year. Plant 2 in WestBay has a capacity of 37 000 TR, and is connected through the network to Plant 1, which has a capacity of 30 000 TR. The combined plants will serve a total of 46 towers in the area by 2011; this will include a mix of residential, office and mixed-use towers, and a raft of new hotels that are currently still at construction stage. “Our continued expansion and green approach to cooling has placed us fi rmly at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry. The launch of a second plant in WestBay allows us to service a greater number of clients in the market. We are proud of these accomplishments, and continue to look forward to future growth,” said Al Khatib.

the built environment necessitates action to reduce its impact,” said ASHRAE president Gordon Holness. “Provisions in the standard can reduce negative environmental impacts through high-performance building design, construction and operations practices. Ultimately, the aim is not just energy efﬁciency, but a balance of environmental responsibility, resource efﬁciency, occupant comfort and well-being and community sensitivity, all while supporting the goal of sustainable development.” “IES is pleased to be a co-spon-

sor of this standard that will have a signiﬁcant impact on requirements for high-performance green buildings and the building industry as a whole,” said IES technology director Rita Harrold. “Greening the building code is a critical factor in how the building industry is working to mitigate climate change,” said USGBC vice-president: technical development Brendan Owens. “We are extremely excited to see our collective efforts over the past three years come to fruition in the form of this important standard.”

Robotic cleaning for Dubai’s tall buildings CLEANING

Robotic cleaning systems for windows and façades on high-rise buildings have been launched in Dubai by Swiss company Serbot AG. “We are bringing this new technology to the UAE, where we have seen a lot of potential,” said Serbot business development manager Bas Schmit Phiferons. Gekko and CleanAnt from Serbot are cleaning robots for high-rise buildings combining robotic engineering, cleaning engineering and a fall arrestor system and media supply in one complete system. The robots can be used on the widest variety of façade types, and do not require any devices such as guide rails. They can work at wind speeds that would prohibit manual cleaning for safety reasons. Their excellent cleaning performance, constant availability and minimal operating costs make these an ideal façade cleaning system, noted Schmit Phiferons. Gekko has a cleaning capacity of up to 400 square metres

The CleanAnt from Serbot is used on

an hour, which is 15 times faster than manual cleaning. It uses vacuum power to attach itself to the surface, whether vertical, horizontal or slanted. The robot then uses a windshield-wiper type of brush to blast away any kind of dirt, be it dust, mud or even oils, such as the residue from combustion engines. “No detergent is needed for cleaning, which is an added environmental advantage. The robots can use dry ice, demineralised water or water with enzymes to eat away the oils. They also can ﬁ lter and recycle the used material to minimise waste,” explained Phiferons. www.constructionweekonline.com

NAPCO Achieves UL Certiﬁcation NAPCO, manufacturer of speciality adhesives, coatings and sealants, has announced that it has achieved Certiﬁcation by Underwriter Laboratories, Inc., (USA). To have been awarded this prestigious certi cation is a landmark accomplishment for NAPCO. This is further rewarding by virtue of NAPCO being the rst and only company in the region to have its complete range of HVAC adhesives, coatings and sealants UL certi ed. A UK-based company with a manufacturing unit in the United Arab Emirates, NAPCO Middle East Ltd. is

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the region’s leading manufacturer of HVAC adhesives, coatings and sealants for over 15 years, with projects that span across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In today’s world of increasing demand for quality and safe products, NAPCO is working with its clients and internationally reputed laboratories to not only to meet standards but to set them.

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 13

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Trane Man MEP Middle East speaks to Nigel Hawley from Trane, its new GM for the Middle East, Africa and India region, on the outlook for growth.

services ﬁrm, in various ﬁnancial/consulting roles working in the UK and the US.

What does your current role encompass? I have overall responsibility for Trane’s operations in the Middle East, India and Africa. This includes strategy, sales and operational performance and key customer relations. 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 aircooled chiller systems, which are equipped with high-efficiency scroll compressors. The key benefits to users are high 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 our controls and comprehensive solutions businesses, while we also aim to attract, develop and retain the best talent in the industry.

What strategy are you adopting? Can you give us a bit of your background? I joined Trane as ﬁnance leader for the Middle Midd East in October 2006. I was promoted to GM of the Middle East, Africa and India region in i March 2009. Before this I spent four years in a corporate ﬁnance role with Trane in its EuEu ropean HQ in Brussels. Prior to t this I spent 13 years with wit KPMG, a globa global professiona professional

Despite the current market we remain 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 comprehensive solutions business is a key part of this strategy.

Will business stabilise this year? Yes, in terms of our core business, excluding district cooling and unitary, which are two segments badly affected by the market downturn, especially in Dubai. I do not expect to see this changing dramatically in 2010.

Are customers struggling in terms of payment at the moment? We are generally involved at the early stages of projects, so where the credit crisis has affected us most is that projects have been delayed or cancelled. However, it is clear that some customers, especially contractors, are suffering with delayed payments from their customers (developers). Overall we have not suffered particularly from payment delays, and have no signiﬁcant exposure.

What are your biggest growth areas at the moment? Services – maintenance, repairs, parts – and then traditional applied equipment. With such a vast portfolio, it can be difﬁcult selecting

14 MEP Middle East | March 2010

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

just one or two specific products. However, I would say that we are expecting good growth prospects from our airside range as a result of new product introductions and refinements. In addition, we detect greater emphasis on indoor air quality (IAQ) from owners and developers, which is also driving demand to more sophisticated and efficient selections. We are also enhancing our manufacturing footprint, which will give clients the opportunity to source quality Trane products from locations closer to their markets, thus saving on freight costs.

Are you expanding regionally? We have our own ofﬁces here in Dubai, plus Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon and across India. All other countries are covered by distributors, which are also serviced from an experienced team in Dubai. This year we are expanding in the Gulf, and expect to have our own direct ofﬁce opened in Qatar in the next few months.

How important is MENA to Trane? Very important. 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, and therefore the Middle East is a key market for us. Trane has a deﬁned strategy to maximise growth across all emerging markets, and MENA is clearly a key part of this strategy.

Last year’s economic difﬁculties were compounded by the refrigerant phase-out? That is not exactly how I would put it. Trane’s philosophy is to produce and sell the most energy-efﬁcient and environmentally-responsible HVAC systems and solutions possible. Refrigerant change is a constant in our industry. Last year was particularly exciting and challenging due to the US decision to stop producing equipment with R22 from 31 December 2009.

Even in this tough economic climate, Dubai seems to have more new projects than anywhere else in the world. “ Nigel Hawley

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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 is not being driven by legislation, we 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.

What is on the cards for the region in terms of new products? • AquaStream (CGAM scroll chillers, being the top of the range in the market from a quality, efﬁciency and durability perspective); • New R410a unitary products; • New TVR Trane product (VRF application); and • Chilled beams.

Trane is focusing on ‘green’ products? 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, 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. Seeing that more and more businesses recognise the importance of building green, Trane actively supports the green building councils around the world, including the UAE and the US, and conferences such as Greenbuild and the Green Building Congress. We are advancing building technologies and solutions that accelerate the design and construction of green communities. We are a founding member of the Emirates Green Building Council.

Customer value and aftermarket support continue to be critical focus areas? Trane works with facility owners, developers, designers and installers to reduce operating costs and raise productivity. We do this by managing energy consumption, controlling maintenance expenses, improving comfort

and IAQ, ensuring reliability, addressing health, safety and environmental issues, providing meaningful information and reducing risk, complexity and project schedules during the project phase. In terms of the aftermarket, our machines are designed for multi-year use, and when selecting and recommending solutions to our customers, we are focused on optimising lifecycle costing and performance. Optimum efficiency is only possible over the life of the machine when proper and regular preventative maintenance is performed. This is a part of our business we are investing in heavily, and it is an area where we are experiencing dramatic growth. We have a very comprehensive, proactive service offering including upgrades related to the environment (leak testing, refrigerant monitoring, noise reduction, IAQ, refrigerant retrofit), reliability (vibration analysis, tube testing, oil analysis, exchanger enhancement and compressor renewal) and energy (exchanger cleaning, variable frequency drives, heat recovery, control retrofit and remote monitoring, for example). We offer comprehensive maintenance contracts aiming at providing optimised equipment operation, low maintenance costs and minimised energy consumption, budgetable expenses, compliance with local government and environmental regulations, constant performance with no hassles or worries, elimination of operating losses, limited downtime and, most importantly, reliability of service and optimal cost of ownership.

What is your outlook for the future? 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 levels lower than experienced previously. Last but not least, even in this tough economic climate, Dubai seems to have more new projects than anywhere else in the world.

Anything else you would like to add? Trane is a proud member of Ingersoll Rand. Speciﬁcally we are part of the Climate Solutions Sector, which comprises other worldleading brands such as Hussman, Koxka and Thermo King. It is our goal to help customers make their businesses, facilities and processes more efﬁcient, safer and more comfortable by bringing to market industry-leading products, services and solutions.

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 15

PROFILE

In Control MEP Middle East 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. 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 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 fami16 MEP Middle East | March 2010

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PROFILE lies. 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 argues that the socalled 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 much passion across the entire region. Customers hold it very close to their hearts. In most of the countries where we are represented, 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.”

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. “ Dilip Sinha 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 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-the-art, 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 regional standards do differ.” Commenting on the company’s strategy for the immediate future: “If you look at the re-

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 www.constructionweekonline.com

The number of years that Honeywell has been in the region

gion 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 real-time growth.

GROWTH IN 2010 “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 modular-type 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 sustainability 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 customers, 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 a unique feature. Not many companies are able to do that, and we are able to do it on a fast-track basis as well, concludes Sinha.” March 2010 | MEP Middle East 17

Infinova Creates A&E Consultants’ Website to Download Specifications and Drawings With one or two clicks, architects and engineering (A&E) consultants can get A&E Specifications as PDFs and MS Word documents, AutoCAD and Visio drawings and photographs By Milind Borkar Infinova

To help Architects and Engineering consultants who are writing project requirements get easy access to A&E specifications and product drawings, Infinova has created a single location on the Infinova website that provides all the information needed to develop and specify a video surveillance system. By going to the Infinova website, www.infinova.com “A&E Specifications” at the top of the page, A&E consultants and others can obtain A&E specifications as PDF’s and MS Word documents, AutoCAD and Visio drawings, plus product photographs for all Infinova products. Infinova’s A&E website has already been reviewed by leading consultants and the feedback so far is that the new website is one of the best in the industry. Having online access helps A&E consultants get easy and fast access to information about Infinova products, they can use this site to directly download information they need. The tools on the A&E website help consultants complete detailed proposals more quickly and with more accuracy for their clients. Consultants can download A&E specifications for all models at once, or individually by product. A quick link takes them to various product categories including fixed cameras, lenses and IR illuminators; IP network fixed cameras; camera housings and mounts; pan/tilts and receiver/drivers; fixed IP mini-domes; integrated PTZ camera; PTZ dome cameras; monitors and matrix switchers; keyboards and controllers; CCTV accessories and VOIP; software and DVRs, fiber optics; and fiber optics accessories.

51 Stouts Lane, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852 USA

Toll-free US: 1-888-685-2002

To try out the new website, consultants can go to www.infinova.com. About Infinova By helping integrators provide their customers with best-in-class, large and small video surveillance solutions, Infinova helps integrators generate more business by being able to say “yes” to a broad scope of projects. Infinova provides IP and analog surveillance cameras and components, camera accessories, monitors, power supplies and fiber optic communications devices as well as customized solutions. Infinova partners with brandleader manufacturers to create turnkey solutions and tests and verifies the functionality of their partners’ solutions when integrated with Infinova products. Infinova works diligently to assure integrators can provide affordable solutions and is acknowledged in the industry for their exceptional customer service programs. With such customer focus, Infinova is often called “the integrators’ manufacturer.”

Tel: 732-355-9100

Fax: 732-355-9101

www.infinova.com

sales@infinova.com

SMART BUILDINGS

Smart grids need

smarter buildings The latest buzzword in the utilities sector is the ‘smart grid’, which presents a major opportunity for buildings to become even smarter. State Building refurbishment project in New York in the US. “Every ﬂoor is going to be submetered for electricity; in fact, individual tenants can opt for an energy meter for their own use, and every tenant is going to get their own Web site.

TRACK ENERGY USE

The Leviton team at Middle East Electricity: (left to right) Gurudatt Shenoy, Hatim Hamasha, Priety Padam, VP: lighting management systems Richard Westfall, Ramzi Nassif, Paul Sherbo and Motaz Al Batta

ohnson Controls vice-president: global energy and sustainability Clay G. Nesler explains that the smart grid “is simply an upgraded electrical distribution system allowing it to accommodate more renewable energy and intermittent sources of energy. The grid has to be ‘smart’ enough to be able to accommodate more variable sources of energy, such as when the sun does not shine or the wind does not blow. “It also superimposes information over the electrical grid, so it is kind of like a meshing of the Internet with the electrical grid, so the www.constructionweekonline.com

utilities and providers of energy can send information to buildings, and buildings can send information back. The idea is that buildings will then be able to use less energy, and the system as a whole will be more efﬁcient. “Most of the focus and investment has been on the utilities side in terms of the automation of the generation, distribution and transmission of electricity. We believe the greatest opportunity is actually on the building side. In fact, there will not be a smart grid until there are smart buildings connected to it,” says Nesler. A major trend in this regard is tenant energy management, such as the system that Johnson Controls is pioneering at the Empire

“Thus you will be able to see the energy use of your space, updated in real-time every 15 minutes. That is going to allow you to track your energy use better, which is going to allow you to do things like turn off the lights when needed and select better computers that use less energy, for example. “It is going to allow you to compare your energy use with others in the building. We think that will create some challenges, perhaps a little competition, to drive the energy use down. Just providing that information reinforces the energy efﬁciency drive. We think this technology has great potential to further reduce energy in buildings through getting the occupants involved,” says Nesler. This sophisticated monitoring of energy use leads to even more exciting possibilities on the utilities front. “One of the capabilities we hope

Sometimes the energy management product installation is very costly and inefﬁcient because we have to start tearing into walls to install wiring and sensors “ Richard Westfall March 2010 | MEP Middle East 19

SMART BUILDINGS

to develop is where a utility can supply the price of electricity over time. Dubai has a single electricity tariff. There is a lot of discussion about going to a dual tariff, where in fact there would be a different price during peak times, which would be higher than off-peak. “Within the US there are a lot of trials related to this, and a few utilities which actually change the price of electricity every hour. That price matches the cost of generation and allows building owners, tenants and home owners to react to that increased price of electricity,” says Nesler.

that goes into new buildings, retroﬁtting and service. We have 16 000 mechanics and technicians around the world ensuring that buildings, once they are built, are being operated effectively and efﬁciently. “Then we have a workplace solutions business that carries out FM activities. We actually run and directly operate and manage 1.5 billion square feet of space for our clients. If you look at our systems, technology and services businesses overall, we touch another 20 billion square feet of space in commercial, industrial and institutional buildings,” says Nesler.

LONG WAY TO GO

UNDERSTANDING BUILDINGS

However, Dubai is still a long way from such sophisticated energy management technology. Here the trend towards sustainability and green building is just starting to take hold, while the integration of smart grids with the general building infrastructure is still a long way into the future. This does not mean though that the relevance of such trends can be overlooked or even dismissed. “When we look at issues like climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, some of the studies suggest that the number one abatement strategy is to tackle energy consumption of buildings. Number two is energy consumption in transportation. Building efﬁciency is a $14 billion business for Johnson Controls globally. “That breaks down into a number of segments we have identiﬁed around this technology – products, control systems, the equipment

“What that means is we really understand buildings: from design to construction and operation, we know what it takes to make buildings efﬁcient. And one of the things we focus on as we look at the lifecycle is we have

RWN Trading marketing director Carol Prince and business development manager Peter Cowan

I do feel Dubai is a little bit behind, compared to many other Western countries where energy efﬁciency is promoted constantly. “ Carol Prince

dialogues with our clients and the construction community. What people are becoming more and more attuned to is that spending an extra dollar on energy efficiency when designing a building will deliver at least US$18 throughout the lifecycle. “So one of the comments or perspectives we share with our customers and the market in general is that not only is it environmentally irresponsible to build an inefficient building, it is actually economically and physically irresponsible … and that energy efficiency needs to be designed into a new building and every major retrofit of a building that occurs,” says Nesler. “When we look at solutions, we talk about being engaged from the design phase onwards. One of the things differentiating our company is we do not just help our clients with the design, we actually help them with the build, or the actual renovation or retrofit activity undertaken. We execute those projects directly in relation to the technology systems going into the buildings; we maintain them over time; and because we do all of that, we actually put our balance sheet behind it and we guarantee savings.” Thus building efficiency is a major driver of both technological innovation and sustainable development. So where does Dubai fit into the overall picture? “I do feel Dubai is a little bit behind, compared to many other Western countries where energy efficiency is promoted constantly. There you feel guilty if you leave the lights on or have not done your recycling. The question is how do we progress to such a mindset?” says RWN Trading marketing director Carol Prince.

FLOOD OF PRODUCTS Prince says part of the problem is that the marketplace has been flooded with a plethora of products of increasing sophistication and functionality, leaving the end user with a bewildering choice of systems. Competing technologies also raise the issue of cost-effectiveness, as the general perception is that building efficiency is a costly business. “What a lot of companies are not aware of is that you can just do one room at a time. A developer might say to us it is impossible to retrofit 300 rooms at a time, for example. We say approach it simply – introduce the new technology as one tenant leaves and before the next moves in.” Prince says that RWN Trading is engaged in a major contract involving a 1 000-bed hotel, where it has installed a mockup room in order to obtain real-time energyefficiency data. “Now that Sheikh Mohammad is really be-

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SMART BUILDINGS

hind sustainability, people will start to take it more seriously. Combined with such major global platforms as the Copenhagen Climate Conference, it has really begun to enter people’s psyches. We have been in business for three years, but have never had as many automation and control enquiries as we have had since January this year,” says Prince. Predicated on its philosophy of user-friendly, cost-effective technology, RWN Trading has launched Zity, which regulates lighting, aircon, heating and security from a single interface. “At the simplest level, this means replacing ordinary light switches with smart wireless

ones. The intelligence is built in. Most systems are very complicated. This is a simple and lowcost installation. It is also very easy to adapt according to changing needs, without the services of an IT professional,” says Prince.

TECHNOLOGY BENCHMARK What this means is that the Middle East has become an interesting benchmark for new technology, to the extent that major companies are seeking to gain a toehold as the green revolution takes hold. One such company is Leviton of the US. “Coming into this market, I would say 70% of our product line has to be

redeveloped or re-engineered for form factor and voltages, etc. “The good news is that our integrated network solutions are universally accepted. “Therefore this represents our ﬁrst endeavour in the Middle East, and it is doing phenomenally well. We are now looking to bringing lighting controls and energy management product to this part of the world,” says Leviton US vice-president: lighting management systems Richard Westfall. “We have a tremendous investment in newtechnology products. We have just come out with a complete control system, including oc-

DUBAI CHAMBER CELEBRATES ITS LEADERSHIP IN GREEN BUILDING An official plaque-unveiling ceremony has been held at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to highlight its new LEED certification. The unveiling took place in the presence of HE Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad, the UAE Minister of Environment and Water. The certification makes the Chamber the first existing commercial building in the region, and one of only four buildings outside the US and Canada. Besides the Minister, the high-profile ceremony was attended by HE Eng Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber; Jeff Willis, Chairman of the Emirates Green Building Council; government officials, representatives of the various business groups, councils and companies; as well as experts in sustainable initiatives and media representatives. “This achievement demonstrates the Dubai Chamber’s commitment to the strategic vision of our leaders towards environmental sustainability. It also demonstrates the Chamber’s commitment to conserving resources and implementing best practices, and reinforces our strategic objectives of creating a favourable business environment for the Emirate, supporting the development of business and promoting Dubai as an international business hub,” said Buamin. The Dubai Chamber’s efforts to go green started more than ten years ago, during a time when environmental responsibility was not fashionable or expected, led by the Chamber’s green building team, which worked on a number of pioneering energy- and watersaving initiatives in the region. The Dubai Chamber has succeeded in reducing water and energy consumption by about 77% and 47% respectively between

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The interior of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

1998 and 2008, leading to significant carbon emission reductions and accumulated power savings of around AED7.1 million. “We have demonstrated that environmental responsibility is good for business; it saves money, enhances efficiency, and demonstrates good citizenship. We hope that our members will adopt many of the initiatives we have undertaken, which will enhance efficiency, save them money and allow them to contribute towards building a stronger nation,” said Buamim. Pioneering steps taken include capturing the humidity through the air-con system as condensate water to use in the fountain and toilet system, saving 0.85 million litres of water a year, adjusting lift weighting loads to decrease energy consumption by 20%, reusing municipal grey water for landscaping and the toilet system, and providing VIP parking for staff

and free valet parking for visitors using fuelefficient vehicles. The Chamber’s 18-storey building joined the ranks of 204 buildings in Canada and the US, as well as three other buildings in India and Sri Lanka, in achieving the LEED existing building certification, an internationallyrecognised green building standard set by the US Green Building Council. It is the first in the region to demonstrate that even existing older buildings can be improved significantly for the benefit of the environment, building users, operators and the broader community. In 2009, the Dubai Chamber was awarded the gold prize in the Green Buildings Category of the Dubai Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) award from Trakhees-Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation (PCFC). It also received two certificates of appreciation from DEWA for energy and water conservation efforts.

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 21

SMART BUILDINGS cupancy sensing and vacancy sensing, that is totally ‘peel-and-stick’. So there is no wiring; you use your existing wiring, which cuts down on labour, materials and energy consumption. What we are really proud of is that we are the ﬁrst to commercialise such wireless, self-powered, no-battery technology,” says Westfall. The company introduced its latest innovation at Middle East Electricity. “This is only our second year in the Middle East, so visibility and getting our name out in the industry is very important to us. We have come here, I guess you would say, a little late … but we want to take 104 years of brand rec-

ognition and leadership in North America and bring it to the rest of the world. That is our ultimate goal.”

NEXT MAJOR LIGHT SOURCE Commenting on other trends, Westfall says that “LED, of course, has become what we feel is going to be the next major light source in the industry. But when this will happen is the wild card. Is it in three years’, or maybe ﬁve years’ time? Right now it is too expensive for the lumens it allows, but each year it is becoming more effective and efﬁcient, so it is just a matter of time.”

The potential cost of refurbishment is also a critical bottom-line issue. “Sometimes the energy management product installation is very costly and inefﬁcient because we have to start tearing into walls to install wiring and sensors.” This is where Leviton’s latest product comes into play. “It is a wireless, battery-less occupancy sensor. It comprises a PV cell that uses the energy of the light present in the room to charge the sensor, which has a wireless connection to a remote switch. The mechanical action of pressing the button is what powers the switch,” says Westfall. Yet another global energy management spe-

BUILDING AUTOMATION FOR BAHRAIN

New BAS/security solutions will enhance public safety and energy conservation ALMOAYYED Integrated Security Solutions (AISS), a leading commercial and industrial security solutions provider, is deploying world-class security/Building Automation Systems (BAS) in key government, civil and commercial establishments, as well as new infrastructural projects, across Bahrain to enhance public safety and energy conservation. “With the rapid pace of infrastructural development, public safety and energy efficiency have become a major priority, mandating the need for comprehensive automated security and BAS,” said AISS sales manager Rajesh G. while speaking at AISEC 2009, a trade seminar organised for contractors, architects, construction consultants and security experts. AISS is collaborating with Automated Logic Corporation of the US (a BAS specialist), Cardax of New Zealand (a specialist in access control and intruder alarms) and IndigoVision of Scotland (a specialist in IP video security) – three of the best in their respective business categories – in providing cost-effective, scalable and cutting-edge solutions that will ensure energy efficiency, safety and security. For example, Automated Logic’s Environmental Index automatically gathers data on heating and cooling set points, relative humidity and contaminants like carbon dioxide, and displays them as a percentage on an analogue gauge, using red segments to indicate poor environments and gradually changing to green as conditions improve. This, along with Energy Reports, helps facility managers in determining both the energy efficiency and occupant comfort

22 MEP Middle East | March 2010

Automated Logic features an Environmental Index

level, while matching sustainable building performance metrics like LEED. Cardax FT – a sophisticated, scalable enterprise-wide security system from Cardax – integrates multiple security features such as access control, intruder alarm monitoring/ management, remote digital imaging and remote digital intercom. Residing on an organisation’s IT network, Cardax FT is Internet compatible, can accommodate systems that span geographical boundaries and time zones, and share information/data with other business automation systems, which will ensure foolproof security. IndigoVision’s recently-launched Video Wall software allows construction of fullyequipped, IP-CCTV control room video walls

of any size at a substantially lower cost than other dedicated display products. Such sophisticated systems help the civic and law and order sector tackle urban security requirements, including trafﬁc management, security patrolling and emergency response. “By partnering with the best in the business and our in-house expertise to implement turnkey solutions, we intend to become the service provider of choice for providing integrated security solutions,” said ALMOAYYED International Group CFO R. Srinivasan. “We are keen to spearhead the enhancement of Bahrain’s security infrastructure, besides playing a key role in energy conservation, which indeed is of paramount importance for sustaining infrastructural growth.”

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SMART BUILDINGS

We believe the greatest opportunity is actually on the building side. In fact, there will not be a smart grid until there are smart buildings connected to it. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Clay Nesler Johnson Controls VP: global energy and sustainability Clay Nesler, president: global energy and workplace solutions Iain Campbell and VP and MD: Middle East Magdy Mekky

cialist targeting the Middle East market is Schneider Electric. Its latest innovation is Wiser Home Control, launched by Clipsal Middle East, an integrated home control solution that interlinks electrical, multimedia and telecoms in a single user-friendly solution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being ecofriendly is not just about saving energy, but optimising the use of energy. This is a whole new

way of approaching environmental awareness and sustainability,â&#x20AC;? says Schneider Electric Gulf countries president John GrifďŹ ths. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy management, with solutions that enable 30% energy savings without compromising on comfort, performance and reliability. We are

committed to helping individuals and organisations make the most of their energy, and hence the launch of Wiser Home Control. We have seen tremendous interest from real-estate developers and installers for a solution that can adapt to lifestyles and work practices, and reduce energy use,â&#x20AC;? says GrifďŹ ths.

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7HO 'XEDL 8QLWHG $UDE (PLUDWHV HFRYDO#HLP DH ZZZ HFRYDOPH FRP 6KRZURRP 1R 0LVWHU %DNHUV %XLOGLQJ 2SS 10& 6SHFLDOW\ +RVSLWDO $O 1DKGD

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March 2010 | MEP Middle East 23

PLUMBING

ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY through mechanical grooved piping systems Victaulic chief officer Larry Thau talks about the role that sustainable design plays in infrastructure development. ustainable design involves more than just site orientation and energy-saving construction techniques. What goes into a building in the way of infrastructure is equally important. Wellplanned HVAC, plumbing and other mechanical engineering systems are essential to making a building sustainable over its lifecycle. Mechanical grooved piping systems are rooted in sustainability. Grooved mechanical piping was developed by Victaulic during World War I to rapidly deploy essential resources like fuel and water to the allies. It was first made available to the commercial piping industry in 1925. Through the years, mechanical piping systems were increasingly used on HVAC, plumbing and fire-protection applications due to the time and labour-savings associated with installation. Today grooved piping systems are being used as an effective alternative to soldering and brazing for potable water distribution, equipment connections on pumps, water softeners and filters, as well as drain, waste and vent piping, and other industrial applications. Grooved systems employ a proven roll grooving process to join pipes, valves and other components. Using a two-bolt coupling design, pipe fitters can make rugged, secure joints quickly and easily, using only basic hand tools. And with a union at every joint, contractors have maximum field flexibility for on-site decision making. All couplings are sealed for optimum integrity, with a durable elastomeric gasket designed to withstand years of sustained high compressive and cyclical loads. Grooved pipe joining technology is rooted in sustainability; its inherent qualities naturally make it environment-friendly. Even before the evolution of green building, the grooved piping system has been providing a more efficient, cleaner and safer system when com-

24 MEP Middle East | March 2010

15 20 %

Less energy used by facilities with proper HVAC maintenance

pared with other pipe-joining methods such as welding, soldering or brazing. Reducing the need for welding, soldering or brazing means better air quality, less particulate matter released into the atmosphere and decreased ﬁre risk. Material waste is less, reducing site impact. Indoor and outdoor air quality is preserved as there are no fumes or particulate matter to endanger workers or the environment. Most critically, Victaulic products are made from a combination of natural and recycled resources using lean, responsible manufacturing processes. In fact, 90% of the steel used is recycled, and the products are manufactured using natural elements of ﬁre, sand, water

Energy use in buildings could be reduced from 10% to 40% by improving operational strategies, including maintenance strategies. “ Larry Thau

Victaulic chief officer Larry Thau

and air. At Victaulic, products are painted using a dip-coating application that, unlike spray painting, does not atomise, so they are not sources of regulated pollutant emissions. In addition, dip coating eliminates the need for volatile solvents that are used to thin paints in the spray-painting process. The manufacture of mechanical piping systems requires sand molds. The re-use of sand by Victaulic for the molding of its products limits the use of additional raw materials. Its sand-reclamation programme has reduced the quantity of sand sent to landﬁlls by up to 70 tons a week from its US operations alone.

SUSTAINABLE JOB SITES During installation, mechanical grooved piping systems signiﬁcantly reduce or eliminate waste, emissions and noise pollution on the job site, providing a safer and healthier environment. The reduced need for soldering also reduces emissions on the job site. By-products of solder fumes can contain lead oxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and hydrochloric acid in addition to many other harmful particles and gases.

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PLUMBING In 2007 alone, the use of Victaulic grooved mechanical pipe couplings in lieu of welding on HVAC piping systems reduced airborne weld emissions by 145 metric tons of particulate matter – which is equivalent to eliminating the airborne pollution of a million cars on the road for a month. The elimination of these harmful pollutants means less air-borne pollution, providing for a more sustainable environment, but also a safer job site during construction, maintenance or retrofit work. A grooved mechanical pipe joint does not require the use of electricity during installation, reducing the draw on burdened power resources. Pipes that are joined by welding or soldering require the use of vast amounts of electricity for prolonged periods of time, consuming up to 4 000 watts of energy per hour on a 200 mm (DN200) joint. The installation of a grooved mechanical joint is cleaner than soldered joints, and therefore reduces on-site job waste. Unlike soldering and brazing methods, grooved mechanical joints do not require flux to seal the joint, which must be flushed and cleaned from the system prior to operation. Additionally, soldered systems often need as much as 35% re-work for failures discovered when pressurising and testing the completed system, which requires additional resources. Victaulic grooved mechanical pipe joints can be inspected visually for proper installation, so re-work is minimal, saving energy, resources and time on the job. And grooved systems are easier to align and rotate.

Grooved piping systems have a union at every joint for easy re-routing during system expansion

In a plumbing system, booster pumps and strainers need routine maintenance to operate efﬁciently, and less deferred maintenance means a higher level of energy efﬁciency. “ Larry Thau

SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE FUTURE Energy costs typically represent 30% of a building’s annual budget, and are the single largest operating cost (Energy Star). The Energy Systems Lab at Texas A&M University indicated that energy use in buildings could be reduced from 10% to 40% by improving operational strategies in buildings, including maintenance strategies. In a plumbing system, booster pumps and strainers need routine maintenance to operate efficiently, and less deferred maintenance means a higher level of energy efficiency. With soldered or brazed piping systems, accessing valves, strainers, pumps and water softeners is often a time-consuming and inconvenient process due to system shutdown and drainage. The more difficult the process, the more likely maintenance will be deferred. Mechanical pipe joining systems provide an optimal way to effectively maintain piping systems in structures, thereby reducing the deferral of maintenance and promoting operating efficiency and saving money.

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Their ease of installation and ability to disassemble and reinstall the same components make them a simple solution for the frequent performance of both routine and unscheduled maintenance. For access to a grooved piping system, a maintenance person simply loosens the two coupling bolts. Grooved piping systems can also be installed wet or dry to speed the maintenance process. Additionally, mechanical pipe joining systems are a safe alternative for maintaining piping systems in specialty facilities where open ﬂames could potentially create a hazardous environment. Aside from routine maintenance, it is sometimes necessary to join two existing systems within a structure. In space planning and refurbishment projects, the grooved system is easily re-routed due to a union at every joint. There is no time required to drain the piping system, and grooved mechanical pipe joints can be installed on wet lines.

Operating efficiency can be maintained during retrofit work, and systems can remain live as properly-placed butterfly valves provide ‘dead end’ shut-off service for isolation. Additionally, owners can engage in retrofit projects in occupied buildings without having to vacate the space because mechanical grooved piping re-work does not negatively affect indoor air quality, and neither does it introduce a fire hazard. Less deferred maintenance means peak energy efficiency and operation of buildings, and reduced overall costs. Organisations that have implemented comprehensive maintenance programmes find that their total costs can be as much as 50% lower than the costs for those organisations that continue to defer routine maintenance. Facilities in which proper HVAC maintenance is completed will use at least 15% to 20% less energy than those where systems are allowed to deteriorate. (Source: Piper, James P.E. ‘HVAC Maintenance and Energy Savings’, Building Operating Management, March 2009). Repairs for equipment and buildings that have not been well-maintained are often higher than the estimated maintenance costs. Given the busy agendas and budget constraints in today’s industry, it is easy to see why familiar procedures are replicated. In reality, tried-and-tested alternatives to welded, soldered or brazed pipe joining can have a huge impact on both the immediate and future economic and sustainability returns. Victaulic has supplied numerous patented piping-related products that are in use today in multiple markets around the world. For further details, visit www.victaulic.com.

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 25

PLUMBING

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN

INTEGRATED PROJECT TEAM In this age of high-quality comfort cooling, the installation of the systems needed to provide that cooling should be within the capability of all appointed HVAC contractors, shouldn’t it? Alan Millin reports. ut how do we know whether the job has been done correctly? Surely the systems are commissioned, aren’t they? Apparently not always, and those that are may not be commissioned correctly. Take this real-life example. A contractor installs a chilled water system in a six-storey residential building. Outwardly everything looks fine. On the inside though, the system is suffering, even before handover. What could possibly be wrong with a brand-new chilled water system? How about no facility to vent air from the system? Certainly the designers intended to provide this necessary function as the installing contractors have installed a manual valve at the highest point of the water circuit near the rooftop air handler. Great, yes? Sadly, not … Unfortunately, the valve is inoperable, jammed solid, and this is at handover. There is air in the chilled water system. Not only can it be heard, it can be felt through the vibration it is causing. There is visual evidence, too, at the pressure gauges with their fluctuating pointers. And let’s not forget the noise that’s transmitted to the apartments below, making it difficult for occupants to sleep through what should be a quiet night.

SUPERVISION Are the installing technicians at fault? Maybe they could have done better, but where was the supervision on this contract? Where was the commissioning team? Almost one year on, the problem remains, because the technicians lack the knowledge and skills necessary to correct it, and their supervisors lack the skills needed to supervise correctly. And then there are the smells to consider! Do installing technicians actually know how to trap a condensate drain? Judging by the smells, it would appear not. Or maybe the installers did what was asked of them by the designers in this case, and it’s the designers who got it wrong? One of the key design checks on an HVAC 26 MEP Middle East | March 2010

system should be to ensure that the responsibilities of the designer and the commissioning agent are clearly defined. If we don’t do this, those all too common ‘grey areas’ start to creep into the project. Ultimately it’s the owner/occupier that suffers and, let’s face it, we’ve all had enough of listening to “It’s not my job, sir” haven’t we? And if the owner is dissatisfied, what happens to the contractor’s reputation? It doesn’t take long to damage a reputation that has taken years to build up, and recovery is not easy. The next contract is of a smaller value, margins are lower, etc. Surely a confirmed and well-protected reputation for quality is a better tool to bargain with?

COMMISSIONING And just who checks the commissioning sheets? Does anyone? Or do we wait until a problem occurs? Maybe the contractors are long gone by then so who cares if there is a problem that should have been corrected before handover? Certainly the owner will. Caution – steep downhill reputation gradient ahead... On the plumbing side, who does an owner call to have a problem with a badly-installed toilet corrected? Remember that many owners know little about construction trades, so quite possibly they will call a plumber. The plumber will call and say it’s a civil problem. The owner calls the civil guys. They take a look and apologise, “Sorry sir, you need a plumber”! After weeks of screaming down phone lines, the owner ﬁnally gets the plumber and civil people together and watches over them until

they correct the problem. Then there are the ablution faucet connection taps that seem to leak endlessly. We can’t hang this one on the civil guys, can we? And, of course, there are the drains in the kitchen and bathroom ﬂoors. Just who is responsible for scraping the construction debris out of them? Aha! Must be the civils; certainly no one from the MEP side, is it? OK, we’re off the hook on this one. But after the civils have cleaned the visible debris from the drain, does anyone actually test that water runs down it? But wait, all is not lost. When the going gets tough, maybe we can all blame the project managers and hang everything on them? They’re the ones who will sign off on completed work so that contractors can get paid, aren’t they? What’s the point of all this? Simple. We need to get the designers, constructors, the MEP contractors, the commissioning team, the project managers, the owners, the facilities managers – indeed, everyone with a stake in the ﬁnal product – around the table at concept stage. All too often projects are started without the right people in place. It might cost a bit more up front, but an integrated project team can pay handsome dividends downstream, not the least of which can be on-time or early delivery of a quality project, within budget. Alan Millin is a Chartered Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional. He has over 35 years’ experience in the HVAC industry. Contact Alan at akmillin@hvacandr.com for more information on his upcoming seminar on ‘Get Clients Now! The Effective 28-Day Marketing Programme’.

“We need everyone with a stake in the final product around the table at the concept stage. All too often projects are started without the right people in place.“ www.constructionweekonline.com

APC is now part of Schneider Electric’s growing family of complete electrical solutions.

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LIFTS & ESCALATORS

New world record for fastest lift It may well be the tallest building on the planet, but the Burj Khalifa can no longer boast the fastest lifts in the world.

hat record has now been clinched by the new 1 080 metre/minute lift in the 212.75metre-high G1 Tower being built by Hitachi in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan. This will also be the tallest lift research facility in the world. Utilising the unprecedented height of this new research tower, Hitachi will conduct veriﬁcation tests on the world’s fastest lift, as well as product development targeting the world’s largest high-speed, high-capacity lift, which will be capable of carrying a ﬁve-ton load with a rated speed of 600 metres/min. In addition to developing vibration suppression control devices and internal air pressure adjustment devices to further improve riding comfort during high-speed operations, the company will undertake development of technologies aimed at reducing the space required

28 MEP Middle East | March 2010

for lift shafts, and reducing the weight of the lift cars. The total amount being invested in this research tower, including related facilities, is reportedly about six billion yen. In recent years, the construction of buildings around the world has been evolving in terms of both height and scale, and the lift market is expected to expand, especially in China. “Right now the hot places in the world for high-rises are China and Korea. We perceive that India is on the verge of taking off, especially Mumbai,” said James Fortune, president and principal of Fortune Consultants, which worked on the Burj Khalifa as well.

GROWING DEMAND In the midst of this market environment, there is a growing demand for high-speed, highcapacity lifts that can carry many passengers at once, safely and comfortably, particularly in high-rise ofﬁce buildings, commercial complexes, and other largescale facilities. At the

same time, it is necessary for lifts to be environment-friendly, as part of efforts to mitigate global warming. Up to now, Hitachi has developed and tested lifts using a 90-metre-high research tower, constructed in 1967 for the Kasumigaseki Building, one of the tallest high-rise buildings of its day, located on the same premises as the new tower. This year the company also plans to complete a 172-metre-high research tower at a production base in Shanghai, which will be the tallest such tower in China. This new tower will be used to conduct development aimed at expanding Hitachi’s line-up of high-speed lifts for the burgeoning Chinese market. Vertical transportation was a major feature of the MEP works at the Burj Khalifa. Otis Elevators won the 58-lift contract, which comprised 20 Gen2 ﬂat-belt lifts and two double-deck observation deck lifts. The latter can carry up to 42 people at any one time at a speed of about 18 metres a second. The spire maintenance

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LIFTS & ESCALATORS Right now the hot places in the world for high-rises are China and Korea. “ James Fortune

lift, situated inside a rod at the very top of the building, is currently the highest lift installation in the world. Double-deck lifts were selected as more people can be accommodated and transported simultaneously, while the amount of lettable ﬂoor space is maintained. With this system, two lift cars share the same shaft while moving independently throughout the building. Located in the central core of the Burj Khalifa, these double-deck lifts transport passengers from ground to levels 123 and 124, where a visitor observation deck and restaurants are situated. These are the highest-rising double-deck lifts in the world.

ACCESS TO HIGHER FLOORS Access to the higher ﬂoors of the Burj Khalifa is via general lifts. As per standard practice for high-rise towers, occupants transfer between two or more lifts to reach their destination. The speeds of these lifts range from 1.75 to

A modern lift installation from ThyssenKrupp

7 metres/second. A total of 35 conventional gearless traction lifts are included, plus 20 machineroom-less lifts and a single rack-andpinion type lift. Many of the machineroom-less lifts used on the lower floors and office areas are the Gen2 patent from Otis, designed to minimise power consumption and lubrication requirements. Each lift operates between and serves different levels of the building. The Armani Hotel lifts, for example, run to level 39, while a number of the residence lifts will pass the first 39 floors, and then allow passengers to alight at residential floors 40 to 70. Other residence lifts will travel past the first 70 floors and deliver passengers to higher levels. All of the lifts are electronically controlled, with regenerative drives to save power. None of those used in the building are standard offthe-shelf products, although some of those serving the lower floors required less specific modifications. The systems for the main lifts in the central core were virtually designed from scratch, and all include special features. In addition, several firefighter lifts have been included. The main service lift in the central core acts as the main firefighter and rescue lift. This has a total heavy-duty capacity of 4 500 kg, and will travel a total of 136 floors at nine metres/second. Rescue lifts will have the capacity to operate initially in a ‘lifeboat’ mode, with remote control and video inspection of shafts in case of damage, prior to being used for evacuation.

MAJOR LIFT AND ESCALATOR COMPANIES FUJITEC Fujitec is a global organisation specializing in the manufacture, installation and service of lifts, escalators and moving walkways. Founded in Osaka in Japan in 1948, it has established a network of 11 manufacturing facilities, four R&D centres and more than 50 sales ofﬁces. It established a presence in Dubai in 2002, and is distributed regionally through Al Yousuf Electronics. HITACHI Hitachi products are distributed through the lifts and escalators division of Al-Futtaim Engineering. The Tokyo-based company’s innovations include the Flexible Independence (FI) control system with artiﬁcial intelligence. KONE KONE was awarded a 2009 Good Design award, the only lift and escalator company

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to have ever received such an award in 60 years. Its signalisation panel integrates guiding information, allowing localisation to accommodate the speciﬁc functions and regulations of different countries and regions. MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC Represented in Dubai by ETA-MELCO Elevator Company LLC. Mitsubishi Electric offers a range of products, including power systems, transportation systems, lifts and escalators, visual information systems and air-conditioners. SCHINDLER The Schindler group is the largest supplier of escalators and the second largest manufacturer of lifts worldwide. It has around 43 000 employees and its operations span all ﬁve continents. It designs, installs, services and modernises transport systems for almost every building type worldwide. Globally, Schindler

equipment moves 900 million people a day. It is represented in the UAE by Schindler Pars International. THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR The third-largest elevator company in the world, with global sales of about 4.7 billion euros and close to 40 000 employees at more than 800 locations. Its product range comprises passenger and freight elevators, escalators and moving walks, stair and platform lifts, passenger boarding bridges and quality service for the entire product range. OTIS The world’s largest manufacturer, installer and servicer of lifts, escalators and moving walkways. It sells in excess of 133 000 new lifts and escalators a year, with the bulk of its business outside the US. It has a global service base of 1.6 million lifts and escalators.

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 29

LEGAL

Quantum

MERUIT Dennis Brand from Traprain Consultants explores the Latin phrase meaning being ‘as much as has been earned’. n the construction and engineering industries, the expression ‘Quantum Meruit’ is more commonly interpreted as ‘the amount a party deserves’ or ‘what the job is worth’. A claim for Quantum Meruit is a claim for payment for work carried out or services provided where the price has not been quantified; it is usually a claim for a reasonable sum. A claim for Quantum Meruit may be based on what is termed ‘in contract’ or ‘in restitution’, although more frequently the term Quantum Meruit is used to mean a claim in restitution only. Where there is a claim for Quantum Meruit in contract, it is based on the agreement of the parties. It arises in one of two situations: a) Where the contract is silent on the method of remuneration for the work performed or services provided; in such a situation in construction, contract terms of payment of a reasonable remuneration will be implied by statute; or b) Where the contract contains an express agreement to pay reasonable remuneration or similar terminology. The above Quantum Meruit claims are claims in contract. In the first, the issue is whether or not there is a contract which applies to the situation. If so, the main issue is then the measure of the reimbursement. In the second, the main issue will be the interpretation of a particular term of the contract. However, a claim for Quantum Meruit will not succeed if the contract deals with the situation. A claim for Quantum Meruit in restitution seeks to impose a right to payment by law arising from the circumstances which amount to unjust enrichment by one party at the expense of another. This type of claim is sometimes referred to as a claim arising in quasi-contract. The first issue in a claim for Quantum Meruit in restitution is whether or not there is any entitlement in law; if so, then the second issue is how the reimbursement is 30 MEP Middle East | March 2010

to be measured. A claim for Quantum Meruit in restitution can arise in the following situations: a) Where the parties proceed in the mistaken belief that there is a valid and enforceable contract, but it is subsequently proved that there is no contract; b) One party requests services from the other which are not governed by a contract and fall outside the scope of any variation provision; c) Where the contract is frustrated; or d) Where before completion the contractor accepts a repudiation by the employer as terminating the contract. The contractor can, as a result of the employer’s action, elect to claim damages for breach of contract or compensation by way of Quantum Meruit in restitution for the work performed. A claim for Quantum Meruit presupposes that no contract exists in respect of the work performed or service provided, or if a contract does exist there is no agreed price which covers a particular element of the work. However, in such cases the law implies a promise from the employer to the contractor that it will pay it for such work that has been performed on the basis of ‘the amount a party deserves’ or ‘what the job is worth’. UAE Federal Law No.5 of 1985 – The Civil Transactions Law (‘The Civil Code’) provides for payment for work on a Quantum Meruit basis. Article 888 states: ‘‘If the consideration for the work is not speciﬁed in a contract, the contractor shall be entitled to fair remuneration, together with the value of the materials he has provided as required by the work.’’ You will note that Article 888 goes further than just remunerating the contractor for ‘the amount a party deserves’ or ‘what the job is worth’, but provides also that the contractor receive the value of the materials he has provided. According to Article 889: (1) ‘‘If the architect who has planned the building and supervised the performance thereof has not agreed upon a fee, he shall be

entitled to fair remuneration in accordance with custom. (2) If any unforeseen event occurs which prevents the completion of the performance of the work in accordance with the plan prepared, he shall be entitled to fair remuneration for what he has done.’’ Article 889(1) allows the assessment of the architect’s (designer’s) services, where no fee has been agreed, to be made in accordance with custom; an example of this being where the cost of design and/or supervision is an estimated sum based on a percentage of the forecast cost of construction. Article 889(2) is particularly interesting because, with many projects having been suspended or cancelled as a result of the global economic downturn (i.e. an unforeseen event), which prevents the completion of the work in accordance with the plan (e.g. contract programme), a contractor is entitled to fair remuneration (i.e. payment) for the work he has done even where the contract price is a lump sum or ﬁxed price for all the work. This, of course, means that ‘fair remuneration’ is not just what the contractor considers fair but what is fair after taking into account any defective work and the cost of putting it right. Often a claim for Quantum Meruit arises out of the issue of a letter of intent where there is an urgency to commence the works. The issue in those cases is whether or not there is a contract and, if so, the meaning of the terms of payment. To establish a contract not only requires agreement by the parties on all the terms they consider essential, but also sufﬁcient certainty in their dealings to satisfy the requirement of completeness. Of paramount importance, however, is to show a clear intention to create a legally binding relationship. Dennis.Brand@traprain.com www.constructionweekonline.com

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...but most of you were not even aware of that, since WAGO products are maintanance-free and reliable over the whole lifetime of your equipment. WAGO is the world market leader and inventor of spring type terminal blocks. CAGE CLAMP速 and CAGE CLAMP速S are registered trademarks of WAGO. Since 1951, WAGO is providing innovative interconnect and automation solutions. You will find our products in the fields of transportation, mechanical engineering, power plants, and in the chemical and process industries. Wherever electrical power is used, you will find WAGO. WAGO Middle East (FZC) Bldg: Z1- Office: 19 Sharjah Airport Free Zone P.O. Box: 120665, Sharjah Phone: +971 6 5576 340 Fax: +971 6 5576 341

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WAGO is now close to you - contact us!

BUSINESS LEADS

PROJECTS IN OMAN MEP Middle East and Ventures Middle East have teamed up to provide you with essential project information. CROWNE PLAZA DUQUM RESORT Client: Omran Ofﬁce/Inter Continental Hotel Group Consultant: KEO International Main contractor: Not Appointed MEP contractor: Not Appointed Value: US$251 - 500 Project status: Under design Contact: +968 24478306 (KEO Oman ofﬁce) Dhows at Duqum in Oman

Omran, the government of Oman’s tourism and development executive arm, has signed an agreement with the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) to develop Crowne Plaza Duqm Resort in Duqm, a 228-room hotel due to open in 2011. It is the latest stage in a masterplan to develop Duqm, which also

includes designated areas for an airport, an oil reﬁ nery, free trade zones and oil storage facilities as well as a ﬁshing harbour. In addition, a residential town centre is planned, together with tourismrelated facilities. “Duqm is a rapidly-growing costal town with a prime geographic

location. Within the next ﬁve years, Duqm will be transformed into a major commercial port, dry dock and a shipbuilding yard, together with other major services and industries,” said Omran CEO Wael al-Lawati. John Bamsey, chief operating ofﬁcer, IHG, added: “The plan by the Omani govern-

ment to include a wider range of tourism facilities is also expected to establish Duqum as an attractive leisure destination in the region, and Crowne Plaza Duqm Resort will be developed to cater to the leisure segment within ﬁve to seven years from opening,” explained IHG COO John Bamsey.

Project Title

Client

Consultant

Main Contractor

MEP Contractor

Value Project (US$. Mn) Status

Type of Project

Buraimi University College Building

Buraimi University College

Gulf Engineering Consultancy

Not Appointed

31 - 100

project under design

Educational Facilities

Renovation of Intercontinental Hotel in Muscat

Omran Ofﬁce

Pentago Spowers International

Not Appointed

16 - 30

project under design

Hotel

Development of Jabal Al Akhdar Resort Hotel

Omran Ofﬁce

AW2

Not Appointed

31 - 100

project under design

Hotel

Fairmont Hotel

Fairmont Hotel & Resorts/ The Wave Muscat

Echo Designer Consultants

Not Appointed

101 - 250

project under design

Hotel

Crowne Plaza Duqum Resort

Omran Ofﬁce/Inter Continental Hotel Group

KEO International

Not Appointed

251 - 500

project under design

Hotel

The Malkai at Barka

Al Maeen Real Estate Services Company

Triad Oman/AW2

Not Appointed

250

project under design

Mixed Use

Musandam Airport

Ministry of Transport & Communication

Not Appointed

101 - 250

award awaited for the consultancy contract

Airport

Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Block

Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

Gulf Engineering Consultancy

Not Appointed

16 - 30

project under design

Hospital

Redevelopment of the Crowne Plaza resort Salalah

Ministry of Tourism

Consulting Engineering Services

Not Appointed

31 - 100

project under design

Hotel

Court Complex at AlBuraimi

Ministry of Justice

Sundaram Architects

Not Appointed

2.5 - 15

award awaited for the construction contract

Others

Natural History Museum in Muscat

Ministry of Heritage & Culture

Not Appointed

16 - 30

award awaited for the consultancy contract

Recreational Facilities

Headquarters Building for Occidental Oman

Occidental Oman

National Engineering Ofﬁce

Not Appointed

16 - 30

project under design

Commercial Buildings

Khasab Family Resort

Majan Gulf Properties

Not Appointed

779

project in concept stage

Hotel

For the latest Middle East MEP project information, visit www.constructionweekonline.com

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 33

METAL MONITOR

NON-FERROUS METAL PRICES The London Metal Exchange (LME) is the world’s premier non-ferrous metals market. The LME offers futures and options contracts for aluminium, copper, lead, nickel and NASAAC, among others. Many of these materials are indispensable in the MEP sector. The latest historical data from the LME is presented to give readers insight into this dynamic trading market. For further information visit www.lme.co.uk.

JANUARY 2010 THE LONDON METAL EXCHANGE LIMITED AVERAGE OFFICIAL AND SETTLEMENT PRICES US$/TONNE

Cash Buyer Cash Seller & Settlement Cash Mean 3-months Buyer 3-months Seller 3-months Mean 15-months Buyer 15-months Seller 15-months Mean 27-months Buyer 27-months Seller 27-months Mean

Primary Aluminium (dollars)

Aluminium Alloy (dollars)

Copper

Lead

Nickel

NASAAC

(dollars)

2,234.53 2,235.15 2,234.84 2,265.95 2,266.65 2,266.30 2,359.95 2,364.95 2,362.45 2,428.75 2,433.75 2,431.25

1,955.98 1,965.35 1,960.66 1,985.25 1,996.25 1,990.75 2,095.75 2,105.75 2,100.75 2,178.25 2,188.25 2,183.25

7,384.98 7,386.25 7,385.61 7,409.68 7,412.03 7,410.85 7,403.25 7,413.25 7,408.25 7,342.00 7,352.00 7,347.00

2,367.03 2,368.38 2,367.70 2,390.28 2,393.25 2,391.76 2,398.75 2,403.75 2,401.25 2,385.05 2,390.05 2,387.55

18,430.00 18,439.25 18,434.63 18,477.50 18,500.00 18,488.75 18,524.75 18,624.75 18,574.75 18,429.50 18,529.50 18,479.50

2,063.20 2,072.20 2,067.70 2,095.00 2,106.80 2,100.90 2,202.50 2,212.50 2,207.50 2,273.75 2,283.75 2,278.75

THE FOLLOWING STERLING EQUIVALENTS HAVE BEEN CALCULATED, ON THE BASIS OF DAILY CONVERSIONS: Copper Cash Seller & Settlement: Copper 3-months Seller: Lead Cash Seller & Settlement: Lead 3-months Seller:

£4,569.57 £4,588.35 £1,465.36 £1,481.67

Settlement Conversion Exchange Rates Stg/$ $/JY Euro

1.6165 91.30 1.4277

$7165 Copper 3-months seller

LME AVERAGE SETTLEMENT PRICES IN EURO Metal

Euro Settlement Conversion Rate

Primary Aluminium

1,565.37

Aluminium Alloy

1376.79

Copper

5,173.20

Lead

1657.98

Nickel

12,918.19

Nasaac

1,451.42

DECEMBER 2009 THE LONDON METAL EXCHANGE LIMITED AVERAGE OFFICIAL AND SETTLEMENT PRICES US$/TONNE

Cash Buyer Cash Seller & Settlement Cash Mean 3-months Buyer 3-months Seller 3-months Mean 15-months Buyer 15-months Seller 15-months Mean 27-months Buyer 27-months Seller 27-months Mean

Primary Aluminium (dollars) 2,179.29 2,180.10 2,179.69 2,212.74 2,213.50 2,213.12 2,313.38 2,318.38 2,315.88 2,391.81 2,396.81 2,394.31

Aluminium Alloy (dollars) 1,881.76 1,886.81 1,884.29 1,916.86 1,926.24 1,921.55 2,020.00 2,030.00 2,025.00 2,102.86 2,112.86 2,107.86

Copper

Lead

Nickel

NASAAC

(dollars) 6,979.93 6,981.71 6,980.82 7,015.79 7,017.90 7,016.85 7,064.29 7,074.29 7,069.29 7,063.10 7,073.10 7,068.10

(dollars) 2,327.00 2,328.52 2,327.76 2,356.33 2,358.48 2,357.40 2,402.86 2,407.86 2,405.36 2,412.71 2,417.71 2,415.21

(dollars) 17,055.00 17,066.43 17,060.71 17,145.00 17,168.10 17,156.55 17,191.67 17,291.67 17,241.67 17,039.05 17,139.05 17,089.05

(dollars) 2,026.95 2,033.86 2,030.40 2,056.76 2,065.62 2,061.19 2,166.19 2,176.19 2,171.19 2,237.86 2,247.86 2,242.86

£4,295.72 £4,320.48 £1,432.54 £1,451.80

Settlement Conversion Exchange Rates Stg/$ $/JY Euro

1.6256 89.7124 1.4624

$7031 Copper 3-months seller

LME AVERAGE SETTLEMENT PRICES IN EURO Metal

Euro Settlement Conversion Rate

Primary Aluminium

1,491.92

Aluminium Alloy

1291.48

Copper

4,775.89

Lead

1592.69

Nickel

11,684.14

Nasaac

1,392.10

Neither the LME nor any of its directors, officers or employees shall, except in the case of fraud or wilful neglect, be under any liability whatsoever either in contract or in tort in respect of any act or omission (including negligence) in relation to the preparation or publication of the data contained in the report.

www.constructionweekonline.com

March 2010 | MEP Middle East 35

PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL SAFETY TESTING INNOVATIONS Specialist instrumentation company Seaward has showcased various electrical safety testing and precision measurement solutions used in the utility, power distribution, rail networks, petchem and electrical service and maintenance industries. Seaward’s high-voltage safety testing equipment includes neon and digital voltage indictors and digital phasing equipment. Included is the KDIE range of high-voltage indicators, including both neon warning and digital reading systems to conﬁrm the presence of voltage on earthed neutral electrical circuits up to 33 kV. Each unit in the seven product range incorporates high grade PVC tubing and encapsulated resistor chains, and is supplied with a dedicated proving unit for proof testing before and after use. Also included in the Seaward highvoltage range are high-voltage phasing rods that enable phase comparisons to be made at the point

of paralleling two electric circuits. The phasing units can be used effectively without the interposition of voltage transformers or secondary wiring circuits. Within this range a neontype instrument is available for use on circuits up to 11.5KV. Digital versions are available for use on systems up to 15 kV and 33 kV. The Cropico DO7 range of rugged digital micro-ohmmeters are used for highly-accurate, low-resistance measurement in a wide range of industries. Included in the range is the lightweight and versatile Cropico DO7010 micro-ohmmeter. With a measuring range of 600 µ: to 60 µ:, at switchable current levels of 1 A or 10 A, and with 0.1 m: and 10 m: resolution, this instrument has been developed especially for a range of low-resistance measurement applications. These include the assessment of underground cable joints and earthing and

contactor resistance in electricity substations. Completing the Seaward line-up is the Clare HAL range of Hi Pot testers. These advanced technology testers have been designed specifically to meet modern Hi Pot flash testing and test data traceability demands associated with international quality assurance and product safety standards. The HAL electrical safety test unit is capable of carrying out AC or DC flash testing and insulation testing in both open- and closed-area test environments. User-friendly controls and programmable options for establishing test voltages, ramping times, leakage limits and other parameters allow complex test sequences to be generated safely and effectively. Seaward specialises in electrical test and measurement instrumentation to enable utilities and organisations to comply with the regulatory demands of all types of electrical safety legislation and technical compliance standards. www.seaward.co.uk

AIR-EXTRACTION SYSTEM FOR TOILETS

load conditions, and ensures low running costs over the chiller lifetime cycle. Three efficiency versions are available – standard, high and premium – with the unique premium version achieving EERs up to 3.70 and ESEERs up to 4.63, the highest in the industry. Availability in a wide range of sound level versions underpins their flexibility for use in many and varied building projects. The units’ suitability for retrofi t installation is supported by their small footprint. Also, their most commonly serviced components are easily accessible, simplifying maintenance operations, while their inherent flexibility enables the easy integration with a wide range of control and building management systems.

Globcom General Trading LLC has introduced the Hidrovent localised air extraction system for toilets. The company has global distribution rights for the patented technology. Hidrovent is a revolutionary electromagnetic device to extract air from toilet bowls. It essentially removes any unpleasant toilet smells without any need for maintenance. The product is adaptable to all buildings, making it ideal for the potentially lucrative refurbishment market. It comprises a 12 V DC suction motor fed by 125-220 VAC 50/60 Hz electronic control, with infra-red or switch operation, plus a universal water-emptying mechanism. The system is contained in a sealed box in a wall at least 90 mm thick, which prevents exterior tampering as well as ensuring aesthetic appearance and safety. Hidrovent is activated when a person sits on the toilet, by either infra-red ray or a customer-activated switch. The system halts 100% of the odours emanating from the toilet, and thereby prevents these from spreading into the rest of the washroom or building. The odours are directed towards the AC extract duct, or externally through the Hidrovent system.

www.daikinme.com

www.globcom.ae

The lightweight and versatile Cropico DO7010 micro-ohmmeter from Seaward

LATEST CHILLERS FROM DAIKIN Daikin Europe NV has announced a new series of air-cooled chillers for use in comfort and process cooling applications, designed to exceed HVAC industry standards for operating efficiency levels. The chillers, designated the EWAD-C series, utilise R134a refrigerant, and come in a range of capacities from 680 to 1 800 kW for operating in ambient temperatures from –18°C to 52°C. Suitable for use in all climates, the chillers are fi tted with advanced high-efficiency fans, which are available in three different sound-level versions, thereby ensuring their quiet operation even in residential areas. At the heart of the EWAD-C units is a unique single-screw compressor, complete with an asymmetric loading system, that returns maximum efficiency values in both partial and full

36 MEP Middle East | March 2010

www.constructionweekonline.com

Under the patronage of

His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Prime Minister, Kingdom of Bahrain

5th Gulf International Exhibition for Construction, Interiors & Furniture 2010

BOOK YOUR SPACE NOW! Beneﬁt from the still thriving construction and interiors industries of the Northern Gulf.

SAUDI ARABIA, BAHRAIN QATAR & KUWAIT vital markets for your business

Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre

4 – 6th May 2010

Tel: +973 1729 9123 Supporting Organisations

www.gulfbidexhibition.com Media Partners

Online Partner

Data Provider

PRODUCTS LATEST ELECTRIC STORAGE WATER HEATERS The Ariston Thermo Group has launched a new range of electric storage water heaters (50 to 100 litre capacity) in the Middle East. Anticipating continuous technological innovation, and in respect of the latest European standards on energy efﬁciency, the Ariston worldwide product offering has been updated. Commercialisation of the updated range in the Middle East began in January 2010. Technical speciﬁcations such as the heating element power rate, voltage, tank working pressure and external dimensions have not been changed at all. However, building on the strong foundation of the renowned quality of Ariston products, certain improvements have been introduced to all models in the range. These include Nanomix technology, which

guarantees improved performance due to new internal components, a new unbreakable external thermometer, new ﬁnishing technology for the external casing, new Italian-designed aesthetics and more resistant carton boxes. The new PRO ECO model, thanks to electronic control, presents a wide range of features, including the BEST control system, the ECO function for energy-saving, a front LED control panel with a ‘smart’ thermometer, an ABS safety package that includes active electric safety, an anti-overheating system, an anti-dry heating function, an auto diagnosis function and an antibacterial function. Titanium Plus glass-lined is offered on the PRO ECO model. The existing Ti Tronic and Ti Tronic BEST ranges will be replaced by the new PRO ECO

The new PRO ECO (left) and PRO R (top right)

range range. The existing SG R range will be replaced by the new PRO R range, while the existing SGHP range will be replaced by the new BLU R range. The Ariston Thermo Group, a global leader in heating and hot-water products, has a leading position in three key sectors: water heating, central heating and air-con, and components. Its range includes wall-hung and ﬂoor-standing boilers, water heaters, solar systems, heat pumps and air-con. www.aristonthermo.com

RECIRCULATOR PUMP USES 68% LESS ENERGY Bell & Gossett has introduced a revolutionary new line of energy-efficient potable water recirculator pumps that use a unique technology to achieve significant energy savings while delivering instant hot water to every faucet. Featuring ECM (electronically commutated motor) technology and a patented spherical motor design, the Ecocirc eliminates the need for a conventional shaft, seal and bearing assembly. The rotor/impeller is the only moving part in the entire pump, and it is magnetically balanced on a stationery ceramic bearing inside the pump housing to provide silent, long-lasting operation. This state-of–the-art design allows the Ecocirc to use 68% less energy than most standard pumps, and it can save an average family of four more than 12,000 gallons of water a year by eliminating the need to wait for hot water to reach the plumbing fixture. Using only 10 watts of power, the equivalent of a small nightlight, the Ecocirc can save a home owner hundreds of 38 MEP Middle East | March 2010

dollars in energy costs a year. It is also available with a timer module that adapts quickly and easily to all Ecocirc circulators. The plug-in timer design makes it easy to convert the pump to a timer-controlled unit for even greater energy savings. Bell & Gossett acquired this technology when ITT purchased German pump manufacturer Laing GmbH in 2009, a leading producer of energyefﬁcient circulator pumps for residential and commercial plumbing and HVAC systems. Driven by government regulations, the European market has more stringent energy standards that require more technologically-advanced pumps. “The Ecocirc demonstrates ITT’s ongoing commitment to energy-efﬁcient products for plumbing and HVAC systems,” said ITT communications director Monica Levy. Bell & Gossett is represented in the Middle East by Faisal Jassim Trading Company LLC. www.faisaljassimtrading.com

The new energy-efﬁcient potable water recirculator pumps

www.constructionweekonline.com

THE LAST WORD

SWISS ROLE R&M technical director for the MENA region Andrew Sedman talks about the importance of training and customer support What is your background? I first got involved with cabling in 1985 in the UK where I was installing all manner of cabling systems before ‘structured cabling’ was invented, some examples being thin Ethernet, thick Ethernet, coax, IBM type 1 and 6, twinax and serial cable systems. I then started on the familiar path of structured cabling by planning and installing Category 3 and then Cat4 (very briefly), Cat5, Cat5e systems, etc. I spent a brief period running cabling teams at the New Hong Kong International Airport, then returned to the UK, where I ran a few small-scale cabling companies of my own, before supervising the upgrade to the cabling of Terminal 1, Heathrow Airport for British Airways. I followed that by project managing the roll-out of ongoing projects in the Reuters Global data centre in London for two years. I returned to Hong Kong as consultant for most of the major financial institutions, designing and project managing site selections and installs for data centres, offices and trading floors. When did you join R&M in the Middle East? I arrived in Dubai (for the first time) at the start of last year where I joined R&M. As technical director of the MENA region, I am responsible for the technical support of our many varied clients, consultants, partners and contractors. I also run the Qualified Partner Programme (QPP) for the region, with two other trainers under me. I manage a technical team that supports our telecom carrier clients, with specialisation in customised 40 MEP Middle East | March 2010

products. I also act as advisor and single point of contact (SPoC) to our headquarters in Switzerland for the QPP program, product development and technical support to the MENA region. What does QPP entail? It has just been revised and improved. For this region it has three main target groups, namely planners, project managers and installers. The training sessions are typically two days: for the planners, it concentrates on design and standards awareness, with practical sessions included; the project managers concentrate on project management and product awareness, also with practical sessions; and the installers have mostly hands-on sessions concentrating on copper and fibre installation, termination and testing. The audiences vary from end users, consultants and contractors to R&M partners. How do you address ongoing evaluation and further development? Firstly, before being submitted onto the QPP training course, basic requirements of previous experience in cabling have to be evident; post this training, continued development is available at our training academy in the Dubai office, where we have simulated installations that can be tested and seen by the engineers to better understand how the cabling works under certain conditions. How does the training compare to Europe, for example? The training here is generally more educational and therefore of greater benefit to the participants; the general understanding of best practices

Andrew Sedman

in the Middle East is therefore advancing along with this. The results we see are very positive; with our clients, consultants and partners, we see better planning, greater understanding and better quality installations and due diligence in managing the performance of a project team. Back-up service is also critical? Absolutely; the warranty is directly correlated to our QPP certiﬁed partners. It ensures that we can control and monitor the quality of the projects and the persons involved with those projects that R&M cabling systems are installed into. It gives us the conﬁdence to assure our clients that their quality systems are comfortably supported with our service. Does the Middle East keep up to date with the latest developments? R&M is partially responsible for this fast pace due to some team members being on standards bodies, and our research and development teams constantly living and working on the bleeding edge (newer than the cutting edge). R&M is committed to being part of this region’s growth; hence we are looking at expanding our QPP training further this year, to ensure the Middle East is up to date with the latest developments.

What are some of the main technical issues? For me, technical issues are few and far between. Obviously working with R&M ensures that. However, with the projects I see, I do encounter some problems due to poor planning and design practices. This gives me the opportunity to fi nd a solution to the problem that will not impinge on the quality of installation or the standards compliances. R&M remains committed to this market? Most certainly we are. We and our head office see this region as one of the best opportunities in the world for development. Training and education are the cornerstones of successful development; therefore we are naturally committed to ensuring the right, most up-to-date and relevant training initiatives are supported in this region. What are your challenges and opportunities? The challenge I see is the continued education of those who place ‘cheap’ in front of ‘quality’ and ‘risk to the business’. The opportunities are just too boundless to mention, both for me personally and for R&M as a Swiss firm that is quickly growing in the Middle East region. www.constructionweekonline.com