Methods and equipment for construction-Field report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters

CENG 423: CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND EQUIPMENTS INSTRUCTOR: DR. KHALED NASSAR

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters 7th April 2012 Layla Sabri Lobna Houta Mona Serag Amira Badran Spring 2012

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Contents Introduction: ................................................................................................................... 9 Project general information: ............................................................................................. 9 About Owner: ................................................................................................................. 10 Purpose of the visit: ........................................................................................................ 10 Site organization and Conditions: ................................................................................... 11 1.Mechanical Marble or Granite Cladding system ........................................................ 13 Main Procedures: ............................................................................................................ 13 Info & Detailed Procedures: ............................................................................................ 13 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 15 Materials: ........................................................................................................................ 15 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 15 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 15 2. Fire Retardant Sprays for Steel ................................................................................. 16 Main Procedures: ............................................................................................................ 17 Info & Detailed Procedures: ............................................................................................ 17 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 17 Material: ......................................................................................................................... 18 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 18 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 18 3. Panoramic elevators ................................................................................................. 19 Main Procedures: ............................................................................................................ 19 Info & Detailed Procedures: ............................................................................................ 19 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 20 Material: ......................................................................................................................... 20 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 20 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 21 4. Brick Wall Building .................................................................................................... 21 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 21 2

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 23 5. Plastering of Brick Partitions ..................................................................................... 23 Main Procedures: ............................................................................................................ 23 Info and Detailed Procedures: ........................................................................................ 23 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 24 Materials: ........................................................................................................................ 25 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 25 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 25 6. Granite Flooring ....................................................................................................... 26 Main Procedures: ............................................................................................................ 26 Info & Detailed Procedure: ............................................................................................. 26 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 28 Materials: ........................................................................................................................ 28 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 28 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 28 7. Electric Floor Box ...................................................................................................... 29 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 29 Info and Detailed Procedures: ........................................................................................ 29 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 30 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 30 Material: ......................................................................................................................... 30 Quality Control ................................................................................................................ 30 8. Casting of Concrete Slab over Steel system ............................................................. 31 Main Procedures: ............................................................................................................ 31 Info and Detailed Procedure: .......................................................................................... 31 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 32 Materials: ........................................................................................................................ 32 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 32 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 32 3

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

9. Ground Preparation for Carpeting ............................................................................ 33 Main Procedures: ............................................................................................................ 33 Info and Detailed Procedures: ........................................................................................ 33 Equipment....................................................................................................................... 34 Labor ............................................................................................................................... 34 Material .......................................................................................................................... 34 Quality Control ................................................................................................................ 34 10. Store Front ............................................................................................................. 35 Info and Detailed Procedures: ........................................................................................ 35 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 35 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 35 Material: ......................................................................................................................... 35 Quality Control ................................................................................................................ 35 11. Interior Light Partitioning....................................................................................... 36 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 36 Info and Detailed Procedure: .......................................................................................... 36 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 37 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 37 Material: ......................................................................................................................... 37 Quality Control ................................................................................................................ 38 12. Interior Partitioning Electric Wiring ........................................................................ 39 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 39 Info and Detailed Procedure: .......................................................................................... 39 Equipment....................................................................................................................... 40 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 40 Material: ......................................................................................................................... 40 Quality Control ................................................................................................................ 40 14.Wood cladding for partitioning................................................................................ 41 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 41 4

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Info and Detailed Procedure: .......................................................................................... 42 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 43 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 43 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 44 15. Wall Painting ........................................................................................................... 44 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 44 Info and Detailed Procedure: .......................................................................................... 44 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 45 Materials: ........................................................................................................................ 45 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 46 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 46 16. Fan coil units and AC system ................................................................................... 47 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 47 Info and Detailed Procedure: .......................................................................................... 47 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 48 Materials: ........................................................................................................................ 48 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 48 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 49 17. Fire Fighting System ................................................................................................ 49 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 49 Info and Detailed Procedure: .......................................................................................... 50 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 50 Materials: ........................................................................................................................ 51 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 51 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 51 18. Curtain Walls........................................................................................................... 52 Main Procedure: ............................................................................................................. 52 Info and Main Procedure: ............................................................................................... 52 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 54 5

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Materials: ........................................................................................................................ 54 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 54 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 55 19. Roof Insulation:....................................................................................................... 56 Main procedure: ............................................................................................................. 56 Info and Detailed Procedure: .......................................................................................... 56 Material: ......................................................................................................................... 57 Labor: .............................................................................................................................. 57 Equipment: ..................................................................................................................... 57 Quality Control:............................................................................................................... 57 References .................................................................................................................... 58

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

List of figures Figure 1: Site Accessibility and surrounding roads ........................................................ 11 Figure 2- Site Organization Diagram ............................................................................. 11 Figure 3- On site Storage and Offices ............................................................................ 11 Figure 4- Cement temporary storage ............................................................................ 12 Figure 5- Office at entrance .......................................................................................... 12 Figure 6- Safety Procedures on site .............................................................................. 12 Figure 7- Alimac on site ................................................................................................ 12 Figure 8- Fixing system after installation ...................................................................... 14 Figure 9- Marble or Granite Tiles with holes................................................................. 14 Figure 10- Insulation on facade..................................................................................... 14 Figure 11- Fixing system (‫ )كانة‬....................................................................................... 14 Figure 12- Diagram of the fixing system ....................................................................... 14 Figure 13- Packaging of Fixing system for protection ................................................... 16 Figure 14 - Fire Retardant Spray Types ......................................................................... 17 Figure 15- Panoramic lift (Hydraulic Drive) shortly before commissioning at a Hospit. 19 Figure 16- Panoramic lift car final assembly shortly before delivery ............................ 20 Figure 17-Brick wall ...................................................................................................... 22 Figure 18- ‫ بؤجة‬system................................................................................................. 23 Figure 19:Worker holding a ‫طاروش‬................................................................................ 24 Figure 20: Aluminum "‫ "ادة‬to smooth out the surface of the wall ................................ 24 Figure 21: Water Level .................................................................................................. 26 Figure 22: Worker spreading mortar before putting the granite tile ............................ 27 Figure 23: Worker setting the granite in place with the hammer ................................. 27 Figure 24: Checking the corners of the tiles by rubbing the joints ................................ 28 Figure 25: Electric Floor Box.......................................................................................... 29 Figure 26: Metal Meshes for settling cracks ................................................................. 30 Figure 27: Electric Floor Boxes installed at planed location .......................................... 30 Figure 28: Purlin set in the transverse direction of the beam ....................................... 31 Figure 29: Example of roof with purlins carrying the corrugated sheets ...................... 32 Figure 30:Ceramic tiles as base for carpeting ............................................................... 33 Figure 31: Difference in height between granite tiles and base for carpet thickness ... 34 Figure 32: Wood Partition............................................................................................. 36 Figure 33: Stirrup fixing partitions to slabs and whole structure .................................. 36 Figure 34: Pink Gypsum Partitions ................................................................................ 37 Figure 35: Steel channel separation .............................................................................. 37 Figure 36: Wool inside gypsum Partition for insulation ................................................ 38 7

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Figure 37: Opening in partition with socket.................................................................. 39 Figure 38: Electrical wires running in pipes from Floor into Partition ........................... 40 Figure 39:Wooden partitioning framework .................................................................. 42 Figure 40: Gypsum boards ............................................................................................ 43 Figure 41: Worker applying putty to a wall .................................................................. 45 Figure 42: Thinner used with paints.............................................................................. 45 Figure 43: Worker using a roller to apply paint ............................................................ 46 Figure 44: Anchors holding the piping system .............................................................. 47 Figure 45: Fan coil unit pipes ........................................................................................ 47 Figure 46: Fan coil unit system...................................................................................... 48 Figure 47: Fan coil unit thermostat ............................................................................... 48 Figure 48: Red paint hallmarks the main fire fighting water pipe................................. 50 Figure 49: Mechanism of a wet-pipe sprinkler system ................................................. 50 Figure 50: A double glazed curtain wall system ............................................................ 52 Figure 51: assembly of the various frames ................................................................... 53 Figure 52: Silicone applied at the joints of the aluminum frame .................................. 53 Figure 53: installation of rubber gasket ........................................................................ 53 Figure 54: section of a curtain wall frame ..................................................................... 54 Figure 55- Insulation ..................................................................................................... 56 Figure 56- ‫رقبة ازاز‬.......................................................................................................... 57 Figure 57- Sheets overlapping ...................................................................................... 57

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Introduction: Project Name: Main Headquarters for Al-Watany Bank Location: 5th Settlement, New Cairo, Egypt.

Area: around 6000 m2 Owner: Al Watany Bank of Egypt Main Contractor: Integrated Contracting Design:  Architectural Engineers:Eng. Abd el Fatah el Mosely, Ph.D Eng. Mostafa Gabr, Ph.D Alaa el din Sarhan, Ph.D Eng. Ahmed Abou el Wafa  Structural Engineer/ Consultant:Eng. Abd el Aziz Mahmoud, Ph.D  Electrical Engineer/Consultant: Eng. Mohamed Abd el Moneim Al Attar, Ph.D  Mechanical Engineer/ Consultant: Eng. Mahmoud Bassiouny, Ph.D  Plumbing Consultancy group: Eng. Khalaf Abd el-Aal Abd-Allah

Project general information: Project is composed of two basement floors, a ground floor and 4 typical floors. The ground floor is mainly used for the client serving and interaction space, while the administrative offices are located on the upper floors. The type of structure is steel with concrete slabs surrounding a main atrium space (curtain 9

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

wall). External and internal finishing includes granite, marble and different types of cladding.

About Owner: Al Watany Bank of Egypt (‫)البنك الوطني المصري‬ Current Headquarters P.O. Box 63, Dr.Fouad Mohieedin Square, Ramadouh Building, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 10th, 14th, and 16th Floor, 13 Semar Street, Mohandessin Area, Giza - Cairo.; Cairo

Legal Form: Joint Stock Company Operational Status: Operational ISIN CODE : EGS60171C013 Financial Auditors: Ernst and Young Egypt/Zarrouq Khaled and Company (2011) Total Employees: 1,300

“Al Watany Bank of Egypt (AWB) was established in 1980 under the investment law and its amendments. The bank carries out all banking activities through its headquarters and branches among which some (2 in 2010) are concerned with Islamic transactions.

The Al Watany Bank of Egypt made a net profit of 243.6 million Egyptian pounds (US $44.5 million) in 2007, a 157% increase compared to 2006. [7][8] It posted a profit of 290.6 million Egyptian pounds for the first nine months of 2008, a 29.2 percent growth compared to the same period in the previous year. [9] Its assets were valued at 14.6025 billion Egyptian pounds at the end of the third quarter of 2008.[9] The bank's authorized and paid capital was 1 billion Egyptian Pounds distributed on 100 million shares with a par value of 10 Egyptian Pounds each. It has 26 branches located across Egypt.” (alwatany)1 Purpose of the visit:    1

Observing Steel Construction of a building and its process Understanding the different types of external and internal finishing Installation/Maintenance of finishing systems

About AWB, alwatany.net. web. (April,2nd 2012)

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012



Integration systems (HVAC and fire systems) and how they work within design

Site organization and Conditions: Plot dimensions: 110 m x 75 m (approximately) Located off the main road (Road 90) in new Cairo, the site is privileged with its surrounding easily accessible roads from three sides, as indicated in the figure below.

Figure 1: Site Accessibility and surrounding roads Figure 1:Site Accessibility and surrounding roads

Around the construction boundary there is a semi-circular border that acts as the main fencing to the property; the area between the construction and the whole plot is used for storage, offices to be placed.

Construction Boundary

Storage

Storage Offices

Figure 2- Site Organization Diagram

On site storage did not exclude the temporary storing of materials and/or equipments, such as

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Figure 3- On site Storage and Offices

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

cement, steel, wood and granite tiles (refer to figures above).

Offices located on the boundaries of the site were caravan type structures and arranged in a linear method around the entrance of the site.

Storage Construction Boundary

Storage

Storage Offices

Figure 6- Safety Procedures on site

Figure 5- Office at entrance

Figure 4- Cement temporary storage

Accident reduction techniques and general safety of the workers were taken using communication method; posters of safety measure that all those on site could follow.

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Figure 7- Alimac on site

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Management operators provide a space that is located away from workers circulation and close to the Alimac to be the main path of raw materials from trucks to upper floors

1. Mechanical Marble or Granite Cladding system Main Procedures: Ensure Verticality of the building

Border the building with a vertical and horizontal border lines ( ‫تربيع‬ ‫)المبنى‬

The required types of insulation are added as indicated in the specs document Add the panel to final designated space (according to plan) could be in the ' ‫'تربيعة‬

Mechanical fixing using an anchoring system; stainless steel double L-shaped element called '‫'كانة‬

Info & Detailed Procedures: External finishing of Marble, Granite or stone in general requires expertise and efficiency in handling, therefore this process is done after several quality control checks done by the engineer. Before placing the granite or marble tiles, the engineers check the verticality (‫(جس‬of the building in case of any mistakes in the pouring of P.C or inclination in the placement of the steel rods, that’s normally done using the thread with the weight (‫)خيط سعي‬. The building is then defined horizontally and vertically (‫ )تربيع المبنى‬forming a grid like setting as per the design requirements, each set in the grid would carry the granite panel, each row (‫)ميتماك‬ is called in Arabic ‘‫’حطة‬. Following procedures include the addition of the insulation before adding the panels. Types of insulation vary and differ, there’s the insulating wool (‫ )صوف العزل‬that stops heat from entering through to the building.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

The consultant engineer is responsible for choosing the type of insulation, including primer that comes in (‫ )بيكمين‬or sheets, material could be installed using

Figure 10- Insulation on facade

Figure 9- Marble or Granite Tiles with holes

‘‫ ’مادة سوداء‬or ‘‫’مادة على البارد‬, it is added to insulate and to fill voids (‫)سد مسامات‬.

After adding the insulation, the granite or marble tile with two holes on both ends is put in place and fixed from both sides to the building using the anchoring system, made out of stainless steel or metal (‫ )كانة‬and this element is responsible for holding the panel in place, the different types of such element varies according to the panel weight, the designer’s

Figure 8- Fixing system after installation Figure 11- Fixing system (‫)كانة‬

chosen granite type and specifications, etc…

The mechanical type of fixing explained above is used when dealing with a building with more than one floor above ground, to ensure tight anchoring of the panel especially at higher levels. On the other hand, if installing the stone tiles on to a building of two or less floors, the manual fixing type which involves white cement would be used to stick the panel to the wall system.

14 Figure 12- Diagram of the fixing system

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Equipment:    

Mechanical Fixing System (‫ )كانة‬to hold the granite external finishing ‫ خيط ثقل‬for verticality check ‫ شبابيك‬for workers to reach higher levels and add the external cladding Alimac to move the panels between different levels and ensure safety

Materials:   

Wool for insulation purposes (‫)صوف عزل‬ Primer for insulation purposes Granite/Marble Tiles with holes drilled on both ends (cut to order, certain specs)



Quality control engineer: To ensure the verticality of the building

Labor:

and placement of panels 

Consultant Engineer: To indicate the type of mechanical fixing to use (specs) as well as insulation types



Skilled labor: To modify or fix the granite or marble tiles on site if needed and drill the holes or ensure accuracy and well handling



Semi-skilled labor: To fix the mechanical fixing system and panels in place



Un-skilled labor: To carry the panels from vehicles to the temporary storage in front of the building or to higher floors through the Alimac system available on site.

Quality Control:  Check verticality of the building before placing the external cladding system using the thread with the weight (‫)خيط سعي‬.  Ensure the horizontal and vertical threads placed on the façade forming “‫ ”التربيعة‬is well placed

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

 Ensure the holes in stone tiles (marble or granite) are correctly placed and drilled.  Recheck the tile specs and if the available ordered are conforming to the requirements  Supervise the transfer of the panels from the vehicle and to the temporary storage  Make sure the tiles are stacked over each other and located away from working space to avoid falling pieces leading to damage (breaks and/or cracks)  Analyze the mechanical fixing system with reference to the specs required by the architect and/or consultant  Ensure well storage of the ‘‫ ;’كانة‬covered with an envelope and opened shortly before being installed (refer to figure)  After installing the external cladding, recheck the fixing system and the bolts used to hold the tiles, ensure they’re tightly closed.

Figure 13- Packaging of Fixing system for protection

2. Fire Retardant Sprays for Steel

Remove dust, residues and small particles away from the surface of the steel

Apply carefully one or two coating depending on the atmosphere and according to the consultant's instructions

Dries to touch in about 2 hours, total dryness n 5-8 days

Clean equipment after use 16

Test spray a small area, adjust pressure settings to obtain a good spray pattern,then proceed with the application.

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Main Procedures:

Info & Detailed Procedures:

Figure 14 - Fire Retardant Spray Types

Fire retardant spray is a material that is sprayed on the steel to form a protective coating from fire damage. This material blocks the path of heat to the steel for a number of hours. All fire retardant types have an optimum heat endurance time, the number of hours at which the blocking of heat could still occur before deformation of the steel, this differs in specs from one type to the other, depending on the usage and the project type (high end, residential, commercial, etc…). The specification of the retardant type is left to the architectural engineer to choose, to ensure the safety of the people and the structure. Normally the surface of the steel has to be very clean, free from any residues. The equipment itself must be very clean, either it’s a glue spray or spray adhesive. The following step is the application on the steel surface with the required thickness indicated by the consultant engineer. Normally a small test is conducted on a small area of the steel and left to dry for a while then applied to the whole area. It could take up to 3 hours, depending on the atmosphere, to dry out from the surface. Total dryness of coating is reached in a couple of hours or a day or two, depending on the type of spray used (specs) and the temperature and humidity at which it is applied.

Equipment: 

Cleaners to ensure removal of dust and residues on the surfaces before and after the spraying process

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Material: 

The fire retardant chemical spray to be applied on the steel surface



Architectural engineer: To choose the kind of retardant spray used

Labor:

and indicate specs 

Skilled labor (Quality Engineer): Ensure required specs are followed and watch over the application process



Semi-skilled labor: To apply the spray carefully at even leveling on the surfaces



Unskilled labor: To clean the surfaces before and after the spraying

Quality Control:  Revise the specs of the spray and ensure it’s what the consultant engineer required.  Check to ensure that all flames, fires, and other sources of ignition have been extinguished and turned off. There should be flammable signs until coating entirely dries.  Before applying on the whole surface, Test spray a small area, adjust pressure settings to obtain a good spray pattern, then proceed with the application.  Check wet film every few minutes, to insure that the proper film thickness is being applied, make sure all surfaces, including edges, are properly coated.  Ensure cleaning up after the application is over with.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

3. Panoramic elevators Main Procedures:

The architect chooses the type and form of panaromic elevator

The specs are sent to the company responsible to find the suitable type of elevator needed

At the final stages of the projects, the elevator is installed

Testing the functionality of the elevator before full use

Info & Detailed Procedures: Panoramic elevators are fabricated using transparent materials to provide a view of the outer side of the lift.

They are mainly used in more exposed high end buildings, i.e. commercial type. They are offered in a 19

Figure 15- Panoramic lift (Hydraulic Drive) shortly before commissioning at a Hospital

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

variety of forms and different speeds, depending on the architect designing requirements to fit in place. Its form could be one side, three sides or five sides and circular panels (the architect is the one choosing these features). The panoramic elevators could work with drive traction cables or pump hydraulic fluid and with a machine room or without. The car shape on which the elevator is resting could come in many shapes; rectangular, diamond and circular. In this project, the elevator has not yet been added, but will be added as soon as the glass atrium is finished, normally one of the final steps is the addition of the panoramic elevator. After the specs are sent to the company associated with the project, the suitable elevator will be sent to the site at the final stages of the building, the cabinet and the technicians arrive to the working place and start installation process, using special tools that include and are not limited to drills, wrenches, Allen tools and screwdrivers. After the installation process is finished and electricity is connected to the system, a number of trials are conducted to make sure the mechanism is properly adjusted and functioning.

Equipment:  

Special tools (Drills, wrenches, Allen tools, screwdrivers) used through installation Insulation through the moving process to ensure the glass protection

Material:  

The elevator cabinet and its associated elements (ex. machine room if available) The car of the elevator (size and form according to specs) Figure 16- Panoramic lift car final assembly shortly before delivery

Labor:    

Architectural Engineer: to choose the suitable form of Panoramic elevator Engineer: to choose the type suiting the architect’s requirements, to indicate the specs.

Skilled Labor/Engineer: on site, to install the elevator in place and ensure connection to electricity, etc…

Semi-skilled labor: to supervise the transportation of the elevator around the site, ensure safety 20

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012



Un-skilled Labor: to help in carrying equipment through the different levels at which the elevator will be added

Quality Control:  Ensure the careful transportation of the elevator from the company and to the site.  Make sure the glass envelope of the elevator and the whole system is insulated well until opened up for installation to protect from damage and external environment (weather)  Ensure the qualifications of the elevator are followed and that the system has no malfunctioning  Test the system after installation while technicians are there to ensure proper functioning  Provide maintenance regularly and until the project is handed in

Layout points on each floor of the building marking the location of the walls to ensure their perpendicularity and verticality

4. Brick Wall

Main Procedure: A layer of "tartasha" is installed on the bricks to enhance the cohesion between it and the layer on top of it by making it more rough

Installation of bricks

Building

Surveyor marks the location of the walls according to floor plan and points are set to mark the start and end of the walls according to predefined benchmark

21

The axis is set by connecting these points by threads.

The worker takes the thread as a baseline to start building the walls

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Info and Detailed Procedures: The first step of building the wall and partitions (after finishing the building skeleton and structure) is to lay out points on each floor of the building marking the location of the walls to ensure the perpendicularity of the walls that will be built.

The surveyor then determines the locations of the walls and partitions by checking the building floor plan, and identifies and marks the start and end points of the walls according to a predefined benchmark.

The axis is then set on the “‫ ”مساحة‬by connecting these points by threads to keep the building coherent and rectangular. The “‫”مساحة‬ gives the offset for every wall to start building.

After installing the bricks, the worker puts a layer of “‫”طرطشة‬ which is an agent enhancing the cohesion between the bricks and the layer that will rest on top of it. In other words, one needs to make sure the surface of the bricks is rough so that it can sustain the load of the “‫”محارة‬, since without it (‫)طرطشة‬, the bricks could fall (rough holds better than smooth).

Equipment:    

Figure 17-Brick wall

Trowel Spatula Thread Surveying equipment

Materials:  “‫ ”طرطشة‬layer on the bricks 

Cement mortar 22

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012



Bricks

  

Masonry workers General site labor Surveyors

Labor:

Quality Control:  The labor should have good workmanship to guarantee a high quality of masonry wall construction.  Wetting the bricks decreases the chance of salt precipitation on the walls since it decreases the salt content in the bricks.

5. Plastering of Brick Partitions

Main Procedures:

Install "‫ "بؤجة‬and "‫ "وطر‬system and align them perfectly vertical and underneath each other using

Cover the surface of the wall with mortar using the "‫ "طاروش‬and "‫"باروة‬

the "‫"ميزان الزمبة‬

Using the "‫"ادة‬ spread the mortar evenly between the "‫ "اوطار‬using them as guidelines for the thickness verticality of the surface

Info and Detailed Procedures: A system composed of 2 points made of cement 23

Figure 18- ‫ بؤجة‬system

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

mortar is set at the 2 corners of each wall to start the plastering, called “‫ ”بؤجة‬and a “‫ ”وطر‬connecting them, is installed to guarantee perfect verticality and a consistent thickness of the wall, and to achieve a perfectly flat surface, and prohibiting any undesired tilting or shifting in the wall. The system is offset by 2.5 cm from the wall, each one aligned to the one underneath it with the water level, “‫”ميزان الزمبة‬. The worker then fills in the space between the “‫ ”اوطار‬with mortar so that the surface is perfectly flat and vertical using the following method: 1. The worker carries a plate filled with mortar called a “‫ ”طاروش‬and uses it to fill the surface between the “‫ ”اوطار‬with a spatula called the “‫”بروة‬, another small metal plate that spreads the mortar on the wall.

2. The “‫( ”ادة‬aluminum rectangular bar) is then used to smooth out the surface of the whole wall at the required thickness of the “‫( ”اوطار‬so the “‫ ”اوطار‬are basically used as guidelines so that the “‫ ”ادة‬rests on them vertically while swooping the layer to the acquired thickness).

Figure 19:Worker holding a ‫طاروش‬

Equipment:     

Water level: “‫”ميزان الزمبة‬ “‫ ”طاروش‬to carry the mortar Spatula :“‫ ”بروة‬to spread the mortar on the wall Aluminum bar: “‫ ”ادة‬to smooth out the surface of the whole wall according to the thickness of the “‫”اوطار‬ Total Station Figure 20: Aluminum "‫ "ادة‬to smooth out the surface of the wall

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Materials:   

Cement mortar Concrete for “‫ ”بؤجة‬and “‫”اوطار‬ Bricks

Labor:   

General site labor to spread the mortar Plastering labor for the fixing of the mortar points and the spreading to ensure a perfectly flat surface Surveyors

Quality Control:  The plastering worker has to smooth the surface of the walls with great attention to ensure a leveled and flat finish of the walls  The worker has to make sure that the finishing level matches perfectly the control points set by the “‫ ”بؤجس‬and “‫”وطر‬.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

6. Granite Flooring

Main Procedures:

Mark level one meter above the finished floor level and set a thick layer of sand

The leveling and bond of the joints at the corners of the tiles are checked by rubbing it manually

Set the mortar in place and place the granite tile on it

Level the tiles with a water level to check the surface verticality and horizontality

The tile is set in place by using the back of a hammer

Info & Detailed Procedure: The work of the finishing is done on a concrete slab.

The first step is to set a thick layer of sand and mark a sort of zero-level for finishing “‫”منسوب‬, Figure 21: Water Level

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

which will be used for the whole floor and all the building. This level is usually set one meter above the finished floor level.

Every piece of granite is called a “‫”تربيعة‬. The positions of these granite blocks are guided by axis called “‫”اكس المساحة‬. The “‫ ”ترابيع‬are set on the ground (method explained in the next few lines) and the partitions left at the end are called “‫”غيلة‬. There are two methods to do the “‫”’غيلة‬: 1- Either start with the good edge or side if no centering is desired and go on and position the tarbi3as and the “‫ ”غيلة‬size will come the haphazardly, without determining it prior to that.

2- Or, a more accurate method, which is the one Figure 22: Worker spreading mortar before putting the granite tile used here, is by surveying; the engineer knows the size of each “‫ ”تربيعة‬and the space that they will fill, and he does it in such a way that the “‫ ”غيلة‬size is always larger or equal to half the size of a single “‫”تربيعة‬, to make it more esthetical and comfortable to the eyes.

The positioning of the granite tiles is done in the following steps: - Use “‫ ”شرب‬to identify a common finishing level for the whole floor so that there is no difference in height in the same level.

- To level the “‫ ”تربيعة‬the worker uses the water level “‫ ”ميزان الماية‬to check the surface verticality and horizontality.

- The worker then hits the tile a few times with the back of a hammer to adjust it in place.

This process is done for each tile; the worker sets the mortar (“‫ )”مونة‬and puts the tile (“‫ )”تربيعة‬on it, hits with hammer to push it down and then levels it. Throughout the whole process of installation, the worker has to make sure that the joint Figure 23: Worker setting the granite in place with is firm and there is no space between the tiles by the hammer rubbing the corners with his hands.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Equipment:     

Water level Thread Trowel Total station Hammer

  

Sand Cement mortar Granite tiles (“‫)”تربيعة‬

Materials:

Figure 24: Checking the corners of the tiles by rubbing the joints

Labor:   

General site labor Surveyors Granite tile workers

Quality Control: The quality of this process is mainly determined by:  The accuracy of the level of the finish  The joining of the tiles together  The size of the tiles at the sides (“ghela2a”)

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

7. Electric Floor Box Main Procedure: Determining location of electric box according to plan

Installing electric floor boxes

pouring mortar onto electric floor boxes

Fixing metal meshes through nails

Info and Detailed Procedures: The electronic boxes are installed according to the use and distribution of furniture and spaces in the building. For buildings such as banks they usually have open plans so as to give flexibility for creating several stations/units of desks. In this case, one way of providing electricity to each desk is using ‫ مشترك‬leading from a wall socket to the desk.

However, this method would cause several wires stretching from each wall throughout the room, which would be inconvenient in a large office area such as a bank. The other way is to run the electric wires in the flooring or the ceiling.

In case the clear height is small the wires can be run in FigureFigure 25: Electric 25: Electric Floor Box Floor Box the ceiling and then directed through a column located at each station to provide electricity. The other way is by installing electric boxes at the location of the desk stations, which provide the station with electricity through sockets installed in the floor. However, these two methods are based on having the furniture distribution on the plan.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

The floor boxes are installed at the appropriate locations and afterwards a screate or mortar is poured onto/ between the boxes. In this case, there are two different materials poured onto each other one the material of the electric box or the concrete connecting the boxes and the mortar that is poured after fixing the boxes.

Whenever there are two different materials poured onto each other a difference in settlement occurs, which cause

Figure27: 26:Electric ElectricFloor FloorBoxes Boxesinstalled installedatat Figure planed locationplaned location

cracking at these connection areas. Therefore, metal meshes are nailed onto these connection surfaces so as to ensure that the cracking doesn't occur.

Figure26: 27:Metal MetalMeshes Meshesfor forsettling settlingcracks cracks Figure

Equipment:  

Electric floor boxes nails and hammer for fixation of metal meshes

Labor:  

supervising engineer to locate electric boxes and check on right instillation unskilled worker for fixation of metal mesh and pouring mortar

Material:   

Metal mesh Mortar steel electric box

Quality Control  An architectural engineer or supervisor must ensure that the electric floor boxes are fixed at the right locations according to the furnished plan  The fixation of metal meshes must be checked and made sure of

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

8. Casting of Concrete Slab over Steel system

Main Procedures:

Lay out pulins in the transverse direction to the beams

A layer of corrugated sheets is placedon the purlins

Prepared concrete is poured on the sheetsuntil forming a 5-10 cm thickness

Info and Detailed Procedure: Since this building is composed of a steel structural system, the casting of slabs is done in a different way than the regular casting in concrete structures.

The casting involves the following steps: Figure 28: Purlin set in the transverse - After fixing the columns and the steel beams, direction of the beam purlins are laid out in the transverse direction and are spaced out evenly throughout the span.

- A layer of corrugated sheets is laid on the purlins (the thickness of the layer of corrugated sheets and the spacing of the purlins is calculated in such a way that they would be able to support the dead load of the slab without any external supports) - The concrete for the slab is casted over the corrugated sheets and forms a 31

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

thickness of 5 -10 cm.

Equipment:    

Welding machine Concrete mixer to mix the concrete for the slab Concrete pump Crane to transport the concrete and the materials for the steel structures

Figure 29: Example of roof with purlins carrying the corrugated sheets

Materials:

 Purlins  Metal corrugated sheets  Concrete

Labor:

 General site labor  Concrete labor  Workers familiar with welding

Quality Control:

The strength of the slab mainly depends on:    

The The The The

thickness of corrugated sheets appropriate spacing between the purlins quality of the concrete appropriate thickness of the concrete

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

9. Ground Preparation for Carpeting Main Procedures:

Transportatiion of ceramic tiles to site

Lifting up of the tiles to required floor

Instillation of carpet onto the tiles

Instillation of tiles taking into consideration level difference

Info and Detailed Procedures: In locations where there will be carpeting or Marquette the floor is laid out with ceramic tiles since these are the cheapest ways of constructing a base for the carpeting. The use of tiles is to have a flat smooth surface onto which the carpet can be installed. It is important to take the thickness of the carpet into consideration so as to have a completely leveled floor at the end. Therefore, when laying out the base tiles the engineer must ensure that the tiles are laid below the actual floor Figure 30:Ceramic tiles as base for level. In our case the corridor and neighboring carpeting floors for the Marquette floor were granite flooring. The base tiles were set 8mm below the granite tiles so that after fixing the carpet onto the tiles both floors would be on the same level. However for locations of electric boxes and wires the base will be with smooth concrete since tiles can’t be fixed between the wires and boxes as concrete can. Nevertheless, the concrete is only used at these locations since the tiles provide a smoother surface much easier.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Equipment   

Tools for instillation of tiles Crane for lifting tiles up Tuck for transportation of tiles to site

Labor  

unskilled worker to install tiles Supervising engineer to check difference in leveling

Figure 31: Difference in height between granite tiles and base for carpet thickness

Material   

Ceramic Tiles Carpet Concrete

Quality Control  The difference in leveling must be ensured by a supervising engineer to make sure the total floor will be equally leveled  The tiles must be installed so as to have one leveled, smooth, flat surface

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

10. Store Front

Info and Detailed Procedures: The curtain wall is an entity and element of the façade, which can carry its own weight. However, architecturally the last 1 to 2 stories the normal curtain wall is replaced by a store front. This is a curtain wall, which can’t carry its own load and is fixed onto the slab so that it is supported and carried by the slab and its steel elements.

Equipment: 

working tools to fix and construct the framework of the curtain wall

Labor:   

unskilled labor to construct framework unskilled worker to adjust on slab engineer to supervise work and location and construction of store front

Material:  

Wood for framework Metal for framework

Quality Control  Supervise location and right construction point of store front  The framework of the curtain wall must be checked

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

11. Interior Light Partitioning Main Procedure:

Transporting the wood or gypsum boards to the required level

Instillation of partition

Fixing partition either using stirrups or steel channels

Checking the instillation by engineer

Addition of wool in the case of gypsum boards

Info and Detailed Procedure: The interior partitioning is done using either wood work or gypsum boards.

1) Wood The partitioning is done using a wood work framework, which can either be constructed on site or delivered pre- fabricated to the site. The wood work is called ‫ العلفة‬and is the stage of construction, onto which the finishing is later applied.

Both the wood partitions are fixed to the slabs and steel elements of the lower slab and the upper beam to refrain from any movement of the partitions. They are fixed at top and bottom using stirrups (‫ )كانة أو زوية‬using two at each end.

For any gypsum partitions attached or next to wood partitions the verticality and horizontality of the gypsum partitions 32: Wood Partition Partition is fixed using the wood partitions. This Figure 32: Wood Figure means that the wood partitions must be 36 Figure 33: Stirrup fixing partitions to slabs and whole structure

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

controlled and adjusted according to the right verticality since the following gypsum partition will depend on it.

Equipment:    

Wood working tools (hammer, nails etc.)

Tools to ensure verticality and horizontality truck in case of transportation on pre-fabricated partitions crane if necessary to lift up pre-fabricated partitions

  

skilled wood worker for wood partitioning skilled worker to ensure correct fixation of partitions using stirrups engineer supervising wood work and its verticality

Labor:

Material:  

Wood steel stirrups

2) Gypsum Boards The gypsum boards used are not white as usual but pink since they have added chemicals as heat insulation and fire Figure 34: Pink Gypsum Partitions Figure 34: Pink Gypsum Partitions retardant. The partitions are out of wood and gypsum and therefore any fire can cause a very high risk. Therefore, the boards have fire retarding material included according to needed specifications.

The gypsum board can either be fixed to a wood partitioning structure or using wood or through the use of steel channels at the edges and separation between two boards. The bottom edges of the board are also covered with steel plates. The steel channels also serve another purpose, for one partition is composed of two boards on each side, so Figure 35: Steel as to make sure that the distance between them remains constant steel channel separation channels are fixed in between them so that the idea of a “sandwich” partition remains. Moreover, in partitions with a high length gypsum boards could fold inside if a pressure is applied onto it from the outside. So to avoid such a folding

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

in of the wall a steel channel is not also added at the beginning and end of each partition but every 60cm.

The gypsum boards must include wool inside as sound and heat insulation but primary sound insulation.

Equipment:  

Truck for transportation of boards working tools for fixation of steel channels

 

Unskilled labor for installation of gypsum boards Engineer for supervision of fixation of steel channels

Figure 36: Wool inside gypsum Partition for insulation

Labor:

Material:  

Gypsum boards Steel channels

Quality Control  The verticality and location of the wood partition must be ensured by a supervising engineer since the verticality of the adjacent gypsum partitions is depending on it  The structure engineer must check on the stirrups for the fixation of the wood partition  The supervising engineer must ensure exact location of gypsum boards and the fixation of the steel channels according to the specifications of every 60cm  Ensure the sound insulation of gypsum boards through the use of wool

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

12. Interior Partitioning Electric Wiring Main Procedure:

Running electrical wires through floor

Taking and run electrical wires into partition

Drilling openings for electricity at required locations

Installing sockets into openings

Taking out electrical wires or electricity by skilled worker using ‫سسات‬

Info and Detailed Procedure: The electricity or electrical wires run in the floor either in the electric boxes or other insulation forms and are run upwards within the partitions. At the required locations an opening is drilled Figure 37: Opening in partition with socket into the partition. Afterwards an electrical worker takes the wires through the partitions using ‫سسات‬. At these locations sockets are later installed by a qualified worker in that area and used for lighting etc. The electrical wires are insulated using pipes while running through the floor and partition.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Equipment  

Drilling machine Working tools for fixation of sockets



Skilled worker in area of electrical systems to take out electricity and install sockets at required locations Supervising engineer for location of sockets

Labor:



Figure 38: Electrical wires running in pipes from Floor into Partition

Material:  

Plastic pipes Plastic sockets

Quality Control  Electrical engineer must ensure safety and correct handling of electrical work by skilled worker  Supervising engineer must ensure the right locations of the openings

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

14.Wood cladding for partitioning Main Procedure:

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Info and Detailed Procedure: As partitions are not built with a brick core, wooden frames are set up at the location of the partitions and act as the skeleton which will be cladded later with the final finishing material. The wooden logs are placed at a unit distance from each other both vertically and horizontally and so form a form of mesh which acts as the frame; gypsum boards are then held in place on these frames and act as a shielding layer to protect the wooden mesh beneath.

Figure 39:Wooden partitioning framework

Figure 40: Joint used to pin the partitioning frame to the ceiling.

Before the application of the gypsum boards, the wooden frames are pinned to the floor and ceiling with a joint (‫)زاوية أو كانه‬. The joint at the ceiling is pinned to the beam while that on the floor is pinned to the flooring concrete. At the end of every gypsum board and at 60cm intervals, a thin , C-section metal plate (called omega) is sandwiched between the boards where no wooden framework is placed and is added for support and for pinning of the gypsum boards.

The gypsum boards used in partitioning come in various colors according to the type of treatment that they have undergone. The white boards are the ones most commonly used in interior decorating of houses and apartments, the green boards are moisture insulated and are usually found in kitchens and bathrooms, and

Figure 41: Electrical piping passing through the partitions

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

the pinkish boards are treated to resist heat. In this specific project, the pink boards were used to act as a protective layer for the wooden framework underneath in the case of a fire. These boards are treated with the fire retardant which was discussed earlier and so are able to block fire for a specified amount of time before reaching the wooden core. In addition, wool is sometimes inserted between the gypsum boards to act as a soundproofing agent.

With regards to electrical wiring, an electrician is brought in to extend the electrical pipes from the floor up into the voids within the wooden framework of the partitions. Next, openings are made into the gypsum boards to allow for the placement of the electrical sockets.

Unlike the finishing process in brick walls, cement is not splashed on the surface of the wall to form a rough layer onto which plastering is applied. In addition, no verticality check is required for the gypsum boards; they are laid out on the wooden formwork and so do not require a verticality check of their own.

After the gypsum boards have been placed, the joints between the various boards are treated with a gauze-like material and paste (‫ )معجون‬is applied over the entire board to prepare for the final painting process.

Equipment:   

Special tools (drills, hammers, nails) for the installation of the wooden formwork and boards.

Trowels for spreading paste.

Painting brushes and rollers.

Materials:    

wooden formwork gypsum boards C-sections Wool for soundproofing

Figure 42: Gypsum boards

Labor: 

Electrician: for passing the electrical cables between the formwork 43

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

  

Carpenter: for pinning and verticality check of the wooden formwork Skilled labor: to apply gauze and paste to the gypsum boards, to apply final paint to the partitions Semi-skilled labor: pinning of gypsum boards to the wooden frame.

Quality Control:  Architect must verify that the partitions are located at their exact locations indicated on the plans.  Verticality of wooden framework checked and verified by carpenter before placement of gypsum boards.  Ensuring that the formwork joints pinning the partitions to the ground and ceiling are stable.  Ensuring the paste applied before painting is even and smooth.  Ensure the paste covers all nails used in the pinning of the boards.

15. Wall Painting Main Procedure:

Info and Detailed Procedure: After the brick wall has been built, cement is splashed with care at the brick wall (‫)طرطشة‬, this process is essential in the binding of the final wall finishing with 44

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

the brick core; the rough, uneven cement surface serves as a binding surface between the bricks and the mortar (‫ )مونة‬that precedes the application of the final wall finish (paint or cladding). After the mortar has been evenly placed, spread throughout the entire surface and dried, the wall is ready to undergo the painting process.

The first step is cleaning the wall from any loose mortar or dirt. This is usually done with a wet rag when dealing with interior walls. Secondly, primer is applied to the wall. This layer acts as a base for the painting process and proper curing time must be allowed before the first coat of paint can be applied. The main function of the primer is to act as a bonding agent and avoid delamination of paint; delamination occurs when the paint surface peels off the wall due to excess moisture and in the case of new buildings, this would be due to painting the surface too soon before proper curing of the wall has taken place.

After the primer has dried, a putty layer is usually applied next, especially in the case of new walls. The purpose of this putty layer is to fill in small cracks and imperfections to provide a smoother surface. Once again, the application should be allowed to dry completely before the next layer is added.

Figure 43: Worker applying putty to a wall

Due to the need to prepare undulations and ensure proper leveling of new walls, usually a second layer of primer is added after the putty layer. The final step would be to apply the paint of desired color in two thin coats, with enough time being allowed between the two applications.

Equipment:    

Rollers Brushes Mixing Trays Trowels

Materials: 

Paint

Figure 44: Thinner used with paints

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

  

Thinner Primer Putty

Labor: 

Skilled labor: to carry out the entire wall preparation and painting procedure.

Quality Control:

 Care should be taken when mixing thinners and paint to ensure that the ratios stay constant.  Coats must be allowed enough time to dry completely before the next layer is to be added.  Proper storage of paints should be ensured and the containers must be kept away from extreme cold or heat.  Care must be taken to ensure no lap lines are created when applying subsequent layers.

Figure 45: Worker using a roller to apply paint

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

16. Fan coil units and AC system

Main Procedure:

Info and Detailed Procedure: Once again, the consultant is brought in to identify the exact locations of the cooling units and so the main cooling pipe is connected to the smaller pipes which

47 Figure 46: Anchors holding the piping system Figure 46: Anchors holding the piping system

Figure 47: Fan coil unit pipes Figure 47: Fan coil unit pipes

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

distribute the air throughout the various areas. The fan coil units are connected to chilled water pipes, fresh air inlet, return air ducts and air outlets.

Vertical metal tubes called Anchors (‫ )شيشان‬are used to carry the piping system and are the main load bearing elements, these are pinned to the ceiling on either side of the pipe and a curvy thin metal section is passed from under the pipe and is pinned at the edges to the two anchors carrying the pipe.

Equipment:     

Anchors Metal Plates (for carrying pipes) Mechanical Drill Specialty mechanical equipment (screws, nails, bolts..etc) Bubble wrap/ insulation for transportation to exact location on site

Figure 49: Fan coil unit system Figure 48: Fan coil unit system

Materials:    

Insulated pipes Chillers Fan Coil Units Thermostat

Figure 50: Fan coil unit thermostat

Labor: 

Acoustics specialist: sometimes brought in for accurate sound assessment of the system.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

  

Mechanical engineer: for overseeing the placement, fittings and functioning of the units.

Specialized labor: for the installation of the fan coil units.

Unskilled labor: for the transportation of the units to exact area of installation

Quality Control:  Suitable access is provided to the fan coil units for routine maintenance.  Ensure that the noise level of the unit does not become troublesome throughout the entire served areas.  Installation process must ensure proper leveling.  Check the system before final handing of the project to ensure proper functioning.

17. Fire Fighting System Main Procedure:

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Info and Detailed Procedure: The fire fighting system installed in the project is the sprinkler system which consists of a main water supply system, sprinklers which protrude from the main supply pipes, a water tank most likely placed in the basement and a water pump to provide enough pressure to ensure an adequate water flow rate. With regards to the piping of the entire building, the first pipe to be set up is the main fire fighting water pipe. Special care and attention is given to the set up of this pipe as the water pressure differs greatly with slight changes in height and a small deviation from the planned heights and locations would lead to problems with the whole system including the size of the water tank to be used and the pump placed in the basement.

Figure 51: Red paint hallmarks the main fire fighting water pipe

The two types of sprinkler systems are drypipe and wet-pipe systems. While the wet-pipes involves water running through the main water pipes at all times, a system which is usually found in residential units. However, in commercial and office buildings, the dry-pipe system is more common. In this system, the pipes are filled with compressed air and connected to the water tank through a pump After the main water pipe has been put into place, smaller sprinkler pipes are then connected to it. These pipes extend both vertically and horizontally away from the main pipe. The placement of these sprinkler heads should be designed with an overlap between the adjacent heads.

Figure 52: Mechanism of a wet-pipe sprinkler system

Equipment:  

Mechanical Drills Specialty mechanical tools such as nails and screws

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Materials:   

Water pipes Sprinkler heads Water pump

Labor:  

Mechanical/quality control engineer: to oversee the entire pipe installation process.

Specialized technicians: for installing the fire fighting system.

Quality Control:  Exact locations of main water pipe to be checked and cross referenced to the provided plans.  Ensure that no structural elements or pipes are blocking the sprinkler access to its designated area.  Water gauge or pump is checked for proper pressure readings.

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

18. Curtain Walls Main Procedure:

Info and Main Procedure: Generally referred to as curtain wall, the system used in this specific project is one type of curtain walls called ‘storefront’ system with double glazing. Although all types of curtain walls are non-load bearing, the storefront system is characterized by its glazing which is installed between floor slabs or between a floor slab and a building structure above. Storefront glazing is usually used as a low cost Figure 53: 52: A double glazed curtain wall system alternative for a curtain wall in low rise building. The process that follows discusses the steps taken during the 52

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

installation of curtain walls in general and is not limited to ‘storefront’ curtain walls.

Figure frames 53: assembly of the various frames Figure 54: assembly of the various

With regards to the glass cutting process, the glass may be precut at the factory and mounted onto frames, ready to be placed into position on site, or it may be cut on site. The aluminum frames are also shipped from the factory either in stock lengths or as finished products.

In the case of attached, multiple-frame wall sections, the multiple parts should be assembled together before being transported and installed into the wall opening.

After the frames have been attached together, they should be laid out on a wooden frame or any other dry, smooth surface while waiting to be installed. The T-brackets are always factory assembled to the mullions in accordance with the design submitted by the architect. The horizontal members are attached and secured to the T-brackets on site and silicone sealant is applied to ensure binding.

The rubber gaskets are then cut to desired length and secured in place with silicone.

53 Figure 55: Silicone applied at the joints of the aluminum frame

Figure 56: installation of rubber gasket

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

After the frame has been set up, it is installed, leveled and plumbed to ensure both its vertical and horizontal alignment. One of various anchoring methods (perimeter bolting, steel channels bolting, etc) is used to ensure sound fastening of the frame. The next step involves the mounting of the glazing into the frame and securing it properly in place.

During the finishing stages, any g Figure 54: Silicone applied at the joints of the a aluminum frame ps around the frame are filled with wool insulation and finished by applying transparent silicone.

Figure 57: section of a curtain wall frame

Equipment:    

Power drill Heavy-duty glass handling tools Rubber mallet Plumb-line

Materials:   

wool insulating material Silicone Sealant metal screws for anchoring

Labor:  

Specialized labor for assembly and installation of curtain wall frames.

Non-specialized labor for transportation of frames and glazing to assembly location

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Quality Control:  Special care must be taken not to drop the frames or expose them to severe loading prior to installation to prevent severe racking and corner joinery problems  Frames should be kept away from mud or water to avoid later cleaning problems  Frames must be properly blocked and secured during transportation  Opening size and squaring of the frame should be checked when first received from the factory  After installation, alignment of the cladding system must be checked

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Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

19. Roof Insulation: Main procedure: Add "‫"وزرة‬

Add "‫"رقبة ازاز‬

Fix "‫ "انسومات‬or sheets

Sheets should be arranged in an overlapping system

Info and Detailed Procedure:

Insulation (‫)عزل رتوبة‬, first you should add the ‫ وزرة‬that is normally the same material as the finishing; in our case it’s granite. It should be 10-15 cm higher than the level of finishing. The main target is to form a pan ( ‫ (حلة‬around the insulation to protect water leakage from reaching the roof. It is known that the weakest point in the insulation is the intersection between the horizontal and vertical connections, to avoid having these weak points, we should add “‫”رقبة ازازة‬, which is curved to avoid leakage of water. The sheets (‫ )انسومات‬are then added and arranged in an overlapping pattern (heat welded) or ‫لحام حرارة‬.

56

Figure 58: Insulation

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

Figure 59: ‫رقبة ازاز‬

Figure 60: Sheets overlapping

Material:

 ‫وزرة‬  ‫( انسومات‬sheets)  ‫( مونة‬mortar) Labor:

 Skilled labor : to supervise the addition of insulating sheets and welding process  Semi-skilled labor: to add the sheets and the ‫وزرة‬  Workers: to transport the material and equipment Equipment:

 Spatula: to spread the mortar  Welding tool: to weld sheets Quality Control:

 Make sure insulation is in place  Ensure heat welding done properly  Make sure ‫ رقبة ازازة‬is installed to avoid water leakage 57

Field Report 4: Al Watany Bank New Main Headquarters Spring 2012

References "Curtain wall opening: installation manual." Aluflam: Architecture fire rated solutions.

Aluflam USA, Jun 2010. Web. 6 Apr 2012.

"Curtainwall." Wausaw: Window and wall systems. Apogee Wausau Group, Nov 2010.

Web. 6 Apr 2012. <http://www.wausauwindow.com/education/curtainwall/curtainwall.pdf>

"Installation, Operating and Maintenance Guidelines.." Actionair. Ruskin Air Management Limited,, Dec 2005. Web. 6 Apr 2012.

"Interior Surface Painting Process." Jenson and Nicholson. J&N Paints, Jul 2011. Web. 6 Apr 2012. <http://www.jnpaints.com/intrior-paintg-process.php>

<http://www.probiss.wb.gs/surface-solutions-fintech.html>

<http://s7d5.scene7.com/s7/brochure/flash_brochure.jsp?company=Cintas&sku=201202FireProtection&config=Cintas/eCatalog9&locale=en&zoomwidth=849&zoomheight= 725>

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