6df72d91-baa2-42f7-a44e-3084de465c50

MIDDLE EAST
NEWS UPDATE |

04
BIG PICTURE |

07
COMMENT |

14
ANALYSIS |

18
PRODUCTS |

46
THE LAST WORD |

48
An ITP Business Publication | April 2011 Vol. 6 Issue 4 Essential information for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and HVAC professionals An ITP Business Publication | July 2013 Vol. 8 Issue 07
The industry knows that BIM is its future,
so why is it clinging to the past?
ALSO: COMMISSIONING WHY THE REGION FAILS THE TEST
QATAR
FOCUS
Taking the
temperature of
the GCC hotspot
Armed and
Ambitious
AE Arma Elektropans
Burak Kizilhan
BIG
INTERVIEW
ALEMCO is the specialist Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing division of Al Jaber L.E.G.T. Engineering & Contracting (ALEC) LLC. It provides the
skill, expertise, experience and resources that are essential to meet the demands of todays fast track projects.
ALEMCO has provided fully engineered electromechanical and building service solutions for many construction projects. Its track record includes
some of the Middle Easts most prestigious developments, from hotels, resort spas and retail, to cinema, leisure and exhibition spaces.
If you would like more information about ALEMCO or to make an enquiry please visit www.alemco.ae or call +971 (0)4 429 0599
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SERVICES
HIGH END ENGINEERING, TOP LEVEL COMMITMENT
HOTEL S | RETAI LERS | AI RPORTS | HI GH RI SE S | RE SORTS | HOSPI TAL S | RE SI DENTI AL
www.constructionweekonline.com July 2013 | MEP Middle East 1
[ULY 2O1S VOLUME 8 ISSUE 07
CONTENTS
04 NEWS
Qatar Rail awards $8.2bn of
contracts for Doha metro
08 NEWS UPDATE
Emaar forms JV with Meraas to
build MBR City project
14 COMMENT
Paul Tyrrell on the importance
of integrated design
18 ANALYSIS
Is enough being done to protect
workers from extreme heat?
46 PRODUCT FOCUS
Check out the latest MEP
related products in the market

48 THE LAST WORD
Ian Haupeisch from CCS Gulf
on costing software
COMMISSIONING
Kirk Rosenbaum of KEO on where the
region is going wrong.
BIG INTERVIEW
AE Arma-Elektropans Burak Kizilhan
on the contractors plan of attack.
20
28
BIM
MEP Middle East looks at the obstacles to the industry realising Building Information
Modellings (BIM) full potential and what can be done to overcome these.
QATAR FOCUS
The GCCs hotspot seems to promise much for the industry, but what is the reality for
those with rsthand knowledge of the market?
22
40
30
34
22
EDITORS NOTE
www.constructionweekonline.com 2 MEP Middle East | July 2013
The hot topic
I
ts that time of year again. The north-
ern hemisphere is making its an-
nual tilt at The Sun and, as if it was
needed, this part of the world begins
to bake that bit quicker. As a man from
an island the Romans called Hibernia,
which means the land of winter, Im not
built for this climate. I love the Sun, but
the Sun dont love me. My survival in the
Middle East is largely due to my staying
indoors, cooled by the MEP wonder of air conditioning.
I am among the fortunate who can earn their beans sat in an
ofce and, looking out of my window, its easy to forget the bru-
tality of conditions beyond the pane. The steamy soup of heat
that awaits us at this time of year when we leave the comfort of
our buildings is something that continues to surprise me no
matter how much I prime myself for it. It only takes ve minutes
until I know it is time to get back indoors, before I melt.
In such circumstances, the thought of those who have little
option but to remain in such conditions occasionally strikes
me. A construction site is never too far away from any of us in
this part of the world, and none of us is blind to the armies of
men who slog daily in often hellish conditions. Granted, midday
work bans are now an annual feature in the region, but there is
surely still room for improvement.
Saudi Arabia, where temperatures in June reached 50C, will
only bring in work restrictions from July 1. The Kingdom was
also the last of the GCC states to bring in a midday work ban
when it made the move in 2011, suggesting something of an
inherent reluctance to heed calls for improved working condi-
tions. In the UAE, a total of 166 companies were ned for vio-
lating the ban in 2012 which, while perhaps indicating that the
level of policing is adequate, may also show that there is room
for the deterrent to be more severe.
This issues news analysis piece looks at a survey by Dulsco
which reveals that the level of awareness among Dubai workers
of the health risks posed by working in extremely hot condi-
tions is still far below what it should be. Figures have improved
from 2012, but it shows that still not enough is being done by
employers to educate their workforce and protect them from
the dangers they face only 36% reported learning about health
risks posed by working outdoors in heat from their paymasters.
Speaking from personal experience, too much time in the sun
isnt just a matter of discomfort; its a critical matter of health
with the potential to cause serious illness, both acute and termi-
nal. I know that the industry already does a lot of good work on
improving the living and working conditions of its most vulner-
able employees, but it would be great to see MEP contractors
take a lead on this issue and show the rest of the construction
sector what it means to care for its most valuable resource.
Cathal McElroy (cathal.mcelroy@itp.com)
Published by and 2013 ITP Business Publishing, a member of the
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Managing Director Neil Davies
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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
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NEWS UPDATE
4 MEP Middle East | July 2013 www.constructionweekonline.com
Qatar Rail has formally
announced the winners
of contracts worth a
combined $8.2bn (QAR
29.9bn) for the rst
phase of the Doha Metro.
The organisation
said that the award of
the four phase one con-
tracts Red Line North
(RLN), Red Line South
(RLS), the Green Line
(GRN) and the Major
Stations (MS) marks
a key milestone in the
projects development.
The Red Line North
contract has gone to a
consortium led by Italian
rm Impregilo alongside
South Koreas SK Engi-
neering Construction Co
and Galfar Al Misnad En-
gineering Contracting.
The Red Line South
deal was won by a QDVC-
led consortium including
GS Engineering & Con-
struction and Al-Dar-
wish Engineering.
City stations has been
awarded to a consortia
led by Samsung CT Cor-
poration with Spains
Obrascon Huarte Lain
S.A. (OHL) and Qatar
Building Company.
In a statement, Qatar
Rail said that it planned to
start construction by the
end of the year, so that
work will complete on
schedule by 2019.
This is a big step to-
wards putting Qatar Rail
into operations and mov-
ing forward with the work
ahead of us as we build the
future of Qatar, it added.
Qatar Rail is commit-
ted to achieving the high-
est international standards
in creating this signature
project in national devel-
opment that will become
an international legacy
for Qatar for generations
to come.
It added that there were
high levels of competi-
tion for the work, which
meant the bidding process
was competitive.
Formal announcement of winners for Red Line North, Red Line South, Green Line and
Major Stations contracts sees broad spectrum of international construction rms awarded
Qatar Rail is aiming to have the projects complete by 2019.
The Red Line North
contract covers the de-
sign and construction
of 13km of twin-bored
tunnels and seven under-
ground stations between
Msheireb and Doha Golf
Course via West Bay.
Red Line South will
see six underground sta-
tions being built between
Msheireb and the new
Sheikh Hamad Interna-
tional Airport.
Meanwhile, the eight-
station Green Line con-
tract will link Msheireb
to the Al Rayyan Sta-
dium, with its 16.6km-
long twin-bored tunnel
designed to be built at an
average of 20 metres.
Qatar Rail announces $8.2bn of
deals for Doha Metro rst phase
1
0
%
:
Q
1 increase
in pre-tax prots
FAIR SHARE PROFIT AND PAYOUT
HYDER CONSULTING: LAST 12 MONTHS TRADING
HYDER CONSULTING 2013:
Q1 results
$467.5M:
Q1 revenue
8%:
Q1 increase in
revenue
$37.3M:
Q1 pre-tax prot
The Green Line project
has been awarded to the
consortium that is already
carrying out the enabling
works on that section of the
metro Austrian contrac-
tor Porr, Qatars HBK and
Saudi Binladin Group.
Meanwhile, the Major
Stations contract for the
Msheireb and Education
This is a big step towards
putting Qatar Rail into
operations and moving forward
with the work ahead of us.
www.constructionweekonline.com
NEWS UPDATE
July 2013 | MEP Middle East 5
Khaldoun Tabari, CEO of Drake & Scull International. Subramanya Rao, divisional manager of Al-Futtaim FM.
TENDER
CONTRACT
Drake & Scull International (DSI) has announced that
it has won a $43m (AED187m) contract from Arabtec
to carry out the MEP works on the St Regis Hotels and
Residences project in the Jordanian capital of Amman.
The main contract for the resort, the rst St Re-
gis properties in Jordan, was awarded to contrac-
tor Arabtec earlier this week under a $197m (AED
723.6m) deal.
The St Regis Hotel & Residences proj-
ect is a series of three 17-storey towers.
DSI said it has extensive experience of the hospital-
ity sector having worked on projects such as the Bay-
nunah Tower in Abu Dhabi, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel
in Dubai and on several projects in Egypt.
CEO Khaldoun Tabari said: Winning this con-
tract is a major step forward towards strengthen-
ing our presence in Jordan where the King Hus-
sein Medical City was one of our key breakthroughs.
The new contract underscores our successful his-
tory in offering specialized MEP services and re-
inforces our position as the preferred provider of
integrated engineering services across the regional
hospitality sector.
Kuwait has invited bids for the construction of a 70MW (megawatts) solar farm which
will combine photovoltaic, solar thermal and wind source technology, the supervisor of
the project has told AFP (Agence France-Presse).
Thirty-seven consortia out of 107 are pre-qualied to bid, said Salem Al-Hajraf, head
of energy research at the Kuwait Institute for Scientic Research. The project will see
50MW produced from solar thermal sources and 10 each from photovoltaic and wind
sources. Two more phases are planned for the site, with the second producing 930MW
and the third 1,000MW by the time they are complete in 2030, he added.
These additional phases will be offered to investors on a Build-Operate-Transfer
(BOT) basis for 25 years, during which the government pledges to buy all output.
CONTRACT
Al-Futtaim Engineering has announced the signing
of two contracts with the Ministry of Public Works to
provide MEP and civil maintenance work to over 500
buildings across the UAE.
The two-year, multi-million dirham contracts will
see the Al-Futtaim companys Facilities Management
division maintain 334 buildings in the Eastern and
Northern Emirates and 189 buildings in Dubai and
Ajman. The buildings are a mix of schools, mosques,
healthcare centres and hospitals.
Subramanya Rao, divisional manager of Al-Futtaim
Engineering Facilities Management said: We are
extremely pleased to be working with the Ministry
of Public Works on these major projects. These con-
tracts, in addition to adding to our existing list of gov-
ernment clients, reinforce Al-Futtaim Engineerings
reputation as a trusted partner in providing high qual-
ity services to all our customers.
Headquartered in Dubai, Al-Futtaim Engineer-
ings Facilities Management division has worked on
projects for a variety of public bodies, including the
Ministry of Education, Government of Sharjah, Dubai
Municipality, and several major UAE companies.
Kuwait puts solar farm out to tender
DSI wins $43m St
Regis Amman deal
Al-Futtaim wins UAE
maintenance deals
NICKEL
STEEL
COPPER
METALS PRICES
Source: London Metal Exchange
Prices per tonne
$130
14 June
$133
21 May
$7,044
14 June
$7,383
21 May
$14,225
14 June
$15,030
21 May
NEWS UPDATE
AL BANDARY REAL ESTATE UNVEILS FOUR NEW PROJECTS AT CITYSCAPE QATAR
Al Bandary Real Estate has an-
nounced the launch of four new
projects at Cityscape Qatar.
The Doha-based company did not
put a value on any of the projects,
but said that they include world
class leisure facilities and are avail-
able for purchase by Qataris, GCC
Nationals and expats.
The rm has announced plans for a
30-storey mixed-use tower in Dohas
Diplomatic Area which it has la-
belled Al Bandary Tower. It will also
develop a new business centre at Al
Waab City providing commercial,
residential and retail space within a
building complex at Al Waab City on
the southern side of Doha.
The third project is a new villa
complex called Al Kheesa Gate Vil-
las, while the remaining project is a
new hypermarket called Al Kheesa
Hypermarket that will be built front-
ing Al Shamal Road.
Al Bandary Group said that it
would take charge of building
the projects.
PROJECT
Barwa Real Estate Group has conrmed
the launch of its new Oryx Island scheme
at Cityscape Qatar.
The project, which will reportedly cost
around $5.5bn (QAR 20bn) to build, will
be a pedestrianised tourist island that will
house ve temporary oating hotels to ac-
commodate tourists during Qatars 2022
World Cup, as well as an aqua park and
luxury villas.
The oating hotels can accommodate up
to 25,000 fans.
The developer also announced the Gulf
Resort a 250-hectare development built
around a natural harbour that will include
three hotels and a shopping mall, as well
as mew 176,000m residential develop-
ment with over 1,000 apartments known
as Dara which will be built at the Fox Hills
site within the new Lusail city.
Barwass CEO Abdulla Abdulaziz Al
Subaie said: As a diversied real es-
tate development and investment hold-
ing company, Barwa has a solid track
record in delivering the complete suite
of real estate solutions and sustainable
returns to its customers, partners and
other stakeholders.
We are therefore overwhelmed by the
positive response we have received at the
rst day of Cityscape, which we consider
a testament to the leading role Barwa con-
tinues to play in Qatars development.
Barwa reveals
$5.5bn Oryx
Island oating
hotels plan
Arabtec wins $220m deal
to build 5* hotel in Dubai
CONTRACT
Arabtec has been awarded the main $220m (AED 810m) con-
struction contract for a 5-star hotel and serviced apartments
tower located in the Business Bay district of Dubai.
The project is set to start in second quarter of 2013 and
last 24-months. With a built-up area of 125,000m, the
project encompasses two towers with 447 rooms and 136
serviced apartments.
Commenting on the award, Hasan Abdullah Ismaik, man-
aging director and CEO of Arabtec, said: We are pleased to
have been awarded a prestigious project of this nature with a
distinctive design. This new landmark is expected to play a
vital role in supporting the local tourism and hospitality sec-
tor, which continues to grow in line with the UAE vision and
economic goals.
He added: The company is in a very strong position to le-
verage an extended period of increased activity across the re-
gion. With an enhanced senior leadership team, armed with
solid nancial and risk management capabilities, we are forg-
ing ahead with our growth strategy aimed at maintaining the
development of existing businesses and expansion into higher-
margin areas of construction.
Our recently announced dividend policy, which targets a
dividend pay-out of at least 10% per annum of our total share
capital, aims to provide our shareholders with a regular return
on their investment as they participate in our growth. We are
now starting work on several major projects, so the company
should see a positive impact on earnings towards the end of the
year, he concluded.
The planned dividend payout of at least 10% per annum of its
total share capital is expected to take effect from 2013, subject
to shareholder approval at its next annual general meeting.
Arabtec recently reported a 20% rise in rst quarter 2013
revenue to $421m (AED 1.55bn), and the companys growing
portfolio comprises a variety of landmark developments such
as the Abu Dhabi Airport Mideld Terminal, Fairmont Abu
Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum.
Serviced apartments tower also set for Business Bay district
Hasan Abdullah Ismaik, Arabtec CEO.
We are now
starting work on
several major
projects, so the
company should
see a positive
impact on
earnings towards
the end of the
year.
NEWS UPDATE
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PROJECT: Assila Towers
LOCATION: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
MAIN CONTRACTOR: Al Saad
General Contracting
MEP CONTRACTOR: Drake &
Scull International
CLIENT: Amias Real Estate
Rising out of the fashionable Tahlia Street district in Jeddah, near the Corniche
and a 20-minute drive from the airport, the Assila Towers are set to become a
Jeddah landmark. A 5-star hotel operated by Rocco Forte, it has a distinctive
design and eye-catching metallic exterior. The total contract value of the project,
including the substructure, is around $133 million (SAR 500m), with Drake &
Scull International (DSI) signing a $38m contract for the towers MEP project.
B
I
G
P
IC
T
U
R
E
NEWS UPDATE
Ten years ago
a AED 20m job
would have been
divided among
contractors. Now
theres no job un-
der AED 100m.
WILLIAM HADDAD,
chairman, MACE
Contracting Co.
AM HADDAD,
man, MACE
acting Co.
40% of carbon
emissions come
from buildings, so
its incumbent on
people who look
after buildings to
really make a dif-
ference in
the world.
BEN CHURCHILL,
MD, Emrill Services
nce in
world.
CHILL,
Services
PROJECT
Two leading Dubai-based real estate developers have formed
a joint venture to build a huge residential and commercial area
near the emirates Downtown area as part of the rst phase of the
Mohammed Bin Rashid City project.
The Emirates Hills development by Emmar Properties and
Meraas Holdings will feature a series of neighbourhoods set
around an 18-hole golf course on 11 million m area ofland by the
junction of Umm Al Sequim Road and Al Khail Road.
Featuring vast stretches of landscaped parks and gardens,
walkways and extensive open areas, Dubai Hills Estate will also
have high-end retail centres and leisure amenities as well as
educational institutions, healthcare facilities and mosques.
Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, said: MBR
City is redening the concept of urban development with a rm
focus on the emerging needs of the city, as Dubai further underlines
its position as a global business and leisure hub. Our plan is to work
with Meraas to build a new world-class community that will appeal
to discerning customers.
The announcement followed
shortly after it was revealed that
Emaar is in the nal stages of
negotiations with Dubai Holding
to develop a new 6.5 million m2
urban district near Dubai Creek
at Ras Al Khor. To be known as
Dubai Creek Harbour, Emaar
says it will offer a mix of cultural,
commercial, retail, technology,
educational, healthcare, sporting
and entertainment attractions.
Developers to link up for rst phase of
Mohammed Bin Rashid development
Emaar & Meraas
form MBR City JV
CONTRACT
A joint venture between M+W Group and
Commodore Contracting have been awarded
a contract by Khazna Data Center Limited, a
local provider of data centre infrastructure,
to design and build the largest commercial
data centre project in the UAE.
The contract includes engineering,
procurement and construction (EPC) of
two data centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai,
built to green building regulations and
environmentally sustainable energy ratings,
and providing a total of 12 independent data
centre modules.
The Dubai facility will occupy a 34,000m
site, while the Abu Dhabi facility will occupy
a 40,000m site. The centres themselves,
scheduled for completion by December
2013, will the largest data centres in the
UAE, each occupying an area of 13,000m,
and with 2,400mof white space.
Juergen Wild, CEO of M+W, said: We are
pleased to be selected as the EPC partner
for the largest datacenter currently being
built in the Middle East using our global
project experience.
Saeed Basweidan, CEO of Khazna,
added: We realise the importance of
technological advancement and reliability
in meeting customer needs. Introducing
the largest facilities in the region will help
us position ourselves as a key provider of
wholesale space. Emirates Hills will be part of MBR city.
M+W joins up
with Commodore
for EPC deal
Black mould is
not taken that
seriously, so you
can see why one
in ve people in
the Emirates suf-
fer from breath-
ing prob-
lems.
JAMES SINGLETARY,
director, R Squared
Things are not
that fantastic in
Iraq but get
there rst and
you will have
better chances in
future.
DR SALEH
MUHAMM AL-
MUTLAQ
Deputy Prime
Minister of Iraq
ure.
EH
MM AL-
Q
Prime
r of Iraq
prob-
s.
SINGLETARY, RR
R Squared
2013 CALENDAR
EVENTS
AWARDS
SEPTEMBER
Leaders in Construction UAE Date:
17 September
Place: Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
OCTOBER
Leaders in Construction KSA
Date: 1 October
Place: Radisson Blu Hotel Riyadh
NOVEMBER
Building Sustainability
Date: 13 November
Place: Westin Golf Resort, Abu Dhabi
Big 5 Dubai
Date: 25-28 November
Place: Dubai World Trade Centre
SEPTEMBER
Construction Week Awards Kuwait
Date: Tuesday 17 September
Place: TBA
Construction Week Awards Qatar
Date: 25 September
Place: TBA, Doha
NOVEMBER
MEP Awards
Date: Wednesday 20 November
Place: Fairmont, The Palm, Dubai
Middle East Architect Awards
Date: Tuesday 5 November
Place: Jumeirah Emirates Towers,
Dubai
DECEMBER
Construction Week Awards KSA
Date: Tuesday 3 December
Place: TBA
Construction Week Awards
Date: Wednesday 11 December
Place: TBA
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c
o
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NEWS UPDATE
SOLAR
The solar industry is set
for a rebound, according
to Lux Researchs Solar
Systems Intelligence
and Solar Components
Intelligence teams.
The rms report
said the industrys
turnaround is due to
a number of factors
which are reversing its
downward momentum.
Analysis of solar mar-
ket economics by Lux
suggests that margins
should recover as the cur-
rent oversupply issues
dogging the market will
be rectied by 2015.
Due to the bankrupt-
cies of uncompetitive
players, and underlying
nancial constraints pre-
venting capacity expan-
sion, overall module ca-
pacity will decrease to 58
GW in 2015.
Meanwhile, the growth
of new markets like China
will lead to global demand
increasing from 31GW in
2012 to 52GW in 2015.
In combination these
will lead to module over-
supply of only 12% - down
from 100% in 2012. As
a result, module mar-
gins will recover up to
10% from their near-zero
averages today.
This follows two years
in which overcapacity and
poor margins have bank-
rupted a multitude of so-
lar suppliers and forced
corporate investors out
of the market. Luxs
analysis suggests that
Global demand for solar modules is expected to increase from 30GW in 2012 to 50GW in 2015 due to demand from new markets like China.
photovoltaic/thermal co-
generation systems from
the likes of IBM, to coat-
ings for higher-quality,
longer-lasting modules
a major focus in light
of recent allegations of
defective products.
The market is also said
to have changed drasti-
cally over a short span of
time with large, dominant
manufacturers having
risen at a time when oth-
ers have fallen spectacu-
larly as a result of steep
cost reductions.
Moreover, correspond-
ing incentive reduc-
tions by governments
have forced developers
to quickly adapt busi-
ness models and nd
new markets.
New research predicts strong
resurgence in solar market
Lux Researchs analysis suggests recovery of margins as oversupply issues are rectied due to
bankruptcy of uncompetitive rms and nancial constraints preventing capacity expansion
corporate investors have
recognised the coming
resurgence and formed
partnerships in strategic
areas like system deploy-
ment or the balance of
systems technologies.
Others will race to form
partnerships and make
acquisitions in 2015, driv-
ing up the cost of entry.
Those that choose to
slow-play the market will
risk nding themselves
on the outside looking in,
it warned.
Analysis of solar market economics by Lux
suggests that margins should recover as the
current oversupply issues dogging the market will
be rectied by 2015.
Major players are also

expected to re-enter the
market. Some early mov-
ers like BASF and John-
son Controls have already
made strategic moves to
enter by leveraging exist-
ing technologies or mar-
ket platforms, while ABB
recently made a billion-
dollar acquisition of a ma-
jor solar inverter supplier.
Furthermore, compa-
nies are seeking differ-
entiated technologies to
position for growth. As
the surviving supply land-
scape becomes clearer,
some are ensuring their
positions in the market
for the long-term by in-
vesting in technologies
to increase performance,
lower costs, improve
product quality and en-
able new features.
Areas of investment
range from high-efcien-
cy crystalline silicon cell
technologies, such as
First Solars acquisition
of Tetrasun, to hybrid
HVAC NEWS
DISTRICT COOLING
Dubai-based district cooling rm Empower
has said that it anticipates saving 350 mega-
watts (MW) of energy by the end of 2013.
According to the company, district
cooling systems can help save up to 50% of
total power consumption compared with
conventional cooling which has allowed
them to record a power saving of 320MW
through 2012.
Empower CEO, Ahmad Bin Shafar,
said: District cooling systems have many
benets and they are very efcient in power
consumption, which is absolutely crucial in
this region.
The rm has said that it now has
400,000RT (refrigeration tonnes) of cooling
capacity and had connected a total of 320
buildings by the end of 2012. Customers of
the rm, both corporate and individual, rose
to 21,000 through last year.
With Dubais population rising each
year and billions of dirhams worth of new
projects in the pipeline across the emir-
ate, Empower can help accommodate the
future district cooling demand of a wide
variety of consumers while contributing to
the same economic growth of Dubai, Bin
Shafar added.
In the Middle East region, air condition-
ing accounts for around 70% of total power
consumption. Dubais own energy consump-
tion has been rising rapidly recording
a 7.1% average increase through the rst
quarter of 2013 on the same period last
year. Demand on the grid through January
of this year rose to 2,142GW, from 2,009GW
last year.
Empower aims
for 350MW
district cooling
energy saving
by year-end
DC provider says method
reduces customer power
consumption by up to 50%
Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, says district cooling systems have many benets and can reduce power consumption.
With Dubais population rising each year and billions of
dirhams worth of new projects in the pipeline across the
emirate, Empower can help accommodate the future district
cooling demand of a wide variety of consumers while
contributing to the same economic growth of Dubai.
FINANCE
Palm Utilities, the Dubai World sub-
sidiary that provides district cooling
services to Nakheel developments
in communities like Palm Jumeirah,
Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall
and Jumeirah Village, has reported a
32% increase in net prot for 2012 to
$44.7m (AED 164m).
The company said that revenues
also increased by 10% to $153.6m
(AED 564m).
It pointed to the double-digit
growth in Dubais tourism gures
and a recovery of its construction
sector fuelled by a 5% population
growth to 2.1m as factors in its
improved performance.
The tourism and real estate sectors
have seen remarkable improvements
in Dubai, with high occupancy rates in
hotels, and residential and commercial
units, said CEO Marwan Al Naqi.
This has contributed towards a 17%
increase in demand for its services in
2012, he added.
These excellent results are, by far,
the highest for us, representing yet
another record for the company since
its establishment in Dubai.
He said the improved prot perfor-
mance was also due to a 7% reduction
in operating prots, which he credited
to greater efciency levels.
Palm Utilities sees growth of 32% in annual prot
HVAC NEWS
Zamil secures
$54m HVAC
power plant deal
Zamil will carry out the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of HVAC and control systems at the SWCC plant.
Company to provide HVAC and control
systems to SWCCs Ras Al Khair plant
CONTRACT
Saudi Arabian conglomerate Zamil Industrial Investment
has announced that it has landed a $54.1m contract from
SEPCO Electrical Power Construction Corp an afliate
of Chinas Power Construction Corp to deliver HVAC
systems and control works for the new Ras Al Khair
power plant.
The plant, which is owned by Saudi Arabias Saline
Water Conversion Corp (SWCC), is being built in the new
industrial city of Ras Al-Khair in the eastern region of
Saudi Arabia, which is already home to one of the worlds
biggest integrated aluminium complexes.
Zamil Industrial said that its subsidiary, Zamil Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems, signed the con-
tract for the 30-month deal last week. Work is set to start
immediately and will conclude by the
fourth quarter of 2015.
The deal involves the supply, instal-
lation, testing and commissioning of
29 plant buildings, 17 non-plant build-
ings and a chiller plant.
Osama Bunyan, chief operating
ofcer of Zamil Industrial, said: We
are honored to secure this agreement
as the provider of EPC services and
mechanical works for HVAC systems
and equipment for the Ras Al-Khair
power plant.
Our companys capability to meet
the clients stringent specications
and requirements of this prestigious
project, along with our capacity to
provide the highest quality systems
and services available, contributed to
the selection process.
COMMENT
Paul Tyrell on improving energy efficiency through integrated
design and architecture
D
uring the recent MEP Middle East Conference
in Doha I was fortunate to participate on-stage for
the panel discussion,Improving Energy Ef ciency
through Integrated Design and Architecture, a sub-
ject close to my heart as an architectural-oriented head of a
multi-discipline design team.
Energy efciency is on everyones agenda these days, for
sustainability goals and economic reasons alike. The MEP in-
dustry has made huge technological advances in recent years
in the pursuit of delivering services to buildings for less energy
cost, and the modern developer has an extensive toolbox of op-
tions to improve the amount of energy consumed by their pro-
jects, while at the same time reducing their running costs and
the carbon footprints of their developments.
That said, the planning for energy efciency starts long
before the MEP specications are thought about by the ar-
chitect making those big decisions during the concept design
phase of the project. A good architect will consider energy con-
servation in site selection, building location, building orienta-
tion, building massing, fenestration, shading, major materials
and so forth. These design routes can lead to signicant reduc-
tions in the potential energy required to service the building.
To give an example, in this region a large percentage of a
buildings energy uptake is expended on cooling and ventila-
tion. Therefore it is critical for the architect to carefully con-
sider the orientation of glazing and overall glazing areas to
minimise the impact of solar gain on the building interiors.
External shading devices to shield glazing from direct sunlight
can assist with this. To do this, architects will use their expe-
rience and will call in expert opinion from building services
engineers. Which leads into the importance of establishing an
integrated design team at the earliest stages to enable those
yes/no/try again processes to be run before a nal concept is
presented to a client.
I say before presentation to a client because the reality is,
once a concept has reached the stage of acceptance by a client
and cleared for further development, it is much, much more
difcult to change those big decisions. Indeed, those changes
become exponentially more difcult as the design develops
through its various phases.
Integrated design is clearly good practice
for all projects, to create truly coordinated
and buildable designs, but is essential for
those projects which aim to be sustainable
and energy efcient. This approach is re-
inforced by rating systems such as GSAS/
QSAS and LEED which rigorously encour-
age integrated design as a basic tenet for a
successful certication route. A fully inte-
grated and committed team of all disciplines
working together from the concept stage of
a project cannot only set the design perfor-
mance goals, but also lay down a detailed
road map to how they are achieved.
It is common in the region for consultant
ofces to be multi-disciplinary, in contrast to
many countries where single-discipline ofc-
es are typical. You could argue therefore that
ofces locally have the necessary resources
and expertise in-house to successfully inte-
grate their designs, and this is true, but this
is not always happening. Maybe with a lack
of the contractual and reputational obliga-
tions which collaborating single-discipline
ofces experience, multi-discipline ofces
do not always have the same incentives, pos-
itive and negative, to integrate their design
talent early in the process.
With the increasing mandatory nature
of GSAS/QSAS in Qatar, like Estidama in
the UAE, both single and multi-discipline
consultants will naturally become more and
more used to starting design integration ear-
lier in the process. This can only spell good
news for the success of energy efciency in
new buildings.
Paul Tyrrell GSAS/QSAS CGP
Technical/Design Manager
Al Hamad Engineering WLL
A waste of energy
For projects contact: 055 4070799
COMMENT
Oscar Wendel on why the extent of US intelligence
surveillance might be a good thing
T
he extent of the US communications surveillance
around the world was recently revealed by the whistle-
blower Edward Snowden. To my shame, I felt relieved
to know about the extent of surveillance. Not so much
because it likely makes the world safer. It is more that I have
always tapped inspiration from assuming that maybe intelligence
analysts listen in to my email and phone conversations.
Let me explain, compare how demoralising it is to write a blog
and seeing that the counter is not moving much from approxi-
mately zero readers. My fear of being exposed to this feeling is
why I dont blog! Instead, I have since long found comfort in
that there is at least a theoretical chance that I have an audience
among the US intelligence community. Who knows, maybe even
a whole team interpreting and debating my thoughts and ideas.
This gives me the impetus to want to write better and to surround
myself with interesting people in exciting places. My only real
concern is that anyone would access the list of most played tracks
on my iPod. Let me be upfront about that, it is due to some kind
of software bug that Meatloaf and Bonnie Tyler shows up there!
But seriously, lets question what it is we risk from this sur-
veillance that has become such a big deal. What is it about this
that is even new? A vast majority of the worlds urban population
already trust for-prot companies like Facebook, Google and Ap-
ple to mine and archive most of what we do on the internet even
to keep track of our physical whereabouts. On top of that, practi-
cally every laptop has a video camera pointed straight at us and I
can only assume these companies could activate remotely if they
wanted to. Of all organisations that are able to monitor me on a
daily basis, I distrust the US government the least.
Nonetheless, I am not enthusiastic about any government spy-
ing on me. Yet, my point is that I dont think its a big deal at all.
In fact, besides reducing terrorism, I can see more value in the
countless other positive externalities.
If a so called Big Brother society happens, what would in fact
be the logical conclusions of the consequences? First, consider
the benets to our civil liberties. How much easier it is to prove
people innocent, disprove false accusations and to hold public of-
cials accountable. Like the former head of the CIA that stepped
down after an investigation uncovered his inappropriate emails
with married women.
The mere awareness of surveillance exist-
ing automatically reduces asocial and im-
moral behaviours. If nothing less, it makes us
want to be better. No doubt, the Heisenberg
Effect, stating that a subject changes merely
by being observed, must also apply here. And
lastly, think of the job opportunities created
with operators, analysts, and software and
hardware developers to MEP contractors.
This is serious benet in the equation and
considering the socio-economic benets it
would have as well as other industrial appli-
cations, government investment would likely
prove to pay for itself!
As for privacy, there really are none to wor-
ry about. If this work is being overseen and
carried out by US government employees and
their over-priced consultants, does anyone
seriously believe that anything is actually get-
ting done anyway?
This is the same government that needed
several months to count the ballots of their
presidential election in 2000. By hand no less!
Or take the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion (SEC) that were, over the years, unable
to even remotely catch on to mega-scams like
Enron, Bernie Madoff, andGoldman Sachs
to name a few.
What I ultimately believe is the sore toe
here is that the NSA was dishonest to the pub-
lic. In politics, from Watergate to Lewinsky,
it is the cover-up that is the Achilles heel and
not that which is being covered up.
In the end, let me share one of my fathers
sayings with you of which we can all do well to
be reminded. Dont worry about what people
think of you. They dont.
Oscar Wendel is the Conference Manager of
Construction Week.
Paranoid and Buoyed
MR Modulo
MR Mono
Constant Airow Regulator
Commercial Premises
H V A C C O M P O N E N T S
www.aldes.ae
Contact:
+971 6 5578285
SAIF Zone (airport free zone)
PO Box 8653, Sharjah
United Arab Emirates
NEWS ANALYSIS
With midday work bans coming in across the region, MEP
Middle East looks at workers awareness of the health
risks posed by working in extremely hot conditions
ties during the break.
The announcement of the UAEs now an-
nual restriction was closely followed by Sau-
di Arabia, where temperatures reached 50
degrees Celsius in June, and where the ban
takes effect from July 1. According to the
Kingdoms Ministry of Labour, the ban will
be in place between midday and 3pm during
the summer months and will see violating
individuals and companies ned up to SAR
10,000 ($2,675) on each occasion.
Omans midday work ban will be in place
throughout June, July and August with
Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait having made
similar arrangements.
While the imposition of such restrictions
in the region over the last few years has
gone some way to placating calls for im-
proved working conditions for labourers, a
recent survey has found that not enough is
being done by employers to educate their
workforce on the risks posed by working
in extremely hot conditions, and measures
they should take to minimise the threat.
UAE-based company Dulsco, which pro-
vides human resources services, conducted
the survey of 700 workers during an annual
summer medical camp backed by the Dubai
Health Authority, and found that almost
two-thirds of blue-collar workers in Dubai
claim they are not regularly trained by their
employers about heat-related health issues
despite working outdoors.
Only 36% reported learning about health
issues posed by working outdoors in heat
from their employers, while 24% relied on
general knowledge or experience, and a fur-
T
he end of May heard the UAE Minis-
try of Labour announce that outdoor
labourers, such as those on construc-
tion sites, would be given a manda-
tory two- and-a-half hour break from 12.30pm
to 3pm be tween June 15 and September 15 so
as to avoid the the most extreme heat of the day.
T h e ministerial decision also stated
daily working hours could not exceed eight
and labourers who usually worked in the
open could not be redirected to indoors du-
ther 16% were informed by friends, colleagues
or the heads of working camps, where many
low income expat workers live.
About one-third also said that they did not
drink enough water to stay hydrated in sum-
mer, with 80% not taking frequent breaks and
only 28% having healthy food and juices.
However, Dulsco said that the research
showed an improvement in workers un-
Feeling the heat
64%
Dubai construction workers aware
of health risks of working in high
temperatures
36%
Dubai construction workers who
learned of health risks from their
employers
80%
Dubai construction workers who
did not take frequent breaks while
working in high temperatures
A WORKER TAKES SOME
SHELTER FROM THE
SEARING HEAT ON A GCC
CONSTRUCTION SITE
Summer is especially a
challenging month of many
people involved with outdoor
work and therefore, educating
their teams on health risks is
extremely important.
NEWS ANALYSIS
derstanding of heat-related health issues as
around 63% of the 700 workers surveyed said
they were aware of the health risks during
summer an increase of 24% compared to
last year.
Workers also reported a better understand-
ing about typical summer conditions such as
dehydration, food contamination, hygiene,
skin diseases and sunstroke and many also
were keen to learn exercises, healthy food
and ways to keep their bodies cooler during
the hotter months.
Many companies across the UAE are in-
creasingly investing in the health and welfare
of their employees through continuous health
awareness drives, said Mubarak Kozhikkal,
senior manager of Dulsco Medical Services.
Summer is especially a challenging sea-
son with many people involved in outdoor
work and therefore, educating their teams on
health risks is extremely important. Source: Helsinki University of Technology on www.productivity-science.com
Effect of Temperature on Task Performance in Ofce Envi-
ronment showing how relative productivity changes with
the temperature.
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BIM
TOMORROWS
WORLD
T
he debate, if there ever really
was one, is over. Building Infor-
mation Modelling (BIM) is the
future of MEP. It is the digital
revolutions greatest gift to the
industry and there are few, if
any, heretical souls left willing
to argue the case against it. It
may have taken time for some
to realise, but its potential is now undeniable.
Tomorrows world is a BIM world, but how
soon can we get there?
Given all the talk of the technology, one
might be forgiven for thinking that BIM is now
a mainstay of project design in the Middle East.
In fact, BIM adoption is still very much in its
infancy in the region. Brett Saxby, Middle East
export sales manager for building services
design developer MagiCAD, says that wider
adoption is gathering pace, but the region is
still some way behind other parts of the world.
BIM in the Middle East is still at an early
stage, but it is beginning to gain more momen-
tum, says Saxby. However, in the Nordic re-
gion [Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and
Iceland], BIM is used in practically all larger
construction projects. The North American
market has seen BIM adoption increase from
28% in 2007 to 71% in 2012, according to the lat-
est report by McGraw-Hill Construction.
Part of the reason for the Middle East lag-
ging behind in BIM adoption may be due to
BIM
Everyone accepts that the future of the
industry lies in Building Information
Modelling (BIM), but what is preventing the
industry from realising its potential today
BIM penetration in
Middle East in 2010
25%
the peculiar character of the market. Derek
Smith, director of strategic sales at building
services software developer Amtech, says that
the region has traditionally been reliant on
outside help when a BIM driven project is pro-
posed, which has worked against the fostering
July 2013 | MEP Middle East 23 www.constructionweekonline.com
BIM
of a widespread and popular BIM culture in the
local industry. The Middle East is very frag-
mented in terms of BIM adoption as the knowl-
edge and ability to deliver BIM into projects
comes through international consultants, en-
gineers and architectural practices which are
brought in for that specic purpose, he says.
When contrasted with other parts of the
world in which BIM has really taken off, it is
clear that the role of the government in push-
ing the technology is key. BIM adoption has
increased around the rest of the world through
various government drives, says Smith. In
Scandanavia, for example, their goal is to make
everything as interoperable as possible and
they use BIM to achieve this. In the UK, the
level of BIM adoption is greatly increasing due
to the government stipulating that BIM Level 2
has to occur on all government funded projects
from 2016. This is driving the industry there
to change.
Although Qatar has taken the lead in the
region with its demand for BIM in the design
of many of its 2022 World Cup projects, Smith
says that other GCC countries are more pro-
ject-led, with more expertise coming from out-
side the region.
However, Sean Hanns, operations manager
at BIM-procient contractor ALEMCO, says
that the majority of the projects in the regional
market are not fully BIM compliant, which
for him indicates that the technology in the
region is still just at a concept stage. Given
this, a reluctance among some in the industry
to commit to BIM adoption until a point of ab-
solute necessity is predictable.
According to Saxby, this attitude is exac-
erbated by the industry fallacy in BIM being
a big company or big project tool. Many
companies are waiting for bigger projects re-
quiring BIM, when the best thing they could
do at the moment would be to begin using
the technology proactively with all new pro-
jects, he says. At the current stage of adop-
tion, smaller companies that adopt BIM can
even gain a signicant advantage with it over
their larger competitors. The change that
BIM adoption requires in the companys
Amtech offer a comprehensive suite of products.
Amtech's products communicate through a single platofrm.
Rajan Varghese, draughting manager at TransGulf, says that BIM models help contractors visualise complex areas of the project.
One of the criticisms of current BIM software is that not enough MEP objects are available which leads to design limitations.
BIM adoption has
increased around the
rest of the world through
various government
drives. In Scandanavia,
for example, their goal
is to make everything as
interoperable as possible
and they use BIM to
achieve this.

Derek Smith, Amtech
BIM
Percentage of US projects
using BIM in 2007
28%
Percentage of US projects
using BIM in 2012
71%
working processes and the general approach
to projects can be faster to make for smaller
companies.
Of course, the big issue for any business
when considering the adoption of new technol-
ogy is cost. Businesses want to know that their
investment is worth it and that they will start
to see dividends from it promptly. In an indus-
try that has recently been found to have empty
pockets aplenty, such an outlay may appear to
be too much of a gamble.
Amtechs Smith says that this view is short-
sighted. Companies who see it as an issue
of cost fail to see the medium or long-term
benets BIM would bring to their business,
he says. Cost is often quoted in terms of
technology required, training and downtime,
but this short-termism preventing invest-
ment in BIM is actually stopping the industry
from growing.
Smith adds that around 75% of the industry
is still not clear what BIM actually is and that
the key decision makers in positions of power
within the industry need educating in its value
if adoption is to become widespread. The
people who have to sign off the cost of BIM
are the directors who often havent looked at
how efcient or productive their team or com-
pany really is, Smith says. They often just see
everything as a numbers exercise and this is
where capital versus project cost comes into
it. The drive and requirement of having the
least capital costs is what really hinders BIM
adoption across a business, and not just a pro-
ject. To overcome this issue, the people who
make the decisions need to be educated and to
understand that cutting capital costs as much
as possible isnt always the answer, and there
are times when investment is necessary to pro-
vide the tools, education and attitude to deliver
things differently.
A facet of this aversion to BIM adoption
among those at the higher echelons of the in-
dustrys companies may also be generational.
Decision makers at such levels are almost al-
ways seasoned professionals with a wealth of
industry experience behind them and, while
generalisations are dangerous and often mis-
representative, there is a wealth of statistical
evidence indicating an inversely proportional
This BIM image from Atkins of one of its projects in Lusail shows the immense detail and complexity which BIM can present to a building team from design through to maintenance.
If the software is
applied correctly, not
only is the build process
streamlined, delays
and cost escalation are
marginal.

Sean Hanns, ALEMCO
relationship between levels of computer lit-
eracy and age.
Smith says that there is some truth in this
assertion, but that it is again a matter of im-
proving industry awareness of the technol-
ogys benets. BIM is a step change cultur-
ally in the construction industrys way of
working, he says. It is very technologically
dependent, modern computing, and the way
data is captured and delivered through the
cycle of construction means that those whose
careers have involved the use of more tradi-
tional techniques, have difculty understand-
BIM
ing the need for such levels
of computerisation. They need
to understand where the industry
and technology is moving to be able to
make those important nancial decisions.
As a BIM-operational contractor, ALEM-
COs Hanns acknowledges that the initial cost
of adopting the technology can be repellent,
but supports Smiths view that such a reaction
is myopic. If you have not prepared your busi-
ness for the use of BIM, the associated costs of
importing knowledge and professional assis-
tance into the daily operating environment will
be expensive and time consuming, he admits.
But now would be the time to implement the
system into your business: not only will you
be ready for the regional rollout of BIM, but
the benets within the MEP services function
will save you time and money. If the software
is applied correctly, not only is the build pro-
BIMs slow adoption in the region may be
largely due to the industrys resistance to
change, but there are improvements to the
software itself which developers should
consider if it is to maximise its appeal.
Rajan Varghese, draughting manager
at Trans Gulf, says: All the required MEP
objects are not available in the Revit family,
notably different types of pipe support,
electrical conduits and circuits etc., he
says. Furthermore, schematics and load
schedule preparation as per the authority
requirement is not easily possible. Large
le sizes are also a concern.
Derek Smith, Amtechs director of
strategic sales, says that the software
available to the market is also prone
to some other problems. When some
developers put out their newest release
without necessarily undertaking a full
complete testing regime, bugs can appear
in the software, he says. Different
computers and handling systems can
also create unforeseen problems in
this regard.
In addition, interoperability between
different systems has posed users
problems, but developers are working
on new ways to improve this. Its about
making the various data sources talk
to each other," Smith says. "This often
has been resolved by taking one parties
information into another piece of software
and losing something along the way, or
spending hours taking the data in, which is
inefcient but maintains its integrity.
There are two schools of thought
to solve this problem: the Issued for
Construction (IFC) format or Construction
Operations Building Information Exchange
(COBie) format. IFC is a proven exchange
format, however it does need work to
become truly world class and to work how
the industry requires it. COBie is the other
major international exchange format which
is a little more simple in its set up and
works with excel spreadsheets.
HARD TIMES
WITH SOFTWARE
A BIM model of a Dubai
Metro station.
An alternative view of a
Dubai Metro station.
cess streamlined, delays and cost escalation
are marginal.
Even for those contractors who have discov-
ered the wonders of BIM and are among its
biggest proponents, cost remains something
of an issue. Rajan Varghese, draughting man-
ager at Trans Gulf, says BIM developers could
further the adoption of the technology by re-
If a
trainee is to
completely familiarise
themselves with BIM,
continuous on-the-job
training is required.

Rajan Varghese, Trans Gulf
BIM
ducing both the software and training costs.
Meanwhile, Hanns is emphatic when high-
lighting what he thinks are the two of the ma-
jor obstacles to its full adoption in the region:
The developers need to make it more cost ef-
fective and offer the correct level of training.
This issue of education, skills and training
inevitably plays a huge role in the successful
introduction of any new technology. Investing
in a shiny new piece of kit is all well and good,
but it is not much use if the requisitely skilled
human resources are not available to operate it
and use it to its full potential. While European
and American educational institutions have re-
cently woken up to the need for BIM-focused
degree courses, the industry is currently nd-
ing that it is picking up the tab for lling the
knowledge gap, which can only heighten the
reluctance of some to grasp the BIM nettle.
Even for those who attend university, there
is always the on-the-job experience that study- ing cannot give to the student, so some form
of training after graduation is required, Smith
says. As the demand for well-skilled people
who know, understand and can use BIM prop-
erly grows, there is also a requirement of up-
skilling the current workforce. Of course, this
requirement sits with the consultants and the
contractors, but if they dont undertake this
training they are unlikely to win work.
Trans Gulfs Varghese adds that the indus-
try needs to fully commit to training its current
workforce inhouse as there are limitations to
what can be offered by external sources. The
current level of training modules available only
familiarise the trainee with the usage of the
Brett Saxby, Middle East export sales manager, MagiCAD. Sean Hanns, operations manager at contractor ALEMCO.
Rajan Varghese of Trans Gulf says that contractors are often handed architectural and structural BIM models with no MEP design, which causes delays. (Image courtesy of Progman Oy/MagiCAD)
Middle East BIM users
who are self-taught
46%
An important
prerequisite is that
companies must be
prepared to openly share
information between
project partners.

Brett Saxby, MagiCAD
software. If a trainee is to completely familiar-
ise themselves with BIM, continuous on-the-
job training is required.
By all accounts, the fostering of good rela-
tionships and clear communication, which ef-
BIM
about how BIM can help it and make its work
quicker, cheaper and easier. But the industry
cannot blame the technology, and should per-
haps look at itself and consider if there is an
entrenched aversion to change which needs to
be addressed.
For those who have been smart enough to
get a head start on the competition, the fu-
ture will simply be easier. Change is inevita-
ble and has happened in the industry before,
and Hanns can tell an instructive story about
how those who resist it become yesterdays
men In 1993 the company that I was work-
ing for decided to implement AUTOCAD as a
draughting tool, he says. Our draughtsmen
said that this ash in the pan idea would last
no longer than a month. Needless to say, draw-
ing boards were defunct within six months. I
am a strong advocate of BIM and honestly be-
lieve that it can only have a positive impact on
the construction industry.
If developers of BIM software hope to
see the technology become central to
the practice of MEP in the region, they
will have to ensure that their after sales
service attends closely to the needs of
their customers. Sean Hanns, operations
manager at contractor ALEMCO, says
some of these companies would do well to
be more attentive to their clients, although
he expects this to improve with time.
The current level of training on offer
within the region is getting better, but the
software vendors focus too much on sales
without the product support, says Hanns.
However, I expect this will naturally evolve
as and when the market usage of BIM
software strengthens.
Brett Saxby, Middle East export
sales manager at MagiCAD, agrees
that BIM vendors focus should be on
their customers and assisting them in
maximising the potential of the technology.
It is important that we are close to the
customer, have a profound understanding
of the customer and industry needs, and
develop products that full these needs
in the best possible manner, Saxby says.
We must also continue to highlight the
advantages of having accurate product
information within the models, the benets
of efcient ow of information between
project parties, and the efciency and cost
savings BIM provides to all stakeholders
during projects in the short and long run."
SERVICE PLEASE
Increasingly, major projects in the region are requesting BIM models. (Image courtesy of Granlund Oy and Progman Oy/MagiCAD)
Derek Smith, director of strategic sales at Amtech.
Year all UK public projects
must use BIM Level 2
2016
fective training requires, is also necessary be-
tween the various stakeholders in the industry
if BIM is to really succeed. Saxby says that the
technology can only achieve its full potential if
everyone involved in a BIM project, from cli-
ents right through to contractors, rallies round
the software and inputs all available informa-
tion relevant to the design. An important pre-
requisite is that companies must be prepared
to openly share information between project
partners, he says. Efcient information ex-
change is one of the key factors in getting the
most out of BIM.
Varghese adds that the relationship between
designers, consultants and contractors needs
to be claried and improved on BIM projects,
with design integration at an earlier stage, in
order to hasten the design process. Struc-
tural and architectural BIM models are issued
to the contractor, whereas BIM MEP design is
not made available. The MEP contractor has
then to prepare BIM models to execute the
project, which delays the process, he says.
Stakeholder relationships are also occa-
sionally complicated by the differing levels of
skills and adoption between consultants and
contractors. For Hanns, contractors need to
make up the pace on their industry colleagues.
Designers and consultants have led the way
in the utilisation of BIM, but I do not believe
that there is a difference in the fundamental
training methods, he says. I would be more
inclined to acknowledge that large consultan-
cies have prepared themselves well for the
future, while contractors have yet to learn and
apply the benets of the systems.
From the evidence presented, the regional
industrys relationship with BIM as a whole
needs quite a bit work before it can be hailed
as the perfect marriage. The main obstacle
to a happy-ever-after seems to be a wide-
spread lack of understanding in the industry
www.constructionweekonline.com 30 MEP Middle East | July 2013
ARMED AND
AMBITIOUS
HAVING BEEN BOLSTERED BY LAST YEARS
MAJORITY SHARE TAKEOVER BY DUTCH FIRM
IMTECH, AE ARMA-ELEKTROPANS BURAK
KIZILHAN EXPLAINS WHY THE CONTRACTOR IS NOW
AMONG THE FOREMOST FORCES IN THE REGION
I
n March 2012, the formation
of an alliance between Turkey-
based AE Arma-Elektropan
(AE) and Dutch rm Imtech
created a truly international
MEP giant. Amalgamating two
well-established, reputable and
successful rms with collective
operations in 44 countries over
5 continents, the majority share takeover by
Imtech presumably sounded much like a warn-
ing shot to the rest of the industry especially
those in AEs sphere of operations.
Burak Kizilhan, AEs business develop-
ment manager for MENA, says that the deal
has undeniably placed AE among the global
elite in its eld, but that both companies have
benetted signicantly. Weve become one of
the largest MEP contractors in the world with
a combined workforce of 29,000 employees
and a turnover of 5.1bn ($6.7bn), he says.
The deal was mutually benecial for both of
us. The markup of projects in many of the ter-
ritories we operate is getting larger and larger
day by day, and we are extremely busy nan-
cially and operationally. We needed to have
a partner to maximise our potential. Imtech
knew that we are very active in the Middle
East, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent
States formed after the breakup of the Soviet
Union) countries and North Africa and thats
the reason we came to the agreement.
With Imtechs backing Kizilhan now sees
a wealth of opportunity opening up in Africa,
India and the rest of southern Asia in the com-
ing years, which AE now has the resources to
pursue. But for now, the Middle East (where
it has had a base in Dubai since 2003) is of
greater interest. AE plans to add to its ofces
in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Lebanon by
setting up operations in Kuwait by the end of
this year and Saudi Arabia next year.
The contractor hopes to build regionally on
the foundation it has laid in the UAE, where it
is currently delivering the MEP works on the
Bab Al-Qasr hotel and service apartments pro-
ject, as well as work on the Al Shobub private
school both in Abu Dhabi. These should
add further lustre to a UAE portfolio which
includes the Shoreline Apartments project on
We needed
to have a partner
to maximise our
potential. Imtech knew
that we are very active
in the Middle East, CIS
countries and North
Africa and thats the
reason we came to
the agreement.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
THE BIG INTERVIEW
Dubais Palm Jumeirah and the ve-star Rixos
and Jumeirah Zabeel Palace hotels (also on
the Palm).
Kizilhan says that AE, with fresh resources
in its arsenal, will now look to upcoming mega
projects in the UAE to grow its share of the
market and rmly establish itself as one of
the countrys major players. We are waiting
for mega projects because we are an A+ MEP
company. There is still competition for such
projects, but not as much as for medium-
sized. With mega projects valued at AED 1bn
($272.3m) to AED 2bn, other considerations
come into play such as nancial strength.
There is the bid bond, performance bond, re-
tention bond if you say 10% for each and 30%
in total, it will be around AED 300m ($81.7m)
for a AED 1bn project. Thats a lot of money
$6.7BN
AE and Imtechs joint
turnover for 2012
AEs XLPE cable pulling at Al Shobub in Abu Dhabi.
Cable pulling at AEs Al Shobub private school project. Installation of UPVC pipes at the Al Shobub project.
for B-sized MEP companies and even a big
number for A-sized companies. Thats the rea-
son why we can easily show our strength for
the mega projects nancially, managerially
and operationally. We hope that we see mega
projects coming through the UAE in the next
year where we can show this strength.
As Kizilhan intimates, part of the reason for
this fresh emphasis on larger and more easily
secured projects is AEs frustration with the
current state of the mid-sized project market.
He says that the glut of contractors it has
attracted, and the non-existent prot margins
which have resulted, have led to difcult
questions being asked in its UAE ofces and
by management at HQ. We had a meeting
with our board of directors and they were
asking why we hadnt won any projects in
the region for the last nine months. The only
reason we could offer was that companies
were signing the projects at dry cost. We had
to examine how these companies could afford
to take on the projects, and we studied for two
or three days, but we couldnt nd an answer.
He adds that the pricing war is an ongoing
one as, just a matter of weeks ago, AE was de-
nied the signing of a major project in the UAE
by a company which, he and his colleagues
are sure, took the project on with no prospect
of prot. Nevertheless, Kizilhan says senior
management has been sympathetic and the
company as a whole is reluctant to engage in
a bidding war which could see it imperil its
nancial position or its A+ contractor status.
Although this pricing war of attrition has
confounded and exasperated the tendering
AE is currently carrying out the MEP project at the Al Shobub private school in Abu Dhabi, due for completion in 2013.
Burak Kizilhan , business
development manager at
AE Arma Elektropanc.
32 MEP Middle East | July 2013
We are waiting
for mega projects
because we are an A+
MEP company. There
is still competition
for such projects, but
not as much as for
medium-sized.
THE BIG INTERVIEW
AE prides itself on the quality of its project installations. The company currently has two ongoing UAE projects.
Kizilhan says that one of AEs landmark projects in the UAE was the Rixos Hotel on Dubais Palm Jumeirah.
team at AE of late, they have certainly not
eased up in their bid to secure work. Accord-
ing to Kizilhan, the company has been pricing
almost $3.5bn (AED 12.8bn) of tenders over
the last four months across the region and is
aiming to secure 8 to 11% of this work from
the second half of 2013 into next year.
Qatar is understandably among these
targets but, Kizilhan says, the company has
found competition there to be even higher
than in the UAE. While AE is currently
without a project in the bubbling Gulf state,
he is certain that it is only a matter of time
before this is rectied, and predicts busi-
ness elsewhere in the Gulf will make up the
majority of AEs regional revenues in the
coming years. In the next ve years, Qatar
will boom will have to boom, he says.
In three years time, we reckon that AEs
turnover in the Middle East will be made up
of 40% from Qatar, 30% from Saudi Arabia if
we get established there next year, and the
rest from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Kizilhans condence in AEs future in the
region is further fuelled by the opportunities
for diversication which the partnership with
Imtech has provided. He says that, where
previously AE was a more traditional MEP
contractor, it now has the expertise and
resources to move into some of the regions
more lucrative electro-mechanical markets.
In recent years we have only been chasing
buildings projects, but since Imtechs involve-
ment we are now tendering for oil and gas
projects, and infrastructure projects. AE is
now prequalied for a majority of oil and gas
projects and the only thing that is missing
now is a job. As soon as we get one project,
we are sure that with Imtechs capabilities and
our presence in the Middle East, we will be
one of the leading oil and gas MEP compa-
nies. Thats our goal.
A major weapon in AEs assault on the
Qatar market is both it and Imtechs
impressive portfolio of stadium work,
which it is hoped will position the company
among the favourites for contracts on
the countrys upcoming 2022 FIFA World
Cup projects. Between the pair, they have
completed 12 stadiums across Europe in
the last ten years.
These include such world famous
venues as Londons 2012 Olympic
Stadium, Arsenal F.C.s Emirates Stadium,
Berlins Olympic Stadium, and the National
Stadium in Warsaw which held the
opening game of the European Football
Championships in 2012.
Kizilhan says that, with this experience
and expertise, the company hopes to
get at least two projects when the Qatar
contracts are awarded, but that there is
stiff competition provided by contractors
from other parts of the world. There is
a lot of Korean companies at this level as
well which have done many prestigious
stadium projects in Asia, he says. But if
you talk about stadiums in Europe and the
Middle East, then we are one of the top
three MEP companies.
With talk of Qatar requiring air
conditioned stadiums in order to keep both
players and spectators sufciently cool
during the games, MEP could well be an
even greater component of the projects
planned than usual. Kizilhan says that the
company already has a team in Germany
working on such a contingency, but that
whatever design is nally decided upon,
AE is ready to deliver. Such a design does
not seem logical if the stadiums have to
be open like FIFA demand and energy
saving is a priority. But if they want to do
so, we are a contracting company and not
designers, so we have to do it.
EXPERIENCE
IN THE FIELD
MEP Middle East catches the eye of the Qatari market and asks
how the industry is faring on the little peninsula with the big plans
QATAR FOCUS
SPOT
HOT
T
hese days, all roads seem
to lead to Qatar. The tiny
peninsula state jutting out
into the Arabian Gulf has
become a magnet for the
GCC construction indus-
try. While other markets
have faltered, it seems to
have stridden brashly on.
Winning the bid to host a certain major
international sporting tournament in 2022
has only served to accelerate the coun-
trys already ambitious development plans
and, with the next two to three years seen
as crucial in the countrys drive to deliver,
QATAR FOCUS
construction companies are readying
themselves to seize the sizable rewards
on offer.
For the MEP industry, gures suggest
that there is plenty of business to be won.
Last years market offered the industry in
the region of $1.66bn, according to Kumar
Ramesh, industry manager of environ-
ment and building technologies practice at
Frost and Sullivan. He projects this gure
will grow by 15.8% in the years to 2018.
But is there enough of this action to go
around for both the local and international
MEP contractors which have come bound-
ing into the market of late?
Seemingly so for those with sufcient
structures in place. The market is show-
ing green shoots of recovery and the
future looks extremely positive for any
professional contractor who has both
the manpower resources and nancial
strength, says Vasanth Kumar, CEO of
Qatar-born Arabian MEP Contracting.
$1.66bn:
2012 value of Qatari MEP market
The Qatari market is
ooded with newly arrived
overseas contractors
chasing a limited pool
of contracts. Due to this
severe imbalance in the
supply-demand situation,
the competition is intense.
If you can break-even, its
considered to be very lucky
these days.
Vasanth Kumar
There is a suggestion in Kumars words
that all has not been rosy in the Qatari
garden in recent years and a hint of what
has been ailing the countrys contracting
market in that time. Elaborating on his
ambivalence towards the current health of
the market, he says: The Qatari market
is ooded with newly arrived overseas
contractors chasing a limited pool of
contracts. Due to this severe imbalance in
the supply-demand situation, the competi-
tion is intense. If you can break-even, its
considered to be very lucky these days.
This feral environment has resulted in
some casualties in the last couple of years,
according to Kumar, which he attributes
to contractors entering the market without
conducting the requisite research. The
sheer number of failed contractors who
have either retreated back to their home
country, slowed down or are facing pen-
alty clauses makes Qatar stand out from
other GCC markets, he explains. Unfor-
tunately, it doesnt seem to stop. Its very
sad to see that many new contractors are
still coming into the market and getting
trapped due to blunders in their tender
pricing and lack of resources to perform.
While such a climate might not bode
well for Qatari newcomers, AKFA Hold-
ing, it is hoping to prove one of the excep-
tions to Kumars rule. Although operating
in Turkey since 1997, the company only
registered its Qatari operation, AKFA
Technology Contracting, in March of
this year. Ali Kemal Pekkendir, Middle
East general manager for the company,
says that AKFA is hoping to benet from
what it sees as a pretty active construc-
tion market since January 2013 and has
already received invitations from several
main contractors to bid for work.
Although recognising that AKFA is
just one of a vast herd come to graze in
Qatar, Pekkendir believes that now is
a good time to be entering the market.
The competition is stronger in Qatar with
many MEP contractors having moved to
Doha from Dubai during the crisis, he
says. But we can feel the tenders are
increasing and more projects are being
announced, which will hopefully give
enough business to most of the existing
MEP rms.
This condence in the market may, how-
ever, be somewhat soured by the challeng-
es inherent in Qatars MEP contracting
business. According to Kumar, securing a
project is just the rst hurdle. Everything
is a challenge in Qatar, he says, but
15.8%:
Projected growth of market by 2018
The MEP project at Doha Festival City takes shape.
QATAR FOCUS
DEMANDING DESIGN
For MEP consultants, the manner in which Qatar aims to transform its built environment
is throwing up some intriguing challenges. Hani Hawamdeh, general manager of Arab
Engineering Bureaus (AEB) pre-contracts services, says that consultants are faced with
a market where the design requirements are now of a much higher standard, and the
minimisation of project cost while maintaining building design in line with reputable codes
and standards is paramount. This task has been further complicated by the introduction of
the latest MEP technologies in both design and installation.
Hawamdeh says that the Qatari market is also differentiated from its neighbours by its
business model and construction practices which are strongly rooted in Qatari traditions and
culture. This means that the architecture and method of urban planning is highly inuenced
by local architectural methods, he adds.
According to Hawamdeh, Qatars ambitious plans also mean that new types of facility
buildings and mixed-use developments previously unseen in the country are being introduced
to the market, and this requires quick adaptation by Qatar-based consultants.
As for the ght for work, Hawamdeh says that, following the 2008 economic crisis, Qatar was
swamped with consultancy rms eager to share in the countrys bucking prosperity. Under
normal circumstances this inux alone would have increased competition signicantly, but
Hawamdeh says that the business model many of these newcomers employed only served to
exacerbate the problems faced by locally-established consultants.
Many of them had a small local representative ofce while keeping their design team back
home to control expenses, he says. This took the competition to a whole new level, where
the existing well-established consultancy rms in Qatar had to reassure their customers that
they were still the preferred alternative. They were asking to be judged for their experience in
the local market, delivery and presentation, rather than just being compared with other small,
low-cost design companies with lower prices.
QATAR FOCUS
the toughest challenge is securing good
projects with decent prot margins and
assured payment terms. If you are lucky
enough to secure such a project, the next
obstacle is getting workable visas and this
challenge continues to the very end.
Pekkindir is not underestimating the
difculties involved in setting up opera-
tions in Qatar either. Beyond the primary
problem of contractor oversupply, he says
that he has already encountered some
issues in establishing a capable workforce.
Aside from tough competition among
the existing MEP contractors, I think that
nding good engineers with substantial
experience will be a challenge based on
our recent job interviews with some candi-
dates, he says.
Another issue may await AKFA in the
form of securing materials on time while
Specialised infrastructure
projects are the only area
which has the potential to
make some decent prots.
Vasanth Kumar
QATAR FOCUS
Projects such as the Msheireb Downtown Doha Development are fuelling the growth of the Qatari MEP industry.
Aside from tough
competition among the
existing MEP contractors,
I think that nding good
engineers with substantial
experience will be a
challenge based on our
recent job interviews with
some candidates.
Ali Kemal Pekkendir
2022:
Year in which Qatar will host FIFA World Cup
Beyond these restrictive procurement
practices, the supply line may face other
issues. As huge swathes of Doha get set
to become bustling construction sites over
the next few years, contractors may be
scrapping for materials that are in high
demand and thus inordinately expensive.
Materials requiring importation through
Dohas yet to be completed port, and
delivery via its under-construction and
heavily congested road system, could also
prove disruptive to project scheduling.
For Kumar, these issues can be
minimised by thinking ahead. If mate-
rial planning and procurement is done on
time, he says, there wont be any delays
in sourcing the materials. But in reality,
and in a majority of cases, the holdups
are due to delayed approval of material
submittals for a variety of other reasons.
If each stakeholder understands that time
is the essence, then such delays could
be minimised.
Notwithstanding these issues, the
ambition of some of the projects planned
in Qatar means that contractors have a
lot to which they can look forward. I
think the best opportunities for us as
MEP contractors lie in the metro and rail
projects, the football stadiums, Doha Port
buildings, high-rise tower projects in West
Bay and the new ve-star hotels planned,
says Pekkindir.
Kumar is similarly positive about these
prospects, but also looks at them with
an eye for the gures involved, saying:
Specialised infrastructure projects are the
only area which has the potential to make
some decent prots. He also highlights
which projects he thinks will pose the
biggest problems to MEP contractors in
Qatar in the coming years, citing mega
EPCM (engineering, procurement,
construction and maintenance) projects
with stringent specications and products
linked specically to country of origin as
the most challenging.
As for projects with sustainability at
their core, the Arabian MEP Contracting
CEO doesnt see too many difculties
being posed to contractors in Qatar, for
the simple reason that such projects arent
that common. The push towards green
building has had very little effect on con-
ghting against tight delivery deadlines.
Pekkindir has been made aware of the
potential for problems. AKFA Holding
has not been involved in a project in Qatar
yet, but our management and engineer-
ing team have mentioned to me that
limitations on approved vendors, and the
pre-selection of equipment suppliers by
the project owner and/or consultant, have
sometimes caused delays. This has often
been due to the lack of insufcient compe-
tition between approved vendors.
He adds that this is an issue which
needs to be addressed if the industry in
Qatar is to ourish. We believe the prac-
tice of preferred or approved vendor list
must be eliminated to give equal chances
to all suppliers and manufacturers in the
world meeting the required specications.
Only this change will even help reduce
the total costs and delivery times for
building projects.
QATAR FOCUS
Vasanth Kumar, CEO, Arabian MEP Contracting. Ali Kemal Pekkendir, general manager, AKFA Holding.
DELIVERING THE GOODS
Competition for Qatars MEP loot is perhaps
hottest among the suppliers of the industry.
Since their setup and operational costs in
the country are considerably less than their
contracting and consulting brethren, suppliers
from all over the world can afford to take a
gamble on a market that promises much.
Suman Reddy, Qatar branch manager
for Ecoval (provider of sustainable and
renewable energy-based hot and chilled
water solutions, and based in the country
since 2007), says that while the number of
project announcements is now improving,
this is mitigated by the plethora of suppliers
which have entered the market in the last
few years seeking sanctuary from the global
economic downturn. When you try to
balance the equation of the number of MEP
suppliers available versus the potential project
availability, it will not match, he says. On
the building side, Qatar needs to get more
projects to keep all the suppliers busy.
Reddy has also observed that quality suppliers
are facing a ght to win orders from Qatari
projects as many are putting bottom line
concerns ahead of everything else resulting
in a struggle for suppliers to make any gains.
Quality is not being given priority: everybody
is interested in price rst, he says. There
is no healthy competition between suppliers.
The majority of companies are operating with
low prot margins just to stay in existence.
Asked what could be done by the authorities
to improve the lot of the MEP supplier in Qatar,
Reddy says that some relief should be given to
those suppliers consonant with the countrys
vision for green building. We feel there
should be some custom-duty benet or rebate
for the renewable energy products which are
being imported. This will denitely encourage
the developers to think about going with green
solutions, he says.
20%:
Projected peak rise in material prices over next
decade from 2013
I think the best
opportunities for us as MEP
contractors lie in the metro
and rail projects, the football
stadiums, Doha Port buildings,
high-rise tower projects in
West Bay and the new ve-
star hotels planned.
Ali Kemal Pekkendir
tractors in Qatar as not all projects here
are built to green requirements, Kumar
says. There are only a very few high-
prole projects which are currently being
built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) standards.
Green or not, Qatar has enough projects
planned to keep armies of MEP techni-
cians well-occupied over the next decade.
However, assembling the requisite forces
to tackle these developments seems to
be an issue which is becoming ever more
urgent. Kumar says that if there is one
area which the authorities should address
to make contractors lives that bit easier, it
is enabling quicker entry to the country
for the human resources required by the
industry. Contractors should be given an
adequate number of workable work visas
which would grant them the freedom to
bring in workers from the nationality of
their choice, he says.
The role of MEP contractors in deliver-
ing Qatars ambitious vision is evidently
not the leisurely stroll down streets of
gold that some may have envisaged. There
are a number of stubborn impediments to
the industrys healthy development in the
country which will have to be overcome
and quickly if the most is to be made of
the markets potential.
In the short-term, Pekkindir says that
there should be enough business to go
around to keep all parties content, but it
may be a while before the joy of bumper
paydays is a reality. I believe there will
be sufcient business for the established
MEP rms, but it will be difcult to earn
prots in 2013 and 2014 due to tough
competition. Prots may improve later
with the entry of more projects towards
the FIFA World Cup, he says.
As for Kumar, he is still a believer
in the glorious potential of the Qatari
market but, like Pekkindir, has his
reservations. The next few years will
be a golden period for MEP contractors
if they do their homework correctly.
However such a golden period may also
of fer challenges as prices are expected
to escalate up to 20% or even more,
so any contractor taking a long term
project with a thin margin is likely to
suf fer losses.
Suman Reddy, Qatar branch manager, Ecoval.
T
he general understanding of
building commissioning is
confused at best in the GCC
and MENA regions, and many
people reading this article will
nd out that building commis-
sioning differs greatly from
their current understanding.
The traditional denition
of commissioning is the one still used by
the Chartered Institute of Building Services
Engineers (CIBSE) within their Commission-
ing Code M: Commissioning Management
document. Commissioning is dened as:
The advancement of an installation from the
state of static completion to full working order
to the specied requirements. It includes the
setting to work of an installation, the regula-
tion of the system, and the ne tuning of
the system.
The American Society of Heating, Re-
frigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) dene commissioning much more
Kirk Rosenbaum, senior commissioning manager at KEO International
Consultants, looks at why commissioning in the region often doesnt pass the test
COMMISSIONING
The Midde East
COMMISSIONING
MYSTERY
generically in their Guideline 0-2005: The
Commissioning Process. ASHRAE denes
commissioning as follows: A quality-focused
process for enhancing the delivery of a pro-
ject. The process focuses upon verifying and
documenting that the facility and all of its sys-
tems and assemblies are planned, designed,
installed, tested, operated, and maintained to
meet the owners project requirements.
One code focuses specically on startup
and turnover while the other considers
commissioning to be a holistic process that
extends throughout the projects life-cycle
from concept to operation. The two docu-
ments could not be more different.
The confusion regarding commissioning is
compounded by the numerous sustainability
programmes in use within the region: Leader-
ship in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED), Global Sustainability Assessment
System (GSAS), Estidama, and the Dubai
Green Building Regulations (DGBR). All
of these programmes require commission-
ing, but the process under each programme
varies dramatically. Some programmes
require design reviews, and some do not.
Some programmes require post occupancy
re-commissioning, but most do not. Some
programmes require the project commission-
ing agent to be independent of the design and
construction companies on a project, and oth-
ers do not. Systems to be commissioned vary
from programme to programme, and only
one of the programmes requires commission-
ing of critical systems such as re alarm or
re suppression.
With all these differences of opinion about
what commissioning is or is not, how does a
building owner, project manager, or design
professional make a decision about what level
of commissioning is to be performed on their
projects? The bottom line is that commission-
ing must be done to satisfy the local codes,
but beyond that, what should be targeted?
Commissioning to the code requirement
will provide the service at the lowest possible
cost, but it will not provide commissioning
to the best possible value. Studies from the
United States indicate that fully commissioned
buildings will obtain between 12 and 20%
energy efciency improvement over build-
ings that are not commissioned. Personal
observation from doing more than 20 years of
building commissioning has shown that if suf-
cient time is allowed for design reviews and
construction monitoring that commissioning
more than pays for itself by the reduction in
variation/change orders from the contractor
and in savings related to avoided delays for
the nal occupancy of the project.
COMMISSIONING
How do GSAS, DGBR, Estidama, and
LEED stack up in providing maximum value
from the commissioning process for new
buildings? Based on the varying require-
ments for the systems needing to be com-
missioned and the level of involvement of an
independent commissioning agent (ICA), the
authors opinion of potential commissioning
value of each program is as follows.
As we have discussed, commissioning as
identied in CIBSE and the various sustain-
ability programmes does not provide the
maximum value service. Full value com-
missioning has many facets. Including the
following scope of services for your ICA
will bring a project its maximum level of
commissioning value.
First of all it is a priority to have the ICA
involved from concept design so that they can
assist in the development of the owner project
requirements. Primarily the ICA provides
input on system operation, efciency, com-
missionability, and maintainability. This is
important because operations staff frequently
do not adequately dene their needs to
project management, which in turn does not
adequately dene the needs to the designer.
As a result, it is not infrequent that projects
get turned over to operations personnel that
do not serve their needs.
Also in the planning phase, the ICA should
produce the rst draft of the project commis-
sioning plan. This document denes the com-
missioning scope of work, identies the par-
ties responsible for each task, and establishes
lines of communications. The commissioning
plan is updated as design progresses and the
project enters its construction phase.
A second key document should also be
implemented at this point in the project.
ASHRAE refers to it as the commissioning
issues list. This document is maintained by
the ICA and tracks all issues identied during
design and construction that require review
and possible corrective action by other mem-
bers of the project team. Items tracked on the
issues list could include missing information
needed from the project owner, a design
problem regarding maintenance access for
a pump, a construction problem involving
the incorrect installation of a control valve,
or a test result that found a damper does not
actuate properly when commanded to do so.
The commissioning issues list is like a score
card for the project and will provide histori-
cal information on all issues identied by the
commissioning process and how those issues
were resolved. If your current ICA does not
provide such a document, he should be asked
serious questions about how he is managing
your commissioning work.
The ICA should be an organization that is
independent of the project design rm and
the contractor, and the ICA should be hired
directly by the project owner. This will result
in an ICA that has no conicts of interest or
issues of communications when acting as the
owners champion for all issues related to the
projects operation and performance.
During the design phase of the project the
ICA needs to conduct a review of the concept
design report or the basis of design document
to verify it is in compliance with the owner
requirements. In addition, and more impor-
tantly, the ICA needs to conduct a minimum
of one review of the documents being issued
for tender. Complex projects could benet
from an additional review during the design
development period.
- How does a commissioning design review
benet a project? These are examples of
items found within the last year on projects
across the GCC:
- Mechanical rooms identied as having
doors of insufcient size to all the replace-
ment of equipment parts.
- HVAC equipment oversized to the
point of adding 20% to the buildings annual
energy consumption.
- A mission critical facility with 100%
redundant HVAC plant and equipment, but an
electrical system that included a dozen single
20%:
Maximum energy efciency
improvement of commissioned
buildings over those which are not
Sustainability
Programme
Potential Commis-
sioning Programme
Value Achieved
GSAS 45%
DGBR 60%
Estidama
(Pearl Building
Rating System)
65%
LEED Fundamen-
tal Cx
35%
LEED Fundamen-
tal & Enhanced Cx
80%
Commissioning to the
code requirement will provide
the service at the lowest
possible cost, but it will not
provide commissioning to the
best possible value.
COMMISSIONING
- Smoke management systems insufcient-
ly sized to meet code requirements.
- Code-required re walls and re doors
not drawn or specied with the proper re
ratings.
In the project construction phase it is
important for the ICA to periodically inspect
the progress of the works and to benchmark
typical installations of various pieces of equip-
ment when they are initially installed. As a
project owner, project manager, or even the
contractor, is it not to your advantage to know
that the rst air handling unit on the project
has been installed incorrectly, or would it be
better to let the error be repeated ten, fty, or
one hundred times and have the ICA identify
the problem when the rst air handing unit is
being functionally tested?
During the construction period, between
submittal approval and nal installation, the
commissioning method statements, proce-
dures and record forms must be created.
One of the biggest debates in the industry
is regarding which parties author, review,
and approve these forms. To keep commis-
sioning costs down the contractor is many
times directed to produce the documentation;
however, the quality suffers. It is recom-
mended that the ICA produce the procedures
and forms to ensure the highest quality in the
testing regime.
The production of the documentation is a
ne point and it is not absolutely critical that
this be done by the ICA as long as they par-
ticipate in the review and approval process.
More critical is the participation of the ICA
in nal system inspections, functional testing,
integrated testing, and performance testing.
This is the area where many sustainability
programs and/or project specications falter.
Most indicate that the ICA is to monitor or
verify the execution of the commissioning
testing program as executed by
the contractor.
This is absolutely insufcient for several
reasons. Anyone who receives tenders from
35%:
Potential commissioning programme value
achieved from LEED Fundamental Cx
point failure locations that could disable the
entire project.
- A ve star meeting and reception facility
identied as needing over 100 access doors to
be cut into its lavishly nished ceiling to allow
for MEP maintenance.
- Concrete foundations not properly coordi-
nated for electrical and mechanical building
services. (This item would have resulted in
major change order costs if identied in the
middle of construction.)
- Chilled water systems identied with
insufcient valves for proper balancing.
- Water pipes travelling through spaces
prohibited by the electrical codes.
Kirk Rosenbaum, senior commissioning manager, KEO.
COMMISSIONING
65%:
Potential commissioning programme
value achieved from Estidama
commissioning services providers under-
stands this problem well. With the amount
of eld inspections and test witnessing only
dened by the requirement to monitor
and verify, commissioning fees can vary
by several hundred percent based on the
individual opinions of the commissioning
services providers. To tighten up the range of
commissioning fees it is critical for the extent
of site inspections and testing witnessing to
be claried.
The second problem with a programme
of monitoring and verication is that eld
deciencies can be hidden with the stroke of
a pen. A chilled water system might be cool-
ing the building well enough that no obvious
problem exists with system performance, but
the pumps might be running at an incorrect
speed or the system temperature refuses to
reset. Problems like this may result in a plant
using a great deal of excessive energy.
An example of this type of problem was
identied during a building inspection con-
Depending on
the type of building
being commissioned
the appropriate level of
involvement of the ICA in
the inspection and testing
programmes varies.
ducted in 2012. An HVAC system contained
heat recovery wheels that would pre-cool
ventilation air for the building. However, the
system would not shutdown the heat recovery
wheels when the outside air temperature was
less than the exhaust air temperature as de-
signed. As a result, the wheels would increase
ventilation air temperature prior to being
cooled by the chilled water coil. No cooling
problems were ever noticed in the building,
but correcting the programming on the heat
recovery wheels was projected to save the cli-
ent $36,000 (AED 132,000 approx.) annually.
Contractors and designers have conicts of
interest with regard to documenting all faults
uncovered during commissioning testing.
There is pressure to turn the project over
to the client, and there are issues of pride
and reputation regarding the identication
of ones own errors in the works. It is only
human nature to respond in these ways, and
that is why it is most advantageous to have
the ICA participate in most eld inspections
and tests on the completed systems. It is in
a building owners best interest to include
their champion for quality and performance at
these times.
Depending on the type of building being
commissioned the appropriate level of involve-
ment of the ICA in the inspection and testing
programmes varies. For an apartment build-
ing or hotel where room types and systems
are duplicated hundreds of times the ICA can
be involved with a representative sample of
the works. For a hospital, data centre, or other
mission critical facility the ICA involvement
may need to approach 100% participation.
Other benets that can be offered by the
commissioning process include improved
project handover from the contractor to the fa-
cility maintenance staff. The ICA can be used
to oversee contractor training programmes
and review the quality of the operation and
maintenance manuals being provided. A key
deliverable that can be provided by the ICA
is a document called the Systems Manual by
ASHRAE or the Building Log Book by CIBSE.
This is only called for by a few sustainability
programmes but is a very key document.
Operations and maintenance manuals will pro-
vide direction on xing the equipment in the
building, but the systems manual functions
as an owners manual for the entire project. It
will inform the building operators how to con-
trol the building systems in various conditions
and how to return the systems to all original
settings. It also provides a location to record
any changes made to the systems because of
building modications or usage changes. The
systems manual is an extremely valuable tool
in maintaining and operating a building as
efciently as possible.
Building commissioning is a service that
is misunderstood, and that is not yet fully
developed. It is most important for everyone
to understand that it is no longer just the
activity of turning over a building to an owner
once construction is complete. It is a process
that runs through the entire lifecycle of a
building that improves operability, efciency,
and maintainability. Codes, guidelines, and
sustainability programmes all disagree on
what constitutes a good commissioning
programme, and therefore it falls to a project
owner, project manager, designer, etc. to
determine the best commissioning practice
for an individual project.
Many of the best practices have been
identied above and can serve as a guide,
but potentially the best advice that can be
provided if any question exists about the
extent of commissioning needed on your
project, is to contact a certied commission-
ing professional for their input. Certications
are provided from numerous organizations in-
cluding AABC Commissioning Group (ACG),
American Society of Heating Refrigeration
and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),
Building Commissioning Association (BCA),
Commissioning Specialist Association (CSA),
and National Environmental Balancing Bu-
reau (NEBB).
SUPPLIER NEWS
EXPANSION
SECURITY
CEM Systems, part of Tyco Security Prod-
ucts, has revealed its winning of a contract
at the Khalifa Port & Industrial Zone (KPIZ),
Abu Dhabi for its CEM AC2000 SE (standard
edition) system, which was installed at Khal-
ifa Port by CEM approved reseller Tyco Fire
& Security UAE.
CEM is delighted to be involved in one of
the UAEs most prestigious infrastructure
projects. With our many years experience
in both the port and airport sector, CEM has
provided a sophisticated security solution for
Khalifa Port, said Philip Verner, regional
sales director for CEM Systems.
This was an exciting yet challenging proj-
ect for CEM which delivered not one but two
systems for the Port; AC2000 and a highly
customised gate management system, pro-
viding high level integration to multiple port
security systems to ensure the monitor-
ing and control of vehicles coming onsite,
he added.
The AC2000 Gate Management Solution
integrates with a number of third party sys-
tems all interfaced to ensure multiple checks
are made before a vehicle can enter the site.
The driver rstly swipes their card which
activates passive or active long range RFID
tags used on trucks and light vehicles. ANPR
license plate recognition is then used and the
gate opens.
Craig Menzies, security division manager,
Tyco Fire & Security UAE, said: Khalifa
Port required a highly secure and exible
access control system, which could be used
for more than just access control. Having
worked with CEM before on projects such
as Dubai International Airport, we knew the
CEM AC2000 solution would be a perfect t
for the port and with CEMs dedicated Inte-
grations team, Khalifa Ports high expecta-
tions could be met successfully.
CEMs advanced hardware was used
throughout the port which included over 700
S610e and S610f ngerprint readers.
Siemens is to set up a new pro-
gramme ofce in Qatar highlight-
ing its stadium technologies as the
rst wave of design and construc-
tion management tenders for the
2022 World Cup are announced.
The company, which has been in-
volved in the building of over 140
stadium and arena projects over
the past ten years, said that the
ofce will show off technologies
such as smart grids, trafc man-
agement systems, building techo-
nologies, district cooling systems
and other expertise.
The ofce will be headed by Jan
Schoenig, who has worked at Sie-
mens for 16 years and has been
involved in the preparations for
the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Siemens to open Qatar ofce in stadium bid
CEM Systems
wins contract
at Abu Dhabis
Khalifa Port
Firm supplies security
management system through
Tyco Fire & Security UAE
The CEM Systems technology used at Khalifa Port sees multiple checks carried out before vehicles are permitted on site.
With our many years experience in both the port and
airport sector, CEM has provided a sophisticated security
solution for Khalifa Port.
Siemens Qatar chief Bernhard
Fonseka said: By setting up the
ofce years ahead of the games,
Siemens has demonstrated a com-
mitment to bringing intelligent
solutions that can assist infra-
structure and industry customers
in increasing their productivity,
efciency and exibility in the
run-up to the World Cup 2022.
PRODUCTS
WANT TO FEATURE YOUR PRODUCT HERE? Email: cathal.mcelroy@itp.com
BUYERS
GUIDE
New products come on
to the market at a great
rate. While many shout
about their innovation or
competitive pricing, it can
be difcult to spot the true
merit of a product without
the right information. MEP
offers a few top tips that
are always worth keeping
in mind when purchase
orders are on the way.
TOP TIPS
1. FOCUS
Know what you are looking
for and exactly what you
need it to do
2. RESEARCH
Get suppliers to provide
detailed product
information based on your
specic requirements
3. PRICE VERSUS...
Is price the most important
factor?
4. ...QUALITY
Or will quality matter more
in the long run?
5. IS IT NEEDED?
Is the product something
the project really needs?
Could it be done without or
bought at a later stage?
6. SUSTAINABILITY
Does this product need to
be green?
7. STANDARDS
Does the product need to
conform to any specic
standards?
8. SHIPPING
Will the product make it to
site on time, or is there an
order backlog?
9. LIABILITY
How long will your
company be liable for the
products performance?
10. SORTED
Will this purchasing
decision sort the job or will
it come back to haunt you?
Product focus
MEP Middle East reviews the latest gadgets, essential kit and serious
product innovations making an impact in the GCC construction market.
Let us know if there is something you would like to see on these pages.
MAGIC
MagiCAD is one of the leading global BIM solutions for HVAC and
electrical design. More than 15,000 licenses are in use worldwide and it
is growing quickly in the Middle East. MagiCAD enables MEP design
using Europes largest product model database, featuring hundreds of
thousands of actual products from leading manufacturers across the
globe. Each model within the database comes complete with accurate
dimensions and comprehensive technical data. MagiCAD offers
localisation for different country-specic standards, and is used by major
contractors and designers in a variety of projects across the world.
HATTERSLEY DPCVS
Belonging to the FlowMaster range of commissioning valves,
Hattersleys compact differential pressure control valves DPCVs (F400
& R400) are quick and easy to install, have a long life expectancy and
require little or no maintenance. Available in sizes DN15 to DN50,
they are PN16 rated and have an adjustable differential pressure range
of 20 100kPa. The new DPCV range has been specically designed
with two new features to cut costs, while also aiding system analysis
and simplify circuits too. The rst new feature, having threaded female
ends, reduces the need for additional adapters in most circuits and
allows easy connections to alternative pipework solutions when adapters
are required. The second, the addition of two bosses, is for integral test point installation, which gives greater
exibility and reduces the need for separate test points within the circuit.
GEBERIT EXPANSION SOCKET
Geberit has equipped the expansion socket of their PE waste and
drainage system with a new seal, which considerably reduces the
insertion force at the sliding point. The processing effort decreases
and the installation time is shorter. At the same time, the long-lasting
seal guarantees a high functional reliability for the socket. A further
optimisation ensures a shorting installation time a ange for retaining the anchor bracket is now embedded on
the outside of the socket. The bracket is tted into the recess and then remains absolutely rigid on the socket
afterwards. The expansion sockets application possibilities have also increased as the sockets are now available
for all dimensions up to DN 150 with a ange for retaining the anchor point and for welding electrofusion sleeve
couplings as well. In accordance with the Geberit processing guidelines, an expansion socket must be used every
six metres in PE systems with expansion processes.
PRODUCTS
BIM Demystied
By Steve Race
BIM Demystied is
a short, practical
introduction to
Building Information
Modelling (BIM).
Addressing BIM
from the point of
view of mainstream
practice as opposed
to a cutting-edge
technological
perspective, it offers
an easy-going yet
thorough explanation
of the subject.
TAKE A LOOK
BIM in
Small-Scale
Sustainable
Design
By Francois Levy
This work is the
leading guide
to architectural
design within a
building information
modelling (BIM)
workow, giving the
practitioner a clear
procedure when
designing climate-
load dominated
buildings. The book
incorporates new
information related
to BIM, integrated
practice, and
sustainable design,
as well information
on how designers
can incorporate the
latest technological
tools available.
GEBERIT SHOWER ELEMENT
With the exible Geberit shower element, the design of the wall drain for oor-
even showers looks clean and well-engineered. The shower elements can be easily
installed in nearly any wall construction, as well as with Geberits proven dry wall
systems, transforming your shower into a private wellness oasis. Be it in a hotel,
private villa or residential apartment, the Geberit shower drain is the ideal design
solution for your shower. The combination of innovative design and practical
technology has been awarded the renowned international IF product design award.
CYCLO VAC
Over the last 45 years, Cyclo Vacs commitment to research and
development has created high-standard, quality central vacuums
which have revolutionised the industry. Some of the many
advantages of the Cyclo Vac central vacuum system include: indoor
air quality, quietness due to its unique design, efciency and ease
of use. Distributed by Khalifa Saeed Al Gaizi General Trading,
Cyclo Vac central vacuum machines can be used with a bag or, to
save money in the long-run, without. Its patented carbon dust lter,
unique worldwide, captures the ne black dust produced by the
motor, which would normally be deposited on surfaces surrounding
the central vacuum unit. Ideally, the system is installed during the
construction stage, but can also be tted in existing buildings.
COOLEX ROOFTOP PACKAGES
COOLEX Rooftop packages are high-ef ciency products designed
specically for tropical operation up to 125 F ambient temperature
without tripping and with high performance. They of fer low
power consumption (1.4 kW/T.R @ 118.4 F ambient) with easy
installation, advanced microprocessor controller and low noise
operations. These are factory run-tested, produced in an ISO
9001-2000 listed manufacturing facility, constructed in compliance
with ASHRAE 15 safety requirements and UL listed. Quality and
ef ciency make COOLEX units the preferred choice for cooling
systems in commercial and industrial applications. COOLEX is
the pioneer manufacturer of air conditioning in Kuwait since 1986,
of fering high standards, competitive pricing and a wide array of products (Package A/C, Ducted split,
Concealed, Chillers, AHU, Fan coil) covering all Middle East market needs.
www.cyclovac.com
VIESSMANN VITOCAL 350-HT
The Vitocal 350-HT delivers outputs of 60 to 100 kW regardless of heat source and
is the only series-produced CO2 heat pump in this output range in Europe. CO2 is
a natural component of air, is present in large amounts and allows especially high
ow temperatures up to 90 C when used as a transfer medium in heat pumps.
The Vitocal 350-HT fulls the requirements of the Associations for Gas and
Water in both Germany (DVGW) and Switzerland (SVGW) for heating domestic
hot water in large systems, making it very suitable for efciently generating
affordable hot water. The above-average spread of the primary input temperatures
of -15 C to 37 C means that the Vitocal 350-HT can be operated as both a cold
water generator and for heat recovery.
THE LAST WORD
projects. Where margins and sched-
ules are tight, things can go pear-
shaped very quickly, and that means
unexpected loss of protability. No
one likes that kind of surprise. So
thats where we come in.
CCS provides the complete con-
struction enterprise solution by in-
tegrating the essential elements to
provide contractors with a reliable,
auditable, accurate and activity-
based comparative analysis of costs
and allowable. This is the essential
information that will ultimately de-
termine the success or failure of a
construction venture.
How can you help companies
ensure protability in business?
The crash effect on the Middle
East, and especially the UAE, expe-
rienced from the highs of 2007/8 to
the lows of 2009, made clients and
contractors alike realise the signi-
cance of good time and value bud-
geting as a basis for effective cost
control and decision making and
ultimately the success or failure of a
construction venture.
It is exactly at this time that in-
sufcient monitoring of project
processes leads to uncertainties as
to protability. It is right now that
all contractors should produce bet-
ter estimates, and have closer con-
trol over projects and better moni-
toring of earned value and cash
ows, because to rely on a mindset
of a continual stream of work and
bulging order books would be a
dangerous folly.
Additionally, the Candy shopping
list adds a whole new dimension giv-
ing the contractor complete control
of what they purchase. One of our
clients, ALEMCO, experienced the
benets of this rst hand by avoid-
ing an over order, worth $80m (AED
293.8m), on a landmark villa develop-
ment project in Abu Dhabi.
Ian Haupteisch, general manager of
costing software developer CCS Gulf,
explains what the companys products
can offer the industry at a time when
belts are tight
CCS product offerings include
the Candy Estimation and
Project Control system and the
BuildSmart Construction Cost
Accounting system: what do they
do and how do they work?
Candy is a construction estimation
and project control application that
includes features for resource based,
analytical estimation of construction
projects, critical path planning, fore-
casting, cashow and post-tender
valuations for monthly cost control
and progress payments.
BuildSmart is a web-based con-
struction cost and accounting man-
agement system that includes mod-
ules for procurement, accounting,
plant and yard management, subcon-
tract management, inventory control
and payroll. Additional integrated
modules are available for document
management, HR, business intelli-
gence and time and attendance.
Who are your major customers?
We have over 150 contracting com-
panies using CCS across the MENA
region and these include the likes
of ALEMCO, HLG, Voltas, Al Fut-
taim Carillion, Zener Steward, BK
Gulf, Dutco Balfour Beatty, Al Na-
boodah, Target Engineering, Gulf
Contracting, CCC, Midmac, Con-
track, Petroserv, Khansaheb, Laing
ORourke, Larsen & Toubro, Doug-
las OHI, Khara National, El Seif, Al
Arrab, Al Mabani, Al Khodari and
Al Yamama.
What is unique about the prod-
ucts and services you offer?
CCS products are designed and de-
veloped from the bottom-up that is,
they are designed for construction
industry professionals by construc-
tion industry professionals.
CCS Candy and BuildSmart to-
gether include modules for estimat-
ing, planning, valuations, forecasting,
cashow, procurement, accounting,
wages, plant, yard and stock man-
agement, and document control.
Separately, these are available from a
myriad of suppliers, but what distin-
guishes CCS from all other software
offerings is the degree of intercon-
nectedness of these modules.
What challenges are unique to
the MENA region, and how does
CCS overcome them?
Challenge, especially the challenge
of cost control, is synonymous with
construction irrespective of where
or what it is being built. The con-
struction industry can be affected
from anything from weather, price
uctuations, materials, labour and
equipment availability, unrealistic
timeframes and the remoteness of
Where margins and schedules are
tight, things can go pear-shaped very
quickly, and that means unexpected loss of
protability.
Value of over order avoided by
alemco using software
$80M
THE COST
Counting
Ian Haupseisch,
general manager, CCS Gulf.
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With the tried-and-tested Geberit installation tech-
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And a lot more attractive.
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Geberit installation
element with
concealed cistern
Hidden
inno-
vation.

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