< PreviousFOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.COMMERCIALINTERIORDESIGN.COM/cid-AWARDS OR CONTACT ONE OF OUR TEAM TODAy For sponsorship enquiries: Laura Collinder Sales Manager Tel: +971 4 444 3576 Mobile: 971 55 401 1628 Email: laura.collinder@itp.com For NOMINATION enquiries: JANE O'NEILL EDITOR Tel: +971 4 444 3626 Email: jane.oneill@itp.com For event enquiries: teri dunstan Events manager Tel: +971 4 444 3277 Email: teri.dunstan@itp.com For Table sales enquiries: anthony chandran table sales executive Tel: +971 4 444 3685 Email: anthony.chandran@itp.com silver SPONSOR category SPONSORs Social media SPONSOR WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2020 NOMINATIONS & table sales NOW OPEN! DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE PRESENTED BY GOLD SPONSORSwww.fm-middleeast.com COMMENT April 2020 31 eople often take it for granted that their HVAC systems will always provide cooling, until it breaks down unexpectedly. It should be noted that any mechanical system require routine maintenance. The last thing you want is to lose air-conditioning during the hot summer months in the Middle East. Rather than reactive maintenance, it is always best to adopt routine preventive maintenance so that your AC functions when you need it the most. Checking on your HVAC system regularly will ensure that it can keep running all the year-round. An unmaintained and dirty HVAC system creates an environment where mold and bacteria can thrive. This produces more allergy problems for those in your home. A clean filter will do a better job of trapping air particles and help prevent contaminated air from being pulled in from places like the attic. A clean heat pump or an AC coil will also provide a healthier environment. Want to enter the debate? If you have any comments to make on these issues, email the editor at rajiv.pillai@itp.com. VIEWP INT Routine maintenance of HVAC systems isn’t just about saving costs and increasing system effi ciency, it is also about our good health and well-being RAJIV RAVINDRAN PILLAI Maintaining HVAC and health P About the author Rajiv Ravindran Pillai is the editor of facilities management Middle East. An improperly maintained heating and air conditioning system with clogged filters will likely release impure air into a home. Conversely, a well-maintained unit can enhance air quality, which is especially important if occupants suffer from medical conditions such as allergies or asthma. The main issue according to Darko Macura, CEO at Al-Futtaim Engineering and Technologies is that there is a lack of awareness among the general public on such things. He says: “People, in general, are not aware of the ‘sick building syndrome’ - a phenomenon that is directly related to poor indoor air quality and its negative health impacts on the users of the building. This syndrome most of the time is directly related to the AC systems and its operation and maintenance. One of the causes of this syndrome is poor fresh air supply and dirty air filters, along with other factors. Stale air can get contaminated faster and can make users sick quite often.” Heath, especially during these times of pandemic, should be given utmost priority, more than anything else. MARKET FOCUS www.fm-middleeast.com32 April 2020 Based on HVAC type, the Middle East and Africa HVAC market has been categorised as heating, ventilation, and cooling, wherein cooling category accounted for largest market share in 2018, according to P&S Market Research. Moreover, ducted split/packaged contributed largest market share in the cooling segment in 2018. Presence of numerous high-rise buildings in countries such as Saudi Arabia and UAE has been a major contributor for large-scale adoption of HVAC MARKETWATCH THE ADOPTION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT HVAC SYSTEMS IS A MAJOR TREND OBSERVED IN THE REGION ducted split/packaged units in the region. Besides this, efficient functioning of packaged unit, where it is combined with ducts for controlled distribution of air, is one of the prime factors for its mass scale adoption in manufacturing facilities and data centers/server rooms. Based on the end-user, the Middle East and Africa HVAC market is segmented into commercial, industrial, and residential. Of which, commercial segment stood at top in 2018, predominately led by the rising number of commercial offices/buildings and growing hospitality sector. Additionally, rising infrastructure investments especially in Saudi Arabia is expected to further support market growth in the forecast period. The infrastructure investment includes various projects like expansion of grand mosque in Mecca for $26.6bn, and Haramain high speed railway ($16.5bn) connecting Mecca and Medina. On the basis of country, Saudi Arabia is estimated to be the largest HVAC market in 2018. Slump in oil prices during the period 2014-2015, had a negative impact MARKET FOCUSMARKET FOCUS www.fm-middleeast.comApril 2020 33 on the economy of oil producing countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, and others, affecting the growth of HVAC market, during the historical period. However, factors such as stabilization of oil prices, events in countries such as UAE, and rising religious tourism in Saudi Arabia, is projected to revive the economy of these countries, which in turn will propel the demand for HVAC systems in the coming years. Increasing construction projects in transportation sector is one of the key drivers of UAE HVAC market. UAE is exhibiting rise in construction projects in transportation sector pertaining to metro railway expansion projects and construction of new airports. The country is registering major investments in transportation sector attributed to upcoming international trade fair World Expo in 2020. In the recent past, facility expansion has been the major activities observed in UAE. HVAC market. Daikin Industries and Johnson Controls International PLC have been observed as the forerunner in strategic developments in the last year. These company are majorly focusing on facility expansion to strengthen their position in the market. The Middle East and Africa HVAC market is witnessing a growth in demand for VRF systems in high-rise buildings, owing to the flexibility and lower utility cost benefits it offers. With multiple tenants, an inefficiently designed HVAC system may result in poor air-quality, and inconsistent airflow, resulting in high maintenance cost. VRF systems offers healthy air, personalized control, flexibility in installation, and eliminates the need for water piping. Additionally, it provides solution to complex installation of ducted split systems in high-rise buildings, where a single outdoor unit is deployed with multiple indoor units forming an efficient ductless multi-split system. As Middle East and Africa HVAC market is projected to grow positively in coming years, the adoption of energy efficient HVAC systems is a major trend observed in the region. For instance, to achieve Vision 2021 launched by UAE government, HVAC market players introduced energy efficient systems which consumes less energy. Adoption of such energy efficient systems is very crucial in order to curb CO 2 emission and reduce the impact of global warming. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and African Union are the bodies looking after sustainable development policies. Furthermore, GCC countries have strict regulations for energy efficient products. For instance, in 2017, Saudi Arabia’s custom team seized 759,000 products for violating the standards of Saudi Energy Efficiency Center. Hence, with strict government regulations, adoption of energy efficient HVAC systems is on the rise in MEA region. High upfront cost and trained personnel requirements is a constraint hindering Middle East and Africa HVAC market growth. In buildings requiring deployment of multiple HVAC systems, the complexities associated with the installation process are significant. The pipework and specific installation requirements of ducted systems which vary based on different manufacturers, make initial installation a complex, tedious, and a costly job. Furthermore, life expectancy of HVAC system depends on its proper installation, which is the most complex step of the whole process. HVAC systems especially VRF systems require regular inspection and maintenance by trained personnel due to their complicated designing. Moreover, with superior control of these systems, piping and control systems must be installed as per manufacturers’ specific instructions. Pressure testing, changing of filters, and cleaning of fan coils are very critical for the maintenance of HVAC systems. Thus, high maintenance due to complicated designing of HVAC systems may restrict market growth during the forecast period. Some of the most important parts of the HVAC system are heat exchanger, blower motor, combustion chamber, condenser, evaporator, and thermostat. And each of these parts have their own market size. For example, the global heat exchangers market size is estimated to be $15.3bn in 2019 and is projected to reach $20.5bn by 2024, at a CAGR of 6.0%. The demand for heat exchangers is supported by the growth of the end-use industries globally. This inturn leads to a big demand in HVAC maintenance and its market. REFERENCES • https://www.psmarketresearch.com/ market-analysis/mea-hvac-market •https://www.marketsandmarkets. com/Market-Reports/heat- exchanger-market-750.html?gc lid=Cj0KCQjwmdzzBRC7ARIs ANdqRRnk04ho_tQxEjVZCt8_ EU657prwPQPwsLCIbIdcjqXtg- 1tHrz0gpcaAhAOEALw_wcB KNOWLEDGE PARTNER www.fm-middleeast.com34 April 2020 T he maintenance of HVAC systems is as important as that of automobiles. If not routinely attended to, mechanical systems can breakdown. Darko Macura, chief executive officer, Al-Futtaim Engineering & Technologies, explains the importance of HVAC maintenance. He says: “Air conditioning means DARKO MACURA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AL-FUTTAIM ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGIES, TALKS ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES OF ROUTINE HVAC MAINTENANCE production and maintenance of a comfortable climate inside the conditioned space. Therefore, to have the desired comfort it is important to maintain some critical features of the environment as per the standard comfort index of ASHRAE such as standard air quality (clean air), comfort air temperature, comfort humidity, standard and comfort noise level, and comfort airflow and speed.” All the above features are only attained via a well-maintained AC unit. Hence, it is important to carry out regular and periodic AC maintenance to achieve the above standards for comfort air-conditioning, Macura says. Despite the importance of maintenance, Macura feels that AC maintenance is often ignored because of MAINTAIN AND GAINKNOWLEDGE PARTNER www.fm-middleeast.comApril 2020 35 the unawareness of consequences that are directly related to user’s or owner’s health and wealth. Elaborating, he says: “When it comes to health, people, in general, are not aware of sick building syndrome – a phenomenon that is directly related to poor indoor air quality and its negative health impacts on the users of the building. This syndrome most of the time is directly related to the AC systems and its operation and maintenance. One of the causes of this syndrome is poor fresh air supply and dirty air filters, along with other factors. Stale air can get contaminated faster and can make users sick quite often. “When it comes to wealth, poorly maintained AC unit can stress its vital components making them more vulnerable thereby reducing the life of the machines and increasing the power consumption and adding negativity to environment sustainability. A well- maintained AC unit has a larger life span than less maintained units.” Talking about the servicing frequency of AC units, Macura says that it depends on several factors such as the usage/ criticality and area of installation of the AC units and OEM recommendations. He says: “An AC unit fitted in an industrial environment may need more service frequencies than an AC unit fitted in residential or commercial offices. 90% of the AC owners and users are not aware of the consequences associated with its maintenance philosophy. Our market is price-driven and seldom quality-driven. The client or client’s representatives are not giving attention to the environmental sustainability that revolves around HVAC maintenance, i.e., healthy AC units or chillers are more energy- efficient than un-healthy ones. An AC system is the most ignored commodity due to its concealed nature and invisible consequences. CHECKLIST Macura explains that there are three major steps an HVAC technician does during his/her visits: Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM), Corrective Maintenance (break down attendance) and Predictive Maintenance. For PPM, the three major activities involve, and are not limited to: cleaning of all the air filters, cleaning of the indoor and outdoor heat exchanger coils, and cleaning of the condensate drain lines. He says: “At Al-Futtaim Engineering (AFE), our inspection covers a comprehensive check-list of maintenance, testing and analysis tasks. For instance, most HVAC contractors don’t include the static pressure test, which we provide, as the results can help extend the life of your equipment.” THE AL-FUTTAIM ADVANTAGE Al-Futtaim has been selling some of the best brands of AC units such as Sanyo, Toshiba, Panasonic, and York, especially for the residential and commercial sectors. Talking about the advantage Al- Futtaim Engineering has over others, Macura says that its ESD division was established in the early 1980s and since then it has been handling the after-sales and AMC contracts of the abovementioned reputed brands. The firm’s capability of HVAC maintenance has grown exponentially over the years and now the company has a full-fledged FM division with experts who can maintain from small AC units to a large AC district cooling plants of almost all brands of the HVAC industry. He says: “One of AFE’s unique features is an inhouse EML workshop. This workshop is the backbone of our AC maintenance department as it can rewind small ½ HP motor to 100HP motor in its workshop. This workshop also repairs and rebuilds various chiller compressors and pumps with minimum downtime. “Our skilled and experienced HVAC professionals – from technicians to supervisors and engineers to managers have hands-on experience in delivering HVAC maintenance contracts for all kinds and types of AC units. Our maintenance division is equipped with advanced mobile vehicles that are used as mini-stores and workshops and are very useful in delivering maintenance assistance to all our clients anytime.” The firm has also developed a 24x7 central store in the middle of the city that takes care of all inventories required to manage HVAC contracts. In addition, AFE is equipped with a call centre that supports customers 24x7. The Contact Centre’s primary role is to create a valuable and memorable customer experience by implementing the right technology and developing the right team, in parallel to understanding our customer’s wants and needs, by being proactive, passionate, transparent and a good listener. Macura concludes: “Finally, the biggest edge we have is the care towards assets that we have developed through maintaining our own over the last 25+ years, and this is now inbuilt in the way we work.” AN AC SYSTEM IS THE MOST IGNORED COMMODITY DUE TO ITS CONCEALED NATURE AND INVISIBLE CONSEQUENCES. Darko Macura, CEO, Al-Futt aim Engineering & Technologies. INSIGHT 36 April 2020www.fm-middleeast.com Every facility can benefi t from increased energy and cost savings by improving HVAC operations through installation and scheduled maintenance By Robert White – head of Energy Services, ENGIE Cofely B y 2025, the world population is set to rise to an estimated 8.1 billion. Not only will we need more food, water and shelter, but we’ll need more energy to sustain humanity. With a demand for more buildings and infrastructure, we’ll naturally see an increased need for heating and cooling systems in both public and private sectors. In the Middle East specifically, since THE FUTURE OF HVAC temperatures and humidity are very high in summer, more people will continue to buy and use air conditioners to keep cool. As demand for this goes through the roof, we must be mindful of the impact this holds for the future and our planet. The significant energy demand will add pressure to electricity grids and as a result, drive up local and global emissions. According to the International Energy Agency, cooling consumes over 2,000 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity every year, which is two and a half times the total electricity used in Africa. These numbers are only going to climb, and now more than ever, businesses need to be more accountable and active contributors to climate action. It all starts with evolving the HVAC systems to keep up with the cooling- related electricity demand. Because HVAC systems account for the high-INSIGHT April 2020 37www.fm-middleeast.com energy usage in buildings, every facility can benefit from increased energy and cost savings by improving HVAC operations through proper design, installation, scheduled maintenance and other activities. Rigorous action by governments is critical in encouraging builders and architects to plan for early HVAC design with energy-efficient systems as per the energy code requirements and in line with the building’s design. Such initiatives will guarantee lower energy costs, higher reliability, and optimised operations. This goes hand in hand with the newly launched ‘Target Climate’ initiative by The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), Emirates Nature-WWF, along with the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi and Dubai Chamber. Such initiatives enable businesses to future-proof their operations, which is a vital step for the future stability of business operations. Smart applications are not new in our homes - from video surveillance, security systems to lighting and more, we are now able to control systems with a push of a button on our tablets and mobile phones. As technology continues to advance, smart applications are now aiding HVAC operation from both an end user, and maintenance professional perspective, ensuring that energy is conserved, and equipment is efficiently operated in both homes and offices. With regards to market leading HVAC technology, IoT solutions including artificial intelligence can be deployed to further optimise operation and improve equipment reliability. This includes utilising machine learning to automatically identify performance drift and predict maintenance issues before they occur and therefore ensure optimal energy and comfort performance. Not only does this benefit the end user in terms of cost savings, but also increases equipment reliability and an enhanced customer experience. Likewise, new business models for energy services can also help overcome barriers to digitalization in buildings that lack finance, technical capabilities and resources. The emergence of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) or similar models create opportunities for the provision of complete energy solutions with zero capital expenditure (CapEx) investment for building owners. These solutions include financing, design, building, operation and maintenance services. As a group, it is our ambition to become the world leader in delivering technology-enabled solutions that will benefit our customers and reduce carbon emissions. To that end, we launched a 2-megawatt air-cooled chiller called QUANTUM Air, an intelligent and convenient control system that meets the economic and ecological requirements of the environment. It has a modified control system, which facilitates improved control and regulation options that are optimised in terms of energy efficiency. Furthermore, it enables better adaptation to customer-specific cooling requirements at every operating point. It is currently the smartest and most powerful chiller of its type in the international market. At Engie Solutions, we are on a transformative mission to create value for our clients through performance and common good for the environment. Robert White – head of Energy Services, ENGIE Cofely. WITH REGARDS TO MARKET LEADING HVAC TECHNOLOGY, IOT SOLUTIONS INCLUDING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN BE DEPLOYED TO FURTHER OPTIMISE OPERATION AND IMPROVE EQUIPMENT RELIABILITY. HVAC systems account for the high-energy usage in buildings. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 38 April 2020www.fm-middleeast.com With the current economic and political climate, the UAE real estate landscape is predicted to show signs of recovery and revival as a result of government focus on growth in this sector The property management industry is extremely lucrative and is becoming more so with the rise of wealth in the global real estate industry. At 2018, the value of the world’s real estate reached $280tr (Savills, 2018), far exceeding other investment asset classes. In fact, real estate wealth represents 3.5 times the total global GDP. In the UAE, both the volume and value of real estate assets are likely to increase in coming months and years, as the country continues its current building cycle. According to Expo 2020 Dubai, the UAE is projecting over 20 million visitors in the next six months, with a prediction that most long-term visitors will opt for long- term leasing and housing investment. Existing and new businesses are likely to be looking to taking on commercial space post-Expo. For instance, it was PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN THE UAE announced that Siemens will take up 11,000m2 of office space in District 2020, an indication of things to come as more commercial business space is taken up and a new innovation economy is bred. There has also been regulatory measures and changes put in place in the region, which has influenced the supply and demand rate in the real estate landscape. In addition, the UAE government have created a shift in the knowledge economy along with various initiatives around ‘Smart Dubai’ which indicates a drive in a growing economy, and therefore influencing the real estate sector. Government reforms have provided stimulus for not only the real estate sector, but also for various industries to thrive in the region. The government has continuously shown commitment towards a growing and sustainable economy, which will in turn improve and lead certain sectors to thrive efficiently and economically. For instance, in September 2019, the government initiated a real estate action plan committee in order to monitor the real estate market and encourage foreign investors. The committee which was chaired by Dubai Deputy Ruler Sheikh Maktoum Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – includes senior representatives of key property developers on the board who aim to manage the opportunities for foreign investors and enhance the future of business growth. Dr. Michael Waters, associate professor in Real Estate at Heriot-Watt University Dubai provides further insight into UAE trends in Real Estate. The trends in this market also indicate new economic structures across the country in the coming months and years. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT April 2020 39www.fm-middleeast.com · Creating a shift towards a digital and knowledge-based economy A shift towards a progressive digital economy is transforming the Middle East. It gives rise to the change in policy debates, governance, equality and ultimately a prospering economy. Most recently the government has implemented several policies in terms of innovation and digital transformation. The Dubai Blockchain Strategy will breed new opportunities for global investors and property managers. Technological innovations across the board will take place from how real estate is traded to how it can be more efficiently and effectively managed. The transmission of information in the sector will be more seamless and timely, creating solutions to quick and well-informed decision- making. Similarly, in Sharjah with the launch in 2019 of the smart ‘Real Estate Developers Gate’ by Sharjah Real Estate Registration Directorate (SRERD). This is a digital services platform accessible online, giving real estate developers and investors easy access to the full range of property management services they need for registering and following up on projects. Such initiatives are already having a positive projection in the industry, as real estate transactions in the Emirate were valued at $6.58bn in 2019, an increase of 7.3% compared to 2018 (Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, 2020). Whilst these developments along with the various other smart initiatives indicate a clear drive towards creating a mature knowledge economy in the region, the concept does not stop at technology development. The knowledge-based economy seeks to build a sustainable higher education system to strengthen the knowledge of future generations. When we look specifically at the property sector, the real estate management degrees at Heriot-Watt University Dubai both at undergraduate and postgraduate level are designed to place real estate at the centre of all business decisions from property transactions, development projects; investment funding and strategic asset management. Students develop an in-depth understanding of property as an investment medium in the region, as well as the legal framework for property management and ownership; the roles and functions of the property asset manager; the financial, legal and technical skills within the management domain. Forward-looking concepts and tools for sustainability management and other future trends impacting the market in the UAE and the region are also fully discussed. With such an in- depth curriculum, adopting teachings and applied knowledge developing in higher education, future generations are equipped to drive further innovations in the industry and pave the way to a bright future for the local real estate sector. · The drive into sustainability With the government at the forefront of this change, sustainability is set to form the backbone of the UAE’s future. The UAE has implemented several strategies which correspond to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the United Nations for 2030. UAE companies are therefore increasingly shifting to make their organisations more sustainable to reduce their environmental footprint. Local mall operators are also implementing green leases to make occupiers more sustainable from an operations perspective. Expo 2020 will denote a strong emphasis towards a sustainable future and from the investment side, Abu Dhabi-based clean energy firm Masdar has introduced the UAE’S first sustainable real estate investment trust (REIT), offering an opportunity to invest in a portfolio of income-yielding properties with a low carbon footprint. These initiatives as well as a growing global emphasis on CSR are among the many steps that will enhance the direction of sustainable and smart construction in the UAE. · Government strategies The government has shown much commitment towards creating a thriving real estate economy. In 2020, the UAE will implement the strategy under the title ‘The Next 50’, which will witness the largest national strategy yet, preparing the country at all levels to strive in the next 50 years. With this promising strategy, new policies will emerge creating positive reforms. The UAE aims to implement numerous plans across diverse sectors that include economy, education, infrastructure, health and media, the establishment of the 50-year Development Plan committee aims to make the UAE the fastest and most flexible and adaptable government to future changes. Such reforms will create strong fundamentals for the local property market, particularly relevant to its global competitiveness and desirability as a place to live and work. Dr. Michael Waters, associate professor in Real Estate, Heriot Watt University Dubai. About the author Dr. Michael Waters is an Associate Professor in Real Estate at Heriot Watt University Dubai and has launched three related real estate education programmes. These include BA in Real Estate Management and Finance (Undergraduate); MSc in Real Estate Management and Development (Postgraduate) and MSc in Real Estate Investment and Finance (Postgraduate) GOVERNMENT REFORMS HAVE PROVIDED STIMULUS FOR NOT ONLY THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR, BUT ALSO FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRIES TO THRIVE IN THE REGION. Next >