< Previouswww.mepmiddleeast.com 50 MEP Middle East | September 2019 INSIGHT General manager for corporate development and engineering Emirates Green Building Council secretary, Sarfraz Dairkee indoor air quality will only change when the sector can more BOTTOM-LINE B TRUSTED AND PROVEN TO WORK Without proper monitoring and case- by-case evaluation, indoor air quality (IAQ) technology will, sadly, gather dust across the region. That’s the opinion of Sarfraz Dairkee who, speaking to MEP Middle East, said in no uncer- tain terms that until innovators start talking in a language the industry can understand – that of money – then huge swathes of the population will continue to suffer from the unseen dangers of poor indoor air quality. Dairkee, secretary of the Emirates Green Building Council, and general manager for cor- porate development and engineering at MAHY Khoory & Co said: “I am from the school of thought; regulations are the tip of the iceberg. It doesn’t move the industry, it can only nudge the industry. “The name of the game is the bottom line, and if you are able to raise the awareness level that your bottom line will be healthy by providing good indoor air quality, I think that is much more important than putting regulations in place.” Awareness is a buzzword that surrounds new markets and pioneering technology, but Dair- kee says it isn’t as simple as just talking up the benefi ts of indoor air quality: the industry needs to be shown. He explained: “When we talk of Sarfraz Dairkee says that until the industry starts to measure the impact of air quality technology, the region should not expect September 2019 | MEP Middle East 51 www.mepmiddleeast.com INSIGHT g at MAHY Khoory & Co and e, says the attitudes towards clearly identify gains ENEFITS awareness one of the things I have learned is that you have to measure it to manage it. Anything which you cannot measure is very diffi cult to manage. “You ask anyone on the roadside and they would say that 23C is comfortable. But if you ask about humidity level that ratio will come down; if you talk about C02 concentration levels it will come down even further. It is very rare that people are talking about it. The challenge is to measure that. “When we bring that awareness level for those values then there will be people who can associate outcomes [on the bottom line] with their measure- ment.” MEP contractors are exploring all avenues TRUSTED AND PROVEN TO WORK My question is: does a building require air conditioning? The people inside the building are who require thermal comfort a rapid change in perception of the market’s worth. and emerging markets for potential new busi- ness, and Dairkee believes there is opportunity for growth for those brave enough to step for- ward from the pack. “There are huge opportunities if you can see the consequences of not addressing this issue: we have to make the industry aware of it,” he said. “Studies show that concentration levels [when at work] are less if indoor air quality is poor. “It causes nausea, headaches, nasal irritation, and affects sick leave and insurance bills that the industry has to pay. “The industry has to be made aware of it and that can only happen if there is measurement. Anything which is not measured is ignored, not taken into account, taken for granted. A few years back it was extremely diffi cult, but now, with the advancement of electronics, sensors and IIoT, it has become extremely inexpensive.” His overarching belief is that the industry is approaching the challenge to keeping popula- tions cool all wrong, which has manifested in the IAQ challenge facing the region today. Instead of focussing on conditioning a build- ing, products and services should be aligned to the human condition, and what we as individuals require to stay healthy, productive, and engaged. “My question is: does a building require air conditioning? The people inside the building [are who] require thermal comfort. They appear to be the same but you will fi nd a signifi cant difference between the two. “A story I studied when I was a child says that princes practicing archery [with a bird’s eye as a target] were asked what they saw. “All the princes said they were seeing tendrils, this and that, but the most able student said he saw only the bird’s eye. It is very important to know what your target is. “As long as your target is building cooling, it is a very broad bullseye. The bullseye has to be the people who are there. The moment you start thinking about it you will come out with very innovative solutions.” Hear more of Sarfraz Dairkee’s thoughts on indoor air quality on the Construction Week YouTube channel.YOUTUBE 52 MEP Middle East | September 2019 www.mepmiddleeast.com THE LATEST FROM CONSTRUCTION WEEK’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL TOTAL VIEWS 1.4million SUBSCRIBERS 6,161 S01E30 MEP Engineered S01E29 MEP Engineered Clemenceau Medical Centre is in rude health under the watchful eye of Arabian Construction Company, with fi nishing works at the project now taking place. Video link below: youtu.be/t-xC62qOR7A Video link below: youtu.be/YyVXSNLT_D4 Breathing is a necessity for life, but what can be done to foster a better understanding of the need for high quality indoor air? The importance of IAQ Site Visit: Clemenceau Medical CentreMEP MIDDLE EAST AWARDS 54 MEP Middle East | September 2019 www.mepmiddleeast.com Alemco general manager, NATHAN HANNS, discusses the future, pressures on contractors to do more for less, and the upcoming MEP Middle East Awards SPONSORS Meet the GoldCategoryPrize SponsorSilverMEP MIDDLE EAST AWARDS September 2019 | MEP Middle East 55 www.mepmiddleeast.com Alemco is a name synonymous with MEP operations in the Middle East, so it comes as no surprise that the attention of general manager Nathan Hanns is fi rmly on the future, evolving technologies, and discovering ways to provide better service. Indeed, the company’s ‘build better, buy better’ philosophy is evident in Hanns’ outline to where Alemco is plotting to fi nd success in the coming years. “The development and utilisation of MEP 3D and BIM capabilities in conjunction with other key stakeholders produces a more ef- fi cient delivery mechanism for our project teams,” he explained. “Our procurement team is focused on the global market to acquire improved and effi - cient construction techniques and a cost ef- fi cient supply chain.” Having spent 2018 putting staff through leadership development programmes, and with attention currently on performance management, it is clear to see Alemco is in- vested in its people as much as it is in future technology. “We are increasing our focus on the train- ing and development of our workforce to ensure better outcomes and results,” added Hanns. “By incorporating more effi cient and qual- ity focused building techniques we are able to reduce the cost and increase the speed of our operations. “We are also applying an extra focus on quality assurance to ensure that we get it right fi rst time. “By engaging earlier with clients in the development of the design we can of- fer solutions that meet the building per- formance criteria without increasing the building cost.” Global demand for construction may be high, but liquidity is equally constrained. Contractors are always being asked to do more for less, but how do Alemco’s services address this issue? “We remain constant in our focus on delivering projects in line with the client’s requirements,” said Hanns. “It is very diffi cult to offer these services in the current cost driven market. We are focused on supporting clients that believe in obtaining the right contractor for the right price and not necessarily the lowest price. “We are focused on providing service for the clients who understand that the right contractor can bring you the right outcome and, working closer with the client’s require- ments, we can often offer better value for money without affecting or reducing the per- formance of the building systems.” Alemco is a regular supporter of the MEP Middle East Awards, and has again strategi- cally aligned itself to the sector’s biggest prizegiving ceremony. Hanns added: “We fi nd it a great opportu- nity for meeting up with our competitors and the MEP market leaders. “It is also a great event to bring our senior management together for a non work-related evening.” To book your tickets for the MEP event of the year, go online to mepmiddleeast.com/ mepawards today. GoldCategoryPrize SponsorSilver Alemco’s general manager Nathan Hanns. At Alemco we are applying an extra focus on quality assurance in our building techniques to ensure that we get it right fi rst time56 MEP Middle East | September 2019 www.mepmiddleeast.com SUPPLIER NEWS Lifecycle Service Centre audited for calibration competency Daikin Middle East & Africa relocates Dubai regional HQ Emerson earns approval from IAS RELOCATION Daikin has relocated the head offi ce for the company’s Middle East & Africa Division in line with plans to support growth and expand throughout the region. Located in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, the facility will be the base of operations for 250 staff members across sales and operational departments. The HQ will house Daikin’s training acad- emy, AHU factory, and fl agship experience centre. Needless to say, the offi ce of the air con- ditioning manufacturer features an array of technological HVAC innovations, including a chiller system, smart VRV system, along with AHU, FCU, and BMS systems. “Daikin MEA has grown to become the market leader in the region, and this has been made possible by the dedication and commit- ment demonstrated by our trusted employees and partners on a daily basis over a long peri- od of time,” said Tuna Gulenc, vice president of sales at Daikin MEA. “Daikin believes in continuous develop- ment once we enter a market. We are building a company that will last 100 years and more to serve our customers, employ and train more colleagues, and further contribute to our soci- ety, environment and planet. “Our responsibility is to promote effi cient systems to save energy through various products and solutions, as well as to create ACCREDITATION Emerson’s Flow Lifecycle Service Centre has received accreditation for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 from the International Accredita- tion Service (IAS). Based in Dubai and serving customers in the Middle East and Africa region, this certi- fi es the facility’s calibration procedures and traceability for all suitably-sized liquid fl ow meters of both Emerson and other fl ow meter manufacturers. The Lifecycle Service Centre provides calibration coverage for mass fl ow, density, and volume calibrations (industry-approved calibrations are designed to have minimum uncertainties in mass and volume). To become ISO/IEC 17205:2017 compliant, the Lifecycle Service Centre was also audited based on its quality management system. “We are delighted that our Dubai fl ow calibration facility has achieved ISO 17025 accreditation,” said John Currie, Emerson’s vice president for fl ow lifecycle service in the Middle East and Africa. “This allows us to bring increased measurement confi dence to our existing loyal customers and also enables us to serve the broader meter calibration market where this accreditation is a mandatory requirement.” careers and job openings in each country we operate in. “The launch of the new facility is the latest step of this project and we look ahead to the coming years with strong desire, faith in the potential of the region and our company. “We will continue to execute our strategic plans and actions accordingly as we pursue our dream in this region.” Since fi rst opening its doors in the Middle East 13 years ago, Daikin has grown its MEA market share to around $300million. Having employed 10 people at its inception, the fi rm now has 400 people on its books. The facility will be the base of operations for 250 staff. Empower awards network extension contract worth $6.8m CONTRACT AWARD Empower has awarded a $6.8million con- tract to extend its cooling service pipeline network to meet the needs of major devel- opment projects across Dubai. The latest phase of extension work is slated for completion by the end of the year, and will link Al Wasl Tower 2020 and the Yotel Hotel in Sheikh Zayed Road; The Address Hotel and One JBR Tower in Jumeirah Beach Residence; as well as Barsha Heights with the per- manent cooling plants located in their respective areas. Empower reported that the network serving Dubai Arena will extend to serve Al Wasl Tower 2020, with a capacity of 3,900 refrigeration tonnes (RT), and Yotel Hotel with a 1,500RT capacity. The pipes at Barsha Heights will serve new builds in this area, while The Ad- dress Hotel will be served with 6,500RT and the One JBR Tower with 1,550 RT through the existing pipe network at JBR. “The cooling service pipeline network is gradually developing by the years, as Dubai’s real estate projects are increasing,” said Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower (below). “This refl ects the confi dence of investors and developers in our environ- mentally-friendly district cooling services that contribute to reducing carbon emissions. “At Empower, we continuously work to develop infrastructure to provide effi cient and high quality district cooling services to the customers, adding to our customer base.”DIRECTORY NOW LIVE! VISIT WWW.CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM/DIRECTORY TO REGISTER OR FIND NEW SUPPLIERS. THE ONLINE RESOURCE TO FIND YOUR NEXT CONSTRUCTION PARTNER FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: KEVIN MANOMBE DIRECT: +971 4 444 3125 MOBILE: +971 52 640 1987 EMAIL: KEVIN.MANOMBE@ITP.COM58 MEP Middle East | September 2019 www.mepmiddleeast.com FOOTNOTE As both public and private sectors look for more effi cient solutions to deliver energy, fi nancial and envi- ronmental savings, lighting retro- fi t is rising up the design, architecture and build agenda. With Gulf States focused on delivery of smart cities, intelligent lighting solutions are coming into ever greater regional focus. With both the UAE and Saudi Arabia hav- ing openly committed to delivering smart cities, wide-ranging transformative solutions are being actively sought out in a region where intelligence is being equated with wellbeing, eco-consciousness, and cost-ef- fectiveness. This is where smart LED lighting tech- nologies are coming into prime focus and retrofi t is becoming a new modus operandi for a region previously more inclined to new build than renovation. The immense possibilities that retrofi tting can deliver to existing buildings, impacting running costs and producing greater well- ness and environmental benefi ts is being recognised right up to boardroom level. The retrofi t trend is gathering increased momentum in a region which aims to be- come a forerunner in smart services provi- sion and ensuring a healthy return on invest- ment. Cost-effectiveness, energy effi ciency and climate control are crucial issues on the minds of everyone from policy makers to producers and consumers. In the UAE buildings are estimated to consume almost 90% of the country’s total electricity output, mostly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hence the need to improve the en- ergy effi ciency of the building sector, with Dishan Isaac gives his assessment of the retrofit market. With Gulf States focused on the delivery of smart cities, Dishan Isaac, show director at Light Middle East, says intelligent lighting solutions are coming into ever greater regional focus LET THERE BE LIGHT retrofi tting now identifi ed as key to achiev- ing signifi cant savings. It’s estimated that deep retrofi ts could as much as halve the energy consumption of existing buildings. Some estimates suggest a basic energy retrofi t of existing UAE building stock could achieve savings of 7,550GWh/year in elec- tricity consumption, 1,400MW in peak elec- tricity demand and reduce carbon emissions by 4.5million tons per year, with an average payback period of less than six months. This was the rationale behind Dubai creating a super energy savings company (ESCO) (Etihad Energy Services) to fi nance and launch retrofi t of existing buildings us- ing the performance contracting concept of fi nancing energy effi ciency investments based on future savings. Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority and the UAE Ministry of Economy followed by launching an ESCO in Abu Dhabi. Etihad ESCO, which is wholly owned by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), has successfully completed two phases of its ambitious Jebel Ali Free Zone Retrofi t Project which involved replacing 85,307 lights. The entire retrofi t has produced overall energy savings of 32.6% in its fi rst year and annual CO2 emission reductions of 17,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to taking 3,600 vehicles off the roads for a full 12 months. There is more to come. Dubai plans to ret- rofi t 75% of its outdoor lighting systems with LED bulbs – this includes all roads, streets, and parks – by 2030. Large scale replacements and smart tech- nologies are emerging throughout the re- gion with the UAE having already installed LED street lighting over hundreds of kilo- metres of streets, and having retrofi t light- ing systems in shopping centres, digital bill- boards and other commercial projects. These energy effi cient replacements will continue throughout the country, and new projects will follow the government’s energy saving light product regulations. This increasing commercialisation of smart LED will boost the global smart light- ing market over the next fi ve years. Consult- ants Frost & Sullivan estimate the GCC’s LED lighting sector alone will expand by 17% by 2021 and retrofi t will play a major role. Etihad ESCO has signed an agreement with Sharaf Electronics to implement light- ing retrofi t at three Dubai International Airport terminals, replacing over 15,000 out- door and indoor lights with the latest energy saving LED lights to achieve annual savings of around $1.3million for the next seven years. Such is the dynamic power of smart LED solutions, and interest in them, that the sector will account for one of the six dedicated product groups at the Light Mid- dle East show, while renovation and retrofi t have their own content track at the event’s THINKLIGHT conference. 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