ITP MEDIA GROUP / BUSINESS MARCH 2021 • VOL. 16, ISSUE 03 WOMEN IN MEP KEY PILLARS IN THE MEP INDUSTRY VOICE THEIR CONCERNS, SHOWCASE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, AND SHED LIGHT ON THEIR INFLUENCE AND EXPERTISETOTAL AIR SOLUTIONS PRIME AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRIES P.O.Box 76345, Dubai Investment Park 2, Dubai United Arab Emirates Tel. : 04 88 56 861 info@primeaircon.com | www.primeaircon.com FOCUS AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRIES P.O.Box 37945, Al Quoz Industrial Area 4, Dubai United Arab Emirates Tel. : 04 34 05 516 info@focusair.net | www.focusair.net GULF DUCT INDUSTRIES P.O.Box 282009, Dubai Investment Park 2, Dubai United Arab Emirates Tel. : 04 88 77 269 info@gulfductind.ae | www.gulfduct.com HVAC Accessories | Passive Fire Protection System | Air Filter | Factory Fitted Insulation Factory Fitted Insulation – GDI UL Listed - Flexible Duct Connector - FOCUS V Bank Hepa Filter - PRIME Fire Rated Ductwork – GDI UL Listed - Flexible Duct – FOCUS UL Listed – Motorized Fire and Smoke Damper - PRIME PFG Prime Focus - Newspaper Ad - v2.indd 11/28/2021 1:39:26 PMwww.mepmiddleeast.comMarch 2021 | MEP Middle East 3 MARCH 2021 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 03 CONTENTS 26 EXPERT OPINION Schneider Electric’s Marwan Zeidan on green buildings 40 SUPPLIER NEWS The monthly round-up of products supplied in HVAC, plumbing & more 34 COMMENT Bosch’s Per Johansson on the benefi ts of leveraging digitalisation COVER STORY: WOMEN IN MEP Highlighting the contributions made by women in key MEP positions; voicing their messages to the industry; and showcasing their strong infl uence within their fi rms SPECIAL REPORT The MD of the Prime Focus Group of Companies, Amiruddin Thanawalla, and the GM at GDI, Shahid Lirani, speak about the benefi ts of prefabricated duct works 10 EXPO EXCLUSIVE The France Pavilion at Expo 2020 meets its electricity & HVAC needs sustainably 36 INDUSTRY FOCUS ACCIONA’s Pablo Alvarez on energy effi ciency in public buildings 32 20 INTERVIEW SirajPower’s Laurent Longuet on ongoing projects, micro-grids, and more 304 MEP Middle East | March 2021www.mepmiddleeast.com PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Alex Reeve Group Editor: Carla Sertin EDITORIAL Editor: Anup Oommen Tel: +971 4 444 3448 e-mail: anup.oommen@itp.com ADVERTISING Group Sales Manager: Anup Nagpurkar Tel: +971 4 444 3573 email: anup.nagpurkar@itp.com ITP LIVE General Manager: Ahmad Bashour Tel: +971 4 444 3549 e-mail: ahmad.bashour@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Photographers: Efraim Evidor, Adel Rashid Staff Photographers: Aasiya Jagadeesh, Ajith Narendra, Fritz John Asuro PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Group Production & Distribution Director: Kyle Smith Production Manager: Basel Al Kassem Production Coordinator: Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor: Emmalyn Robles CIRCULATION Distribution & Warehouse: Manager Praveen Nair MARKETING Director of Awards & Marketing: Daniel Fewtrell ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. THAT TIME I BUMPED INTO ‘VALUE ENGINEERING’ Anup Oommen Editor, MEP Middle East anup.oommen@itp.com J ust a few weeks ago I came across “value engineering” – it was standing at the edge of a construction site and it looked quite sad. When I asked it how it was doing, it told me that it’s fed up of being dressed down; tired of being associated with cost-cutting measures that justify the terrible trend of lowest Cap-Ex priced tenders. So I did what I do best, I listened! As the conversation ensued, I realised that this was not a fi nger-pointing exercise, but EDITORÊS LETTER Published by and © 2021 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. rather a concerted effort to improve best practices and raise industr y standards. True value engineering means optimising building performance and appropriately pricing a project while complying with original design criteria and specifi cations. This could be accomplished through a careful evaluation of building material, budgets, and most importantly – by involving all stakeholders across the supply chain of a construction project. What it is not – it’s defi nitely not an excuse to indulge the practice of low margins; it’s defi nitely not an excuse to deliver low quality projects with sub-standard products; and it most defi nitely is not an excuse to completely destroy the design intent of a project in order to “save money” or cut corners – sometimes literally! Value engineering (yes, it had its mask on!) told me that it was invited to the board room discussions in order to reduce risks within the project while eliminating unwarranted costs. Yet, it wasn’t given a chance to talk during the meeting. Instead, it had its job mansplained to it as “reduce the cost”, “lower the prices”, “substitute with cheaper material”, and “well if it doesn’t fi t the budget, we don’t need it”. “It’s not right,” Value Engineering argued. “I was brought in here to help reduce the risks on the project, but by signing off on inferior MEP material and poor quality fi nishes, I’m being asked to increase the risk on the project!” Trust me, I tried bringing up the problems of liquidity concerns and the cash crunch within the industr y, forcing budget-focused priorities – but I was shut down. “Don’t you care about the kind of structure that you live in, or work in, or shop at? Is it enough that the building has just scraped through the base criteria demanded by the regulators?” I was asked. To be honest, I don’t know how we reached a point where I was being asked questions – that’s usually my job. Feeling a bit awkward at this stage, I was contemplating transitioning into a happier discussion, but then Facilities Management walked by and got dragged into the conversation, as well. After a lengthy tirade on variations in contracts resulting in delayed payments, and considerable time, ef for t, and money being spent on maintenance and rework, I raised my hand. “Why does a recently handed over building need this much of work,” I asked. “Right?” Value Engineering and FM responded together, which made me feel like I was on the right track. “Collaboration could really help sort this mess out,” I ventured. Value Engineering gave me an exasperated look and said, “If only they read the fi ne print. Collaboration happens to be my middle name.” At least it was not sad anymore! Frustrated, maybe.www.mepmiddleeast.com SUSTAINABILITY UAE-based cable manufacturing company, Ducab Group’s Group CEO, Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Mutawa, who is also Ducab’s fi rst Emirati Group CEO appointment, has confi rmed that he will focus strongly on safety, sustainability, and renewable energy in the years ahead. Ducab HV supplies home-grown cables and accessories to Phase 5 Project of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (MBR Solar Park), which is the largest single-site solar park in the world using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The MBR Solar Park has already successfully energised the 132kV system for Phase 3 of the plant. Speaking to ITP Media Group in an exclusive interview, Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Mutawa said: “In addition to cable and accessory supply, Ducab HV will be responsible for cable installation as the cable sub-contractor appointed by Shanghai Electric of China. “We are currently delivering 70km out of the 275km of 132 kV cables to Phase 5. Through such work, we are proud to be supporting DEWA to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050.” Commenting on Ducab’s solar contributions, Al Mutawa adds: “Our SolarBICC cable lines are designed for use within the solar energy sector. SolarBICC cables serve as the interconnection cables used in photovoltaic power plants. They connect solar panels and other electrical components within a photovoltaic system. We continue to develop our TUV Rheinland- certifi ed SolarBICC cable line, so as to provide an ever-better solution for the world’s growing alternative energy market.” In addition, Ducab has placed the highest priority on safety, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic, by following the latest guidelines issued by the UAE and international health authorities. Al Mutawa adds: “We have taken a proactive, prevention-based approach to our policymaking efforts regarding COVID-19. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we want to ensure their safety in the workplace, at home, and in the community.” EXCLUSIVE: Ducab’s fi rst Emirati CEO boosts focus on safety, sustainability APPOINTMENTS The AMAALA Board of Directors has confi rmed that the chief executive offi cer of The Red Sea Development Company, John Pagano, will take over as the CEO of AMAALA – Saudi Arabia’s 3,800km2 ultra-luxury gigaproject located along its north-western coast led by the Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF). Former CEO Nicholas Naples has departed AMAALA as part of the evolution of the destination, as AMAALA moves into the next phase of construction. Naples was instrumental in driving the early phase of the project, establishing a team of 420 strong professionals and experts — all dedicated to bringing the destination’s blueprint to life. John Pagano will become the CEO of AMAALA, whilst also continuing as CEO of The Red Sea Development Company — the developer of the kingdom’s 28,000km2 The Red Sea Project, one of the world’s most ambitious tourism initiatives. Pagano, an industry veteran, brings 38 years of experience in delivering large- scale, multi-billion-dollar investments, and will enable the complementary visions of both projects to be realised. John Pagano, said: “We are very grateful to Nicholas for his strong leadership in bringing AMAALA to life and driving its development over the past three years. “His departure is part of the evolution of AMAALA, and he will continue to be part of the destination’s development in the capacity of Senior Advisor to AMAALA. We wish Nicholas well as he heads to the US to spend more time with his family.” Since its launch in 2018, AMAALA has pressed forward with its agenda of creating a haven of luxury and well-being. In three years, it has laid the groundwork for its three core communities, revealed the design of its dedicated airport, and kicked off Phase 1 of construction. It has also built an Advisory Board that is composed of prominent experts from the fi elds of hospitality, wellness and sports, travel and tourism, arts and culture, construction, sustainability, as well as luxury lifestyle and well-being. “We are proud to be supporting DEWA to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050” 6 MEP Middle East | March 2021 www.mepmiddleeast.com NEWS UPDATE TRSDC Chief Executive John Pagano takes over as CEO of AMAALANEWS UPDATE March 2021 | MEP Middle East 7 www.mepmiddleeast.com APPOINTMENTS Global construction and energy law specialists, Fenwick Elliott, has predicted 20% company revenue growth for 2021, following its pursuit of expansion opportunities across the MENA region into Qatar, pivoting to an online business model, and appointing integral new promotions. The fi rm has also appointed Patrick Stone as the Managing Partner for Fenwick Elliott in the UAE, replacing Ahmed Ibrahim. After joining the Dubai offi ce as Partner in 2019, Patrick Stone will now lead the law fi rm’s operations, working out of Fenwick Elliott’s international offi ce in Dubai. The departing Managing Partner of the Dubai offi ce, Ahmed Ibrahim, is moving on to become an independent arbitrator after his success in establishing Fenwick Elliott’s Dubai offi ce in 2015. Ahmed said: “I am honoured and grateful to have worked with such a wonderful fi rm since we started our cooperation in 2013. I thank all my partners and colleagues and I am confi dent that Fenwick Elliott will continue its impressive growth in the region.” After the pandemic drove the majority of business operations online in 2020, Fenwick Elliott harnessed the opportunity to update its business model and technical capabilities to become a leading fi rm for digital operations, and for the facilitation of digital hearings. Embedding technology and online ways of working into its culture, its team now encompasses a dedicated partner and personnel that are focused on the implementation of digital technologies and resources. The law fi rm has developed tailored solutions for contract analysis, contract automation, matter analytics, and matter management that enhance its services and minimise costs to clients. Stone said: “2020 brought an instant need for us to pivot the way the business was operating, which saw the majority of our meetings and hearings migrating to online, whilst harnessing the growing technology services in the sector.’’ Fenwick Elliott appoints Patrick Stone as UAE Managing Partner FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING Intertek, a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, has launched an in-country service for fi re testing and certifi cation of building products in Saudi Arabia, to support the increasing demand for fi re resistance testing from customers in the region. Intertek is the fi rst certifi cation body to offer end-to-end fi re resistance testing and certifi cation of building materials in KSA. The service offers testing and certifi cation of building products such as fi re doors, walls, glazed partitions, and ceilings. The laboratory, located in Al Khobar, is ISO 17025 accredited and approved by the Saudi Civil Defence, and also tests fi re performance of load-bearing elements, skylights, and roof assemblies. Featuring a combination furnace, the facility will allow Intertek to test and certify both vertical and horizontal products such as doors and ceilings. Due to the growth in the Saudi construction industry, the demand for fi re testing of building materials has increased signifi cantly in recent years. The industry currently has 14,300 active construction projects, worth more than $7tn. The launch of the service will benefi t companies based in the KSA by eliminating the need to ship samples abroad for testing, since Saudi companies will be able to test their building products locally in Al Khobar. It will also allow companies to demonstrate that their building products and materials meet all the regulatory fi re protection requirements according to Saudi Building Code 201 (General Requirements) and Code 801 (Saudi Fire Code). The facility also tests for compliance with other codes such as the GCC Code, the International Building Code (IBC), and International Fire Code (IFC). Intertek’s fi re certifi cation capabilities help customers meet global standards such as the ISO, EN, BS, ASTM, UL, and NFPA standards. The regional operations manager at Intertek Building & Construction for Middle East & Africa, Cristina Perez Domper, said: “Now, we will be able to provide our customers with a complete suite of fi re resistance testing, and local companies can get their buildings materials tested and certifi ed without needing to send products abroad, allowing for a shorter turnaround time.” Intertek launches fi re testing for building materials in Saudi Arabia The facility will allow Intertek to test and certify both vertical and horizontal products such as doors and ceilingsNEWS UPDATE 8 MEP Middle East | March 2021 www.mepmiddleeast.com HEALTH & SAFETY ENGIE Solutions, an international leader in sustainable energy services and asset management, has achieved 10 million man- hours without a lost-time incident (LTI) across its Middle East operations, as of December 2020. The success is testament to ENGIE’s commitment to its team members and their safety – something that the fi rm believes has never been more important than in 2020. ENGIE Solutions’ chief operations offi cer, Miles Webb, said: “The challenges of 2020 placed a mental toll on everyone, making focus more diffi cult because we were – and still are – distracted by what is going on in the world around us.” “Safety is always a priority for ENGIE, regardless of external circumstances. “We instil in all of our colleagues how essential it is to remain focused on the job at hand and to consider their well-being above all else.” Webb added: “Achieving 10 million man- hours without a lost-time incidents is a record to be proud of, as well as being something that sets ENGIE apart for exceptional professional standards that place great value on our employees.” The head of QHSE at ENGIE Solutions, Andre Mars, said: “ENGIE has rigorous health and safety procedures in place to ensure the wellbeing of our colleagues at all times. “Regular drills and training keep these procedures top-of-mind, so that they are implemented in everything we do – whether that is work on-site or in our offi ces. “The achievement of 10 million man-hours without a lost time incident demonstrates that ENGIE Solutions clocks in 10 million safe man-hours without a lost-time incident “We instil in all of our colleagues how essential it is to remain focused on the job at hand and to consider their well-being above all else” our strict policies clearly work to keep our people safe.” ENGIE embraces the highest standards of health, safety, and security for all employees, with the protection of individuals deeply embedded within the company’s DNA. Through its ‘No Life at Risk’ objective, ENGIE seeks to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents for its own employees and any subcontractor partners, with a target of zero fatal accidents. In December 2020, ENGIE Solutions clinched a fi ve-year contract to provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services to Gulf Data Hub in Dubai’s Silicon Oasis. The arrangement covered technical, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing maintenance, as well as civil and specialised soft services such as white space cleaning, pest control, and landscaping.NEWS UPDATE March 2021 | MEP Middle East 9 www.mepmiddleeast.com MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS Specialist consultancy, engineering, and advisory fi rm AESG has strengthened its position as a leading provider of consultancy services for the built environment through the acquisition of Springboard Middle East. In addition to gaining ownership of Springboard Middle East’s regional contracts, staff, IP, and assets, the deal has enabled AESG to launch its new digital commissioning, handover and asset management platform, Data+. As highlighted in the seminal ‘Building a Safer Future – Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety’ report, insuffi cient or inaccurate data can signifi cantly impact the performance, effi ciency, and safety of buildings. The building industry has gradually moved away from traditional paper-based documentation to digital alternatives, but issues around the accuracy, accessibility, and updatability of building data continue to linger due to the static nature of the PDFs, spreadsheets, and documents typically used in the process. By offering one of the fi rst comprehensive digital handover solutions in the Middle East, AESG hopes to introduce new practices for the industry, while strengthening the value proposition of its existing services. As a value add to its clients, the company will now offer full digital handovers on all commissioning and handover management projects, along with the option of hosting project data on Data+, its cloud-based platform – making it accessible from anywhere, easily searchable, and instantly updatable. When utilised as a subscription-based service, Data+ serves as a secure, collaborative environment that stands as a ‘single, central source of truth’ for all stakeholders and project teams. Because Data+ has been built on industry standards and follows a COBie and BIM Level 2 compliant framework, it can be integrated with most BIM and CAFM solutions. AESG acquires Springboard Middle East, launches Data+ “revolutionary platform” PROJECT UPDATE The Sharjah Electricity, Water, and Gas Authority (SEWA) is intensifying efforts to complete Phase 2 of its project to raise the effi ciency of the Al Zubair desalinated water pumping station from 13.2 million gallons to 25 million gallons per day. Phase 2 includes the addition of three main pumps for the station in addition to a number of connections between the station and the main lines. SEWA is expected to complete the project by the end of April, in line with the directives of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The chairman of SEWA, HE Saeed Al Suwaidi, said that the authority will intensify its efforts to complete the project on time, and will develop other projects for water lines and networks in the emirate of Sharjah. In addition, SEWA has also started implementing an intensive programme for the periodic maintenance of 200 distribution stations of 33kV of electricity, four stations of 220kV high pressure, 24 stations of 132kV, and a high pressure network of more than 1,000km in various parts of the emirate of Sharjah. SEWA has also deployed its inspection teams to check on any additions that harm the electrical network, and has prepared its teams to face emergency conditions. The authority is working to improve the technical competencies of UAE citizens by training and qualifying them to work in the maintenance departments, while sustaining the highest safety and quality systems. SEWA also revealed operations at the 11/33 kilovolts (kV) Khorfakkan tunnel station, which will link the Shees area network to the main electricity network. SEWA raises effi ciency of Al Zubair desalinated water pumping station Phase 2 includes the addition of three main pumps as well as connections between the station and the main linesNext >