Chilled water piping in Al Reem Island 

Chilled water piping in Al Reem Island: local context

Al Reem Island lies just off the north-east shore of Abu Dhabi island and has been developed since the late 2000s into one of the capital's densest high-rise districts. Residential towers, hotels, office blocks, a major hospital and shopping malls sit on reclaimed plots linked by bridges to the city. Many towers are now occupied, while remaining plots continue to be built.

• Being surrounded by water, roof plant, cooling towers, fixings and exposed cable trays face constant salt and humidity, which drives coating specifications and inspection intervals.
• New towers must meet Estidama Pearl requirements, affecting fresh-air energy recovery, lighting controls, water-efficient fixtures and sub-metering strategies.
• Bridge access and traffic on and off the island make large deliveries, such as chillers or transformers, something to schedule carefully with crane and road permits.

Building types we serve in Al Reem Island

For clinics and healthcare facilities, the work concentrates on pressure regimes between rooms, high-grade filtration, essential power with UPS back-up and infection control while works are under way.

Scope of work

• Pipe sizing review against design flows and allowable pressure drop, with velocity checks to limit noise in risers and erosion at fittings.
• Installation of steel or pre-insulated mains, risers and branch pipework with supports, anchors and expansion provisions suited to each route.
• Underground pre-insulated chilled-water networks between buildings, with trench coordination, leak detection wiring where specified and protected crossings.
• Hydrostatic pressure testing of each section before insulation, followed by full system test before connection to the plant.

Systems we install

• Pre-insulated buried pipe networks between buildings
• Expansion vessels and pressurisation units

UAE site and climate challenges

• Buried networks in saline or high-water-table ground face corrosion, so pre-insulated systems with protective jackets and sealed joints are used and trenches are backfilled with suitable material.
• Riser shafts open to outdoor air during construction fill with dust and humidity, so insulation is installed only after shafts are closed and pipes are clean and dry, avoiding trapped moisture under the vapour barrier.
• Riser pressure ratings in tall buildings, where static head at lower floors may require higher-rated valves and coils, a pressure break with plate heat exchangers, or split riser zones to stay within component limits.

Relevant Manolia projects

Frequently asked questions