HVAC installation in Khalifa City 

HVAC installation in Khalifa City: local context

Khalifa City is a suburban district on the mainland between Abu Dhabi airport and Yas Island, made up of large villa plots, private palaces, schools, mosques and neighbourhood retail, with mid-rise apartment buildings in some sectors. It has grown steadily since the 2000s as a family area. Manolia completed the MEP works for a school project here.

• Schools need fresh-air AHUs with energy recovery and dehumidification, CO2-based ventilation control, and fire alarm and public address systems integrated for safe evacuation.
• Large villa and palace plots often use chilled-water or multi-zone VRF plant, with majlis halls, kitchens and staff quarters each zoned separately.
• Estidama Pearl requirements apply to new buildings, with government schools typically targeting a higher rating.

Building types we serve in Khalifa City

For mid-rise residential and mixed-use buildings, the work concentrates on compact plant on the roof, car-park ventilation in podiums, metered apartment DBs and tight ceiling voids that make coordination drawings decisive.

Scope of work

• Heat load verification against the consultant's calculation, checking glazing ratios, occupancy and fresh-air volumes before equipment orders are released.
• Installation of AHUs, fan coil units, VAV boxes and fresh air handling units with vibration isolation, condensate drainage and service access.
• Fabrication and erection of insulated supply, return and fresh-air ductwork including fire dampers at compartment walls and volume control dampers.
• Controls wiring of thermostats, sensors and actuators linked to the BMS so zones can be scheduled and monitored centrally.

Systems we install

• Air handling units with heat recovery wheels on fresh air
• Dedicated outdoor air units for dehumidification

UAE site and climate challenges

• Outdoor air in summer is both very hot and very humid, so fresh air must be pre-treated by dedicated units or heat recovery before it reaches occupied spaces, otherwise rooms feel clammy even when the thermostat reads 23°C.
• Sand-laden air quickly clogs filters on AHUs and fresh-air intakes, so intakes are placed away from roof edges where possible, fitted with sand louvres and given accessible pre-filters.
• Whether to invest in EC fans and variable speed drives on AHUs and exhaust fans, which lower running costs and noise in exchange for higher equipment prices and slightly more complex controls.

Relevant Manolia projects

Frequently asked questions