Industrial and factory MEP in Dubai South 

Industrial and factory MEP in Dubai South: local context

Dubai South is a master-planned free zone around Al Maktoum International Airport, covering logistics, aviation, light industry, residential communities and staff accommodation. Development has accelerated since the 2010s, and large plots are still being built out. Logistics warehouses and labour accommodation are among the most common building types. Its scale means MEP packages are often repeated across several similar buildings, rewarding standardised details and well-planned testing sequences.

• Approvals typically run through Dubai South's own authority channel, with Civil Defence review of fire and life safety systems; requirements depend on plot and use.
• Large-span warehouses need roof ventilation, high-bay lighting, fire hydrants and sprinklers designed around racking heights and storage classes.
• The location is inland and exposed to dust and high temperatures, so air-cooled equipment must be derated and protected from sand ingress.

Building types we serve in Dubai South

For factories and industrial plants, the work concentrates on process cooling and ventilation, heavy LV distribution, hazard-appropriate fire protection and plant that tolerates dust and high ambient temperatures.

Scope of work

• Review of process heat loads, product temperature and humidity limits, and production schedules with the operator before selecting cooling and ventilation systems.
• Central cooling plants serving multiple buildings, with chilled water distribution sized for future factory expansion and phased connection.
• Process and general ventilation, local exhaust at heat or fume sources, and make-up air arranged to avoid drawing dust into production areas.
• LV distribution from main switchboards to motor control centres, production machine feeds, lighting and small power, with power factor correction where loads justify it.

Systems we install

• AHUs with tight temperature and humidity control for food and chocolate production rooms.
• Industrial drainage with interceptors where process waste requires it.

UAE site and climate challenges

• Industrial areas such as Jebel Ali, DIP and Sharjah industrial zones have heavy airborne dust. Air intakes are positioned away from roads and loading areas, filters are sized for high dust loads, and condenser cleaning access is planned.
• Electrical rooms in factories run hot with large switchgear and variable speed drives. Dedicated cooling for electrical rooms prevents nuisance tripping and extends equipment life.
• Full air conditioning versus ventilation with spot cooling: full cooling suits sensitive products such as chocolate and packaging film, while ventilation with spot cooling suits heavy industry where process heat dominates.

Relevant Manolia projects

Hassani Group factories & HQ, DIP

Dubai Investments Park (DIP) · MEP · Completed

Factory complex, HQ and staff accommodation, all served from one central cooling station.

HVAC

International Clear Packaging factory, Abu Dhabi

KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) · HVAC · Completed

HVAC for a factory in a specialised economic zone.

Frequently asked questions