MEP contracting in Al Reem Island 

MEP contracting 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.

• Tabreed district cooling serves parts of the island, so many towers take chilled water through energy transfer stations; the in-building scope then centres on heat exchangers, secondary pumping and holding design delta-T.
• 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.
• 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

• Tender review of consultant drawings and specifications, flagging missing load data, unclear interfaces and items that will not pass authority review before the price is fixed.
• Combined services coordination drawings that resolve clashes between ducts, chilled-water pipes, cable trays, drainage falls and sprinkler mains inside tight ceiling voids.
• Material submittals and method statements prepared under a QMS structured to ISO 9001 requirements, with document control tracking every revision and consultant comment.
• Authority inspections and approvals with Civil Defence, the local electricity and water utility and the municipality, including witness tests and connection applications.

Systems we install

• LV main distribution boards, sub-main distribution, small power and lighting circuits
• Building management system monitoring plant, alarms and energy meters

UAE site and climate challenges

• Summer ambient temperatures in the high forties mean every roof-mounted condenser, generator and panel must be selected with high-ambient derating, otherwise plant trips on the hottest afternoons when cooling demand peaks.
• Fine sand and dust enter open shafts and unsealed ducts during construction, so ductwork is capped, risers are sealed and filters are replaced before commissioning to avoid contaminating new coils.
• Design-and-build versus build-to-consultant-design: design-and-build lets the contractor optimise routes, plant sizes and riser space, while consultant design keeps more control with the owner but can lock in inefficiencies before the contractor is on board.

Relevant Manolia projects

Frequently asked questions