Renovation and retrofit MEP across the UAE 

Scope of work

• Site survey of existing MEP systems, recording installed equipment, condition, nameplate capacities and every deviation from the old drawings, often with opening-up of ceilings at sample locations.
• Capacity checks on existing chilled water, electrical supply and water storage to confirm whether new tenants, kitchens or extra floors can be served without upgrades.
• Phased replacement of chillers, AHUs, switchgear and pipework in occupied buildings, using temporary cooling or power where a shutdown would affect residents or tenants.
• Fit-out MEP for offices, shops, restaurants, clinics and apartments within existing buildings, connected to base-building systems according to landlord technical requirements.
• Modification of fire alarm, sprinklers and smoke control to suit new partitions and ceilings, with drawings submitted for Civil Defence approval where layouts change.
• Coordination with building management for permits to work, isolations, noise windows, lift use and protection of common areas during the works.
• Testing, commissioning and as-built documentation of all new and modified systems, including re-balancing of the existing systems affected by the changes.

Systems we install

• Replacement air-cooled or water-cooled chillers and their pumps.
• New AHUs, fresh-air units and fan coil units in existing ceiling voids.
• Retrofit VRF systems where central plant is not available or practical.
• New main panels, distribution boards and upgraded cabling for added loads.
• Replacement water and drainage pipework and new wet areas for fit-outs.
• Modified fire alarm devices, sprinkler heads and smoke control interfaces.

Codes, standards and approvals

• UAE Fire & Life Safety Code of Practice for alterations to existing buildings.
• Civil Defence approvals for fire system modifications.
• Utility approvals for load changes.
• Landlord and building management requirements.
• Municipality permits for fit-out works.
• UAE Fire & Life Safety Code of Practice (UAE FLSC) — national code governing fire-fighting, fire alarm, smoke control and egress

UAE site and climate challenges

• Replacing cooling equipment during summer risks leaving occupants without AC when temperatures exceed 45°C. We schedule major plant changes for cooler months where possible, or install temporary chillers or packaged units to maintain cooling during the changeover.
• Older UAE buildings often have undersized or poorly dehumidified fresh-air systems, causing mould, musty smells and sweating grilles. Retrofits add dedicated fresh-air units with proper dehumidification instead of simply enlarging fan coils.
• Corroded pipework and equipment in coastal buildings may leak when isolated and disturbed. Surveys identify high-risk areas, and replacement plans add new isolation valves, drain points and protection of finishes and tenants' goods below.
• Dust from demolition inside an occupied building spreads through return-air systems and contaminates coils and filters. We seal work zones, isolate returns and replace filters after dusty works before returning systems to normal operation.
• Hot, humid roof voids above top-floor units in older buildings often contain poorly insulated ducts and pipes that sweat and drip. Retrofit packages replace damaged insulation and vapour barriers, and add roof insulation where the owner agrees, before re-balancing those floors.

Decisions to make early

• Repair versus replace: the choice depends on equipment age, efficiency, refrigerant type, parts availability and how long the owner plans to keep the building, supported by survey data rather than assumptions.
• Phased versus full shutdown: phased work keeps a building occupied and earning but takes longer and needs temporary services, while a short full shutdown is faster when tenants can be relocated.
• Reusing existing distribution versus full replacement: reusing ducts and pipes saves cost and disruption, but may limit airflow, pressure and future capacity if they were undersized or corroded.
• Keeping the old refrigerant or converting: older systems on phased-out refrigerants become expensive to recharge and repair, so converting to current refrigerants during a renovation often saves money over the remaining building life.

What you receive at handover

• Existing condition survey report.
• Approved modification drawings.
• Testing and commissioning records.
• Updated as-built drawings.
• O&M manuals for new equipment.

Relevant Manolia projects

Frequently asked questions