Renovation and retrofit MEP in Al Marjan Island 

Renovation and retrofit MEP in Al Marjan Island: local context

Al Marjan Island is a group of reclaimed islands off Ras Al Khaimah's coast developed for resorts, hotels and residential towers, with major hospitality projects under way. Building stock is dominated by hotels and high-rise residential. Several large integrated resort projects are under construction, bringing high-rise hotel and residential towers to what was previously a low-rise emirate, and with them the full range of tower MEP requirements such as pressure zoning, stair pressurisation and high-capacity fire pumps.

• Island location means extreme salt exposure, so marine-grade equipment and corrosion protection are essential.
• Approvals typically involve the master developer NOC before municipality, Civil Defence and Etihad WE.
• Access over the causeway and limited laydown space on the island mean deliveries of large plant must be scheduled and staged carefully.

Building types we serve in Al Marjan Island

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

• 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.
• 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.

Systems we install

• Replacement water and drainage pipework and new wet areas for fit-outs.
• Modified fire alarm devices, sprinkler heads and smoke control interfaces.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Relevant Manolia projects

Frequently asked questions