Scope of work
- Review of the approved fire strategy so smoke zones, fan duties and pressurisation targets are understood before equipment selection.
- Installation of car park ventilation with jet fans, main extract fans and CO or NO2 sensors controlling normal ventilation.
- Stair and lift lobby pressurisation fans with relief dampers or variable speed control to maintain pressure without making doors hard to open.
- Smoke exhaust fans, smoke dampers and make-up air paths for atria, malls and corridors as required by the strategy.
- Fire-rated cabling and secondary power arrangements for smoke control fans so they operate during a fire.
- Interface wiring with the fire alarm system for zone-by-zone activation and fan status feedback.
- Cause-and-effect testing, door opening force checks and Civil Defence witnessed tests.
- Natural ventilation openings, automatic smoke vents and their actuators where the fire strategy relies on them, tested to open on alarm.
Systems we install
- Car park jet fans and main extract fans
- CO and NO2 gas detection for demand ventilation
- Stair and lobby pressurisation fans
- Smoke exhaust fans rated for high temperature
- Motorised smoke dampers and relief dampers
- Fire alarm interfaces and firefighters control panel
- Automatic smoke vents and actuators at roof or high level
Codes, standards and approvals
- UAE Fire & Life Safety Code, the governing document for smoke control, pressurisation and car park ventilation, enforced by Civil Defence.
- NFPA standards referenced by the UAE code for smoke management principles.
- ASHRAE 62.1 for normal ventilation of occupied areas, as commonly referenced in consultant specifications.
- Civil Defence approval and witnessed testing in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi (ADCDA) and other emirates.
- Dubai Municipality and DEWA requirements for fan power connections and green building fan efficiency under Al Sa'fat.
- Trakhees, DDA or DMCC fire and safety departments where the building sits within their jurisdiction rather than under the emirate Civil Defence directly.
- UAE Fire & Life Safety Code of Practice (UAE FLSC) — national code governing fire-fighting, fire alarm, smoke control and egress
- ASHRAE standards (62.1, 90.1) (ASHRAE) — ventilation-rate and energy-efficiency basis referenced by UAE regulations
UAE site and climate challenges
- Basement car parks in summer accumulate heat and vehicle exhaust, so normal ventilation rates are controlled by CO and NO2 sensors to save energy while keeping air quality safe for drivers and attendants.
- Pressurisation fans draw outdoor air that may be very hot and dusty, so intakes are positioned away from smoke exhaust discharges and fitted with sand louvres to keep fans and dampers working reliably.
- Rooftop smoke fans and motors are exposed to extreme heat and direct sun, so motors, enclosures and fire-rated cabling are selected for high ambient conditions as well as smoke temperature.
- Strong winds and sand can jam relief dampers and louvres, so these are checked during commissioning and included in periodic maintenance to ensure they open and close freely on demand.
- Basement car parks in coastal towers can see condensation on cold surfaces when hot humid air is pulled in at high rates, so supply air paths and ramp openings are reviewed to limit wet floors and corrosion of jet fans.
Decisions to make early
- Jet fan systems versus ducted car park extract: jet fans save ceiling depth and ductwork, but require careful layout, approved design analysis and coordination with sprinklers and lighting.
- Pressurisation control method: barometric relief dampers are simpler, while variable speed control maintains more stable pressure as doors open and close during an evacuation.
- Fan redundancy and secondary power arrangements, which add cost but determine how robust the smoke control system remains if one fan or one supply fails during a fire.
- Integration with BMS for monitoring, which helps maintenance teams identify failed fans, dampers or sensors without taking life safety control away from the fire alarm system.
- Whether to use dedicated smoke fans or dual-purpose fans that ventilate daily and switch to smoke mode, which saves equipment but needs high-temperature ratings and careful control priority.
What you receive at handover
- Civil Defence approved drawings
- Fan performance and pressure differential test records
- Cause-and-effect test sheets signed off
- Door opening force measurements
- O&M manuals and fan maintenance schedule
- Smoke zone and fan control matrix as-built
How we deliver: 8 stages
- 01Appointment & review
- 02Mobilisation & approvals
- 03Planning
- 04Engineering & shop drawings
- 05Procurement & execution
- 06Monitoring & reporting
- 07Quality inspection
- 08Testing, commissioning & handover
Why clients appoint Manolia
Manolia Group has delivered MEP and building contracts in the UAE since 2001: more than 100 projects and over AED 1.1 billion of completed work, including towers above 50 floors. Delivery follows an 8-stage process under a QMS structured to ISO 9001 requirements, with HSE controls and in-house engineering for shop drawings, coordination and commissioning.
Relevant Manolia projects
Al Bahar Palace, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi · HVAC · Completed
HVAC design & installation, fresh/extract air, plus swimming-pool works.
2B+G+15 residential tower, IMPZ
Dubai Production City (formerly IMPZ) · MEP · Completed
Full MEP package for a two-basement residential tower with gym.
Multi-storey parking & retail centre, DSO
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) · MEP · In progress
G+3 parking and retail centre — MEP works in progress.
Frequently asked questions
What is stair pressurisation and why is it needed?
Stair pressurisation supplies air into protected stairs so that pressure inside is higher than in the corridor, keeping smoke out during a fire. It is a key life safety system in high-rise buildings. The challenge is maintaining pressure while ensuring doors remain openable, which is checked during commissioning.
How are car park jet fan systems approved?
Jet fan layouts typically require an approved design, often supported by analysis, submitted to Civil Defence with the fire strategy. After installation, Manolia carries out functional tests and cause-and-effect checks with the fire alarm, then attends witnessed tests before approval is granted.
Do smoke extraction fans need special cables?
Yes. Fans that must operate during a fire generally require fire-resistant cabling and suitable power supply arrangements so they keep running while the fire develops. Requirements are defined by the UAE Fire & Life Safety Code and the approved design.
Can you upgrade smoke control in an existing building?
Yes. Upgrades often follow Civil Defence inspections or a change of use. Work may involve replacing fans, adding dampers, rewiring interfaces and re-testing. Manolia surveys the existing installation, proposes changes to the consultant and carries out work in phases to keep the building operational.
Who tests smoke control systems?
The contractor carries out pre-commissioning and full commissioning tests, including cause-and-effect checks with the fire alarm. Civil Defence then witnesses tests before issuing approval. Periodic testing during the building's life is the owner's responsibility, often handled through a maintenance contract.