Ventilation & smoke extraction in Al Quoz 

Ventilation & smoke extraction in Al Quoz: local context

Al Quoz is a long-established industrial and commercial area between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, full of warehouses, workshops, showrooms and creative spaces, alongside staff accommodation. Much of the stock dates from the 1980s–2000s and is now being renovated or converted. Work here is often refurbishment of older buildings rather than new construction. Recent years have seen many units converted into galleries, studios, fitness venues and showrooms.

• Older warehouses often need electrical upgrades, new main distribution boards and power factor correction to support new tenants or processes.
• Conversions to showrooms, galleries or offices require new HVAC systems, often ducted split or VRF, in buildings with limited roof capacity.
• The area is central, so logistics are simple, but streets are busy with trucks and limited parking.

Building types we serve in Al Quoz

For office buildings, the work concentrates on VAV or FCU zoning for flexible floor plates, tenant fit-out interfaces, energy metering and BMS integration.

Scope of work

• Review of the approved fire strategy so smoke zones, fan duties and pressurisation targets are understood before equipment selection.
• 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.
• Cause-and-effect testing, door opening force checks and Civil Defence witnessed tests.

Systems we install

• CO and NO2 gas detection for demand ventilation
• Fire alarm interfaces and firefighters control panel

UAE site and climate challenges

• 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.
• 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.

Relevant Manolia projects

Frequently asked questions