Ventilation & smoke extraction in Al Marjan Island 

Ventilation & smoke extraction 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.
• Hotels need central plants, fresh-air dehumidification, hot water with Legionella control and kitchen extract.
• 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 high-rise towers, the work concentrates on pressure-zoned water and drainage stacks, riser and plant-room coordination, stair pressurisation and a cooling source sized for diversity across dozens of typical floors.

Scope of work

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

Systems we install

• Car park jet fans and main extract fans
• Stair and lobby pressurisation fans

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Relevant Manolia projects

Al Bahar Palace, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi · HVAC · Completed

HVAC design & installation, fresh/extract air, plus swimming-pool works.

G+3

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