Warehouse and cold store MEP in Jebel Ali 

Warehouse and cold store MEP in Jebel Ali: local context

Jebel Ali hosts the port and the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), one of the region's largest logistics and industrial hubs, alongside industrial areas and staff housing. Building stock is dominated by warehouses, factories, cold stores and labour accommodation. Manolia completed MEP works for a Technopark warehouse here. Operations here run around the clock, so works inside existing facilities are planned to avoid disrupting logistics.

• Projects typically go through Trakhees for building and fire approvals in its zones, with Dubai Municipality covering other plots; the channel depends on the plot location.
• Warehouses and factories need large electrical supplies, motor control centres and power factor correction, plus ventilation for heat-generating processes.
• Proximity to the coast and port means salt in the air, so external equipment, cable trays and supports need corrosion protection.

Building types we serve in Jebel Ali

For warehouses and logistics buildings, the work concentrates on high-bay sprinklers or in-rack protection, smoke venting, dock and office HVAC, and LV for racking, lighting and material handling.

Scope of work

• Assessment of storage type, racking height, commodity class and temperature requirements to define the fire protection and cooling strategy with the consultant.
• High-bay sprinklers, in-rack sprinklers where required, hydrants and fire pumps sized for warehouse hazard levels and the largest design area.
• LV distribution for lighting, dock levellers, roller shutters, forklift charging areas with their own ventilation, and general building services.
• Rainwater drainage from large roofs with gutters and downpipes sized for short intense storms, plus foul drainage connected to municipal or approved systems.

Systems we install

• Roof extract fans and filtered make-up air for ambient storage halls.
• High-bay LED lighting with occupancy and daylight controls.

UAE site and climate challenges

• Warehouse roofs in UAE summer radiate heat into storage zones, pushing temperatures high enough to damage some goods. Roof insulation coordination, extract fans and targeted cooling of sensitive zones control temperatures more efficiently than cooling the full volume.
• Sand and dust enter through roller shutters and coat coils, fans and sprinkler heads. Filtered make-up air, dock seals and planned cleaning access for cooling and fire equipment keep systems working between maintenance visits.
• Ceiling-only versus in-rack sprinklers: the choice depends on racking height and commodity class, and in-rack systems add cost, maintenance and the risk of forklift damage to pipework.

Relevant Manolia projects

Frequently asked questions