AL SHIRAWI Contracting was awarded the sub-contract waterproofing works for the prestigious Dubai Media City second phase, against stiff competition and under a near-impossible programme schedule.

The high profile job was also a high specification project using a waterproofing membrane specially manufactured by Bitumat of Saudi Arabia.

"We only came to know quite how tight the schedule was after we mobilised at the site," explained S Sekhar, Contracts Manager. "Even the main contractor, Belhasa Engineering Contracting co, was doubtful of any applicator to meet the programme schedule, but we were confident it was possible."

The team finished the job exactly on time for the contract, but had to pullout all the stops to do so. "With just two months to complete 10,000 square meters of sub-structure waterproofing over five buildings, we had to work around the clock, with up to 50 people on site at any time," explained Sekhar.

The 24 hour work, in shift teams was monitored every three hours, with labour resources mobilised from all possible sources to meet the deadline.

Sekhar is quick to praise the work and dedication of his teams in completing the job on time.

"There were outstanding contributions from Rajput, Azeem, Nair, Firoz and Pandey in supervising to ensure that the work was to the highest standard, despite the long hours and necessary speed. It was also an extraordinary effort from all the workers as the job took place during the height of the summer, in the peak temperatures, and the men were working with torches and gas."

Two divisions of Al Shirawi Contracting were involved in a large contract for Union Properties, on a group of 271 double-storey villas being built at Al Warqaa.

The interiors division was involved in the project from the start. Raj Pal Saran, General Manager, Interiors explained: "This was not just an important job for a major client, but a form of pre-qualification for future work.

"The completion period was one year and we are proud to say that we finished bang on target, installing various types of ceilings in the villas, including gypsum board, tiles and external ceilings."

The waterproofing division undertook a separate contract at the villas, but came in late and at short notice.

Al Basti and Mukhta appointed Al Shirawi to turn the job around. S Sekhar, Contracts Manager for the Waterproofing division, explained "We had less time than was stipulated in the original bid, so we had to plan our resources very carefully. However, mobilisation was swift and we finished the waterproofing works to Al Basti and Mukhta's satisfaction within the contract deadline of just four months."

The efficiency of the team's performance gained great appreciation from Al Basti and Muktha, and has already led to further work

For Raj Pal Saran, GM Interiors, the ceiling work in the Wafi City extension was an exciting and a high profile job, but for Rao, who ran the project, it was almost a little too exciting.

The job, for Khansaheb Civil Engineering with consultants Arif and Bintoak, involved the fitting of gypsum board and ornamental ceilings over two storeys of the extension. GRC decorative domes had also been fabricated for the cross points and needed Engineering with consultants Arif and Bintoak, involved the fitting of gypsum board and ornamental ceilings over two storeys of the extension. GRC decorative domes had also been fabricated for the cross points and needed to be fitted. The challenge was the extremely tight deadline, and the co-ordination with other companies.

"This was a Dh 1l million job that had to be completed in just 60 days. We had to fit a total area of approximately 12,000 square meters of ceiling -both plain gypsum and special decorative ceilings to be fitted in certain showrooms -which required our teams to work 16-plus hours per day. At the peak of the work we had over 80 people at the job site," said Raj.

"At the same time other companies were installing flooring, air-conditioning and fire safety fittings, all to similar tight deadlines. This restricted where our staff could be, and where we could erect scaffolding. That the work was done on time was a triumph of careful co-ordination."

Khansaheb's Project Manager Mark Corcoran let Raj know that he was very happy with the work. "He had a unshakeable deadline and was delighted that we did not hold it up in any way."

 

IN March Al Shirawi will begin production of spiral ducting, under licence from Spiro International of Switzerland, the largest manufacturer of spiral ducting in the world.

"This project represents an investment of Dh5 million," explains Navin Valrani, Executive Director. "That includes the entire set up, all the way through to the Swiss factory personnel coming here to train the Al Shirawi staff."

Although currently only accounting for around 5% of the market, Navin and his team believe that in five years' time spiral ducting will make up 50% of the market.

"Spiral ducting is already being specified and used in high-end jobs, such as the Marina and the Convention Centre. Now with a stronger manufacturing base locally, more projects can benefit, and we hope to convert more and more clients to spiral ducting in the near future," says Navin.

Part of Al Shirawi's job will now be convincing clients to go for this ducting, which is superior for a number of reasons, and offers technical and commercial benefits to customers.

Initially the customers save on installation costs. It is much quicker to install than standard rectangular ducting, being installed at sometimes one third of the time, with significant savings on labour charges.

Technically it can take a high pressure rating, is structurally stronger and is more airtight, due to its design. This means that there are fewer duct leakages and it saves energy and therefore money.

Esoterically, spiral ducting is much more attractive, especially in modern urban uses where the ducting is not hidden.

Practically, the spiral ducting is easier to clean. This is one of the major long-term advantages of the round ducts. Cleaning is easier and more thorough, therefore eliminating the incidences of sick building syndrome, asthma and allergies. Navin is a confirmed fan: "In Sweden about 90% of the air- conditioning ducting is round. This is particularly because of the energy savings and the continued air quality.

"International consultants are aware of the alternative, and have even specified it in their designs, but it has not been viable in Dubai until now. Previously there was only one manufacturer, and the price was prohibitive. Now with more than one option, the prices have become competitive."

 

Al Shirawi Electrical & Mechanical Engineering has recently completed a four-month specialist project in Jebel Ali.

The Dh 2.2 million contract with Donya Entertainment was for installing air conditioning, electrical work, plumbing, fire fighting and fire alarm systems into their four new cinema halls and shops.

Theatres present a special challenge to air conditioning designers as the system needs to be silent, effective, economic and safe. The company used sound attenuators to achieve the low noise levels necessary in theatre applications. Special electronic controls were installed to regulate fresh air, and ensure air quality, but also to allow economical operation by saving power.

A final essential was the installation of a smoke extraction system, to allow the audience time to escape in case of fire.

Al Shirawi undertook the complete drainage and water supply work for the cinema complex. This included full fitting of the bathrooms and a pumping system for the fire fighting system.

The electrical department inside the cinema halls installed a special lighting system of wall bracket lights and step lights, which are controlled by a dimming system. The foyer area was designed with special cove lighting and a background music system.

The consultants Holford Associates and Ian Banham, as well as the contractor Indesit Construction, were pleased with the finished project.

Dr. Ibrahim Khallouf puts it down to the teams: "We had a good project management team working on all three sectors. The client were so pleased that we have already been awarded further work with Holford, Ian Banham and Indesit.

P R Hari Krishnan, Divisional Manager of the Air Conditioning division, has a very positive way of looking at his work and is quick to share his philosophy.

Hari explains: "The key to success is to be the first to implement new ideas and concepts, to the benefit of customers. The second most important is to live up to your commitments, whether in time or quality, at any cost."

"You must take a flexible approach and understand each person's perception at each stage of the project. This is essential for project management."

Another fundamental in project management is cost control. As once you control the cost then everything is under control.

He considers it the highest recommendation that most of Al Shirawi customers started with a single job, and have gone on to give repeat orders.

As an ISO company, there is an assurance to customers of a minimum quality standard. This also creates a strong discipline in company to meet these commitments," he says.

"The company's greatest strength is our refusal to compromise on time or quality. We have a good team of engineers, technicians and managers, and everyone contributes. The achievements are not down to individuals. We are successful together."

 

The Service division has begun a new venture, it has begun to offer an air conditioning duct cleaning service.

People are becoming more aware of indoor air quality and the detrimental effects that poor air quality can have on health.

M Mansingh, Service Manager is excited at the prospect of the new business: "We are the first professional engineering company in the UAE to start a duct cleaning programme commercially."

The company is fully geared to go to work. "We have purchased state-of -the-art robotic equipment from the US," explains Mansingh. "Only authorised certificate holders can obtain this equipment. And our staff have been fully trained in the use of the equipment."

To check if the ducts require cleaning, a small robotic camera is sent through the system, which records the levels on microdust to a monitor and video recorder. The client can look either at the monitor or at the video later and decide if they feel there is a need to have the ducts cleaned.

Mansingh adds: "The video inspection system also alerts clients to any potential problems in the a/c system, or any maintenance requirements."

If cleaning goes ahead a team come to the site with the vacuum equipment. A remote control brushing system roams through the ducts to clean them, and the dust is sucked away safely into the equipment with the help of air pressure.

Mansingh explains: "It takes about a day to do an average size villa. And when the cleaning is finished the ducts are sprayed to protect them against future bacteria." Clean air is becoming more of an issue in homes and offices, especially in the UAE, where the dust can be a problem for anyone with respiratory sensitivities, such as asthma, especially babies and young children.

Mansingh and his team are able to work at any level, from small villas and flats to multistorey buildings and cinemas.

Al Shirawi has set up a dedicated duct cleaning hotline, to cope with the influx of enquiries they are expecting.