CCME Nov 2020 by CPI Industry

FEATURE: CURBING LEGIONELLA

November 2020

Licence to Chill CONDENSER WATER RESET

Dan Mizesko, U.S. Chiller Services

The road to business continuity, financial stability

interviews FROM 3.8 MILLION TONS OF GHG EMISSIONS TO TWO MILLIONS TONS Gustaf Landahl, City of Stockholm, Sweden

‘TRIGGERS FOR FM’S EARLIEST POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT IN PLACE SINCE 2014’ Fahad Mahmoud Bedaiwi, The National Commercial Bank, Saudi Arabia

perspectives CONCRETE PROOF

Ghassan Nimry, Eco-Structures International Limited

WHAT AFTER THE VACCINE IS READY? Zafar Ure, Phase Change Material Products Limited

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November 2020

CMY

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VOL. 15 NO. 11  NOVEMBER 2020

‘Triggers for FM’s earliest possible involvement in place since 2014’

20 INTERVIEWS

page

on the cover

From 3.8 million tons of ghg emissions to two millions tons

Concrete proof

CONDENSER WATER Reset made easy

The number of qualified Saudis and professional training for FM has increased in the Kingdom with growing awareness of the importance of FM in increasing the lifecycle of a building, says Fahad Mahmoud Bedaiwi, Senior Vice President Head of FM, The National Commercial Bank, Saudi Arabia

Any chilled water plant – from the largest district cooling plant to a standalone system in a building – should take advantage of Condenser Relief strategy, says Dan Mizesko of U.S. Chiller Services.

Limited. He may be reached at gnimry@eco-structures.net.

What after the vaccine is ready?

Formidable logistical challenges might find the answer in simple reusable ice packs with water-based Eutectic solution between -50 degrees C and -68 degrees C, writes Zafar Ure of Phase Change Material Products Limited

As conspiracy theories go…

November 2020

A system where air travelling within concrete slabs, utilising concrete’s thermal mass to reduce the installed cooling and heating capacity by up to 50%, reducing power consumption by 25-35%+, and reducing HVAC-related operations and maintenance by >50% is the way to go, says Ghassan Nimry Ghassan Nimry is Director, Eco-Structures International

REGULARS 06 eDItor'S note

Gustaf Landahl, Head of Department for Planning & Environment, City of Stockholm, Sweden, describes the strategies, tools and approaches, including district heating, that are being brought to bear in the drive towards a fossil fuel-free and climate-positive economy by 2040.

PERSPECTIVES

‘Let’s be proactive, than reactive’

LICENCE TO CHILL

FEATURE

The fourth edition of The Client, Consultant, Contractor Conference, provided a platform for a candid discussion on the construction industry’s collective efforts to battle the economic downturn following the outbreak of COVID-19.

32 Regional News 39 Global News

GLOBAL BROADCAST

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EDITOR’S NOTE

As conspiracy theories go…

very Awards season, we are confronted with comments – implied and direct – that question our credibility as an organisation. The commonest is that sponsorships influence the outcome of the evaluation of entries. Though we have heard this time and again, we are filled with disbelief and dismay each time the words reach the ears. The feeling is even more so when past winners, unsuccessful the next time around, level the same charge. We feel compelled to ask, ‘The same time-tested process was applied in the year they won, so wouldn’t questioning it now cast a shadow on the earlier occasion?’ We view the Climate Control Awards as a sacred duty. The glitz, glamour and energy of the ceremony is pleasing to the eye, but the principles that underpin the elaborate exercise exceed the confetti-front in importance. The Awards exercise represents an opportunity to highlight the immense potential of a mission-critical industry. In it are solutions to some of the gravest challenges confronting us, including the climate crisis, food insecurity and the fragile nature of the air we breathe indoors. As representatives, we have a responsibility that is significant beyond measure. As an industry, the touchpoints on the social and economic landscape are simply far too many. In that context, it is upon each and every one of us to give the fullest expression to the possibilities we can deliver. The Awards exercise is to encourage and incentivise you to unfurl hitherto unseen business, financial and technical approaches that would help shape a better society. The bigger picture is not the trophy but how we can push one another – allies, associates and competitors – to deliver even better solutions, for we need all the help we can get to navigate through an ever-evolving landscape. The members of the jury understand and value these objectives and for those reasons selflessly give their time and attention. As facilitator during the evaluation exercise, I have closely watched them at work and felt the intensity and the earnestness behind their exertions. I have been witness to their protracted arguments and the sincerity behind their efforts at breaking a stalemate – all for a common cause of delivering the trophy to the most deserving. So, please, please set your cynicism, your conspiracy theories aside. The Awards exercise is a vital aspect, a conscience-keeper that aims to bring the best out of the industry. And for that it needs to be treated with the utmost respect.

Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR

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November 2020

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STAND FOR A HIGHER STANDARD

Fahad Mahmoud Bedaiwi, The National Commercial Bank

HAT IS THE EXTENT OF COLLABORATION INVOLVING FM DURING THE PREDESIGN AND DESIGN STAGES OF A PROJECT IN SAUDI ARABIA TO ENSURE AN INTEGRATED PROJECT DEVELOPMENT APPROACH FOR TRANSLATING BUILDING PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES INTO REALITY?

According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), facility management (FM) is defined as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, processes and technologyâ&#x20AC;?.

November 2020

So, in Saudi Arabia, there is growing emphasis on the value of FM in the design of a facility, taking into account the operational requirements for maintenance, the needs of users and considerations around how the space is used, especially in big constructions projects. So, the involvement of the facility manager during the design [stage] is a systematic process that includes design review, installation verification, proper system start-ups, functional performance tests, operations and maintenance training and complete documentation of the installed systems. Involving FM early and often in the design-assist phase of construction is the key to extending the operational lifecycle of the commercial building and to ensure

the integration is as expected to support users. There should be an integrated data source, providing information support for the building lifecycle. It is envisaged that Building Information Modelling (BIM) would fill the gap by acting as a visual model and a database throughout the building lifecycle. The benefits of the involvement of facilities manager in the design process include lower cost of procurement due to reduction in design alteration and rework. A sustainable approach is important to ensure the built environment does not harm the natural environment and to reduce efforts and increase cost-effectiveness of maintenance during the operational phase of facilities.

As the operational phase of a building is longer and more cost-intensive, FM is involved and engaged early in the design phase of commercial projects in Saudi Arabia. Due to innovations in technology and energy efficiency for commercial buildings, the structure becomes more intricate in its mechanical, lighting and control systems. To sum up, in recent years, and particularly since 2014, the triggers for FM’s earliest possible involvement have been in place. So, there is no absence of involvement, especially in the case of big projects. The number of qualified Saudis and professional training for FM has increased. Today, there is awareness of the importance of FM and the role FM handles in increasing the lifecycle of a building.

IS THE CHANGE YOU SEE OWING TO THE ITERATIVE KNOWLEDGE THAT FM PERSONNEL BRING TO THE TABLE? Yes, the change is happening, and the important role of FM in any organisation has been noticed. FM adds value and focus to increase the building’s lifecycle, and to reduce and optimise the cost during construction and in the postconstruction phase.

HOW MUCH DOES COST INFLUENCE THE DECISION TO HIRE FM RESOURCES AT A VERY EARLY STAGE OF A PROJECT? The decision to hire FM at the early stage is not easy, because the top management is slow in

realising the importance of FM. If not hired early, the cost will be high in the final stage of the project as well as during the occupancy stage, as you would have to undertake re-work and place special order for materials required.

BY AND LARGE, ARE FM TEAMS IN SAUDI ARABIA TRAINED TO PROPERLY AND COMPREHENSIVELY HANDLE SPECIALISED HVAC FUNCTIONS IN A BUILDING, INCLUDING BMS? Yes , there are trained in handling HVAC chillers with air-handling units in towers and malls. These equipment are integrated to the BMS, which is required to manage and control all the systems. Today, we are seeing AI for controlling building systems.

Fahad Mahmoud Bedaiwi

www.climatecontrolme.com

Fahad Mahmoud Bedaiwi, The National Commercial Bank

WHAT IS THE RANGE AND DEPTH OF TRAINING IN YOUR ORGANISATION? The training at our organisation is very wide; and for this, we have allocated a decent budget to especially improve the technical skills.

ARE THERE ANY INSTANCES OF RMS IN MANAGING ASSETS IN SAUDI ARABIA, IN COLLABORATION WITH TELECOM PROVIDERS, OR IS THE PROCESS VIEWED AS COMPLICATED? Remote Monitoring System in Saudi Arabia is available and working well, especially after the shift in telecom companies to become total solutions companies. They offer a variety of ICT solutions and digital services in several categories, including telecommunication, IT, financial technology, digital media, cybersecurity and other advanced digital solutions.

WHAT IS THE UPTAKE OF CLOUD, IOT AND AI-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR MANAGING ASSETS AND IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY WITH A VIEW TO LOWER TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP AND INDIRECT EMISSIONS, OPTIMISING WATER USE AND IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY? Real evidence shows that AI, IoT and cloud are already driving a major shift in the global approach to managing assets and sustainability. The technologies will improve the controlling of the building systems, thus increase the lifecycle of buildings as well as TCO. They are keys components of the infrastructure of smart sustainable cities as an emerging urban development approach due to the great potential to advance environmental sustainability. IoT and AI are associated with big data analytics, which is clearly on a penetrative path across many urban domains for optimising energy efficiency and mitigating environmental effects. This pertains mainly to the effective utilisation of natural resources, the intelligent

management of infrastructures and facilities, and the enhanced delivery of services in support of the environment. As such, the IoT and related big data applications can play a key role in catalysing and improving the process of environmentally sustainable development. AI will support low-carbon energy systems with high integration of renewable energy and energy efficiency, which are all needed to address climate change. AI can also be used to help improve the health of ecosystems.

WHAT HAS THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT FM TEAMS AND BUILDING OWNERS IN SAUDI ARABIA IN TERMS OF THE NEED TO ENHANCE IAQ? IS THERE A CALL FOR INTRODUCING MORE FRESH AIR CHANGES PER HOUR, ENHANCING AIR FILTRATION, PAYING ATTENTION TO HUMIDIFICATION (40-60% RH) AND PROPER CLEANING OF COILS AND DUCTING SYSTEMS? OR, ARE THESE LARGELY BEING APPLIED ONLY IN HEALTHCARE CENTRES? IAQ is marked by sufficient level of fresh air and minimal level of harmful gases and pollutants. So, there are threats to IAQ from outside and inside, as well. From inside, pollutants in the ambient can be drawn into the facilities. From inside, HVAC system can contribute to poor IAQ by providing insufficient supplies of fresh air and inadequate air filtration of dust, spores, bacteria and viruses. Promoting the growth of mould by operating at inappropriate levels of humidity is an issue. Humidity above 60% can contribute to mould and microbial growth. To improve the IAQ, we need to use demand-controlled ventilation, CO2 sensors and automated air-handling systems. We must be aware that low-efficiency filters – for example, less than MERV 8, according to ASHRAE Standard 52.2 or less than ePM2.5 20%, according to ISO 16890-1:2016 – are very unlikely to make a difference when it comes to improving IAQ.

A properly designed and maintained ultraviolet (UV) lamps system, often in concert with filtration, humidity control and airflow management, has been shown to reduce infections from other viruses. The details of the system are very important – for example, the design of fixtures, lamp type, lamp placement, airflow amount and mixing. Simply adding UV to an existing system without consideration of these factors has not shown any demonstrable benefit. Hospitals and many other healthcare facilities have specially designed mechanical systems that can accommodate the levels of filtration that they need. They often rely on other systems and control strategies – for example, UV lamps, humidity control and airflow management – to maximise the benefit from filtration. Most importantly, they have dedicated staff who operate and maintain this equipment so that it provides maximal benefit.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOUR BE PRESENTING DURING THE BIG 5 DIGITAL FESTIVAL? My presentation is titled ‘The need for Facilities Management Strategy & Budgeting in an organization’. As the fastpaced Fourth Industrial Revolution dawns on us, the effective maintenance and management of a facility are becoming increasingly important. Buildings are getting smarter, and technology is getting more sophisticated, which needs to be managed effectively to avoid business disruption and to effectively leverage data insights. Facilities managers are generally responsible for ensuring everything to do with the physical infrastructure of the business is running as it should, as well as identifying areas for greater efficiency and cost-saving.

Fahad Mahmoud Bedaiwi is one of the speakers at The Big 5 Digital Festival, from November 23 to 26. This interview has been made possible, thanks to dmg events.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the Q&A. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

November 2020

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Gustaf Landahl, City of Stockholm, Sweden

November 2020

Gustaf Landahl

OULD YOU DESCRIBE THE WORK YOU HAVE CARRIED OUT TOWARDS REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN STOCKHOLM?

We were early. We brought our first climate action plan to the city council in 1996. We began by assessing our emission of greenhouse gases, and to do so, we contacted Bert Bolin, who was working for the university and, later, was the chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Bert helped us set up the boundaries for assessment. It was important to assess, because until you know how much you are emitting, you can’t have any goals. At that time, we were emitting 5.4 tons per capita; today, we are down to approximately two tons per capita. The city has grown a bit, but we have gone down from 3.8 million tonnes to approximately two million tonnes of emissions. This is all the emission for the city as a whole, including transportation, heating and a bit of cooling. The big reduction has been in heating. If you look at buildings in Stockholm, more and more are linked to district heating, which is done using wood chips as fuel. We got rid of the last coal-fired plant. We don’t have oil, either. We use wood chips and household waste for cogeneration of heat. Many of the singlefamily homes have opted for bedrock heat pumps, where you drill a hole 120 metres down to the ground. For electricity, we count on the Nordic mix. We sell and buy electricity to and from Nordic countries through the interconnected network. When it comes to emissions, the big challenge is road transport, which now, after the reductions in the heating sector, accounts for half of the emissions. In 1996, it was one quarter to one-third;

now, it’s half. It’s not that it has grown; it has stood still, even though the city’s population has grown from 1.5% to two per cent per year, which is fast for a European city. Normally, emission from transport would have grown, but we have been able to keep it stable through encouraging walking, cycling and the use of vehicles that run on renewable fuels. A major challenge we have is lack of incentives. And that is where we need more help from the national government. We don’t have enough incentives in place to make things happen – to get people to move to biofuel and avoid using fossil fuels, and that’s what we have to do to speedily meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement. We want to be fossil fuel-free by 2040. We have put in place bio-energy carbon capture, and we are making agreements in places such as Norway, where we can store the carbon emissions. By 2040, we want to be climate positive, as well. The issue is, how do we finance the move? It’s not extraordinarily expensive, if you compare what we collect from our road charging taxation system. If you drive into the inner city, you have to pay 3 euros. Half or one-third of revenues of that annually would be enough to pay for the carbon capture storage system. We have to find the business model to create the funding. We are approaching the national government for incentives to speed up this work. We don’t have the mandate or power to do so with local legislation.

OF THE TOTAL EMISSIONS, WHAT PERCENTAGE IS INDIRECT EMISSIONS? COULD YOU EXPLAIN IN TERMS OF TOTAL ENVIRONMENTAL WARMING IMPACT (TEWI)? Do you mean the lifecycle analysis of production of renewable fuels? Do you mean other emissions, like methane?

I’M TALKING ABOUT ANY GREENHOUSE GAS FROM BURNING FUELS, WHEN YOU USE THE ELECTRICITY FOR POWERING DISTRICT ENERGY PLANTS, SAY? Emissions compared to net emissions… I don’t have that figure. It would be of interest, I understand, so that you can see the impact of using renewables instead of fossil fuels. If you look at the waste heat used for district heating, there you have approximately half of the emissions compared to when you use oil or coal. If you go to wood chips, I think it goes down to 5-10% of the emissions of fossil fuel. If you compare biogas as a fuel or ethanol to petrol, it’s 80% less emissions.

REVISITING YOUR 2040 TARGET OF BECOMING FOSSIL FUELFREE, ARE YOU LIKELY TO ACHIEVE IT MUCH BEFORE THE DESIGNATED YEAR, KEEPING IN MIND THE EVOLVING NATURE OF TECHNOLOGY? Well, I wouldn’t say we are much ahead of the target; I wouldn’t say we are behind it, either. We have a first control station at 2023 that we should reach 1.5 tons per capita; and that’s a higher speed than we have been reducing so far. It is because of politicians, who see a need for higher speed in climate work to reach the Paris Agreement. If we reach 1.5 tons, I hope we get better incentive to work with transport-related issues. If you look at heating and electricity, I’m sure it’s very well according to the plan. If we look at the buildings, for the first time, we have district cooling, as well, mostly in the central business district. And in our high-tech area, we have combined district heating and cooling heat pump for the cold side and the hot side. In normal buildings, we are seeing more and more energy efficiency-related work. We have installed heat pumps for the ventilation air. The heat pumps take the used air out of the building. They take out the heat and feed it back for hot water and heating.

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Gustaf Landahl, City of Stockholm, Sweden

Since these systems have adopted forced ventilation, people think the air quality has improved. They have better forced ventilation ventilating their apartment. Their air quality, indoors, and energy efficiency have gone hand in hand, which is a very positive development.

IT IS INTERESTING, BECAUSE IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND IAQ DON’T SEEM TO GO HAND IN HAND. We have a heat exchange system taking the heat out of the air and saving the energy. This approach is very efficient, especially when we consider old buildings. Forced ventilation and improved heat recuperation is normally the most cost-efficient energysaving method; it is much more cost efficient than insulating exterior walls. If you take our smart city project, there we have managed to bring down energy use in multi-family building by 79%, which is down to levels we want newly built buildings to be built in Stockholm.

TO WHAT EXTENT IS DISTRICT HEATING HELPING YOU ACHIEVE THE 2040 TARGET? ARE YOU ABLE TO QUANTIFY THAT? We have quantified that, since a large part of the emission reductions we have done is due to people moving from individual heating through using oil to district heating, and especially with wood chips. The national government introduced a carbon tax through a tax swap back in the beginning of the 1990s, where tax on labour was reduced whereas tax on carbon was increased. So, if one ton of coal cost USD 80 in the international market, you pay USD 350 in tax, if you use it as a fuel – that makes coal not so interesting. If you buy wood chips, it would cost USD 220 dollars in the international market, so of course you move to that.

November 2020

So, this carbon tax has been of great importance for moving over to renewables. Without that, I don’t think we would have come as far as we have. We can’t take all the credit at the municipal level; it was helped by the national tax system.

HOW MUCH DOES DISTRICT HEATING CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL HEATING REQUIREMENT OF THE CITY? I would say at least 80% of all buildings are connected to district heating. Building owners have connected to district heating, because it is less expensive than having their own oil furnace, sped up more with the tax shift. Today, the district heating system is even interconnected with other municipalities outside of Stockholm, so soon the whole region will be connected.

HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED CAPITAL EXPENSES, AT A TIME WHEN IT IS IMPORTANT TO INSTALL THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR IMPROVING BUILDING PERFORMANCE? The pandemic did not affect GDP growth as much as everyone thought it would. The national government is spending more to keep the economy going. The government said that in the next year’s budget, much more is going for energy efficiency measures in buildings. So, money will be spent for renovation and energy efficiencyrelated work. Today, more people are working from home, sitting with their headsets. I see more digital meetings in the future and more people working from home. People want to have larger apartments, which would reduce the space for offices. Also, we can see that sales of villas have gone up, higher than those of multi-family apartments. We can also see that many people are buying

a lot more on the Internet than before, so the need for shops will decrease and the need for deliveries is going up. More people are buying stuff and getting deliveries right to their door, instead of driving for their shopping. This will also affect transport – a huge increase in goods transports would see a decrease in people transports. I can’t really say if this is positive or negative for the climate; we haven’t evaluated how it will affect the way we emit in the future. But I do believe the new normal will be something in between the way we were before COVID and the way we are working today.

HOW DO ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PROJECTS GET FINANCED? COULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MODEL? I could say it’s like all infrastructure, be it electricity infrastructure or road infrastructure. You have to find a way of funding – borrow money to implement them, and in the long term, they pay themselves back. If you take district heating, everyone who buys that goes back to the system paying for the investment. Today, our electricity grid is co-owned by a Canadian pension fund, because they want to invest where they can get money back for their investment. At a time when lending rates are very low, the big infrastructure projects are rather a stable and secure investment. I’m sure our district heating system is also of great value, so it would come out for sale.

Gustaf Landahl is one of the speakers at The Big 5 Digital Festival, from November 23 to 26. This interview has been made possible, thanks to dmg events.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the Q&A. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

www.climatecontrolme.com

FEATURE

Legionella

ost cutting by stakeholders is leading to a reduction in Legionella testing, says Rodger Macfarlane, Technical Director, Culligan Middle East, who adds that the company would normally expect to see a peak in the positive counts over the coming weeks as COVID-19 restrictions are loosened. “I’m pretty sure that we’ll see a bigger increase this time as hotel rooms and apartments are brought back into use,” he says. “The big question is, are enough checks being implemented by entities that are in the process of reopening?” Macfarlane says that as far as he can see, municipalities have not been issuing directives for businesses to take any special measures for legionella prevention. “We are certainly not having any customers approaching us asking for extra testing,” he says. “We would have expected businesses to be opting for additional checks during the process of reopening – for example, on-site quick checks for legionella before opening a building and putting a water system online.” He adds that in the region, the major sources of legionella are cooling towers, fountains,

November 2020

Rodger Macfarlane, Technical Director, Culligan Middle East, speaks to Hannah Jo Uy of Climate Control Middle East, on the need to drive better awareness and investment towards legionella prevention, and the need for more cohesive guidelines supported by knowledge from technical experts spray taps and showers. Although water features are monitored and controlled very closely in terms of legionella with a very high pass mark, Mcfarlane says that his main concern is surrounding domestic water systems. “Apartments and hotel rooms are being vacated and left empty for a period of time,” he says. “Even as an absolute bare minimum, are the water outlets, the spray taps and showers being flushed through before the apartments and hotel rooms are reopened?” Macfarlane adds that in the case of a full legionella check, the laboratory process

takes around a week just for incubation. “This means that if you’re opening a building, you’re not going to know if your water is safe until seven days after you’ve taken the sample, by which time the building could have been open for a few days,” he says.

LACK OF PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT Macfarlane says that the lack of legionellamitigation efforts in the wake of the reopening of many businesses is a symptom of a bigger problem in the industry, stemming from the lack of proactive

management systems. This, he says, is largely because current legal requirements do not specify compulsory action beyond testing and monitoring. “Municipalities put a lot of store in the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for drinking water safety, but they don’t do the same with the WHO guidelines for legionella control,” he says. “My message would be – let’s be more proactive to prevent these problems rather than reactive and solving the problems once they’ve occurred. Once the problem is there, once the biofilms with legionella are in the water, you’ve now got a problem. By the time you get the inspector around and you take corrective actions, someone could have been infected and it’s too late.”

Macfarlane’s sense of urgency stems from insights he has accumulated helping government bodies manage legionella. In this scope of work, he says, the company carried out site surveys and proceeded through to risk assessment and action plans as part of water safety plans before undertaking the necessary sampling, analysis and reporting. “What stands out in this region is that in many cases, official guidelines generally don’t go beyond testing, recording and reporting,” he says. “There is little emphasis on best practice in terms of site survey/risk assessment/action plan to determine what needs to be done by who, in order to resolve any legionella problems that exist at the time of the site survey and which may arise thereafter.” Mcfarlane says that despite the fact that the WHO document, titled ‘Legionella and the prevention of legionellosis’ shows the preparation of water safety plans as being best practice, water safety plans in this region are scarce, save for those put in place by organisations, where management systems are from outside the country, typically hotels. “Generally speaking, those organisations which require us to deliver water safety plans take this course, because it is the right thing to do, not because it was mandated

by any government guidelines,” he says. “The existing guidelines, while they are fine within themselves, need to be extended to include and prioritise system surveys, water safety plans and management plans, rather than focusing only on testing and reacting to failed results.”

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SECTOR In the current market, the level of awareness and the willingness to invest in legionella prevention measures vary among sectors. Macfarlane says that the healthcare sector generally is more active in this area. “The larger healthcare facilities, in particular, have water hygiene well covered, because they have processes which include risk assessment and management systems,” he says. “The kind of hospitals we’re dealing with, like Cleveland Clinic and American Hospital, have their own management systems. They go well beyond the requirements of the municipality standards.” Hotels, however, tend to follow the guidelines, but not best practice, says Mcfarlane. “They do the testing, flushing and cleaning, but generally it’s only the big five-star hotels which have management systems in place, because they’re imposed from head office in Europe or America,” he points out.

Building owners who hold back on investment in the best water treatment solutions and safeguards can end up with a system which uses lower-quality chemicals and does not include legionella testing and other lab services, so the risks are obvious Rodger Macfarlane

www.climatecontrolme.com

FEATURE

Legionella

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November 2020

FEATURE

Legionella

As for commercial and residential sectors, Macfarlane says it varies depending on the building management. “There are buildings in Dubai, for instance, which are looked after by top line property management or FM companies, who are very much best in class,” he says. “They have systems and procedures in place, which ensure this is all well-audited and controlled. But the smaller companies and smaller hotels, who manage themselves, will literally do barely enough to meet the requirements of the guidelines. They’re not breaking any laws. They are not doing anything wrong, but they are reactive rather than proactive. The proactive ones are where we see very little in terms of positive results.”

THE ROI OF LEGIONELLA PREVENTION For Macfarlane, the onus is on building owners to drive better practices. He points out that doing so would future-proof the portfolio. “Building owners who hold back on investment in the best water treatment

solutions and safeguards can end up with a system which uses lower-quality chemicals and does not include legionella testing and other lab services, so the risks are obvious,” he says. “Another big problem is the gap between the consultants who specify the equipment/chemicals being installed in new buildings and the requirements of the municipality, which may not always be published. So, an expensive dosing and control system can become redundant before the building is handed over to the client.”

STANDARDS ARE KEY Macfarlane believes that a lot of these can be avoided through regulations but that there are not enough standards and guidelines in the region, and that there is too much variability. Macfarlane points out that this reflects the varying level of awareness among the entities. “There are public sector organisations who are very much aware of their responsibilities, but there are others who are clearly not as focused on this as they should be,” he says. “Municipalities generally

need to be more open minded and place more trust in those within the private sector with the technical know-how, expertise and the right solutions to help them raise the bar in terms of legionella prevention.” That said, Macfarlane says he remains sympathetic to the challenges facing the municipality. “On one hand, municipalities want to benefit from expert technical advice,” he says. “On the other, of course, they can’t be seen to be favouring company A versus company B. Because of that, discussions on the problems they face, and the solutions available, tend not to go any further.” As such, Macfarlane believes that it would help if municipalities published a list of specialist companies producing systems that can be used to effectively control legionella, similar to programmes used to identify approved suppliers in other sectors.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the article. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

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Post-event Report

THE CLIENT, CONSULTANT, CONTRACTOR CONFERENCE

A CALL FOR

The fourth edition of The Client, Consultant, Contractor Conference, organised by CPI Industry as part of the HVACR Virtual Conference Series, on October 14, 2020, provided a platform for a candid discussion on the construction industry’s collective efforts to battle the economic downturn following the outbreak of COVID-19, which has aggravated the cost-centric approach that has led to poor IAQ and building performance across the builtenvironment. Hannah Jo Uy has the story…

ll organisations, without exception, got affected by COVID-19, and the resulting economic downturn, said V Sekhar Reddy, Managing, Director, Lexzander, leading the discussions as Chair of the 4th Edition of The Client, Consultant, Contractor Conference. The virtual gathering saw a cross-section of stakeholders from the construction ecosystem and, as Reddy highlighted, served as a brainstorming session for solutions surrounding business continuity, financial stability and confidence building-measures for the HVACR industry, which is combating the fallout from the pandemic. “We are all in the process of making peace with COVID-19,” Reddy said. “The way forward is to have a clear roadmap, with tailor-made action plans deemed good for your area of operations.” Reddy pointed out that while there are opportunities in the form of retrofit projects, and in the healthcare and e-commerce sectors, there is still a strong slump in the real estate, hospitality, oil and gas, and tourism sectors. “Liquidity process, revenue disruption, low confidence levels of employees and an uncertain future lead to a change in customer behaviour,” he added. For Dr Iyad Al Attar, independent air filtration consultant, a change is not only welcome, it is needed, as there should be an urgent move to minimise bad practices

November 2020

in terms of indoor air quality (IAQ), considering existing systems have contributed to the rampant spread of the virus. “COVID-19 arrived to see all of us V Sekhar Reddy a sitting duck for more outbreaks,” he said. “I think what we've sustained in the past seven months, or so, demonstrated that air quality is the main foundation of our global economy.” There is a need for a shift in mindset, Dr Al-Attar said. Air quality and air filtration, he pointed out, have been put in the backburner and overlooked for many years, owing to energy efficiency initiatives. “From what I Dr Iyad Al Attar see, what hangs in the balance is thermal comfort and energy, and these are the two favourite topics we've discussed in the past possibly 20 or 30 years,” he said. “Air IAQ AS A LONG-TERM quality was maybe just for innovation. Now, INVESTMENT it's not just innovation, it's a need.” Dr Al Implementing measures to improve IAQ has Attar added that it’s due time the industry been high on the agenda of building owners developed a proper roadmap that includes and managers, such as Chithrananda De initiatives to recognise and characterise Alwis, Director of Engineering, Shangri-La outdoor air, taking into account the harsh Hotel Group, who said that the hotel has conditions of the Middle East, investigating ramped up its own efforts in the form of the possible impact of those characteristics replacing the filters with more frequency on the performance of air filtration selections and undertaking other related procedures. and, then, revisiting existing systems. However, De Alwis said, he is also empathetic

CHANGE to financial impact of such initiatives. Such efforts, he said, come with a price and lead to an increase in energy consumption, which has been a cause of concern among building owners, who have been requesting engineers to reduce operating cost. “Some people start shutting down the fresh air supply to the building and, rather than running them for 24 hours, operating them for 12 hours, which I don't personally agree with,” he said. De Alwis said that he has, however, seen a trend among the new wave of hotel guests, post-COVID. More customers, he said, are asking specific questions surrounding the hotel’s practices related to fresh air intake and filtration systems. There are different catalysts now for

old traditional routines, which have proven to be wrong. Even when we are following international standards, the international standards are not up to date. We need to teach our management that they must allow budgets that can solve the project's condition, such as timing and quality.” Shimmari said: “All these things are easy to talk about. But it requires a lot of hard work, putting KPIs and milestones that fit with being under the AC and indoor for most of the year in such property and your assets,” she said. harsh weather. So, all of this “Air quality is one of the most have to be understood, important things to ensure in discussed as well as properties.” realised through the Bjorn Ostbye, Project government and private Development Manager, sectors, because we're Lulu Group International, talking about developers, said that gaps in terms of companies, consultant providing better operations, firms and contractors who owing to budgets, has been a long-standing issue and that Girish Hiranandani will support this holistic system. So, the overview undoubtedly, there is a need will not come only from to change and reboot legislation and laws, but it's definitely a current systems that have melting pot for all together to create.” led to inefficient building

Anwaar Al Shimmari

Bjorn Ostbye Chithrananda De Alwis

the industry, he said, adding that this serves as a motivation for companies to invest in IAQ-related practices, keeping in mind future business from international visitors. Providing a government perspective, Anwaar Al Shimmari, Director of Design, and Chief Innovation Officer, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said that the onus on improving IAQ is on landlords and master developers. She highlighted that investors have a role to play in making sure they keep investments safe through providing indoor air quality. “It's part of marketing your

designs in the first place. “Definitely, we have a problem,” he said. “The whole industry now is under-quoting, prices are too low, budgets are wrong and specifications are misleading. It’s very difficult to be a team player when there is no transparency.” Ostbye said that while rules and regulations are in place, there is a need for greater teamwork to improve projects. “We have to allow budgets that include new thinking,” he said. “MEP engineers need to know how to look outside the box and see whatever else is available. We cannot stick to

MAGNIFYING EXISTING PROBLEMS For many stakeholders, the cashflow issues following the recent economic upheaval have only aggravated already existing financial problems bearing down on consultants, contractors and the entire supply chain. Girish Hiranandani Co-founder, Hira Industries, pointed out while COVID-19 has a definitive impact on the industry, companies who kept in mind pre-COVID trends are prepared to bear with the impact. “The construction industry is a very cyclical

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Post-event Report industry,” he said. “It's an industry which grows by 15% a year for five years and shrinks by 10-15% a year for about three to four. So, before COVID hit, we, as a group, were expecting shrinkage in market size, anyway. As you can see around UAE, there's overbuild of hotels, schools, hospitals and malls.” He added that the shrinkage in the market has led to banks and financial institutions going after contractors and suppliers.

THE CLIENT, CONSULTANT, CONTRACTOR CONFERENCE

after the contractors with high debt who are operationally inefficient. “You will see a washing out of contractors in every level, from small, midsize and large,” he said. He added that he believes the recovery will not take a U- or V-shape but rather a K-shape, where “the strong become stronger and the weak will become weaker”. Hiranandani said that the market size is shrinking for the operationally inefficient contractors and suppliers, and the market share is actually increasing for the well capitalised and operationally efficient contractors and suppliers. He added that he believes this trend will continue in the next 3-5 years until around 2025, where the market size could potentially grow again.

Krishnan Unni Madathil

Euan Lloyd Weighing in, Krishnan Unni Madathil, Chartered Accountant, Audit Partner, Bin Khadim, Radha & Company Chartered Accountants, stressed that the situation will get worse before it gets better. “Banks are petrified,” he said. “The rules and regulations that the banking sector developed since 2008 were built on the assumption that we would see incremental growth every year. We are sitting at the top of the 2020s and this may be a decade of lost growth, we may be looking at a continuous shrinkage of the economy on a year-on-year basis until 2030. Because of that, the metrics that banks have used with rate credit between various borrowers may need a reconsideration. Because of that, you know, we'll end up with a situation where weaker parties will suffer. Whereas those who came into the game in 2020 with a healthy balance sheet with stronger credibility measures stand a better chance of pulling up.” Following the same line of thinking, Hiranandani said that the banks will go

November 2020

additional risk the contractor is taking, the price went down, owing to competitive tendering. For Kandasamy Anbalagan, Managing, Partner, Proleed Engineering, the impact that tighter budgets and competition will have on building performance and IAQ will be unquestionable. “Improbable or unrealistic budgets are the basis on which a client awards the job,” he said. “Then, consultants and project managers have to select a contractor who fits within the budget. So, we have seen projects given to contractors who may not be technically competent.” Anbalagan said that another issue is people doing multiple roles not designated to the activity, which has led to a lot of gaps. “The transparency has to be there, because people have moved away from conventional contracts to designand-build [contracts], because there was a loss in confidence on the consultancy.” Anbalagan Kandasamy Anbalagan bemoaned the situation of the contractor thinking the consultant might be the wrong person in the chain and cutting him out and, instead opting for design-build contracts. Such projects, he said, have not been very successful, because there are a lot of cases where the timelines and budgets have not been respected and, ultimately, the client ended up paying variations.

Euan Lloyd, Senior Counsel, Al Tamimi & Company, provided a legal perspective on the current state of the construction market in the UAE and across the GCC region. “There's been a lot of discussion about the COVID-19 situation, which is inevitable,” he said. “But I think if we take a step back, even prior to the COVID situation taking hold, the market and the construction industry were going through a tough time. It was very competitive.” As an example, he pointed out that in design-and-build contracts, the contractor has to assume the majority of the design obligations. In one particular instance, he recalls that instead of the contract price going up to reflect this

THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE AND NEW NORMS Lloyd, presenting an alternative scenario, said that COVID-19 has led to a surprising trend. “Against the backdrop of COVID, a lot of people thought that there'll be a flood of litigation, a global flood of claims, and everything will get terribly acrimonious,” he said. “But in my experience, the opposite has been true, in that a lot of the participants in projects I've been collaborating, could be trying to work out mutually beneficial solutions,

which work, and these solutions may not necessarily be found in the contract.” In the past few months, Lloyd said that he believes that trust between participants in the construction sector is improving. People are working and trying to find fair and equitable solutions. “Traditionally, dispute resolution was either between litigation or arbitration, and both these mechanisms or procedures are fairly slow and also expensive,” he said. “What I'm finding now is people are much more willing to collaborate and try to find more cost-effective solutions to resolving disputes.” Lloyd said that this has led to popularity of using expert determination, wherein if there's an issue and the parties can't agree, then they may appoint independent experts with an engineering background to give an opinion, which may or may not be binding.

“The message I’m trying to give is that it's not all doom and gloom,” he said. “The UAE is remarkably resilient. Although it's going through a tough time right now. I'm sure it's going to bounce back without question. And even during these COVID times, you know, I've seen green shoots of recovery, infrastructure works are taking place, building projects are taking place. While we are in this difficult time, I think people are starting to embrace this new normal and people are collaborating.” Such a collaboration is vital, Al Shimmari said. “It's important to highlight that government and private sector are together in this,” she said. “So, we have to make sure that everyone is aligned, and legislation, laws and policies definitely have to be either revised or to be created for something similar to the new norms. And it is important to highlight that when it comes to similar issues. We're not talking about a specific kind of pandemic or epidemic. We're talking about providing continuous lifestyle and air quality as well as a safe environment for the next few years.”

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the article. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

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covid

Ghassan Nimry is Director, Eco-Structures International Limited. He may be reached at gnimry@eco-structures.net.

Concrete proof A system where air travelling within concrete slabs, utilising concrete’s thermal mass to reduce the installed cooling and heating capacity by up to 50%, reducing power consumption by 25-35%+, and reducing HVACrelated operations and maintenance by >50% is the way to go, says Ghassan Nimry, especially when the clamour for more fresh air changes is tempered by efforts to lower indirect emissions and total cost of ownership

Fan-coil Unit drainage tray (before/after cleaning) onstruction is undergoing a forced stoppage, worldwide. Limited access to sites, stricter control of workers working on projects, social distancing, uncertain Air supply duct (before/after cleaning) delays in procurement and a general economic downturn, worldwide is holding back projects everywhere. coil units create an ideal environment for the This hiatus is the perfect opportunity 2. Air Volumes: High volumes of overly pathogens to thrive and spread. to rethink old practices and employ new cold or warm air can dry out the Airborne pathogens – for example, and creative ways to improve how we build sinus membranes, causing irritation bacteria, viruses, mold spores and fungi – so that we can live better and healthier. and inflammation. circulating in homes and buildings can cause Social distancing is one simple yet effective 3. Internal HVAC equipment that can discomfort in a healthy person, such as Sick technique to keep us removed from catching create an environment conducive to Building Syndrome, and may cause severe viruses that circulate in the air around us. bacteriological growth. health issues for people with weakened Yet, when indoors, we may keep our physical or compromised immune systems. We are social distance, but the air we breathe has It is important to understand how susceptible to these pathogens potentially been circulating in far larger spaces and with this works: The nasal passages’ walls reaching us from other people in the other people, and can transmit all kinds of are coated with millions of tiny hair-like constantly recirculating air flow from the particles, including pathogens, negating all structures that form part of the respiratory HVAC. Further, these pathogens can also our best efforts at minimising exposure to mucus membranes. Their main function thrive in air supply ducts or HVAC drainage microbes. is to trap any incoming dust, bacteria, trays, and are released into the airstream As we have seen with the COVID-19 virus mold, viruses, etc., in the mucus and when the HVAC system is turned on. Both (SARS-CoV-2), opportunistic pathogens – transport them to the back of the throat these factors add to our health risks. bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. – are becoming to be swallowed, where the stomach’s Conventional air conditioning in more prevalent and their impact is global. highly acidic gastric juices (pH 2-3) can many climates has a few basic health This is exacerbated by our modern buildings neutralise them. shortcomings: and HVAC systems, many of which rely on An overly dry internal environment 1. Air Quality: Air within homes and recirculating cooled or heated air inside the – whether cold or hot and typical of buildings can often consist of building, and on a significant amount of conventional HVAC – can lead to the primarily recirculating air and HVAC equipment installed internally, usually drying out of the mucus membranes, minimal fresh air. behind false ceilings. These air ducts and fan-

November 2020

rendering ineffective the ability of the body to trap airborne pathogens and send them to the stomach. This allows these pathogens to reach deeper into the respiratory system, possibly leading to upper respiratory infections (sinus and throat infections), and in more serious cases, lower respiratory infections (bronchioles and lungs). The body is very effective in fighting infections, but chronic exposure to such an environment – for example, the ones we are exposed to in homes and work spaces using conventional heating and cooling – can overwhelm our defences and can cause many uncomfortable symptoms, including sinus pressure, headaches, sore throats, nosebleeds and dry mouth/nose. About 40 years ago emerged an HVAC system that circulates air within concrete slabs, utilising concrete’s thermal mass to reduce the installed cooling

and heating capacity by up to 50%, reducing power consumption by 25-35%+, and reducing HVAC-related operations and maintenance by >50%, thereby slashing the building’s carbon footprint while cutting capex and opex. The system has been applied successfully in numerous projects, worldwide, including residential, commercial, educational, retail and healthcare-related buildings in Europe, Middle East, Africa, North America and Australia. Air passes through supply ducts into the concrete slabs and, then, from the slabs into the occupied spaces, taking advantage of the concrete’s thermal mass, which reduces the installed heating/cooling capacity by up to ~50%. In addition to these impressive sustainability features, several key features of the system also provide for a superior indoor environment: 1) The system provides a higher fresh air component compared to conventional HVAC

2) It does not rely on recirculating the same air inside each space but rather takes all the internal air out of these spaces to the air-handling units (AHUs), where fresh air is introduced and where all the air volume is properly filtered/ treated and then brought back into the occupied spaces 3) It does not promote any bacteriological growth due to concrete’s high pH levels (12.5-13) 4) Internal temperatures are maintained within a narrow/ comfortable range 24/7, 365 days/year 5) It localises all HVAC equipment externally – that is, roof/basement – and so does not require any equipment internally, eliminating a primary source for bacteriological growth 6) With external equipment, no HVACrelated maintenance is required within the occupied spaces. In addition to the ability to reduce the installed cooling/heating capacities by up to ~50% and using 25-35% less power, the system’s core design principles directly create healthier indoor environments and are not simply an afterthought. With the system in place, the HVAC system in the building runs silently; provides consistently draught-free comfortable temperatures, 24/7, all year round. As a combined radiant and convective HVAC system, it is not only more comfortable – the supply air temperature is only a few degrees higher than the room temperature – but it also reduces the overall air volumes,

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covid

providing a far higher proportion of fresh air. The system further eliminates recirculation of air within each space. All the internal air is removed from the rooms and sent to the air-handling unit (AHU), where a significant proportion is exhausted, fresh air brought in, filtered, treated and conditioned before being sent back into the occupied spaces.

It is at the AHU that all the pathogens can be removed by filtration and sterilisation. Filtration – including HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters – helps purify the incoming air. HEPA filters are designed to capture 99.97% of particles of 0.3 microns or larger. This is enough to capture most pathogens. However, Coronavirus – for example – ranges from 0.06 to 0.14 microns, so some will pass through even a HEPA filter. As an additional level of protection, UV-C steriliser (UV germicidal irradiation)

November 2020

Ghassan Nimry is Director, Eco-Structures International Limited. He may be reached at gnimry@eco-structures.net.

or ionisation modules can be added to the AHU, which will neutralise all viruses in the air-path by destroying its ability to replicate. Such modules can also be placed in the main supply ducts, ensuring almost total sterilisation of the entire air volume. Whereas in many HVAC systems, 80-90%+ of the air recirculates internally,

the system I am talking about compels the entire volume of air to exit the occupied spaces and pass through the AHU, allowing the continuous filtration/sterilisation of the entire air volume, ensuring near-zero pathogens in the building’s supply air. This is an unprecedented ability for an HVAC system to simultaneously achieve this level of indoor air quality (IAQ) in an environmentally friendly building that uses about half of the cooling/ heating capacity of a conventional HVAC building. These capabilities of the system were recognised by the multiple awards received internationally. Its impact goes beyond energy and Typical AHU into cost, occupant components comfort and the environment.

HVAC equipment, and can adapt to greener forms of concrete and 3D-printed structures, as these become more commonplace. The system can also be used in conjunction with solar energy – PV panels and CSP – that is, in harmony with other energy-saving technologies and natural energy systems. This can help relieve pressure on municipal power supplies and budgets, and also increase livability TermoDeck Project: Award-winning K-12 School in Dubai, UAE (2016) by improving IAQ and minimising the detrimental effects on outdoor air quality (OAQ). In the above school project, the all our projects, but one particular project Social distancing is the most effective way installed system redesigned the HVAC to stands out: The Maun District Hospital for of preventing the spread of COVID-19. Rather reduce the installed AC capacity by 58%, Highly Infectious Diseases, in Botswana, than recirculating air internally, the system reducing the connected electrical load in southern Africa), below, where the very sends the entire air volume to the AHU by ~33%, while allowing for ~50% fresh nature of the patients being treated (highly (no internal air recirculation). This enables air (instead of the usual 15-20%). If we compromised/weakened immunities) and a “social distancing” solution for internal converted the school to 100% fresh air, illnesses treated (for example, HIV/AIDS) building air, sending it away from the people the system would require ~29 m2/TR of necessitated a solution that increases who share the same airspace, providing fresh cooling capacity, compared to ~10 m2/ the chances of recovery and reduces air indoors, reducing the spread of viruses, TR, if using conventional AC. Put another the chance of cross infections within the sustainably. way, for 100% fresh air, each ton AC hospital. The system was able to do just As the world prepares for the postwould only cool 10 m2 with conventional that. The system has been recognised Coronavirus/COVID-19 phase, and as the by the UK government as “mercifully AC but would cool 29 m2 with the system awareness of the importance of maintaining bulletproof”. It is flexible enough to work in place (three times as much space). The a healthy living environment takes the with almost any commercially available system’s health benefits are evident in importance it deserves, the installed HVAC system is probably the one way for building owners and occupants to be fully confident that they are not only living and working in a place that is free from pathogens in the HVAC system but also in a building Maun Hospital that requires ~50% of the installed heating and cooling capacity and consumes 25-35% less power (compared to conventional AC), and costs less to build, operate and maintain.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

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covid

Zafar Ure is with Phase Change Material Products Limited. He can be contacted at z.ure@pcmproducts.net

Formidable logistical challenges might find the answer in simple reusable ice packs with water-based Eutectic solution between -50 degrees C and -68 degrees C, writes Zafar Ure

lthough there are lots of potential vaccine candidates on the horizon, for the large majority of these vaccines there will be a requirement for very accurate temperature-controlled storage, shipment and handling methods. It appears that most prospective vaccines will require transportation and distribution well below freezer temperatures, the most promising candidates requiring close to -68 degrees C cryogenic conditions. At present, even if the vaccine was made available tomorrow, the logistic support network does not exist to handle such distribution, even in developed countries.

November 2020

This exact problem was faced during the Ebola crisis, in which the approved vaccine had to be shipped close to -68 degrees C levels. Across the African continent, there were limited options for dry-ice and a lack of extensive laboratory freezers. This presented a major logistical problem. The world is facing a far bigger challenge than Ebola at present, and certainly simple reusable ice packs with waterbased Eutectic solution between -50 degrees C and -68 degrees C could be a useful tool in order to help resolve this logistical challenge. The ice packs can be recharged and used multiple times, hence eliminating the need for dry ice. This technology could represent a vital logistical tool in both storing and shipping the vaccine across the less developed world. It will also help in developed countries, as demand may well end up exceeding the current production capacity for dry-ice. Utilising central distribution centres, such as airports and other suitable storage facilities / central distribution hubs, it may be possible to provide up to 48 hours safe transport and handling of any potential COVID-19 vaccines, even for the most remote locations. The solution is in the form of the aforementioned custom-made waterbased Eutectic -65 degree C ice packs and matching insulated boxes for distribution. The main aim of the Eutectic solutions is to enable users to freeze the ice

packs in standard laboratory ULT freezers. In a similar manner to how a person may freeze standard water ice packs, in order to use them in a picnic basket or drinks cooler. This concept would allow for approved vaccines to be safely transported from main distribution centres. As the solution is water-based, it represents no hazardous issues, which offers many advantages for both handling, as well as transportation. As the eutectic material is water based, any shape or configuration of ice pack design can be easily filled. Another major issue that may be faced across several of the developing countries is unreliable electricity supply and power cuts. Using the eutectic solution inside of a standard ULT freezer can

additionally provide a stand-by capability, if and when the power is lost. This stand-by capability can also aid in reducing the excessive refrigeration compressor start/stop penalties, hence allowing for improved reliability and energy savings. Most importantly, however, it offers a method to bridge the gap during power shortages to ensure that no valuable vaccine stock is lost.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

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LICENCE TO

HILL

Dan Mizesko is with U.S. Chiller Services. He may be contacted at dmizesko@uscsny.com.

Any chilled water plant – from the largest district cooling plant to a standalone system in a building – should take advantage of Condenser Relief strategy

n the October 2020 issue of Climate Control Middle East, I wrote about Wet Bulb Temperatures, Dry Bulb Temperatures, Approach and Range of cooling towers. Now that those terms are fully understood, it’s time to implement a powerful energy saving solution – Condenser Water Reset, also known as Condenser Relief. The fact is that any chilled water plant – from the largest district cooling plant to an office or residential building with one or two water-cooled chillers – can and should take advantage of this strategy. The savings achieved by lowering condenser entering water temperatures are impressive. Typically, compressor power savings are usually 1.5% per degree Fahrenheit or 3% per degree Celsius. Considering that the title of this article contains the words, “made easy”, I’m not going to get into technical explanations of Lift and Surge; I will just say that you need to keep a centrifugal chiller out of Surge

November 2020

at any cost. Condenser Water Reset/Relief will also protect your chillers, as it will keep a Centrifugal Chiller Compressor within its Lift Range and keep the compressor out of a Surge or Stall condition. In other words, it will protect your compressor from a catastrophic failure. Chillers nowadays should be selected and operated with ARI 550/590 part load condenser relief calculations in mind. This rating, termed IPLV/NPLV for Integrated Part Load Value/Non- standard Part Load Value, is part of the ARI Standard 550/590-98. The standard, which became effective in December 1998, also includes a revision of the evaporator fouling factor from 0.00025 to 0.0001. All chiller manufacturers must certify chiller performance to the standard. Chillers rarely operate at design conditions, because design conditions of both design load and design entering water temperatures occur during less than one per cent of chiller operating hours. That means that over 99% of potential

chiller operating hours are spent at offdesign conditions: Reduced loads, reduced ECWT/EDB, or both. This fact allows the implementation of condenser water reset to not only save energy but to also protect your chiller. Centrifugal chillers – all of them, no matter the OEM – are designed to use less power by taking advantage of lowerthan-design water temperatures that are naturally produced by cooling towers throughout the operating year. Whether you have a constant speed or VFD chiller, you can take advantage of Condenser Water Reset. Now that we understand that Condenser Water Reset saves large amounts of energy and protects the chiller, as well, how do we implement it? Well, you could run your cooling towers at full fan speed all the time to try and bring the condenser water temperature as low as you can year round. In the GCC region, this actually would work and save substantial chiller power; however, cooling

tower fans can consume from five per cent to 20% of total system power. At some point, attempting to lower condenser water any further will cost more fan energy needlessly. So, we must find a more efficient way. Remember, you should look at total system energy, not just the chillers. If you have a BMS or CMS, you can have it programmed to perform condenser relief; however, you know the old saying, “Garbage in, Garbage out”. In other words, the person programming it must understand how cooling towers and centrifugal chillers work. Having said this, if you are an owner of a building or are responsible for its operation, you might not have a highly skilled programmer at your disposal who understands all that’s required, so I will provide simple guidelines that will protect your chillers while saving you substantial energy. Granted a more robust program can be developed with tables, graphs of compressor and fan power, chiller characteristics for each combination of compressor load and outside air temperatures – dry and wet bulb – to provide the lowest cost entering condenser temperature and power savings. The problem with this is that most standalone buildings will not invest in a full CPECS (Chiller Plant Energy Control System). They should, but most won’t. The following is for those who do not have a CPECS but want to take advantage of Condenser Water Reset at a low investment: 1) Have your BMS programmed to provide condenser water temperatures as per the chiller’s data information sheets, and

operate the condenser water at IPLV/ NPLV rating at 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% loads. In other words, if the chiller is operating at 75%, the data sheets will state the required entering condenser water temperature. 2) Program your BMS to control the condenser water leaving tower temperature to 3.8 degrees C above the existing Wet Bulb temperature. In other words, if the Wet Bulb temperature outside is 28 degrees C, have the cooling tower operate to provide 31.8 degrees C water temperature. Running the tower fans any faster or longer will not get the water temperature below 31.8 degrees C. Generally, a cooling tower will provide condenser water at 7 degrees F/3.8 degrees C above the Wet Bulb temperature. In other words, the condenser water entering the chiller condenser will be 7 degrees F/3.8 degrees C above the Wet Bulb temperature. For example: If the Wet Bulb temperature is 28 degrees C, the entering condenser water temperature is 31.8 degrees C. If the Wet Bulb temp is 22 degrees C, the entering condenser water temperature is 25.8 degrees C. 3) Install an automatic cooling tower controller, set it up, as explained above, and you will save substantial power and money and also protect your chillers. These automatic controllers are relatively low cost, a few thousand dollars and will work well. 4) Manually control the condenser water temperature. Get your operator a

sling psychrometer. A psychrometer places a thin film of water on the bulb of a thermometer that is twirled in the air. After about a minute, the thermometer will show a reduced temperature. The low point, when there is no additional twirling, is the Wet Bulb temperature. After the operator has the Wet Bulb temperature, have him or her set the condenser water temperature to 3.8 degrees C above the Wet Bulb reading. Have him or her do this every hour, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of savings achieved.

Automatic Condenser Water Reset, when set up properly, will just cost a few thousand dollars and save between 10% and 15% annual chiller energy. Condenser Water Reset performed manually will just cost you the price of a sling psychrometer, maybe USD 100, and save between three per cent and eight per cent annual chiller energy. Either way you get it done, I suggest you get it done, as the savings are there for the taking with minimal investment.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Three60 elaborates on HVAC strategies that contributed to AED 7 million in savings Company GM discusses initiatives to reduce chilled water consumption and the contribution of VFDs in meeting internal sustainability objectives

By Hannah Jo Uy | Contributing Editor

required for the communities, hree60 Communities, which they found to be lower than a subsidiary of the load implemented originally, Eltizam Asset as per the designs. He said that Management Group, in coordination with Empower, has saved a total of AED 7 Three60 also shut down two million across its portfolio during Alan Rowlands heat exchangers installed in the the first five months of 2020, district cooling systems of some said Alan Rowlands, General communities, which resulted in a lower chilled Manager, attributing the achievement to the water consumption rate. Further, Rowlands company’s increased focus on sustainability, said, increased return temperature and higher with efforts revolving around energy and Delta T were the results of controlling the water conservation. “We have brought in the chilled water flow rate. right technologies to the communities we However, Rowlands emphasised that the serve to significantly bring down their power company went even further. “We successfully and water use, while further enhancing the negotiated a lower tonnage rate from comfort, security and overall experience of Empower to calculate the capacity charge in residents and tenants,” he said. some towers, and they discounted a 10% on An integral part of the initiative is the capacity charge,” he said. “To eliminate addressing chilled water consumption, which Delta T penalty and further increase our Roland said contributed AED 2.3 million energy savings, meanwhile, we are now in the to the savings. “Controlling the chilled final stages of our negotiations with the Body water pump flow rate entails changing Corporate to hammer out a complete Design, the frequency of the pumps using the Build and Operate agreement.” Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) settings Going into further detail regarding the without affecting the service we deliver to VFDs and adiabatic system, which led to the end-users,” he said. “This was made 30% savings in chilled water consumption, possible because of the oversized chilled Rowland said the VFDs were installed at water pump system.” Rowland explained Index already and functional. “However, this that upon implementing the strategy, the was not utilised properly, and once Three60 Building Management System (BMS) team had taken over we optimised the usage of was able to calculate the total cooling load VFD through BMS,” he said. Elaborating on other measures the company has implemented to meet its sustainability goals, Rowlands said the company has installed a BMS Lighting Control System on residential floors and in parking spaces to control the power being consumed in these areas, especially after midnight.

November 2020

“We utilise the same system to switch off lights on commercial floors after office hours, during which only emergency lights are working,” he said. “Also, by manually setting the differential pressure based on the cooling demand, we can regulate the chilled water flow to lower the chilled water pump frequency.” Rowlands said the company has also a host of other measures in line with its cost-reduction strategy, resulting in savings 49% higher than the same period last year. “By ramping up our sustainability initiatives, we have significantly lowered the operating budgets of our communities and, more importantly, lessened our environmental impact.” Rowlands also spoke on challenges FM companies face when it comes to implementing energy conservation measures amid a pandemic. “COVID-19 has led to increased energy consumption, which made rolling out an energy conservation measure all the more important,” he said. “The initial costs of deploying power-efficient projects were considerable, thus posing a huge challenge for everyone involved. Admittedly, our initiatives required extensive work, because we not only needed to tap the services of technical consultants and experts, but we also needed to get the consent of homeowner associations and boards, without which we could not proceed with our plans.” Rowlands said the company is confident that the significant capital investments in equipment, facilities and technologies, among others, would return over a fixed period through the savings acquired and the efficiency attained across the communities the company oversees. Rowlands also shared that Three60, a subsidiary of Eltizam Asset Management Group, made history after becoming one of the two companies in the Middle East and outside the United States to obtain the coveted Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) seal from the Community Associations Institute (CAI). “We are immensely proud of this achievement,” he said, “and it has pushed us to be more innovative and creative in bringing services that exceed our clients’ expectations.”

UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, AD Global Market release Sustainable Finance Report Announce significant progress has been achieved across MENA region

By CCME Content Team

bu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and with the support of leading authorities in the UAE, has published the State of Sustainable Finance Report, ADGM said through a Press release. The Report underscores the collective achievements by stakeholders from the private and public sectors, as they strive to contribute to the UAE’s sustainability agenda and enhance the stability of the country’s economy through increased adoption of sustainable finance practices, ADGM said. Contributors to the Report include the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Securities and Commodities Authority of the UAE (SCA), Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Masdar, as well as many other signatories of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration and other key UAE stakeholders, ADGM said. Following the launch of its Sustainable Finance Agenda, in early 2019, ADGM has implemented a series of measures to advance the achievement of its strategic objectives, including driving the development of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Declaration, which saw an inaugural cohort of signatories pledging their commitment at the 2019 Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum. A second group of participants added to the strong list of signatories in 2020, ADGM said. H.E. Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “Sustainable finance has gained new importance

Abu Dhabi Global Market

in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our economy, as it has the potential to become one of the key drivers of a green recovery. I look forward to the day, hopefully not too far ahead in the future, when conscious investments in H.E. Ahmed Ali Al sustainable economic activities for the Sayegh benefit of humankind become the norm. It is encouraging to see the progress we have achieved in this field captured in the State of Sustainable Finance Report, and I call on all stakeholders to build on this success, lead by example and help us promote sustainable finance across the board.” H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State (UAE) and Chairman of ADGM, said: “We are glad to be working closely with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and prominent public and private partners to cultivate greater synergies and advocate positive economic, social and environmental impact across the various industries in the UAE. The 'State of Sustainable Finance Report' showcases the achievements made by each member in developing a more resilient, responsible and sustainable economy and society for our country. As an IFC and financial enabler, ADGM will continue to expand its efforts in developing sustainable finance and supporting Abu Dhabi in being a leading vibrant hub for capital formation and deployment.” According to ADGM, significant progress has been made since the authorities solidified their joint commitment to progress sustainable finance practices across the UAE and the wider MENA region. The Report highlights the key efforts and milestone achievements by MOCCAE, ADGM and all the participating members, ADGM said through the release. Some of these include Masdar’s launch of the region’s first-ever green real estate investment trust that was established in ADGM; the Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and ADGM’s plans of the Green Bond Hub Programme to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for the issuance of green bonds and sukuks; the Securities and Commodities Authority of UAE’s Master Plan for Capital Markets to sustainability goals; the ADGM Academy’s introduction of the region’s first “Certificate in Sustainable Finance”, in partnership with the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) to raise the expertise and knowledge of professionals in the UAE; and Majid Al Futtaim’s issuance of a total of USD 1.2 billion green sukuks, in 2019, the proceeds of which went towards green buildings, renewable energy, energy efficiency and improved water management, and many more. To further the progress of the UAE’s sustainability objectives, ADGM said, a set of collective actions are recommended to support all members and stakeholders to increase their adoption of sustainable practices and considerations into their business models. ADGM added it seeks to also encourage local and global institutions to incorporate sustainable efforts and initiatives as part of their growth strategies. ADGM said its partners and it will continue to work with more stakeholders to drive a resilient sustainable economy and encourage the financial industry to play its full role in addressing these collaborative actions. The State of Sustainable Finance Report, it added, can be found here (https://www.adgm.com/documents/publications/ en/adgm-state-of-sustainable-finance-report-2020. pdf?la=en&hash=BFFB248A11A70D5D96EA869BF9B49CDA).

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REGIONAL NEWS

LG sees growth across air conditioning and air purification portfolio in 2020 Says it is looking to empower UAE businesses to accelerate air solutions agenda

By CCME Content Team

G Electronics said that as the University and 410-property Mirfa Beach Villa pandemic unfolded, the need complex, in addition to Ras Al Khaimah’s for more advanced air solutions Delhi Private School (DPS) and the Majan was quickly recognised by Printing Press factory. The company said it businesses the world over, with organisations remains at the forefront of the air solutions accelerating their efforts to install new agenda for many local entities. heating, ventilation and air conditioning To ensure thorough standards of service (HVAC) technologies at are not only met but exceeded, LG unprecedented speed and scale said it has been training technicians With physical spaces now at its state-of-the-art training either fully open, or experiencing facility in Jebel Ali since 2010. The phased re-openings, from major LG Air Solutions Academy acts as transport hubs, hotels and a regional hub for the company, entertainment venues to offices where training programmes and Suraj Kumar and schools – three common workshops are conducted on a challenges remain: operating regular basis, it said. efficiently, maintaining comfortable In recent months, LG said, it has environments and instilling a sense of introduced purification and sterilisation, confidence for people to return, LG noted. kits which can be installed on existing air LG said it continues to work alongside its conditioning units to advance both comfort network of partners to not only alleviate such and indoor air quality. It said it has also concerns but also to push the boundaries introduced its Dual Vane and Round Cassette of innovation and create positive business air conditioning units, for more aestheticimpact. In the UAE’s air purification market, conscious customers who wish to maximise valued at approximately USD 5 million, LG optimal air flow, without impeding on the claimed to have captured an estimated 20% design of their environment. market share in 2020. Within the cooling At IFA 2020, the company unveiled its equipment market, excluding chillers, valued PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier – a device, at USD 200 million in the UAE, LG claimed to which harnesses two H13 HEPA filters to have captured an estimated 23% of the local offer access to better quality air on-the-go, market over the same time period. it said. In the B2B domain, the company LG said its variable refrigerant flow (VRF) said it has seen particular expressed interest systems are currently installed at a number and demand from government bodies of sites across the Emirates, some of which and hospitals alike. The device, it added, is include: Dubai’s Sustainable City, Abu expected to launch in the UAE in late 2020. Dhabi’s Saadiyat Beach Villas, American LG said it has recently strengthened its ties

with industry-leading bodies, such as ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and REHVA (Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations) to ensure its new products are designed in line with globally recognised standards. In response to the pandemic, the company said it is leveraging secure collaboration tools, ensuring continuity and confidentiality with its high-profile client base remains. To aid better customer care, LG said it is also delivering real-time monitoring and predictive failure diagnosis services, through cloud-based, non-face-to-face solutions (Total Management System) for service and maintenance. At a global level, it said, it is preparing to introduce cloud-based smart care solutions, which leverage AI for proactive customer engagement. “At LG, we have a long-standing history of supporting the UAE’s businesses through our diverse portfolio of innovative HVAC solutions,” said Suraj Kumar, Technical Manager – Air Solutions, LG Electronics Gulf. “We recognize the complexities of today’s climate, in which decision-makers are tasked with balancing the comfort and hygiene needs of their end-users, alongside operating with greater efficiency. We remain committed to helping businesses during these times, by offering solutions which prioritize each of these facets with equal measure, while also ensuring to advance our agenda of striving for meaningful innovation, to create positive impact in the country.”

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November 2020

Emicool joins first Association of District Cooling Operators

Utility’s CEO says it will continue to collectively contribute towards facilitating a sustainable process through its smart solutions by aligning with the government’s strategic objectives

By CCME Content Team

mirates District Cooling (Emicool) has announced becoming an active member of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy’s first Association of District Cooling Operators, extending full support in raising efficiency of district cooling plants to improve water and electricity Dr Adib Moubadder consumption in the emirate of Dubai. “According to industry reports, the global DC sector is set for growth in the coming years, and it becomes vital for government and the utility providers to streamline the process towards greener, more environmentally friendly systems to enhance the efficiency of energy utilization,” said Dr Adib Moubadder, CEO, Emicool. “Aligning with the government’s strategic objectives, Emicool’s smart solutions and technologically advanced equipment’s will continue to collectively contribute towards facilitating a sustainable process both at the operational and the service level.

Emicool

Emicool has extended full support by nominating Nasser Bin Jarsh, Emicool’s Chief Commercial Officer, to support the mission of the DC Association, in line with the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy (DIES) 2030 & 2050.” Emicool said it continues to play a major role in contributing towards making a positive impact on climate change. Operation of the ground-mounted, grid-connected PV solar system, providing hybrid solar power to plants, located at Emicool’ s facility in DIP 1 and 2, in Dubai, it said, is part of the Company’s approach towards enabling cost control benefits through PV installations, enhancing competitiveness and strengthening green commitment.

Emicool facility

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REGIONAL NEWS

Empower awards contracts worth AED 190 million to build new district cooling plant

DCP, in Business Bay, will have a cooling capacity of 50,000 RT, increasing the total capacity of the project to 350,000 RT, to become the largest district cooling project in the world, utility company says

By CCME Content Team

mirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) awarded a set of contracts worth AED 190 million for constructing its fourth district cooling plant in Business Bay, Dubai. Making the announcement through a Press release, the district cooling utility said the new plant will have the capacity to deliver 50,000 refrigeration tons (RT), increasing the total cooling capacity of its Business Bay project. In the process, Empower said, the Business Bay scheme will be the largest district cooling project in the world, upon completion, with a total capacity of 350,000 RT from six cooling plants. Empower said the contracts were signed after the completion of shoring work at the site for the plant room. The new plant will start producing chilled water by the third quarter of 2021, Empower said. The new district cooling plant in Business Bay, which is a contemporary financial district of Dubai, packed with corporate high-rises, apartment buildings and hotels, is part of Empower’s expansion

Solar leasing the way forward, says Yellow Door Energy

Yellow Door CEO discusses how solar power is now responsible for 90% of energy consumption at Al Nabooda Automobiles; elaborates on trends in relation to demand in the GCC region By Hannah Jo Uy | Contributing Editor

November 2020

plans, being carried out stage including Thermal Energy Storage by stage in the area to cover the (TES) systems, which help to entire Business Bay district and to reduce the load on the state grid, meet the incremental demand on and Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) district cooling services. technology, which saves usage “Empower is currently of fresh water in district cooling Ahmad Bin Shafar providing district cooling services operations. from its three permanent plants “Our existing plants in Business in Business Bay with a total Bay were built according to the cooling capacity of 135,000 refrigeration US Green Building Standards, and have also tons, serving to more than 62% of the obtained the certificates of ‘LEED GOLD’ total number of buildings in the area,” said Standards,” Bin Shafar said. “To maintain the Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower. The overall attire of the district, special attention expansion works that Empower is carrying has been given in the architectural design out in Business Bay reflect the increased of all the existing plants and also for the demand for district cooling systems, not only upcoming plant, which goes along with the in this district, but all over Dubai, as well, Bin comprehensive architectural development of Shafar said. They highlight the company’s this area.” advanced infrastructure that is contributing Bin Shafar said Dubai’s economic to providing efficient and world-class cooling developments have no stoppage and will services, which are aligned with the mission of always regain their momentum amidst adopting environment-friendly international challenges. “Empower’s district cooling standards, he added. infrastructural development plans,” he said, Bin Shafar elaborated that Empower will “are implemented in a way that contribute use advance solutions that leverage artificial to the economy as well as protect the intelligence in the operation of the new plant, environment.”

ellow Door Energy Although the company is not has successfully able to disclose consumption commissioned a in relation to air conditioning 3.1 megawattsystems, with Crane pointing peak (MWp) solar carport out this would vary based on and rooftop solar plant for Al seasonality and other factors, Jeremy Crane Nabooda Automobiles, the he emphasised that generally company said while speaking in the UAE, approximately 60% to Climate Control Middle East. The of the end-energy use goes towards the cooling system, as such, making a case for solar carport and rooftop solar plant are feasibility of cooling requirement being expected to generate 4,620 megawattaddressed by solar power. “Solar power hours (MWh) of clean energy in the first now can comfortably compete on price year of operation, equivalent to reducing with traditional means of generating 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. energy,” Crane said, sharing that Yellow With this achievement, Jeremy Crane, Door Energy provides a solar lease to Al CEO and Co-Founder, Yellow Door Energy, Nabooda Automobiles. “The benefits of a said that solar power is now responsible solar lease include lower electricity costs, for 90% of Al Nabooda’s total energy a locked-in electricity price over the term consumption needs.

The Big 5 Saudi to be held in May 2021

To be held in Riyadh, the event is expected to bring stakeholders even closer to the heart of Saudi Arabia’s USD 1.4 trillion projects market, dmg says

By CCME Content Team

mg events, organisers of The Big 5 Saudi, have announced that the event will move from Jeddah to Riyadh in 2021 and will take place from May 24 to 27 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The event, dmg said, can effectively drive vital business connections and Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, while supporting recovery efforts following COVID-19. Ben Greenish, Senior Vice President, dmg events, commented: “We are delighted to confirm new dates for The Big 5 Saudi and to announce that the event will be held in Riyadh for the first time in 2021. At a time when construction developments and the business landscape are rapidly changing, we look forward to providing a safe environment where the industry can connect, kick-start business and drive growth. “It is our hope that both the discussions and the partnerships made at the event are going to have a long-term impact on the future outlook of Saudi Arabia’s USD 1.4 trillion projects market." According to dmg, the Big 5 Saudi returns in 2021 with new co-located events and added features designed to represent and celebrate the construction sector in its entirety. Alongside seven general construction product sectors, dmg revealed, the event introduces: • FM EXPO Saudi • Saudi Clean Expo • HVAC R Expo Saudi and • Stone and Surface Saudi Arabia

of the lease, guaranteed performance of the solar plant and, of course, clean energy,” he said, adding that paying less for electricity and generating clean energy contribute to sustainability targets and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. Discussing how COVID-19 impacted the project, Crane said that in the case of Al Nabooda Automobiles facility, there were fewer people in the office, but there were still activities, such as car testing and modifications taking place in the body shop. “Energy consumption remained constant through the summer, so there has not yet been a surge in requirements for solar power specific to this facility,” he said. Speaking on broader trends in relation to solar energy, Crane said that Yellowdoor has received an increase in enquiries from

Furthermore, dmg said, the event will see the launch of ‘The Big 5 Saudi Impact Awards’, which aims to honour the people, organisations and projects driving transformation in Saudi Arabia’s construction industry. In addition, dmg said, the event will feature free and certified education sessions, which aim to help professionals keep up with the latest industry trends and standards. Osama F Al-Bunyan, Chief Operating Officer, Zamil Industrial Investment Company, speaking about the move to Riyadh, said: “It is great to know that The Big 5 Saudi will be held in Riyadh. The capital is the perfect meeting ground for discussing business and investment opportunities in the Kingdom. We look forward to welcoming the international building community here, and to work together to develop the sector in line with Vision 2030 objectives and standards.” The construction community, dmg said, can meet, network and do business in a safe environment at the event, where the ‘dmg events All Secure’ set of safety protocols for exhibitors and visitors will be implemented, following guidelines from UFI, the global association for the exhibition industry’s international standards and in collaboration with the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the Kingdom’s Authorities. According to dmg, the event is supported by Katerra (Platinum Sponsor), Al Bawani Contracting (Contracting Sponsor), Al Latifa Trading & Contracting Company (Gold Sponsor), and Oscar Paints (Official Paint Sponsor).

businesses in the UAE, Jordan and Pakistan, wanting to reduce electricity costs and switch to clean energy, all without any upfront investment. In the UAE, he said, the company has received an increase in the number of calls and emails from businesses inquiring about our solar lease. Times are tough, postCOVID, and these businesses are keen to reduce electricity costs and see that solar leasing is a great way to both lower cost and reduce carbon emissions, he said. Specific to Dubai, he said, the company is able to offer businesses up to 50% savings off their electricity bills. In view of this, he said, we encourage businesses to consider solar leasing to significantly reduce their energy costs and simultaneously achieve their sustainability targets.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Farnek FM company appoints directors in Abu Dhabi Says move is part of its Abu Dhabi business growth strategy

By CCME Content Team

AE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company, Farnek has appointed Jonathan Caller to the position of Director of Technical Services and Business Development, and Osama Abdel Hay, to Director of Soft Services. Making the announcement through a Press release, Farnek added that both are based in Abu Dhabi. Caller, the company said, has a 30-year pedigree in the facilities management industry, which includes senior management positions in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Caller, it added, will lead Farnek’s operations in Abu Dhabi. His remit, it further added, will cover all aspects of Farnek’s offering, including facilities management, security and sustainability management. During his career, Caller has worked across a broad spectrum of sectors, including healthcare, construction, energy and pharmaceuticals, where he has developed expertise in facilities and operations management, HVAC and MEP systems, engineering and maintenance, and building management systems, amongst others, Farnek said. Markus Oberlin, CEO, Farnek, said: “Jonathan’s considerable experience in both the UAE capital and globally, will be crucial in developing and implementing our growth strategies in the emirate. His enthusiasm, planning, stewardship and commitment to any situation, in addition to his ability to draw on three decades of experience from a cross-section of sectors and senior management positions for leading organisations, will be crucial for providing our clients with the highest levels of expertise and direction.” Prior to his appointment, Caller was Farnek’s project director for the Burj Khalifa, the company said. There, he was responsible

November 2020

L-R: Osama Abdel Hay and Jonathan Caller

for leading a team of over 100 technicians to ensure the 24/7 maintenance, including MEP and FM, of the tallest building in the world, it added. Caller also spent several years in Abu Dhabi, initially with Schneider Electric, before moving to RW Armstrong as BMS/Technical Manager, then Cleveland Clinic as operations manager for the 490-bed medical facility and, latterly, hard services manager for the Abu Dhabi Investment Council headquarters, the 753,000-square-foot, 29-storey Al Bahr Towers, the company said. In his new position, Caller will have specific responsibility for overseeing and directing all aspects of FM operations within Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, while identifying new business opportunities within existing and new market sectors, the company said. “Farnek has grown its presence in the capital considerably in recent years,” Caller said. “A raft of contract wins in facilities management and security has ensured our footprint has increased significantly. I look forward to utilising the experience garnered

from other prestigious projects I’ve managed in Abu Dhabi and implementing that to the benefit of existing and future clients.” A certified member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), Caller has an MBA in Executive Facilities Management from Sheffield Hallam University, the company said. Osama Abdel Hay will utilise over 15 years of experience to support Farnek’s growth in the capital, the company said. He joins after successfully leading a team of FM professionals at Dubai Mall, before which he managed all soft services for Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), including Abu Dhabi International Airport, the secondlargest airport in the UAE, the company added. Oberlin said: “Osama is passionate about enhancing the customer experience through soft services, a trait that will be invaluable to our customers in Abu Dhabi. He has garnered a wealth of knowledge relating to operational planning and FM soft services during his time at organisations including Emaar and ADAC, which will now be implemented to our operations in the capital.” Hay has a BA in Business Administration from Abu Dhabi University as well as a host of industry-specific qualifications, including the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICS) and Project Management Professional (PMP) accreditation, the company said.

GLOBAL NEWS

Eurovent Product Group, ‘Air Filters’ gets new Chairman

Dr Marc Schmidt of AAF International assumes office

By CCME Content Team

he Eurovent Product Group ‘Air Filters’ (PG-FIL), on September 29, elected Dr Marc Schmidt, Vice President, Technologies Europe, AAF International, as its new Chairman, Eurovent said through a Press release. He is joined by Dr Thomas Caesar, Director, Global Filter Engineering, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, who was re-elected for a second term as PG-FIL Vice-Chairman, Eurovent added. PG-FIL met in a full-day online session on September 29 with a focus on regulatory updates under Ecodesign and REACH, and the revision of several Eurovent Air Filter recommendations. The group elected Dr

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Schmidt as its new Chairman for the next two-year term. He will succeed Jan Andersson of Camfil, who served as PG-FIL Chairman for many years. Dr Caesar was unanimously re-elected as the group’s Vice-Chairman, continuing his role for the next two years, Eurovent said. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Schmidt said: “Correct air filtration is more crucial than ever for the health and well-being of building occupants. Under the banner of Eurovent, it is our duty to convey this message to the market, to the policymakers, and to the public, and to raise awareness of the importance of clean and healthy indoor air. I am humbled that the Product Group, ‘Air Filters’, which represents manufacturers from all over Europe, has vested its trust in me to lead the charge on this.”

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ASHRAE announces 2021 AHR Expo has been cancelled ASHRAE Winter Virtual Conference to be held from February 9 to 11

By CCME Content Team

SHRAE has announced that the 2021 AHR Expo, originally scheduled to be held from January 25 to 27, 2021, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, has been cancelled. ASHRAE said it worked alongside AHRI and Show Management to explore every possibility that could lead to hosting an in-person event, but unfortunately, the pandemic continues to present challenges and unpredictable variables. The 2021 ASHRAE Winter Virtual Conference, which will include a mixture of live, pre-recorded and on-demand sessions, will take place from February 9 to 11, 2021, ASHRAE said.

“The Board of Directors has carefully considered what course of action would be best for ASHRAE members, the committees that conduct the Society’s business, the industry we serve and the AHR Expo,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. “The pandemic has affected everyone, requiring that we adapt to existing conditions in our personal and professional endeavors, and our decision to cancel the 2021 AHR Expo is a reflection of necessary adjustments.” ASHRAE committee, council and board meetings will take place virtually in January, ASHRAE said. More information and details will be available in the coming weeks, it added. “Current health rules regarding social distancing and large gatherings makes it impossible for us to provide the experience that our attendees expect at the AHR Expo,” said ASHRAE Executive Vice President Jeff Littleton. “As leaders in the built-environment, we have a responsibility to protect health and wellbeing of attendees, exhibitors and staff. While we could not find a path forward to host the Expo in 2021, we anticipate an even greater show in 2022 in Las Vegas.” ASHRAE said additional information about the 2021 ASHRAE Winter Virtual Conference and committee meetings, including registration details, will be made available soon on the ASHRAE website. It urged the industry to continue to check ashrae.org/ Chicago. For further questions regarding the AHR Expo 2021 show, ASHRAE urged the industry to visit the show update page.

Due to R-32’s excellent thermodynamic properties, R-32 systems can be designed and engineered to be up to 12% more efficient when compared to similar R-410A systems.

The NEWS @achrnews

November 2020

GEA reports increasing the top speeds of its compressors They yield more kilowatts per Euro, company says

By CCME Content Team

EA said it has increased the maximum top speeds for several of its reciprocating and screw compressors. The reciprocating compressor models, GEA Grasso V 700, V 1100, V 1400, and V 1800, formerly at maximum speed of 1,200 rpm, can now be operated with NH3 up to 1,500 rpm, GEA claimed through a Press release. For GEA Grasso LT screw compressor types R, S, and T, the allowable speed for NH3 will increase from a previous maximum of 3,600 rpm to 4,500 rpm, the company said. The respective compressor models, like their smaller-sized counterparts, are and have been designed for higher speeds in the first place, the company said. The V 700, V 100, as well as the LT type R are integrated in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Blu chiller series and have been running successfully at 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm respectively for 10 years already, it said. Additionally, intensive, long-term tests of all models have shown that they

can be operated at 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm, respectively at the same reliability and without additional engineering or maintenance efforts, the company said. The release of the new maximum speeds, therefore, applies to bare compressors and to packaged compressor unit, too, it added. The speed increase provides clients with a significant increase in capacity, the company claimed. Owing to the proportional correlation of compressor speed, swept volume and resulting capacity, 25% more capacity can now be gained

using the same models with the same financial outlay, it claimed. That returns a significant improvement (reduction) of the relative price, as in Kilowatts per Euro, because the additional investment required is in the single-digit range, it said. Looking at this from a different angle, users with a specific, fixed capacity requirement can benefit from the higher speeds by allowing them to achieve the capacity demands with smaller compressor equipment, meaning less investment and less service expenses, the company said. Higher speeds, without more frequent service intervals, the company said, enables its customers the use of smaller compressors and the reduction of total costs of ownership. Screw compressors, in addition, can be regulated better in a wider speed range, returning improved part-load efficiencies, it said. Higher speeds, GEA said, enables its customers the use of smaller compressors and a reduction of initial investment cost. On multiple stack orders, it said, customers can save up to 20% on footprint, construction, piping and electrical arrangement costs.

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GLOBAL NEWS

AHRI launches air quality campaign for schools

Initiative, which builds on an AHRI white paper, titled Anatomy of a Healthy School, is to improve IAQ as a way to make schools safer for teaching and learning, it says

Camfil, CTT Systems partner to incorporate ozone and VOC filtration in humidifiers Initiative aimed at safeguarding flight deck, crew rest and cabin, Camfil says

By CCME Content Team

he Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has launched an informational digital campaign aimed at helping school systems throughout the United States improve indoor air quality as a way to make schools safer for teaching and learning, the body said through a Press release. The campaign, which builds on an AHRI white paper, Anatomy of a Healthy School, is designed to help building engineers maintain and design Stephen Yurek school buildings for occupancy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it said. AHRI, its 320-member manufacturers, and a host of allied associations will promote the indoor air quality message through social media, paid media in targeted digital publications, and video messaging designed to attract the maximum attention to a timely and very serious issue, it added. The digital campaign will focus on trade associations and education media sites that target education professionals, teachers, school administrators, as well as federal, state and local education policymakers, AHRI said. “America’s HVACR and water heating manufacturers, who make the most energyefficient products available in the world today, are constantly innovating to advance the health, safety, comfort and productivity of the American people,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President & CEO. “This campaign demonstrates our industry’s continued commitment to our customers, who are also our family, friends and neighbors. We hope that this crucial information is disseminated widely for the benefit of all.” Information about the campaign, AHRI said, including key background material and digital collateral, is available at ahrinet.org/iaq.

November 2020

amfil on October 9 announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CTT SYSTEMS, which provides aircraft humidity control system solutions, to enter a partnership that opts to adapt Camfil’s air filtration technology for aircraft and the aviation industry, primarily to be incorporated in CTT’s humidifier products. The cooperation, Camfil said through a Press release, aims to explore innovative air filter applications that improve air quality in the aircraft cabin, where Camfil expertise and leading-edge, air filtration solutions can be applied in cooperation with CTT’s knowledge and footprint in the aviation industry. Primarily, Camfil said, CTT opts to incorporate air filtration in its humidifier products, to further improve air quality for pilots, crew and passengers. Hereby, CTT can complement existing clean air solutions without adding additional maintenance or overhaul for airlines, Camfil said. The initial objective is to reduce ozone and/or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By integrating filter technology in the pad module that is aligned with the service interval of the pad material, airlines can rip-andreplace the entire pad module, Camfil said. CTT has a large installed population of humidifiers in the flight deck and crew rests, primarily on Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft. The pad-filters will be completely interchangeable with the current product line of humidifiers/pads, Camfil said. “We look forward to work with CTT to develop filters that can add additional value to CTT’s customers and further improve air quality in aircraft,” said Mark Simmons, CEO, Camfil. “We will work very closely with CTT to develop tailor-made filters certified for use in aircraft with very specific, high performance filtration and low pressure drop.” Added Torbjörn Johansson, CEO, CTT Systems: “The premium-air-pad will be developed for our humidifiers in flight deck, crew rest and passenger cabin on Boeing 777X and Airbus A350, as well as for crew rests on the 787, improving air quality without adding extra service or maintenance. Airlines can initially select ozone and VOC reduction.” Without an efficient humidification system, the cabin air is far more dehydrating than any place on Earth – below 5% RH, Camfil said. Humidifier onboard flight deck, crew rest or Business class generates a striking humidity increase, restored to comfort and wellbeing level, to approximately 20% RH, Camfil said. Passengers and crew on long-haul flights will benefit from reduced dry airrelated problems – such as fatigue, jet-lag, red eyes, dry skin and the spread of virus diseases – and improved wellbeing and sleep, Camfil said. The CTT humidifier, it added, is based on evaporative cooling technology and uses a method that effectively precludes the transfer of bacteria.

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November 2020