Reaching new heights

CW visits Dubai Marina's Ocean Heights to find out what tasks Damac and its contractors have to tick off their to-do list, before their Q4 deadline.
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Completion of structural work is always an exciting time for a construction company, but the work that remains is just as time consuming and important.

Currently, Alumco is installing the façade to the project. This consists of 20,000 m² of unitised curtain wall, 14,500 m² 4mm composite panel with insulation, 27,000 m² stick curtain wall sliding doors and swing doors and 5300 m² 3mm thick aluminium cover sheet.

Curtain walling is now 90% complete and interior fit outs are also progressing at fast pace, with 60% of the building’s apartments and common areas now finished.

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Further, MEP works – arguably one of the biggest jobs on site – is on track to be completed early, as Drake and Scull International operations manager Nizar Baraka explains.

“DSI have completed the backbone HVAC systems, including plant-room areas for chilled water and supply and extract air. We have recently started commissioning on the air and water side and this is two months ahead of schedule,” he says.

“The fact that final finishes related to these systems (including the final connection to fan coil units for the water part, and grill installation for the air part) have reached up to level 71, allows for commissioning of all completed floors to commence.”

DSI was awarded the $33.76 million MEP contract in the third quarter of 2007.

Another mechanical aspect to the project is the fire fighting system, which is currently being tested to ensure a smooth commissioning phase. The final fixing, including hose reels and sprinkler heads, has reached level 67. In terms of electrical engineering, final fixes such as light installations have also reached level 67 and DSI has already commenced the testing on these works.

“With the electrical works you can break it into two main areas, which include the finishes – civil works and plastering and then we come in afterwards with the final fixtures – installing light fittings and accessories, which make it look like a usable item,” Drake and Scull project manager Berend Jager.

“We are also eight floors, or two months, ahead of schedule with the in-floor ceiling clearance works.”

The main power supply is fed from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) network to the dedicated substation on the ground floor and there are 14 transformers rated 1500KVA each in the substation. One back-up generator of 1500KVA is provided for maintaining essential power supply in case of a main power supply failure.

The final termination between major equipment, such as chillers, fresh air handling units and pumps is currently being finalised, with the exception of the roof cooling towers.

DSI is also one month ahead of the programme in completing its plant room areas.

Not forgetting public health engineering, Ocean Heights’ drainage system has been installed and tested up to level 76 and the system completion, excluding sanitary-ware installation, is expected to be delivered at the beginning of next month.

“Sanitary-ware installation has now reached level 65 and is being completed on a cycle of two floors per week. DSI is aiming to complete this final fix activity by the end of April,” adds Baraka.

“Water supply systems have reached level 76, including the plant-room areas related to tank and transfer pump installation. Again, the plant-room areas are a month ahead of schedule.”