Fire suppressants in spotlight
DUPONT has put the spotlight on its FM-200 and Halon replacement products through a series of seminars held across the Gulf region including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.
According to the company, FM-200 is a leading choice in waterless fire suppression and is a member of the DuPont family of clean agent fire extinguishers. DuPont has also launched the FM-200 Falcon customer protection programme designed to help protect FM-200 customers in the Middle Eastern region.
The Falcon customer protection programme is a 20-year warranty programme for DuPont customers and it is currently available in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.
FM-200 is an important part of an environmentally responsible fire suppression solution. DuPont’s family of clean agent fire suppressants also includes the Halon 1211 replacing FE-36. This portable fire extinguisher agent provides high protection for people and assets at minimum impact to the environment.

Layan marks milestones
DUBAI Properties Group (DPG), a member of Dubai Holding, has said that its Layan community in Dubai has achieved significant milestones in the delivery of services and facilities, as diverse components of the Mediterranean-themed development take shape in Dubailand.
Recently launched community facilities include a prayer room, an extensive children’s play area, a nursery, a swimming pool, and a basketball court. In addition to extensive landscaping, round-the-clock security and facilities management solutions, Layan features exclusive retail space ranging from 500 to 1,500 sq ft. Work on the clubhouse and its fully-equipped gym is progressing rapidly and a supermarket, coffee shop and restaurant are set to open in the near future.

New deadline for museum tenders
Abu Dhabi’s Tourism, Development and Investment Company (TDIC) has granted an extension to companies submitting tenders for the main contract for Abu Dhabi’s Dh3.67-billion ($1-billion) Louvre museum.
The deadline has been extended – by almost four weeks – to August 1, following an appeal by all prospective bidders for more time. The new deadline will not have any effect on the final delivery of the museum, the completion of which will be in 2013.
The main contract for The Louvre, which has been designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, was meant to be awarded at the end of last year but was delayed after the developer changed the format of the deal to save costs. The piling works contract went to German construction company Bauer International.

Al Shafar wins Damac contract
LUXURY lifestyle provider Damac Properties Dubai has awarded the main works contracts for its mixed-use Oceanscape development in Abu Dhabi, to Al Shafar General Contracting.
This is the second project to be awarded to the company in Abu Dhabi following its successful tender for the construction of Marina Bay at Al Reem Island. Construction of Oceanscape, featuring residential, commercial and retails units, is scheduled to take approximately two years.

Deal to promote BIM techniques
A KEY agreement has paved the way to strengthen initiatives to promote greater use of building information modelling (BIM) solutions across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.
Collaboration, Management and Control Solutions (CMCS) has signed the memorandum of understanding with buildingSmart ME (BSAME), the Mena Chapter of the globally-recognised building and construction standards body buildingSmart International.
Under the terms of the MoU, CMCS has become a BSAME member and will assist the body in encouraging the use of BIM in its covered territories. BSAME will provide in-house BIM training to CMCS and its Mena and India clients through its BIM Support Bureau (BSB).

Empower adds Mirdif to portfolio
EMIRATES Central Cooling Corporation (Empower), a leading district cooling service provider in the Mena region, has added Mirdif Gate Buildings project to its portfolio of district cooling services.
With this project, Empower will provide district cooling services to the Mirdif area along with other areas in Dubai most notably Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Healthcare City, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Business Bay and City of Arabia.
CEO Ahmad Bin Shafar said: “Empower’s world-class plant in Mirdif will provide services to 59 buildings with a capacity of 320 refrigeration tonnes (RT).”

Hyder names new MD-utilities
HYDER Consulting, a multi-national advisory and design consultancy, has appointed Rupert Kruger as managing director for its utilities and environment business sector in the Middle East.
Kruger has 18 years experience in a variety of roles within the water and environment sector in the UK, US and Middle East. He will oversee the development and delivery of design, supervision and advisory services in the utilities and environment sector across the region.

Danube opens India outlet
DANUBE Building Materials, a leader in construction, building materials and shop-fitting industries, has opened its first Danube Buildmart branch at the Oberoi Mall in Mumbai, India.
The Dh10-million ($2.7-million) 6,000-sq-ft retail facility marks the company’s 20th global store. At present, there are nine Danube Buildmart branches in operation, which have been set up as part of the company’s Dh200-million ($54.5-million) expansion plan to increase its flagship retail brand to a total of 16 branches by the end of this year.
Danube will be bringing its high-quality products to the Indian market, including its high-end sanitary ware, chandeliers, wallpapers, parquet flooring, curtains, carpets, ceramic floor, wall tiles, home décor and a host of lifestyle products. In addition, free in-house home interior designing consultancy services will be made available for customers within the new branch.

SAS opens new office in Dubai
SAS International has opened a dedicated office and warehouse in Dubai Investment Park 2, which will serve as a hub for its activities in the Middle East and North Africa region and India. The new office in Dubai is in addition to the SAS Abu Dhabi office which has been operating for two years. SAS International is a leading manufacturer of metal ceilings, partitioning and doors, room comfort systems and architectural metalwork.

Bloom enabling works deal signed
BLOOM Properties has commissioned Middle East Foundation Group to complete enabling works and foundation for its mixed-use development – Bloom Central – in Abu Dhabi.
Bloom Properties, a master-developer of communities and the development and lifestyle arm of Abu Dhabi-based National Holding, launched Bloom Central at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2010. Excavation, which started in May, is expected to last up to eight months. As part of its agreement with Bloom Properties, Middle East Foundation Group will be responsible for the shoring, excavation, piling and dewatering activities, including digging up to 23 m to allow for a five-level basement.
Bloom Central comprises a 25-storey tower, housing a 315-key five-star hotel, 64 serviced apartments and 49 two- and three-bedroom apartments. It will also add approximately 7,000 sq m of office space to a prime neighbourhood in the main Abu Dhabi island.