A SOPHISTICATED fire protection system with a fire rating of two hours is currently being installed at the Dhahran Tower by Riyadh-based Technicare Contracting.

To ensure the integrity of the system, the specialist fire protection contractor is sealing all openings and gaps that were introduced during the installation of electrical, mechanical, sanitary, and architectural and ventilation services.

“We started work on the project in early 2009 and expect to complete it by early next year,” says Nabil Stitier, the company’s general manager. “Our task is to prevent the spread of fire within the  tower for, at least, two hours in order to protect the building and give its residents sufficient time to evacuate it.”

The company, Stitier says, has been keen from the outset to contribute to the Dhahran Tower, which is one of the leading projects in the Eastern Province, well aware that the challenges that it involves would require the experience and capabilities of a company such as Technicare.

And the challenges were many, he points out. “These were related particularly to vertical and horizontal fire compartmentation of the building, in addition to coordination between different trades to ensure that our assignment could be carried out as per requirements,” he says.

Apart from the Dhahran Tower, the company is currently working on the highly prestigious Princess Nora University in Riyadh, where it has completed a major portion of its work. Technicare is carrying out fire protection of steel structures as well as application of high-performance coatings in all blocks and most buildings at the university in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, the company has completed a number of other projects in Saudi Arabia.  These include the protection of the structural steel aircraft hangars at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, for Saudi Oger last year; coating the structural steel towers of the Jamarat tents and the structural steel of a bridge in Makkah; fire protection at Al Anoud Tower, structural steel coating and fire protection works at the Akaria Plaza and structural steel coating at the Oval Centre Project, all in Riyadh; and many other projects throughout the kingdom requiring fire protection works, protective coatings and high-performance coatings.

Praising Saudi Arabia’s construction sector, Stitier says it is one of the largest and most mature markets in the region. “The potentials and opportunities offered by this sector are huge in all fields. The construction sector is witnessing amazing developments, particularly with regard to specifications and technical advancement.”

Well sealed .... Technicare expects to complete the “challenging project” early next year.

Technicare specialises in fire protection works – particularly of structural steel and installations to stop the spread of fire within building compartments – as well as application of high-performance coatings for metal structures and protective coatings, using the best approved materials and the latest equipment and skilled labour.

Founded in 2003 as a general contractor, the company soon acquired specialist status in the fire protection and protective coatings field. The Riyadh-headquartered company, which also has offices in Jeddah and Dammam, is a medium-sized firm with the ability to implement the largest and most complex projects throughout Saudi Arabia, with a high level of quality, professionalism and speed, he says.

To ensure the most appropriate system for the structure, Technicare conducts studies of projects based on the data available and protection strategy required, and supplies systems and carries out projects based on the approved specifications.

“The company has surmounted several challenges and many difficulties to reach a leadership position in its field of operations,” Stitier says.

Technicare has established close working ties with some of the leading international manufacturers of protective and high-performance coatings in the world.

These efforts are now paying off, with the company having witnessed a major surge in the volume and quality of the projects over the past year. It has also added new customers to its client list.

“We expect to achieve even further growth over the next year, he says. 

In order to maintain its leadership position and good reputation, Technicare continues to invest in business development, particularly in the skills required to implement high-quality projects and boost productivity. It also invests in training its employees in the latest methodology and equipment.