Reliance Electro Mechanical Plumbing Contracting Company (Remco), which has been operating as an electromechanical contractor in the UAE for the past 11 years, installed all the mechanical and electrical systems for the Hilton Dubai Creek.

These included the mains electrical supply, power distribution, electrical lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) controls and BMS (building management system), fire alarm, public address, CCTV (closed circuit television), earthing and lightning protection, lighting control, emergency lighting and telephones. Its scope of work covered all areas of the hotel from the basements to the roof.

''Throughout the project, our quality management team was on hand for the installation, inspection, testing and commissioning of the electrical and mechanical systems,'' says Hassan Abdul Hamid, general manager/managing partner at Remco.

"A highly sophisticated conceptual design has been done by Arenco which was appreciated by Hilton," he says.

''The air-conditioning system comprises two chilled water pumps and one standby unit, linked through a network of chilled water piping to two fresh outdoor air handling units, 14 air-handling units and 173 fan coil units, thermally insulated ducting and air terminal devices (grilles and diffusers etc) insulated at suitable locations.''

According to quality assurance manager Mohammad Ali Haider, the latest systems have been utilised for the air-conditioning and ventilation works, fire alarm and BMS. Monitoring and controlling operations are done from the engineering room on the third basement level.

Fire-fighting system: The company has installed the latest fire-fighting and protection systems in the hotel, comprising sprinkler and hose reels, pumps and inlets, landing valves and dry powder extinguishers. The sprinkler heads are connected to a network of hydraulically-designed piping installed in the hotel area and the sprinkler system is interfaced with the fire alarm system through flow switches, he explains.

Ventilation system: The building has a central exhaust system and each floor has been provided with an exhaust fan. All these are controlled from the fire alarm panel and BMS. All air-handling units have a duct smoke detector, which will shut down in case of smoke detection through the BMS.

Special equipment has been installed in the computer room for maintaining temperature and humidity. In addition, there is a DX unit connected to the emergency supply in case of power failure. An additional chiller has been installed to control the temperature of the internal water supply to rooms. This has been done using a stainless steel pressurised tank of 6 cu m capacity with a built-in heat exchanger, according to Haider.

All the fresh air and exhaust fans installed in the basements are controlled using a carbon monoxide detection system. A special instrument has been installed in all the air-handling units supplying to common areas like the lobby and restaurant to improve air quality.

''Special equipment, comprising an electronic filter with a chemical, has been installed for treating exhaust air from the kitchen. The air exhaust from the basement is treated by activated carbon filters inside the ducts.

Water distribution system: This consists of a basement water storage tank, water transfer and booster pumps, filtration system, chemical dosing systems, water softeners, water hammer arrestors and water distribution pipe network.

Sanitary and drainage system: The discharge of waste water from all fixtures such as water closets, wash basins, urinals, sinks, kitchen outlet points etc finally runs into the external drainage services. HDPE/uPVC pipes and fittings are used for soil, vent and rainwater pipe systems. The entire drainage is accumulated in the sewage pump stations and pumped to the final inspection chamber through a break pressure manhole.

Electrical installation: Electrical supply to the building is through four main distribution boards (MDBs) located in the LV (low-voltage) room on the ground floor. These MDBs are fed by four transformers each of 1,500 kVA. Electrical distribution is done by busbar riser system. Essential loads are connected to the 30 kVA generator.

The building is equipped with a low current system CCTV to provide visual security surveillance of the entire hotel. Fire alarm systems integrated with voice acquisition system protect the whole building. Central TV is installed in the building complete with interactive TV equipment. A central emergency system has installed as per civil defence requirements.

All the guest rooms and presidential suites, restaurants and meeting rooms are equipped with decoration and exclusive lighting. Telephone key system has been installed with exclusive features. Audio visual system has been provided for the meeting room.

In the event of a direct strike by lightning, earthing and lightning protection is automatically engaged with the emergency light, light control and telephone operating systems. Lightning protection system and aviation lights are located on the roof.

Since its establishment in early 1990, Remco has earned a formidable reputation in the construction sector for the quality and execution of its wide range of electrical and mechanical services, according to Hamid.

The company has recently added fire-fighting equipment and alarm systems to its product range following its acquisition of Dubai-based Safeguard. It is also a dealer for Carrier air-conditioners from the US; Chigo split air-conditioners from China and Monoglass spray on thermal insulation, acoustic control systems from Canada.

Remco now intends to broaden its scope of activities to include supply and installation of lifts. The company has a service department and a duct workshop. A commercial department was later set up to provide customers with electromechanical and air-conditioning accessories. Today, the company has a workforce of more than 1,000 engaged in civil projects including skyscrapers, residential buildings, offices, malls, hotels, banks and villas.

Certified to ISO 9002, Remco provides expert engineering services for the complete installation of electrical and mechanical system, including air-conditioning, ventilation, electrical lighting and power, sanitary and drainage, water distribution, low voltage and civil defence works for safety services alarm, fire detection, sprinklers, dry and wet risers. All these services are fully supported by a design department and engineering team utilising leading edge CAD (computer aided design) software.

Among its most recent prestigious projects is the Tower 1 (Dusit Dubai). Some of its other projects include the Customs Headquarters, extension of Dubai Municipality main building, Kalantar Tower, Khaleej Centre, Al Ain Centre, Al Mulla Tower, all in Dubai, Fujairah Tower in Fujairah and Al Reef Tower in Abu Dhabi.