Al Shirawi Contracting (Civil Engineering Division) undertook the challenging waterproofing works on phases II and III of Dubai Media City.

The project was a challenge in terms of availability of suitable material as well as timely completion of the fast-track job under rigorous conditions, according to a spokesman for the Dubai-based company.

Al Shirawi was responsible for waterproofing of the pileheads and the basements of the buildings and provided a system for pilehead treatment which was to the satisfaction of the consultant as well as the client.

As a very high standard of specifications were set for the waterproofing materials, special custom-made materials were produced for the project. Al Shirawi and the waterproofing material manufacturer Bitumat rose to the occasion and produced Premierflex, a 5-mm-thick bituminous SBS membrane reinforced with 200 gsm polyester, in a record time after approval was obtained.

The substructure waterproofing works commenced during peak summer in August 2001 and required approximately 1,000 pileheads and 10,000 sq m area to be treated.

Al Shirawi says it committed practically its entire workforce on a double-shift operation daily and completed the job in record time. Belhasa, the main contractor, as well as the consultant Schuster Pechtold and Partner and the client were impressed by Al Shirawi's efforts and a repeat order for waterproofing followed for the substructure and roof of buildings in phase III, according the spokesman.

"Al Shirawi is committed to Tecom and through it to the government of Dubai in performing works to the highest standards of workmanship and with the best materials," he says. "Al Shirawi is proud of its association with Tecom and looks forward to its continued participation in all the projects of Tecom."

Al Shirawi is one of the largest manufacturing, engineering, trading and marketing groups in the Gulf with its headquarters in Dubai. The group has diverse operations in industrial and business fields such as iron and steel, electronics, heavy equipment, civil and MEP contracting, food and beverage.

The company has grown from strength to strength undergoing a radical transformation since its inception in 1971. From a trading and contracting company, it has grown into a multi-dimensional giant with business interests spanning a wide market segment of products, service and interests.

Al Shirawi Contracting Company, a member of Al Shirawi Group, was set up in 1971 and has established an impressive record of undertaking major waterproofing contracts from airport authorities, ports, municipalities and defence and several large commercial complexes in the UAE. The company is managed by a team of professionals in different disciplines.

Today, Al Shirawi Contracting Company's civil engineering division prides itself in being a specialist leader in waterproofing applications works. The division continuously seeks to improve its service to this important segment of the market. New product lines and application methods have been introduced to offer customers, wider product applications and state-of-the-art service facilities. It offers waterproofing systems for pile and raft foundations, wet areas, and concrete and metal roofs.

"Quality of work and customer satisfaction have been the cornerstone of our operations and we are the first waterproofing contractors in the UAE to have gained ISO 9002 certification for our quality systems," the spokesman says. "We have earned the international award for excellence in waterproofing applications from our principals, apart from having gained a certification of excellence for waterproofing works by GHQ Armed Forces, UAE."

Some of the major projects the company has been involved with include Dubai International Airport (renovation and expansion Terminal 1); Madinat Jumeirah Phase 1; Le Royal Meridien Hotel extension (Jumeirah); Airport Hotel, Bin Sougat Centre; 271 villas at Al Warkaa (all in Dubai); Sahara Mall; Sharjah Mega Mall (roof) and Emirates Beach Resort in Fujairah.