UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
   Highest Precast Building In Dubai

An Al-Futtain-Carillon joint venture was the main contractor on a US $45 million staff accommodation complex at the rapidly developing Silicon Oasis complex outside of Dubai.

The 400 apartment development is the highest fully pre-cast building in Dubai and includes three swimming pools and underground car parking.

The 10 storey building, built around a quadrangle, has over 1,000 m of facades.

To access these, a combination of double and single HEK mastclimbing workplatforms was used, together with a transport platform for delivery of material to height.

Altogether there were 39 Alimak Hek drive units in place, with each unit being moved three times during the construction phases.

With 52 different elevations, planning and managing the installation was complex.

Al Laith Scaffolding provided not only all the technical engineering and drawings but also 4 service engineers on site at any time. During major moves, Al Laith had up to 14 engineers on site. The company also provided full training of the operators for the work platforms and the transport platform.

Because the apartments feature balconies, for the most part, the masts were mounted on steel fabricated chairs on the lower balcony.

Sliding extension tubes allowed the platform geometry to be modified to allow the platform to pass by balconies and then be quickly extended to provide safe and easy access to the façade. The mast anchors were tied into the concrete slab.

Up to 8 people worked on the 32 m long twin machines installing insulation and steel brackets before hanging the very large dimensioned concrete cladding panels.

The special lightweight concrete panels measure 3.4 m wide by 6 m high and each weigh almost 4,000 kg. Once installed, the walls were painted and the joints sealed.

The transport platform was a vital hoist for the safe, rapid transporting of men and materials to height. Material was delivered to the floors as required and then passed through openings to supply the teams working outside.

The contractors decided on a HEK transport platform instead of traditional construction hoist because it was more versatile being able to carry large-dimensioned materials and workers without the restrictions of a cage hoist.

Emphasis on Safety

Al Futtain-Carillon has a very strict health and safety policy “Safety is a priority and we work hard to change attitudes amongst the workers. Because we implement a strict health and safety standard we are at a price disadvantage but the need for such policies is now becoming more common.

Part of the safety awareness programme is asking workers to draw attention to unsafe work practices or working conditions. Every notification is investigated an acted upon as appropriate,” explains Phil Tyler, Project Director.

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