Solution search

Manoher Raghavan looks at how choosing the right solutions can maximise productivity, cost efficiency and ensure worker safety in the MEP sector.

Despite MEP playing one of the most fundamental roles in construction, the industry faces a number of challenges in fulfilling MEP requirements accurately in the Middle East region.

While a number of these challenges range from tight project timelines to completing multiple tasks and delivering results without compromising on either safety or productivity, the major problem for professionals in the industry is finding the right mix of products and solutions that cater efficiently to the sector's needs.

It faces a challenge in finding products like abrasives, which should do more than improve the cut and finish on metal surfaces, to solutions for electrical splicing and terminating, and from passive fire protection products to personal safety and protection solutions for the workplace. What's more, the selected solutions need to be both safe and efficient: especially for meeting the standards expected of construction projects across the Middle East.

Fire safety

With the increase in incidents related to fires, fire prevention and protection is the number one concern for the region's construction industry - especially with workers using equipment that runs on high electrical voltage and that includes potentially dangerous parts. This has given rise to greater awareness on the need for fire protection and accordingly, appropriate fire codes for buildings have been put into place in projects throughout the region.

The industry also needs to select a number of specific, passive fire protection products for fire containment, including those that can fire-stop through penetrations, perimeter joints, structural steel, emergency circuitry and air ducts.

Recently developed passive fire protection products for through penetration including sealants, caulks, wraps, pillows, composite sheets, mortars, sprays, coatings and cast in-situ accessories, approved under the UL, FM systems and other international codes, are among the most efficient fire safety solutions for major international airport projects and substations, oil and gas facilities and high-rise hospitality and tourism projects around the Middle East, and some of which have been used to save lives and equipment in the region for several years.

Workplace safety

The personal safety of workers is a top priority in any workplace, and those employed in the construction industry require a diverse range of safety equipment for a variety of different situations.

Construction sites can be particularly challenging working environments, with a number of potential problems to worker safety, including prolonged exposure to noise-polluted areas, excessive heat and humid working conditions, dangers against flying particles from metal cutting, sweeping, sanding and welding processes and a host of air-borne particles and mist onsite.

Health and safety industry personnel should always ensure to keep safety solutions across the entire spectrum on site - everything from respirators, eye protection wear, face protection wear, head protection, hearing protection and welding shields and helmets.

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