Design Guide for Dubai: Mechanical (2020) (pdf)

This document aims at establishing the minimum design standards for the design of HVAC and mechanical systems for buildings in Dubai. It covers the following topics:

• 1 Design codes, standards and guidance
  • 1.1 Local codes, standards and guidance
  • 1.2 International codes, standards and guidance
  • 1.3 Minimum building fabric parameters
  • 1.4 External design temperatures
  • 1.5 Cooling load calculations
  • 1.6 Thermal loads
  • 1.7 Lighting power density: interior
  • 1.8 Lighting power density: exterior
  • 1.9 Infiltration rates
  • 1.10 Ventilation rates
  • 1.11 Diversity and safety factor
  • 1.12 Building pressurisation
  • 1.13 Air movement
  • 1.14 Noise and vibration vontrol
  • 1.15 Energy conservation
  • 1.16 Refrigerants
  • 1.17 Cooling towers
  • 1.18 Chiller coefficient of performance (CoP)
  • 1.19 Hydraulic pressures and temperature
  • 1.20 Fire and life safety systems

This publication does not relieve the designer of responsibility for accurately determining design arrangements and/or complying with the local authority requirements and/or relevant international codes or regulatory requirements. It should be used for initial design guidance, and provides minimum design requirements for specific design issues.

This guide has been produced in good faith by the CIBSE UAE Technical Committee to promote best engineering practices in Dubai, without legal or financial liability of CIBSE UAE or the authors, in order to assist engineers coming from elsewhere in the world to work in Dubai, UAE. It should be read alongside existing CIBSE guidance relevant to the region, including Buildings for Extreme Environments: Arid.

Authored by the CIBSE United Arab Emirates Technical Committee:

Isaac Coker (Chairperson) (WSP); Reid Donovan (AECOM); Hassan Younes (Griffin Consultants); Keith Perry (Polypipe); Farah Naz (Buro Happold); Conor Moore (AECOM); Azmi Abou Hoda (EMergy); Jim Sebastian (Ecoval).