By Gerhard Hope www.constructionweekonline.com
Johnson Controls has supplied a system to Burj Khalifa to allow developer Emaar Properties to manage security in the tower’s corporate, residential, hotel and public spaces, including nearly 900 residential suites, hundreds of office suites and the observation deck.
“The security system works with the building management system to allow security personnel at the Burj to take quick action during a security breach or threat,” said Johnson Controls VP and MD: Middle East Magdy Mekky.
“The interoperability of key building systems ensures a comfortable and safe environment for all guests and tenants. The safety benefits are immeasurable.”
If an unauthorised person accesses a secure area, the building sub-systems, including cameras and intercoms, are activated immediately. If a fire is detected, the airflow system will deactivate automatically to confine or smother a fire.
Additional features include audio/visual systems, including project screens and video displays, and conferencing systems installed throughout the tower. A two-way radio system allows facility and hotel management to communicate with maintenance and security personnel throughout the building.
In addition to the security management solution, Johnson Controls installed low-voltage systems that enable many of the high-end amenities enjoyed by tenants and residents. The nearly 900 residences of the Burj feature E-Home, a smart home technology.
Each residence is equipped with a single control system that interfaces with lighting, curtains, HVAC, home theatre and security management. Similar controls are installed in the hotel’s 324 guest rooms.
The Burj Khalifa project further illustrates the expanding presence of Johnson Controls building efficiency business within the Middle East. “The state of the global economy has forced business owners in the East to take a close look at their facilities and identify opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing security or comfort,” said Mekky.
“Our success in the West, including the recent retrofit of New York City’s iconic Empire State Building, has made a lasting impression. The Burj Khalifa is now the blueprint for engineering in the Middle East and beyond.”
Additional high-profile energy efficiency projects in the region include the Bahrain Bay Project, the Pearl Development in Qatar, and both the Kingdom Tower and Jebel Al Qala in Saudi Arabia.
