In the Middle East, fresh air should not be considered a privilege but a

right. For buildings in the GCC region– be they residential, commercial or

industrial – costly conditioned air is crucial to surviving scorching summers. However, it is often forgotten that having air conditioners does not mean that buildings receive fresh air, which is equally important in ensuring the health, comfort and productivity of inhabitants, and in helping meet the objectives of critical processes.

The reluctance to invest in fresh air ventilation solutions, like fresh air handling units (FAHUs), often stems from a rather outdated thinking about cost and energy use, amongst other concerns. However, such archaic thinking fails to accommodate the myriad of innovative solutions in the market, such as recovering cooling and humidity in FAHUs through advanced energy recovery components, many of which can ensure proper, balanced ventilation without being energy-intensive.

We ventilate, because…
Before going further, let’s remember why

we ventilate in the first place. Essentially, we ventilate to:

• Secure fresh air supply for respiration and combustion processes,

• Remove emissions deriving from materials and people,

• Remove dangerous contaminants from indoor spaces, and

• Control temperature and humidity

Replacing stale “used” air with new, fresh, filtered air is essential to achieving good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Defined indoor air climate parameters can also only be guaranteed with a proper mechanical ventilation system. As said, an air conditioner or chiller alone does not provide any fresh air. At best, it recirculates the indoor air.

A case for and against fresh air ventilation systems 

As mentioned, there are some that voice concerns in the market concerning investment in ventilation solutions, stemming from the need for a more precise understanding of what good ventilation has to offer (see the article, titled ‘FAHUs are energy-intensive and

are a cause of health issues in buildings’, December 2022 issue of Climate Control Middle East; the e-magazine is available at ccme.news).

Here are a few…

Heat, humidity and mould

The Middle East region is known for its very hot and humid climate, which leads 

some people to claim that in such an environment, using FAHUs can increase the humidity levels inside the building, pointing to recirculating air. Fresh air ventilation can, in fact, help achieve relative humidity levels indoors to levels commonly recommended by academics (40-60 %), even in the Middle East’s climatic conditions. Quality fresh air ventilation and air treatment ensure the proper amount of fresh air. It also controls humidity and temperature by operating as a comprehensive and targeted supply air treatment to maintain the best possible IAQ. By bringing in dry outdoor air and removing moisture-laden indoor air, fresh air ventilation improves

occupants’ comfort, reduces the risk of mould growth and other moisturerelated problems, and so much more.

Energy consumption

According to sceptics, bringing in fresh air and conditioning it to the required temperature and humidity levels require a significant amount of energy, which can increase the overall energy consumption of the building. While it is true that fresh air conditioning requires energy, modern HVAC systems with energy-recovery components recover energy from the exhaust air and pre-cool or preheat incoming fresh air. They effectively reduce overall cooling demands, significantly reducing energy

consumption while providing fresh air ventilation. Innovative solutions, like enthalpy heat exchangers or sorption rotors, also ensure efficient humidity transfer and recovery. For example, depending on the city and conditions, it is possible to upgrade a unit with an energy efficiency rating of ‘C’ or ‘D’, according to Eurovent’s Summer Energy Efficiency Class Calculation, up to a rating of ‘A’ through only integrating a sorption rotor.

Do remember in this respect that in many buildings across the Middle East, cooling energy is not recovered but merely lost to the environment.

Air quality

As we know and experience everyday, outdoor air quality in the Middle East can be poor, especially in urban areas with high pollution levels. Some people claim that bringing in fresh air from 

outside would introduce pollutants and allergens into the building. Others state that since the region is prone to frequent dust and sandstorms, the climate will damage FAHU systems and their components, reducing their lifespan and increasing maintenance costs. Let’s distinguish fact from

fiction here. Outdoor air pollution only underlines the need for proper

ventilation to ensure optimal IAQ. Remember, the main objectives of

ventilation are to introduce fresh, clean air; reduce CO2 levels and to remove particles from outdoor air as well as indoor air to achieve a proper, clean and safe environment for all types of spaces. Fresh air ventilation can help dilute and remove indoor pollutants, such as

carbon dioxide, particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other contaminants, providing a healthier indoor environment for occupants. Exhausting polluted air outside and bringing in fresh, well-filtered air inside reduces CO2 to minimum levels.

Comfort and compliance

Multiple studies have shown that fresh air ventilation can improve occupant comfort and productivity. By providing a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment to spaces such as offices and schools, it is possible to ensure that people are more alert, focused and productive, which benefits the economy and society as a whole. Lastly, some building codes and standards stipulate that a certain minimum amount of fresh air ventilation is to be provided in buildings. Using fresh air ventilation in Middle East spaces ensures compliance with these codes and standards.

IAQ-centric designs

The ventilation system must be designed with great care to achieve the required thermal and atmospheric indoor environment. An FAHU must be equipped with the necessary functions for air handling – such as high-level filtration, energy-recovery components, integrated controls – with the required capacity. The air distribution system must be designed considering sound levels, air velocities and the air volume requirements in the respective rooms. If a clear focus on energy efficiency is maintained for all design aspects, a balanced, demand-controlled mechanical

ventilation system with energy recovery will be the most efficient way of achieving an excellent indoor air climate.

It is also important to remember that the factors for “correct” design will also vary depending on:

• Building size, category and type,

• Occupancy,

• Indoor activities,

• Contamination sources and concentrations,

• Building location, and

• Climate

For ordinary comfort ventilation, the goal is to achieve an excellent

thermal and atmospheric indoor environment with a “tolerable” percentage of dissatisfied occupants. People vary regarding temperature preferences, activity level and clothing. Therefore, achieving 100% satisfaction in any given thermal environment is impossible.

Fresh air solutions for every need: Case studies across the GCC region

Many government and commercial properties across the Middle East have seen the benefits of investing in high-quality ventilation solutions, coupled with good design. Here are a few from around the region…

UAE: CSS CLOUD KITCHEN, DUBAI:
Systemair custom-designs ventilation solutions that enhance a cloud kitchen’s IAQ at the customer’s desired power consumption requirement Like any professional kitchen, the cloud kitchen under City Storage Systems (CSS) Holding, in Arjan, Dubailand, in Al Barsha South, Dubai, places high
emphasis on hygienic operations, high-quality operations, and the health and comfort of its personnel. A cloud kitchen utilises a commercial kitchen for the purpose of preparing food for delivery or takeout, with no dine-in customers. As such, the company demanded ventilation solutions that would meet these requirements. The critical requirements were for the FAHU, ecology units and make-up fans to modulate as per the kitchen’s operational demand. The ventilation solutions had to consume 22 kW less than standard industrial power standards, and were required to be delivered within the strict project completion time of 4-6 weeks. To meet these requirements, Systemair engineered its already energy-efficient solutions even further. To start with, Systemair provided the following:

• FAHU with condensing unit,
• Two customised ecology units,
• 15 K inline duct fans, and
• Six CDRE box fans
  Systemair adapted and customtailored the solutions to meet the project’s needs. The new design saw improvements in:
• The geometry of the fins,
• Condenser coil size, and
• PLC control panels for both FAHU and ecology modulation, as per demand in the kitchen hoods
  While the FAHU power input was initially 125 kW, the new design reduced this to 111 kW. The modification resulted in an energy savings of 14 kW, supported with PLC controls that modulate according to use. These custom changes resulted in 11% energy savings.

QATAR: NATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORY, DOHA

Systemair delivers an extensive and specialised product range to ensure the most hygienic air quality levels without sacrificing energy-efficient operation 

The National Health Laboratory, in Doha, Qatar, embodies the country’s strong focus on actively raising the quality and standards of the healthcare sector in the Middle East region. Below were critical considerations that contributed to the design:

• Site integration concerning the master plan and climatic conditions,
• Functional distribution to achieve optimum spatial use,
• Outstanding architectural design that gives the building its iconic façade, and 
• A comfortable and friendly working environment 

The National Health Laboratory was a second-place winner in the ‘Engineering Excellence and Innovation’ category during the 2023 Ashghal Forum, organised by the Qatar Public Works Authority. The laboratory also meets the three-star Global Sustainable Assessment Scheme (GSAS) level. GSAS is the first performance-based system in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, developed for assessing and rating buildings and infrastructure for their sustainability impacts. 

The project, led by Focus Design Partners, is one of the first labs in Qatar to use Building Information Modelling (BIM), an issue for which Systemair has a dedicated department available to provide quality models across all product groups.

Several factors made the project especially challenging to meet higher-than-usual standards. The architectural design divides the spaces into departments, depending on the functioning and connection restrictions between laboratories. Being a critical healthcare facility, the project demanded the highest quality ventilation solutions that comply with relevant codes, offer reliable operations and withstand the region’s conditions.

Furthermore, the mechanical engineering design was challenging. Due to the requirement for hazardous exhaust and speciality gas requiring unique piping systems, the building needed denserthan-usual ceiling cavities. This required constant coordination between designers and engineers to avoid clashes and ensure systems routing meets the project’s high design and performance aspirations.

As a result, Systemair supplied the project with the following solutions:

•  K in-line duct fans,
• PRF fans, 
• AJR jet fans for car park, 
• AXC fans for car park, 
• Hygienic BA-H Series AHUs, 
• BA Series FAHU, • EX-centrifugal fans (ATEX), 
• SBA AHU Filter, 
• AHU Filter Boxes, and 
•  Ducted UV lamps 

Systemair had an advantage over other bidders owing to its specialised product range, as the laboratory project had specific requirements for fans for aggressive media. The Systemair team also highlighted the benefits of Eurovent-certified hygienic AHUs to Ashghal and their ability to provide the highest quality indoor climates in an energy-efficient manner.

SAUDI ARABIA: THE COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, RIYADH

It was decided that the project shall be supplied with Electrostatic Precipitator, pre-filter, bag filter and UL-certified carbon filter. Fans with AMCA certification and 200 degrees C continuous operation would be the ideal solution to meet the project specification requirements. 

The Courtyard is a hotel owned and operated by Marriott International. As one of Marriott’s mid-priced brands, The Courtyard primarily targets business travellers and travelling families. With the quick turnover, the requirement was for reliable ventilation equipment, ensuring a clean, comfortable and odour-free environment. 

Systemair supplied the project with:

• MUB EC square duct fans, 
• DVN thermo roof fans, and 
• DVS direct-driven roof fans 

The customer opted for Systemair solutions, as they were the most suitable and reliable fans for staircases, kitchens and toilets. Systemair showed its commitment to ensuring quick and straightforward delivery throughout the project. The solutions were also prioritised for their features, promising ease of installation, maintenance and operations.

OMAN: MANDARIN ORIENTAL MUSCAT

Systemair delivers ecology units to the hotel to ensure the kitchen is able to maintain a clean and healthy indoor climate, in line with the establishment’s hospitality standards 

The Shatti Al Qurum Hotel, also known as Mandarin Oriental Muscat, is a luxury development project, 20 minutes from Muscat International Airport. The main requirement was a ventilation system to help ensure the hygiene and cleanliness of the kitchens within the facilities. The customer highlighted the need to clean greasy and dirty kitchen exhaust air, including Electrostatic Precipitator, pre-filter, bag filter and carbon filter and the motor out of air stream ecology units. 

Energy efficiency was also a key priority for the customer to ensure long-term sustainability of operations whilst remaining durable to meet the kitchen’s heavy use. 

It was decided that the project shall be supplied with Electrostatic Precipitator, pre-filter, bag filter and UL-certified carbon filter. Fans with AMCA certification and 200 degrees C continuous operation would be the ideal solution to meet the project specification requirements. 

The following model sizes were chosen:

• SYSECO 150, 
• SYSECO 50, and
• SYSECO 30

The units, delivered with the support of Systemair’s Oman distributor, M/S. Light House Trading & Engineering Services LLC., IE2 models were delivered, as they met the client’s efficiency requirements. The units play a vital role in maintaining IAQ, which is crucial in environments where grease, smoke and odour particles, emitted from cooking, negatively affect human health and impact comfort conditions in homes, restaurants, hotels, and other sensitive hospitality and entertainment venues.