Security Separation

Security system designers need to work closely with their clients to ensure that their systems meet stringent standards.

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At first glance, the combination of security systems and MEP work seems to be an ideal match up, especially since contractors and consultants are able to define the specifications for security systems in conjunction with the designs for a building or project’s MEP work.

Furthermore the accepted school of thought was that while helping to design and coordinate a building management system, an MEP engineer would also be able to oversee the installation of its corresponding security system with minimal costs and time wastage to the project.

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However, in recent years, this theory has been challenged, with security system experts challenging the effectiveness of this system, especially in regards to being able to meet a client’s specific needs or demands.

Nadim Abdulrahim, regional director, of Siemens’ Fire Safety and Security division for the lower Gulf, is one of those challengers. And he is adamant that the split between MEP and security services needs to be clearly defined to allow clients to get the best possible service.

“MEP tends to work on specification and getting the best price for whatever system they’re contracted to and executing. Whereas security is a little bit more personal to the end user, so our approach is to go directly to the client,” he explains.

“There is definitely a trend these days where they’re taking the security power portion out of MEP and dealing directly with the client,” he adds, “either they’re contracted directly from the client or you’re a nominated subcontractor chosen by the client, and then you’re placed contractually under the MEP contractor, but basically, the client is in control.”

The reason behind this shift in the market is down to MEP contractors looking to get the cheapest and most cost effective products that are compliant with the required standards.

Abdulrahim adds that the bottom line is often the primary consideration for most MEP contractors, which is an attitude that will not work, especially when it comes to security because it remains very personal to clients, and as such, demands individual attention.

Even more pressingly, especially in a city like Dubai, which is undergoing rapid development and expansion, buildings that have dedicated security systems which feed into a city-wide grid, become essential for the well being of the city.

“A city like Dubai is like Manhattan, Singapore and Disneyworld all rolled into one. It has the same constraints, the same requirements and the same challenges (of a project that size and scale). It’s all brand new and people and governments are just learning how to address the challenges and protect themselves,” Patrick Guedel, general manager of the Lower Gulf Region, for Siemens’ Infrastructure and Cities Sector.

However, unlike Abdulrahim, he sees a role for MEP contractors in this scenario, and says that while they may not necessarily be involved in the design and engineering of systems, they would still play a vital role in maintaining them.

“From this point of view, MEP contractors become more like contractors really. The importance of a MEP contractor in this point of view is the value of the quality of work they do, the reliability they have and their ability to execute a project on time,” Guedel adds.

While Dubai offers obvious growth potential, both Guedel and Abdulrahim admit that it is one of the more mature markets in the region, which means that its neighbours could offer more potential for security firms.

“The markets are definitely maturing, and within the region, it varies between Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and so on. I would say that Dubai is probably more mature than the other markets,” says Abdulrahim.

A consequence of that maturity is the presence of clients that are established in the market and as a result of their long experience, know exactly what they want.