1

Abu Dhabis New Building Codes:

Underpinning Sustainable
Development



Big 5, 2012
2

4 entities, DMA, Abu Dhabi
Municipality, Al Ain Municipality,
Western Region Municipality
Staff of 4000+
DMA develops strategy, policy and
regulations.
Municipalities are the
implementation arm.


The DMA
3

Vision
An advanced municipal system that enables sustainable development
and enhances quality of living for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Mission
To achieve the Abu Dhabi Governments objective of providing distinctive
municipal services that enhance the quality of living of all residents
through coordination, oversight and monitoring of the Abu Dhabi
Municipalities and Municipal Councils


DMAs Vision & Mission
4




In 2006 the government underwent a restructure to create a
decentralized model..
5
of specialist departments with specific functions
6
DMA is providing the integrated framework to enable the
development of sustainable cities, with an enhanced quality of
life

Commitment towards creating cities
that are economically, socially and
ecologically sustainable.
Collaborate with other government
agencies.
Develop laws and regulations.
Develop municipal governance
frameworks.
Support the Municipal System deliver
quality services
Developing relationships with the public,
private & third sectors

7


By integrating the regulations and
policies of all government agencies the
DMA can demonstrate to the world that
the Emirate has a comprehensive
regulatory framework in place befitting
a 21
st
Century economy


HE Ahmed Shareef-DMA Undersecretary-
2009 Sustainability Report

through an advanced Municipal System
8
and the Municipal Code regulatory framework
Municipal Code

Public
Infrastructure
Urban
Development
Property, Building
and Construction
Environmental
Protection
Community
Services
Public Order
and Security
Public Health
and Safety
Licensing &
Fair Trade
Traffic and
Parking
Libraries

Water Supply

Environmental
Reporting and
Disclosure
Tents for
Weddings and
Occasions
Urban Planning,
Land Use and
Zoning
Waste Disposal,
Littering
Parking Control

Vehicles Control

Water

Traffic Control

Roadways and
Sidewalks
General Licensing

Food Safety

Air Pollution

Property
Ownership and
Lease
Emergency
Preparedness and
Response
Signs and
Billboards
Animal Control

Public Order
City Image

Construction
Noise Pollution

Mortuary
Services
Promotion of
Public Health
Public Housing
and Land for
Citizens and
Licensing of
Events and
Facilities
Fair Trade
Administration
& Operations
Rules
Governing Code
Relation to other
Laws,
Regulations
Finance,
Procurement, &
Contracting
Administration
and Personnel
Administrative
Guidelines
EAD

Centre of
Waste
Management
DMA &
Municipalities

UPC
And Municipality
ADWEA

DOT
/ Municipality
ADFCA

DOT and
Abu Dhabi Police
Dept. of Economic
Development
DED / Health
Dept / Tourism
Auth. / Municipality
DOF

EAD / Municipality

Main Responsibility for Regulation
9
Regulating the construction sector is the Abu Dhabi International
Building Code.
10
Durability
Life safety & accessibility
Interior environment (ventilation & daylighting)
Structural design & inspection
Materials-durability and combustibility & ecological
impact (cement replacement)
Flood resistance
The Abu Dhabi International Building Codeimproving quality
of life and quality of construction by addressing

11
The Abu Dhabi International Mechanical Codeimproving indoor air
quality, reducing CO2 emissions and protecting the ozone layer
through.

Prescribed minimum outdoor air %,
Minimum ventilation rates to protect
occupant health,
Design of ductwork to promote efficiency
(insulation, leakage)
Zone and air distribution effectiveness,
Minimum car park ventilation rates,
Exhaust systems,
Refrigerant classifications,
Thermal storage & ground source heat
pump systems


12
The Abu Dhabi International Property Maintenance Code, the
vehicle for all sustainability programmes for existing buildings..
13
The Abu Dhabi International Energy Conservation Code is central
to reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from the new and
existing buildings.
Energy density targets- UN targets for
extremely hot climates (Kuwait, Riyadh,
Calcutta, Hong Kong) of 132kWh/m2/pa
for residential & 96kWh/m2/pa for
commercial are achievable.
14
the UAE has a number of codes that relate to buildings but no
official energy conservation code per se
15
..as part of the adaption process DMA benchmarked the IECC
against international standards to ensure these minimum
standards where achievable .at a stretch.....



IECC- 2006 Badrah Nick L Germany Part L
ASHRAE 90.1-2007
Climate 2 EGBC Masdar
UN-H3
Zone
Decree
66 Estidama
U value roof 0.28 0.15 0.25 0.25 0.27 0.12 1.5 0.44
U values walls 0.87 0.25 0.33 (R3) 0.35 0.857 (non res) 0.7 (res) 0.25 1.5 0.57 0.51
Fenestration U value 4.32 1.6 2.1 2.2 3.97-4.26 (metal frame) 1-1.2(office) 2.7 2.1-3.28
Window frame U value 0.2 0.2
SHGC 0.25-0.4 0.27 0.25-0.4 0.25 0.23-0.27 0.35-0.4
Max % Fenestration 40 30 25
Set point temp 24-26 24
25-27
summer
Infiltration 5.5m3/hr/m2 @50Pa
5.0m3/hr/m2
@50Pa
0.02-0.03 at
4pa

KWH/m2/pa-Residential Villa 95
KWH/m2/pa-Residential
Apartment 85 70 132
KWH/m2/pa-Office 70 96
KWH/m2/pa-Large Public Bldg 70 108

Lighting efficinecy lm/W 60 45 70
16
17
Table Of Contents










CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION
PART 1SCOPE AND APPLICATION

Section101 Scope and General Requirements
102Alternate Materials- Method of Construction,
Design or Insulating Systems


PART 2ADMINISTRATION AND
ENFORCEMENT
103 Construction Documents
104 Inspections
105 Validity
106 Reference Standards
107 Fees
108 Stop Work Order
109 Board of Appeal

CHAPTER 2 DEFINITIONS

Section 201 General
202 General Definitions

CHAPTER 3 GENERAL REGULATIONS

Section 301 Climate Zones
302 Design Conditions .
303 Materials, Systems and Equipment
CHAPTER 4 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY
EFFICIENCY

Section 401 General
402 Building Thermal Envelope
403 Systems
404 Electrical Power and Lighting Systems
405 Simulated Performance Alternative.

CHAPTER 5 COMMERCIAL ENERGY
EFFICIENCY

Section 501 General
502 Building Envelope Requirements
503 Building Mechanical Systems
504 Service Water Heating
505 Electrical Power and Lighting Systems
506 Additional Efficiency Package Options
507 Total Building Performance

CHAPTER 6 REFERENCE STANDARDS

INDEX





18
General Regulations -Section 301- Climate Zones
Zone 1 classification is 5000< CDD 10C

UAE has 6254 annual cooling degree-days (10C baseline)
AND THEREFORE IS CLASSIFIED ZONE 1

Warm-humid DefinitionMoist (A) locations where either
of the following wet-bulb temperature conditions shall
occur during the warmest six consecutive months of the
year:

67F (19.4C) or higher for 3,000 or more hours; or
2. 73F (22.8C) or higher for 1,500 or more hours

DATA SHOWS ABU DHABI IS NOT CONSIDERED WARM &
HUMID TO (A) CLASSIFICATION




19
Section 302- Design Conditions




302.1 Interior design conditions. The interior design
temperatures used for heating and cooling load calculations
shall be a maximum of 72F (22C) for heating and minimum
of 75F (24C) for cooling with a relative humidity of 50 5%.
20
Chapter 5- COMMERCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Section 501- General













501.2 Application.
(Prescriptive Route)
The commercial building project shall comply with the requirements
in section 502 (Building Envelope) , 503 (Mechanical Systems) , 504
(Service Hot Water ) and 505 (Electrical Power & Lighting) in its
entirety and one of the additional options as presented in Section
506 (Additional Efficiency Options).

(Performance Route)
As an alternative the commercial building project shall exceed by at
least 25% the requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1- 2007,
Section 11 in its entirety.

Exceptions:
(Hybrid Route)
Buildings conforming to Section 507 (Total Systems Performance)
provided Sections 502.4 (Air leakage) ,503.2 (Mechanical Systems),
504 (Hot Water), 505.2 (Power & Lighting), 505.3 (Tandem Wiring),
505.4 (Exit Signs), 505.6 (Exterior Lighting) and 505.7 (Metering) are
each satisfied. Building energy cost shall be equal to or less than 85%
of the standard reference design building.




21
Section 502- Building Envelope Requirements














Element U value (W/m2.K)
Roof
Insulation entirely above deck 0.22
Metal buildings 0.36
Attic & Other 0.19
Walls Above Grade
Mass 0.33
Metal buildings 0.52
Metal framed 0.21
Wood framed & other 0.20
Fenestration (Max 30% Area)
U-value 2.21
Metal Framing
Curtain Wall/ storefront 2.10
Entrance Door 2.80
Projection
Factor (PF)*
SHGC

PF<0.25 0.25
0.25<PF<0.5 0.33
PF>0.5 0.4
*The greater the projection
then more relaxed the SHGC


22
Section 502.4- Air Leakage




502.4.1 Air Barriers- The building thermal envelope shall be
constructed with a continuous air barrier to control air
leakage into and out of conditioned space.

502.4.1.2.1 Materials- Individual materials to have an air
permeability not to exceed 0.2L/s.m2 at 75 Pa

502.4.1.2.3 Building Test - The completed the building shall
be tested and the air leakage rate of the building envelope
shall not exceed 2.0 L/s/m2 at 75 Pa (7.2 m3/hr @ 75 Pa)

502.4.5.2 Outdoor Intakes & Exhausts- to have class A
motorized dampers with maximum leakage of 5.1L/s/m3
@1250 Pa Exception: Gravity dampers with leakage rate of
34L/s/m3 at 1250 Pa when intake or exhaust doesnt
exceed 300 cfm.

502.4.8 Recessing Lighting- to have a maximum air leakage
rate of 0.944 L/s at 75 Pa



23
Section 503- Building Mechanical Systems- (ADIMC)




503.1 General- Mechanical systems are classified into simple and complex
systems.

503.2.1- Calculation of heating & cooling loads-In accordance with
ASHRAE 183.

503.2.2 Equipment & systems sizing- shall not exceed the loads calculated
using ASHRAE 183- Exception- 1. Standby equipment and 2. Multiple
units of the same equipment type providing there are controls to
sequence operation of each unit based on load.

503.2.3 HVAC equipment performance requirements- Energy efficiency
ratings at Full load & IPLV for a variety of simple & complex systems
including:
A/C Air cooled- split/packages
A/C Water cooled- splits /packages/centrifugal/reciprocating/absorption
(single, double effect, gas fired)
A/C Groundwater cooled-




24
Section 503.2.4- HVAC systems controls




503.2.4.1 Thermostatic controls one per
thermal zone including humidity control .
Exception: Independent perimeter systems.

503.2.4.2 Set-point overlap restriction-
where used to control heating & cooling
thermostatic controls shall provide a
temperature range (dead band) of at least 2.8
deg C within which the supply of heating
/cooling to the zone can be shut off or
reduced to a minimum.

503.2.4.3.2 Automatic setback & shutdown
capabilities-

503.2.4.3.3 Automatic start capabilities-

503.2.4.4- Shut off damper controls -




25
Section 503.2.5 Ventilation- (ADIMC)




503.2.5.1 Demand control ventilation-
required for spaces larger than 50m2 with
an occupancy of 40 people per 93m2

503.2.6 Energy recovery ventilation
system- each fan system shall have an
energy recovery system to recover at least
50% of the difference between the indoor
and outdoor air enthalpies. Excludes:
Laboratory fume systems and other
system s that use coils wrapped around
the cooling coil for dehumidification.





26
Section 503.2.7 Duct & Plenum Insulation & Sealing




503.2.7.1.1 Medium pressure duct systems-
Insulation-R-5 insulation when located in
unconditioned spaces and R- 8 when located
outside the building
Sealing-all joints, seams and connections operating
at a static pressure <746 Pa shall be securely
fastened and sealed with welds , gaskets, mastics or
tapes in accordance with a manufacturers
instructions.

503.2.7.1.3 High pressure duct systems -
Insulation- (Same as medium pressure).
Sealing-operating at > 746 Pa shall be tested in
accordance with the SMACNA (Sheet Metal and A/C
contractors National Assoc.) HVAV Air Duct Leakage
Test Manual. Evidence to be shown that 25% of the
duct area has been tested.





27
Section 503.2.9 Mechanical System Commissioning




503.2.9.1.1 Commissioning plan -detailed explanation of the
equipment & systems to be tested, measurable criteria for acceptable
performance etc.

503.2.9.1.2 Systems adjusting & balancing- air and water flow rates
shall be measured and adjusted to within 10% of design rates. Air
systems balancing in accordance with ADIMC .

503.2.9.1.3 Equipment functional performance testing- demonstrate
correct installation & operation of systems components.

503.2.9.1.3.2 Controls functional performance- HVAC controls to be
tested to ensure they are calibrated and operate in sequence.

503.2.9.1.4 Preliminary commissioning report- reqd. for completion

503.2.9.3.2 Manuals - operating and maintenance manual

503.2.9.3.4 Final commissioning report- to include results from
functional performance test, deficiencies found during testing and test
procedure


28
Section 503.2.10 Air system design and control- RIGHTSIZING FANS




503.2.10.1 Allowable fan horsepower- each
HVAC systems fan horsepower (hp) is to be
designed in accordance with the ADIECC
criteria;

hp< CFM (air )*0.0015 (assuming variable
volume)

503.2.9.1.2 Motor nameplate horsepower- the
selected fan motor shall be no larger than the
first available motor size greater than the
breaking horse power.








29
Section 503.4 Complex HVAC Systems & Equipment




503.4.2 Variable Air Volume (VAV) fan control-
Individual fans with >5.6kW (7.5hp) shall have:
1. Variable speed drive
2. Driven by a vane-axial fan with variable pitch
3. Controls to ensure that the fan motor demand
is no more than 30% of design wattage at 50%
airflow rate.
4. Static pressure sensors in ductwork

503.4.4- Heat rejection equipment fan speed
control- fans >5.6kW shall have the capacity to
operate at <2/3 of full speed +controls that
automatically change the fan speed to control the
heat rejection process.

503.4.6 Heat recovery for service hot water
heating- for facilities operating 24 hours where
heat rejection is 6 Million Btu/hr and service water
load > 1 Million Btu/hr




30
Section 504 - SERVICE WATER HEATING




504.2 Service water heating equipment performance
efficiency- for the following systems:

Water heaters (electric)
Storage water heaters (gas)
Instantaneous water heaters (gas)
Hot water supply boilers (gas)
Heat pump pool heaters

504.3 Temperature controls- set-point of 43deg C for
dwelling units.

504.6 Hot water systems controls- automatic circulating hot
water systems to be turned off when the system is not in
operation.








31
Section 505 ELECTRIC POWER & LIGHTING SYSTEMS




505.1 General -covers lighting systems controls ,
maximum lighting power etc.
Exception: 1. Where 75% of light fixtures within a
dwelling are fitted with high efficacy lamps ( >60
lumens/watt) or
2. Low voltage lighting is used.

505.2.2.1 Light reduction controls- allow occupant
to reduce intensity level by at least 50%.

505.2.2.2 Daylight zone control- (Daylight zone
definition-Depth 4.572m deep , Width = window
width +610mm each side) - Maximum 232m2 -
allowed to be controlled by a single device.

505.2.2.3 Automatic daylight controls- shut off
lighting using either:
1. Occupancy sensors,
2. Time clocks , or
3. Automatic daylight sensors zones



32
Section 505.5- Interior lighting power requirements


















LIGHTINGPOWER DENSITY
Whole Building Space by Space
Building Area Type (W/ft2)
Active Storage 0.8
Atrium First Three Floors 0.6
Atrium Each Additional Floor 0.2
Automotive Facility 0.9
Classroom/lecture/training 1.3
Conference/Meeting/Multipurpose 1.1
Corridor/Transition 0.5
Electrical/Mechanical 1.1
Food Preparation 1.2
Inactive Storage 0.2
Lobby 1.1
Restroom 0.8
Stairway 0.6
CONVENTION CENTER 1.2
Exhibit Space 1.3
Audience/Seating Area 0.9
COURTHOUSE 1.2
Audience/Seating Area 0.9
Courtroom 1.9
Connement Cells 0.9
Judges Chambers 1.3
Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room 0.6
DINING: BAR LOUNGE/LEISURE 1.3
Lounge/Leisure Dining 1.4
DINING: CAFETERIA/FAST FOOD 1.4
DINING: FAMILY 1.6
Dining 1.4
Kitchen 1.2
DORMITORY 1
Living Quarters 1.1
Bedroom 0.5
Study Hall 1.4
EXERCISE CENTER 1
Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room 0.6
Audience/Seating Area 0.3
Exercise Area 0.9
Exercise Area/Gymnasium 0.9
GYMNASIUM 1.1
Dressing/Locker/Fitting Room 0.6
Audience/Seating Area 0.4
Playing Area 1.4
Exercise Area 0.9
HEALTHCARE CLINIC 1
Corridors w/patient waiting, exam 1
Exam/Treatment 1.5
Emergency 2.7
Public & Staff Lounge 0.8
Hospital/Medical supplies 1.4
Hospital - Nursery 0.6
Nurse station 1
Physical therapy 0.9
Patient Room 0.7
Pharmacy 1.2
Hospital/Radiology 0.4
Operating Room 2.2
Recovery 0.8
Active storage 0.9
WHOLE BUILDING W/m2
CONVENTION CENTRE 9.68
COURTHOUSE 12.91
DINING: LOUNGE/LEISURE 14.00
DINING: CAFE 15.07
DINING: FAMILY 17.22
DORMITORY 10.76
EXERCISE CENTRE 10.76
GYMNASIUM 11.84
HEALTHCARE CLINIC 10.76
HOTEL 10.76
LIBRARY 14.00
MANUFACTURING FACILITY 14.00
MUSEUM etc 11.84
33
Section 505.6 Exterior Lighting Zones



















LIGHTING ZONE DESCRIPTION
1
Developed areas of national parks, state parks,
forest land, and rural areas
2
Areas predominantly consisting of residential
zoning, neighborhood business districts, light
industrial with limited nighttime use and
residential mixed use areas
3 All other areas
4
High-activity commercial districts in major
metropolitan areas as designated by the local
land use planning authority



34
Section 505.6- Power Allowances for Building Exteriors

























Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4


Base Site Allowance
(Base allowance may be used in
tradable or non tradable surfaces.)

500 W 600 W 750 W 1300 W


Tradable Surfaces
(Lighting power densities for uncovered
parking areas, building grounds,
building entrances and exits, canopies
and overhangs and outdoor sales areas
may be traded.)
Uncovered Parking Areas

Parking areas and
drives
0.04 W/ft
2
0.06 W/ft
2
0.10 W/ft
2
0.13 W/ft
2


Building Grounds


Walkways less than
10 feet wide
0.7 W/linear foot 0.7 W/linear foot 0.8 W/linear foot 1.0 W/linear foot

Walkways 10 feet
wide
or greater, plaza areas
special feature areas
0.14 W/ft
2
0.14 W/ft
2
0.16 W/ft
2
0.2 W/ft
2

Stairways 0.75 W/ft
2
1.0 W/ft
2
1.0 W/ft
2
1.0 W/ft
2

Pedestrian tunnels 0.15 W/ft
2
0.15 W/ft
2
0.2 W/ft
2
0.3 W/ft
2


Building Entrances and Exits

Main entries
20 W/linear foot
of door width
20 W/linear foot
of door width
30 W/linear foot
of door width
30 W/linear foot
of door width

Other doors
20 W/linear foot
of door width
20 W/linear foot
of door width
20 W/linear foot
of door width
20 W/linear foot
of door width


Entry canopies 0.25 W/ft
2
0.25 W/ft
2
0.4 W/ft
2
0.4 W/ft
2


Sales Canopies


Free-standing and
attached
0.6 W/ft
2
0.6 W/ft
2
0.8 W/ft
2
1.0 W/ft
2


Outdoor Sales


Open areas (including
vehicle sales lots)
0.25 W/ft
2
0.25 W/ft
2
0.5 W/ft
2
0.7 W/ft
2


Street frontage for
vehicle sales lots in
addition to "open area"
allowance
No allowance 10 W/linear foot 10 W/linear foot 30 W/linear foot

Non tradable Surfaces
(Lighting power density calculations for
the following applications can be used
only for the specific application and
cannot be traded between surfaces or
with other exterior lighting. The
following allowances are in addition to
any allowance otherwise permitted in
the "Tradable Surfaces" section of this
table.)
Building facades No allowance
0.1 W/ft
2
for each illuminated
wall or surface or 2.5 W/linear
foot for each illuminated wall or
surface length
0.15 W/ft
2
for each illuminated
wall or surface or 3.75 W/linear
foot for each illuminated wall or
surface length
0.2 W/ft
2
for each illuminated
wall or surface or 5.0 W/linear
foot for each illuminated wall or
surface length


Automated teller
machines and night
depositories
270 W per location plus 90 W
per additional
ATM per location
270 W per location plus 90 W
per additional
ATM per location
270 W per location plus 90 W
per additional
ATM per location
270 W per location plus 90 W
per additional
ATM per location


Entrances and
gatehouse inspection
stations at guarded
facilities
0.75 W/ft
2
of covered
and uncovered area
0.75 W/ft
2
of covered
and uncovered area
0.75 W/ft
2
of covered
and uncovered area
0.75 W/ft
2
of covered
and uncovered area


Loading areas for law
enforcement, fire,
ambulance and other
emergency service
vehicles
0.5 W/ft
2
of covered
and uncovered area
0.5 W/ft
2
of covered
and uncovered area
0.5 W/ft
2
of covered
and uncovered area
0.5 W/ft
2
of covered
and uncovered area


Drive-up
windows/doors
400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through 400 W per drive-through

Parking near
24-hour
retail
800 W per main
entry
800 W per main
entry
800 W per main
entry
800 W per main
entry

35
Section 506 ADDITIONAL EFFICIENCY PACKAGE OPTIONS



















506.1 Requirements. Buildings shall comply with at least one of the
following:

a. 506.2 Efficient Mechanical Equipment

b. 506.3 Efficient Lighting System Requirement

c. 506.4 On-Site Supply of Renewable Energy
36
Section 506.2- Efficient Mechanical Equipment



















Equipment Type Size Unit Full Load
Section
503
IPLV
Section
503
Full Load
Section
506
IPLV
Section
506
Water cooled
centrifugal chiller
> 600 T kW/T 0.57 0.539 0.55 0.51
37
Section 506.3- Efficient Lighting System Requirements



















Facility Whole building
W/m2
Section 505
Whole building
W/m2
Section 506
Healthcare Clinic 10.76 9.58
38
Section 506.4- Renewable Energy



















506.4 On-site Supply of Renewable Energy- The building or
surrounding property shall supply 3% or more of building energy
use with on-site renewable energy.

On-site power generation using nonrenewable sources does not
meet this requirement.
39
Section 507- Total Building Performance



















507.1 Scope- The following systems and loads shall be used to calculate the
total building performance:

Cooling systems
Heating systems
Service water heating
Fan systems
Lighting power
Receptacle loads
Process loads

507.2 Mandatory requirement- compliance with the following sections:

502.4- Air leakage
503.2-Provisions applicable to all mechanical systems
(calculation of cooling loads, equipment sizing ASHRAE 183)
504-Service hot water heating
505- Electrical power & lighting systems


40
Thank You