El Distrito Industrial y el arraigo en el contexto

In order for this research to be successful in achieving its aim, the current process for achieving IAQ in Kuwait must be understood. This would show the gaps (if any) in the process in which this research intends to fill so that the process is more robust, effective and efficient.

Most of the respondents (architects, M&E and design engineers, construction contractors, facilities managers, etc.) stated that they were aware of the importance of good indoor air quality (IAQ) and admit that achieving good IAQ starts at the design stage, then, construction and commissioning. In that respect, the research asked respondents the following questions: How do you currently achieve IAQ at design stage? How do you currently achieve IAQ at construction stage? How do you currently achieve IAQ at commissioning stage? and How do you currently ensure that good IAQ is maintained at occupancy stage? The predominant and current Kuwait system is similar to the traditional method of achieving IAQ shown in ASHRAE (2009) and follows old RIBA plan of works process. Figure 5.16 below illustrates the current Kuwait process for achieving IAQ.

Q3 very high high moderate low Very low P e rce n t 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 5 5 14 65 11

Start

Architect prepares the Concept design for submission

to Owner for approval

Kuwait Municipality

approval

Architect prepares the Scheme Design for submission to Kuwait

Municipality for planning approval

Engineers (Mechanical, Electrical and Structural)

prepare their technical drawings

Cost consultants prepare estimates

Architect, Engineers and Cost consultants prepare

the Detailed Design and tender documents

Detailed Design Tender Documents

Owner and Architect to prepare the Project

brief Owner approval Concept Design No Yes Scheme Design No Yes

Specialists such as HVAC Specialists prepare their designs later added to

Figure 5.16: Current process of achieving IAQ in Kuwait housing developments

1. How do you achieve IAQ at design stage?

Currently in Kuwait most design professionals and architects use natural ventilation in housing by providing openings and also make efforts to adhere to the Kuwait municipality zoning laws. The process is as follows;

The Owner/Client or developer meets and discusses with the architect to prepare the project brief, which includes identification of project objectives (with regards to functionality, cost, budget, etc.), preparation of business case and determination of client’s and project risks, site information examination, feasibility studies and recommendations including recommendation for additional surveys (if needed), etcetera. These information is then used by the architect to

Mobilization of chosen contractor Construction for Practical completion Zoning approval End Handover and Use Inspection by Kuwait Municipality for Compliance with Zoning codes No Yes

prepare the concept design, which is sent to the Owner/client for approval. If the design is not approved by the client, the architect collects more information and goes back to the preparation of concept design stage to get it right and return to the client for approval again. Once the design is approved by the Owner/client or developer, the architect prepares the Scheme design or working drawing and sends that document to the cost consultants and engineers like the; structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, who will then prepare their own engineering drawings based on the the architectural drawing they have received. The cost consultant prepares his estimates on how much the project will cost the client. Usually, the cost consultant is appointed by the client.

The HVAC engineer (usually the mechanical engineer) designs the heating and cooling loads of the building. Usually, the ventilation system is a closed circuit AC unit, which means that the system takes the indoor air, cools it, and pumps it back into the building. This is not an effective system as it does not introduce fresh air into the building. However, most developments make use of hybrid system where natural ventilation is used, therefore, the risks of using a closed system is greatly reduced.

Once all the Scheme Designs are finished; the documents are sent to Kuwait municipality for planning approval. The documents may include engineering drawings and/or cost estimates (this is indicated with dotted lines in Figure 5.16). Unfortunately, the Kuwait municipality does not focus on IAQ requirements, rather they focus on zoning code compliance. They check if the plan exceeds the allowable building area permitted by the zoning code, floor plans, elevations, set backs from neighboring houses etc. If the municipality suggest that the designs do not meet zoning codes and refuse permission for the project to go on, the architect has to return to the drawing board and make all the changes necessary to meet Kuwait municipality requirements. On the other hand, if the plans meet the requirement of the municipality, an approval is given and the architect proceeds with the preparation of the detailed designs. After detailed designs, the client receives a full package of full drawings and a contractor is appointed through a tender process to construct the building.

2. Howdo you achieve IAQ at construction stage?

After the tender is finished with the detailed design complete, the contractor moves to site. During the construction, the architect functions also as the project manager who overseas all activities and makes sure that the contractor builds according to design. Unfortunately, IAQ

put on the table from the beginning, i.e., at the design stage, what happens is that most buildings develop IAQ problems in the future. During construction, contractors do not pay special attention to the ductwork to make sure that they do not collect dust or other particulate substances.

Respondents confessed that at the construction stage, contractors are not monitored for IAQ compliance by the Kuwait municipality. The architect, monitors the contractor but there is no special attention given to IAQ compliance. As a result, many buildings suffer from contractor negligence to protect the ventilation systems; both openings for natural ventilation and designs for mechanical ventilations. Therefore, it is possible that the HVAC systems get contaminated with pollutant emitting substances or dust and particulate substance, which are later fed back into the air when occupants enter the facility.

Another major problem of achieving IAQ at post-construction stage is that most designers and contractors believe that after the building construction has been completed, the operation and maintenance of the building and its facilities is the problem of the owner/client. Which means, in most cases, there was not an input by the facilities managers or IAQ specialists. In addition, architects or designers do not perform any form of evaluation on design performance (commissioning) since they believe the operation phase is the owner’s responsibility. “Moreover”, one of the respondents stated, “we are not given additional payment for after the defect notification period. So we are not responsible for post occupancy evaluation.”

3. Howdo you achieve IAQ at commissioning and occupancy stage?

The study revealed that evaluation of building performance also known as commissioning was uncommon amongst architects and designers in Kuwait. The commissioning that is supposed to take into account the quality of design and IAQ services and ascertain/check that the systems and equipment’s are functioning properly is not done.

After construction, most building owners or developers do not test whether the HVAC system is working as required. The buildings are opened to the population for rent and purchase. Many people move in without testing. There is currently no commissioning requirement. As soon as the construction works are over, occupants take residence. Therefore, many occupants find themselves in un-commissioned HVAC systems that are either faulty or

riddled with pollutants (dust and other construction material particulates) that were absorbed during the construction process.

At the end of the construction, building owners have to get inspected by municipality. Usually the inspection is about checking that the building has not exceeded the allowable building area. In other words, making sure the the new build is in accordance with the zoning codes. Thereafter, the building is opened to occupants. There is no checking or inspection on IAQ compliance. In addition, the respondents were asked if there was any evaluation of IAQ satisfaction or IAQ problems that have arisen during occupancy stage. Responses revealed that there were seldom any evaluative mechanisms, for example, user satisfaction surveys, or IAQ design evaluation feedback done after the project has been handed over and occupants have moved in.

With this process in place, Kuwait municipality has the opportunity to checks for IAQ compliance only once – at the planning approval stage. Unfortunately, according to the municipality officials interviewed, the way things are done at the municipality today, IAQ is seldom amongst the list of criteria that inspection officers check for. They mainly check that the plans are in accordance with land use regulation, height of buildings, density zones etcetera. Seldom is IAQ considered during planning permission stage. This shows that there are currently no IAQ compliance checks in place related to housing development in Kuwait. In addition, both industry professionals and Kuwait government officials stated that enforcement of IAQ compliance will be impossible without regulations and standards. This research however, is not for the preparation of regulations and standards but for the development of a framework through which future/existing IAQ regulations and standards could be implemented and enforced.