Duval Messein - world's leading lightning and earthing protection company which recently signed a contract for the installation of their system on Burj Dubai Tower considers: Contractors and consultants across the Middle East must take the lead in investing electrical safety infrastructure; Policy makers must act now to ensure uniform electrical safety codes in both old and new properties

Dubai, 15 July, 2008: As construction activity in Dubai and across the region reaches fever pitch, prestigious projects are increasingly opting for world-class electrical safety infrastructure to eliminate risks.

"In the past few years, we have seen an increasing awareness in electrical safety risks - and the willingness to cover the extra mile to neutralize them - especially amongst the leading consultants and contractors like ETA, Al Hamra Construction", said Sonjib Banerjee, Technical Director, Duval Messien. "It is one thing to raise up a structure, but long-term electrical safety is still an issue that is at the backburner for most contractors in the region - a factor that needs to be adequately addressed."

DUVAL MESSIEN has already commissioned the world's most technically superior lightning protection system at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's Head Office, Raffles Hotel and the like. "There is a longstanding myth that Middle East is not exposed to the risk of lightning, driven by the notion that the region receives scanty rainfall and has low incidence of thunderstorm," said Banerjee. Moreover, there is dearth of adequate codes in the region for long-term electrical safety. In such a situation, the large scale construction of high-rises may prove to be a ticking time bomb if enough is not done quickly to enforce globally recognized electrical safety standards. Banerjee stated, "one lightning strike can take a toll to our life and assets".

Taking the lead

The traditional lightning protection and earthing systems currently being used by developers in the region - which are no more than an iron rod and shafts fixed on top of the building - are grossly inadequate when it comes to safety of life and delicate equipment, especially in mega structures. Although there is an absence of stringent lightning and earthing protection regulations, developers of high-end projects are willing to incorporate world's best technologies to safeguard the marvels of UAE.

"The current in a lightning strike is likely to be in the range of 2,000 - 200,000 amperes and the charge may be positive or negative in nature. Hence, an effective operational system is crucial to protect any structure. The Satelit 3 Lightning Protection System from Duval Messien meets international standards and the technology is fourteen years ahead of its time" added Banerjee.

The contracts awarded to Duval Messien include the design, supply and installation of lightning protection and earthing systems. Duval Messien's role in these projects is to ensure that equipment on site operates safely, avoids system failure and most importantly prevent the threat to life from electric shock.

Foolproof safety

Lightning damage may occur either as a result of a direct lightning strike to the building or more commonly, as a result of the induced effects of a lightning strike some distance away. Lightning that strikes kilometers away, may cause damaging electrical surges. Duval Messien enables the consultants and contractors to estimate the risks and facilitates them to take a judicious financial decision on lightning protection and earthing measures in their projects.

Satelit-3 lightning protection system is a static generator designed to force the lightning strikes to follow a predetermined path towards the earthing system. The device, installed on the highest structure of the building, prevents damage to the superstructure from both positively and negatively charged lightning strikes and dangerous side-flashes. The device is maintenance free and can be monitored with a remote.

The field of electrical engineering has seen tremendous development over the years. Unfortunately, electrical earthing still remains a neglected area though it plays a very crucial part in electrical distribution system as around 70% of electrical faults are due to poor earthing system. Inefficient earthing poses a threat to human life, livestock and assets. Conventional methods of electrical earthing are no longer adequate; keeping in mind the rapidly increasing magnitude of ground fault currents encountered in today's growing power system. Duval Messien's TEREC+ is the ideal high-tech earthing system delivering a maintenance-free solution for 10-15 years. Moreover, the earthing system from Duval Messien adheres to international electrical safety standards like IEEE, NFPA BS, IS standards.

The France based multinational has a variety of solutions for earthing and lightning protection to suit the specific needs of the projects and provides a better and safer environment for corporate offices, industries, power plants, and housing complexes, with thirty-seven successful installations all over UAE. Other major projects commissioned by Duval Messien include Abjar Tower, G4 Marina Building, Al Hamra Village at Ras Al Khaima, Al Jaber tower in Fujairah, Al Salam City at Umm Al Quwain, Twin Towers at Al Nahhda for H.E. Easa Saleh Al Gurg and Al Hamra Shopping Mall at Ras Al Khaima to name a few.

-Ends-

About DUVAL MESSIEN:
Manav Enterprises FZC is the sole distributors of Duval Messien's Lightning Protection & Earthing systems for the Arabian Gulf. Satelit 3 Lightning Protection System & TEREC+ Earthing Compound are state-of-the-art products introduced by them to the region. The multi-national team boasts specially trained sales and engineering specialists with valid experience in various terrains and a diverse variety of project types including Refineries, Defense, Telecom, Airports, Industries, Shopping malls, Commercial/residential towers, Palaces & villas. The company has recently been awarded contracts with The Burj Tower, DEWA Head Office, International City and Raffles Hotel in Dubai; royal palaces in Oman; and other prestigious projects across the GCC region. The company is located in Freezone in UAE with distribution offices conveniently dotted across all emirates, expanding soon to the rest of the region.

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© Press Release 2008