with a professional team to arrive at the most suitable and cost effective selection . The air conditioning system is computer controlled by one of the largest systems installed to date in the in the country .
ELECTRICAL , ELECTRONIC , RATIONAL FIRE DESIGN ENGINEERING SERVICES DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES AT CANAL WALK PMR Engineering services were responsible for the design and supervision of the electrical , electronic , fire-safety systems and vertical transportation in Canal Walk shopping centre .
The total electricity consumed by the centre is equivalent to that of a small town of 2000 households . The system uses 26 main transformers , and innovative design has ensured a very economical electrical infrastructure . The external lighting and mall lighting are seamlessly integrated with the architecture , adding drama to the grand scale and rich detailing of the building . The entertainment area is an important node in the centre and boasts one of the most sophisticated lighting control systems in the country . It employs intelligent lighting and stage effects usually found only in major entertainment venues . A centralised computer controlled metering system with a secure web page enables users to inspect their current and past electricity , gas and water consumption at the click of a mouse . Standby power ensures that the life-safety systems and major tenants function flawlessly during a power failure .
The fire safety system designed by PMR ensures the safety of the centre in the event of a fire and includes the following features :
• pressurisation of escape routes ;
• smoke ventilation from the mall areas using smoke detector controlled panels which open in the roof lights ;
• powered ventilation of smoke from the larger shops ;
• automatic closing of fire doors to escape routes which are protected against the effects of fire for two hours ;
• automatic shut-off of the gas pipe work within the building in the event of a fire ;
• the automatic shutting down of air conditioning in the event of a fire to prevent the spread of smoke and fire ;
• automated evacuation messages ;
• the homing of lifts to the ground floor in the event of a fire ;
• automatic selection of CCTV cameras in the main control room for the easy viewing of a potential fire situation ;
• the automatic summoning of the fire brigade
• an automatic sprinkler system and generous provision of fire hose reels , extinguishers and fire hydrants .
The fire safety system is controlled by sophisticated fire control computers which adhere to rigorous safety standards and allow the fire safety officer to view detailed maps of the centre showing all of the systems and devices described above .
The parking control system designed by PMR comprises 42 entry and exit booms , and 23 pay-on-foot stations which are continually monitored from a central control room by means of video cameras . Each device has an intercom connection to the parking control room for the convenience of the public .
The closed circuit television system designed by PMR includes more than 140 cameras , state of the art continuous digital recording , and a sophisticated control room with several ergonomically designed monitoring systems that are manned 24 hours per day .
The vertical transportation system comprises 50 lifts and 34 escalators , ensuring easy vertical movement for the public as well as for goods arriving and for refuse leaving the centre .
CONCLUSION The intense pressure of working on a fast track project of this magnitude has caused many problems and sleepless nights for the professionals , contractors and myriad of subcontractors , artists and others employed on the project .
However , the first impressions of the giant complex are favourable . Wide malls , ample parking and a seemingly never ending variety of shops and restaurants available to the visitor , should add to the opening success as other offices and nodes develop in the area .
Above : Airconditioning spiral ducting forms a feature in the entertainment zone
Canal Walk 37