The cost of managing property

It’s everyone’s responsibility

Keeping a building well maintained was no easy task, especially where due regard for life cycle costing has not been considered in the original build specification, Ross says. “Assets, materials and components that have a long life are generally more expensive, and to save money in construction, developers may use cheaper alternatives to make their product more affordable,” he says, adding that quality developments suffered less, but affordable housing projects tended to have “affordable maintenance” as well.

“We can estimate that for every dirham spent in construction, Dh60-Dh80 can be spent operating a building over its life,” Ross explains, insisting that facilities management (FM) firms should not cut corners to save costs and win bids. “Cutting costs can have disastrous effects on a building and its assets, especially in the ‘back of house’ areas that residents typically don’t see.”

Fires and cladding conundrum

In 2012, 70 per cent of the UAE’s high-rise buildings were estimated to have utilised flammable panelling. However, the use of such materials has dropped significantly since, thanks mainly to the introduction of the UAE Fire and Life Safety code, which includes a significantly enhanced section on façade materials, according to Andy Dean, head of facades in the Middle East at WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff.

“A great deal has changed, and materials going onto new buildings are now fundamentally different as a result,” he adds, remarking there were design challenges. “It isn’t innovation in safety, but in using robust and verified methods of evaluating new and innovative buildings, construction materials and techniques. Crucially, developers have started looking at their existing building stock as well as new design and this is the next important step the entire construction industry must take. UAE high-rise buildings present several unique challenges, including complex evacuation strategies, fire department accessibility, smoke movement and fire control.”

Asteco was awaiting the update of the code when considering restoration plans after a fire broke out at one of the Oceana development’s buildings in 2016. “The updated UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice has pushed the industry to use the highest-grade cladding material, even higher than previously used,” says Stevens. “However, at that time, as an approved and updated panel cladding still had not announced, Asteco decided to replace the cladding with concrete renders.”

Residents of Oceana have been very appreciative of Asteco’s involvement in managing the development, and the aftermath of the fire.

“Thank you for the great remedial works executed on the Adriatic Building as a result of the unfortunate fire. The new building looks extremely good, safe and very professionally executed,” says Suhail Matlub.

The cost

According to Ross, the reserve fund typically wouldn’t account for replacing cladding. “If there is insufficient funding in reserve, then the owners would have to contribute through a special levy – they own the building and it’s their decision to replace it or not, or consider fitting some other mitigation measures, for example additional external fire suppression systems, sprinklers or only replacing some of the cladding at interval,” he suggests.

Ross also reckons one may as well make other improvements at the same time, such as retrofitting for sustainability or changing cladding to one that provides better insulation, thus offsetting capital costs in the long run.

“Personally, I think direction and incentives have to come from the local authority, as otherwise not much is likely to happen,” he remarks.

In the case of Oceana, the OA has taken the route of caution and quality over trying to save on the initial outlay, recognising it is saving them money today in insurance, as well as future expenses. Thus it is financing the replacement of cladding on its six other buildings within Oceana.

“Oceana is a premium product on the Palm, and the board decided to make the most practical and sustainable solution. Instead of replacing the panels with more cladding that is up to standard, the cladding will also be replaced with concrete renders, a material that won’t burn,” says Stevens.

Good advice and insurance paramount

Unit owners above all have to understand why they are asked to spend on improvements, making communication a vital component of management, according to Ross. “Unless improvements are mandatory or vital to the overall longevity of the building, then decisions on operational investments are likely to be made on a financial basis,” he says. “However, only considering options in terms of capex can have major implications for operating expenditure of the building further down the road.”

If the individual OA manager is not skilled in this area, a third-party building consultant is vital to avoid exacerbating existing problems, Ross adds.

In the case of Oceana, the OA was able to finance the Dh50-million fire safety improvements on the Adriatic building through the home owners insurance.

“One of Asteco’s roles as professional OA consultant and manager is to ensure they have sufficient funds to continue to function seamlessly. Dh14 million was put away in reserve funds, the money for the project was borrowed from this fund and decreased service charges were required,” says Stevens.

Residents also benefitted from coverage of loss of rent, alternative accommodation, furniture storage and even some service charges.

“An important point to note is that after the fire incident, the insurance premium increased from Dh860,000 to Dh3.67 million. The premium dropped to Dh2,572,500 after the render works proposal, and risk strategy on the remaining six buildings had been presented to the insurance company, and is expected to drop further after the re-cladding work is completed,” Stevens says.