Chiller and AHU installation
Chiller & AHU installation in Al Sahil
Installing chillers and AHU units in Al Sahil demands precision because the modern commercial and hotel buildings here depend on complex central cooling systems. Alrabih's team mounts the chiller on vibration-isolated bases, coordinates the chilled-water piping and ductwork with the building's electrical and structural layout, and runs full commissioning before handover.
- Vibration isolation
- Aluminium cladding
- Full commissioning
Clients We're Proud to Serve
Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.
When you need this installation
- 1
A new commercial or government building
The building is ready but the central cooling plant is not yet installed. You need a team to lift the chiller to the roof, prepare the bases and run chilled water pipework to AHUs on every floor.
- 2
An existing unit vibrates and makes noise
Constant vibration loosens pipe joints and fatigues mechanical components. If the unit is not sitting on proper vibration isolators, that is corrected during reinstallation; the site survey determines which isolator type is needed.
- 3
Extending an existing building
Adding floors or new areas means extra AHUs and extending the chilled water network. We connect the extension to the existing plant after verifying the current chiller capacity, which the site study determines.
Who it's for
Building a hospital or hotel that needs a central cooling plant
We visit the site before the building is complete to plan pipe routes and the plant room, then lift the chiller, mount AHUs on every floor and commission the full system.
Ask on WhatsAppReplaced an old chiller but connections do not match
We survey the new chiller and existing pipework, fabricate any transition pieces needed in our workshop, then reconnect and pressure-test the network before start-up.
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What the installation covers
- Chiller lifted onto isolated base
- Chilled pipework run and insulated
- Aluminium cladding of pipework
- AHUs mounted and duct-connected
- Pressure test and commissioning
How we work
How we work
- 1
Site survey and design
We visit the site to measure the plant room or roof, check pipe and duct routes, and determine lifting requirements and the right vibration isolator type for the building.
- 2
Base preparation and lifting
We prepare the chiller and AHU bases, fix the vibration isolators, lift the units into final position and check they are level before any connections are made.
- 3
Pipework and ductwork
We run the chilled water pipes, insulate them and clad them in aluminium sheet to resist Jeddah's humid salty air, then connect each AHU to its duct network.
- 4
Pressure test and commissioning
We pressure-test the pipework to confirm there are no leaks, then run the full system, measure air conditions at each AHU and adjust dampers until the required air distribution is achieved.
Considered installation or a rushed one?
| Alrabih | The usual way | |
|---|---|---|
| Chiller base | Isolators matched to the site | Bolted straight to concrete |
| Pipe insulation | Full insulation with aluminium cladding | Partial or left bare |
| Pipe test | Pressure test before start-up | Started without testing |
| Air balancing | Measured and dampers adjusted | Unbalanced airflow |
| Transition pieces | Fabricated in our own workshop | Improvised or ill-fitting |
Everything your AC needs, from one team
From system design and duct fabrication to installation, commissioning and maintenance.
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Some of our work
Ductwork, rooftop units and diffusers, from work we've completed in Jeddah.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
- Muhammadramzan 2641
“MashaaAllah. Services are so good. Behaviour and kindness 100/100. Prices are less then Market. Fully recommended”
- shahzeb armani
“Wow. Prices are so comfortable. Outstanding services. People are so talented and nice”
- Tawfik AlyawerLocal Guide
“U can find all u need for air conditioning”
Your satisfaction matters to us! If you had a great experience with us, we'd love a 5-star rating and a kind review.
Worked with us? Leave a reviewService areas
We come to you anywhere in Jeddah
From Al Shiraa and Al Yaqout in the north to Al Thaghr and Al Quraiyat in the south, with our base in Al Aziziyah.
What sets this district apart
Al Sahil's modern buildings house hotels, office towers and multi-storey retail, all requiring centralised cooling networks routed through suspended ceilings and interfloor ducts. Chillers here must sit on roofs without vibration that damages the piping, and each AHU must connect properly to the duct network. The high coastal humidity makes thermal insulation and aluminium cladding of the pipework essential to prevent condensation dripping onto suspended ceilings.
Al Sahil lies in south Jeddah, a modern commercial and tourist zone with tall buildings and hotels facing the waterfront.
Most chillers in Al Sahil sit on high rooftops, with main ducts running through multiple floors to AHU units distributed across zones.
The AC setup in Al Sahil
- 1
Rooftop chiller with central piping
Hotels and towers in Al Sahil need one or more chillers on the roof, with chilled-water lines feeding AHU units on each floor.
- 2
AHU units distributed by floor
Each floor or retail zone typically has its own AHU unit connected to the central chiller via shared chilled-water lines.
- 3
Air ducts through suspended ceilings
Main and branch ducts run through the void space above suspended ceilings, requiring careful planning to avoid clashes with other systems.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Al Sahil
- 1
Confirm the chiller location on the roof
Confirm the roof can bear the chiller's weight plus isolation bases, and there is enough space for future maintenance access.
- 2
Ensure electrical and water connections are ready
Check that there is adequate electrical capacity in the plant room and sufficient drainage for condensate from the chiller and AHU units.
- 3
Coordinate duct and pipe routing with the engineer and contractor
Meet them to finalise the exact paths for ducts and chilled-water lines through ceilings and floors, ensuring no clashes with other systems.
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FAQ
Questions about Chiller & AHU installation
How is the chiller unit lifted to the roof?
The method depends on the chiller weight, the building height and the space available around the site. The survey determines whether a crane or other equipment is used, and we verify that the roof structure can carry the load before setting the unit on its base.
Why do chilled water pipes need aluminium cladding in Jeddah?
Chilled water pipes carry cold water through hot, humid, salty air. Without external protection, insulation deteriorates from moisture and salt and loses effectiveness. Aluminium cladding protects the insulation from outdoor air on rooftops and the humid interior air found in coastal buildings like those in Jeddah.
Can you connect AHUs to an existing duct network?
Yes, if the existing ducts are in good condition and match the new unit's connections. At the survey we check the duct opening sizes, the duct condition and the plenum arrangement, and confirm whether part of the network needs adjustment or transition pieces need to be fabricated in our workshop.
What does system commissioning involve?
After the pipe pressure test we run the chiller and AHUs, measuring air temperature and pressure at each unit's outlets. We adjust dampers and valves to achieve the designed air and water flow to every zone in the building, and record the final readings before handover.
What is the difference between placing the chiller on concrete inertia bases and on rubber anti-vibration mounts?
A concrete inertia base adds mass that dampens the chiller's own vibration and holds the unit steady when the compressor starts. Rubber anti-vibration mounts interrupt the path of vibration before it reaches the roof slab. Whether to use one approach or both depends on the site survey, which takes into account the roof structure, the size of the unit and the building design.
How do you isolate the chiller's vibration from hotel rooftops?
We mount the chiller on vibration-isolated bases that absorb and reduce vibration transfer to the building's structure, protecting the piping and suspended ceilings.
Chilled-water pipes pass near offices and ceilings, how do you protect them from leaks and condensation?
We insulate all pipework with thick thermal wrap and seal it in aluminium cladding to prevent condensation from coastal humidity, especially above suspended ceilings.
Al Sahil is very humid and close to the sea, does this affect the cooling equipment?
Yes, salt air and high humidity accelerate corrosion, so we use corrosion-resistant materials in all connections and piping, and ensure condensate drains properly.
The suspended ceilings and ducting in these buildings are complex, how do you coordinate the runs?
We work with the contractor and engineer before installation to map the duct and pipe routes, avoiding crossings with electrical and other systems, and we fit around the building schedule.
