Chiller and AHU installation
Chiller & AHU installation in Al Balad
In Al Balad, Jeddah's historic heart, chiller and AHU installation in the tight commercial and administrative buildings demands high precision. Alrabih's team mounts units on vibration-isolated bases and coordinates all pipework runs through narrow passages before final commissioning.
- 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 Balad's old buildings are narrow-footprint and tall, with tight internal passages and suspended ceilings sensitive to moisture and vibration. Installing a chiller and central AC units here demands advance planning for the insulated, aluminium-clad pipework runs through those passages, and coordination with building management to avoid disrupting trade. A chiller vibrating on an unstable base can damage both suspended ceilings and the indoor units connected to it.
Al Balad lies in Jeddah's historic centre, a district of narrow, old buildings tightly packed with trade and offices around the popular bazaars.
Most Al Balad buildings need a single central chiller with multiple indoor units to distribute chilled air through the floors.
The AC setup in Al Balad
- 1
Central chiller with multiple indoor units
Most commercial and administrative buildings in Al Balad rely on one central chiller distributing chilled water to several indoor units across different floors.
- 2
Insulated pipes clad in aluminium through passages
Pipe routes run vertically or horizontally through the tight passages, fully clad to prevent condensation and vibration damage.
- 3
Units mounted on vibration-isolated bases
The chiller and AC units sit on flexible bases to minimise vibration and noise, crucial in these tightly built structures.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Al Balad
- 1
Show us the building plan and passages
Provide or show the floor plan and passage routes so we can map the pipework and unit positions before the site visit.
- 2
Coordinate the visit time with building management
Inform building management of the planned date and any work affecting access or shared spaces.
- 3
Confirm the rooftop or space location for the chiller
Confirm that there is a safe, suitable space on the roof or in the available void to mount the chiller before the visit.
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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 fit a chiller in a narrow building with no spare roof space?
We survey the unit location in advance and secure it on a vibration-isolated base, choosing a vertical or horizontal pipework route to fit the building's layout.
The passages are very narrow, do your insulated and clad pipes fit through?
We measure the passages and bends beforehand and fit the aluminium cladding and insulation so the final pipe thickness suits the available space.
Al Balad's humidity is high and ceilings are suspended, do insulated pipes prevent condensation?
Yes, full insulation with aluminium cladding keeps the pipework temperature stable and stops moisture condensing on the suspended ceilings.
Will the installation work disrupt the shops and offices in the building?
We coordinate with building management to phase the work and schedule around peak trading hours wherever possible.
