Dubai Arena opened ahead of schedule last summer, the emirate’s latest project in the run-up to the World Expo in Dubai, due to run from October 2020 to April 2021. The multi-purpose indoor arena, officially named the Coca-Cola Arena after a ten-year deal with the fizzy drinks firm, can house an audience of 17,000 on four levels spanning half-a-million square feet. It will host sports events, concerts, comedy, live theatre, conferences, galas and weddings among shopping and dining outlets. The arena features 17 lifts, 26 escalators, four sports changing rooms, eight artist dressing rooms, more than 35 food and beverage outlets and 4,600 LEDs around its façade. It also includes 28 wheelchair spaces and companion seats.
It is located in City Walk – a leisure, retail and residential destination in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building – which itself is new and was developed by Meraas, a company owned by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
As for perimeter security and in particular, the threat of vehicle borne attacks in cities has led to more use of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM), such as PAS68 and IWA14 bollards, barriers and other blocking equipment. Indeed, the whole City Walk zone has been planned as a pedestrianised oasis with no parking offered for the Dubai Arena’s visitors, who are being directed to other modes of transport than the car. ASGC, Meraas’ main construction contractor, invited tenders for the overall street furniture and perimeter protection package, which included a mix of 600 static and removable PAS68 bollards.
Northern Ireland’s Environmental Street Furniture (ESF) won the contract after much negotiation to install the PAS68 perimeter security bollards alongside more than 100 benches, tree protection, litter bins and cycle parking. ESF turned to British manufacturer Eagle Automation, with over 30 years’ experience, as their supply partner for the PAS68 products. Eagle formed a perimeter design, combining numerous products to meet the multi-layered HVM requirement of the high profile, high footfall arena akin to other comparable sites of critical national infrastructure.
The PAS68 standard means that products underwent vehicular impact testing as a vehicle security barrier against an assessed threat. The products are installed in accordance with accompanying PAS69 guidance, supervised by ESF. The bollards form a visible security deterrent all in the same shroud so they all look identical, although different ratings and specifications were used depending on specific threats and needs.
ESF managing director Alan Lowry said: “A greater focus is being placed on perimeter security across the globe due to the increase of attacks, especially where large crowds gather. We have been very fortunate to deliver a number of projects across the UAE in recent years with our street, themed and solar powered products, including IMG Worlds of Adventure, Warner Brothers Park and Global Village.” He added he was hopeful to continue that growth throughout the UAE and Middle East.
