المملكة: Regular maintenance and high efficiency… new standards for air conditioning systems in mosques

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has set mechanical requirements for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of mosques and their annexes in the Kingdom, in order to achieve safety, public health and general welfare.
She stressed that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for all facilities must be designed for efficient use of energy.

Mosques in Saudi Arabia

She indicated that these requirements are applied when installing, changing, moving, replacing, using or maintaining permanently installed mechanical systems, for use while providing control over environmental conditions and related operations within the mosque.
She pointed out that the implementation of the requirements will be ensured by organizing and monitoring the design, construction and installation, quality of materials, location, operation, maintenance and use of mechanical systems in mosques.
It also permits the use and continued maintenance of mechanical systems that were lawfully in place prior to the adoption of regulatory manuals for their use if such use, maintenance or repair would be in accordance with the original design or pose a risk to health or property.

Mechanical systems in mosques

She emphasized that existing or new mechanical systems must be maintained in proper operating condition according to the original design and in a safe, correct and sound condition.
Additions, modifications, renovations, or updates to an existing mechanical system must also be compatible, provided that the additions, modifications, or repairs do not render the existing system unsafe, unsafe, or burdensome.
According to the guide, it is prohibited to impose mechanical requirements on existing mosques that have been classified by the relevant authorities as historical mosques related to construction, alteration, repair, expansion, restoration, or transportation, provided that they are judged by the official responsible for these requirements to be safe and in the public interest of health and safety.

Mechanical system replacement cases

She pointed to the establishment of an inspection department for mechanical works, where the executive official is known as the guide official, and his duties include implementing the provisions of the guide and having the authority to provide explanations and adopt policies and procedures that are compatible with the purposes of the guide.
It also reviews construction documents, issues permits to install and modify mechanical systems, inspects mosques for which these permits have been issued, and enforces compliance.
A contractor who wishes to construct, install, alter, construct, repair, remove or replace a mechanical system in a mosque must submit an application to the directory official and obtain the required permit to carry out the work.

Heating and ventilation equipment

He is exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit for the work of heating and ventilation devices, portable ventilation devices and equipment, portable cooling units in addition to steam and hot water devices or chilled water pipes, as well as replacing a secondary part.
The directory official is permitted to conduct the necessary inspections to determine compliance with the mechanical requirements, and any person who violates the requirements is subject to penalties, as continuing the violation after notification is a separate crime.