The Ministry of Works has allocated BD 1.800 million to maintain 40 schools during the summer holiday, revealed Eng. Murtadha Hussain Al Jahrami; Director of Building Maintenance at the Ministry, who explained that work on the schools will be assigned to 30 contractors; 20 for civil and mechanical works and 10 for electrical works.

Civil works include structural repairs, internal and external painting to the schools, flooring, carpentry, plumbing, sanitary fittings and sewage works. Mechanical works include inspection and repairing or replacement of water system, water heaters, water pumps and waste pipes. Electrical works include inspection, repairing of electrical installations, conducting load balancing and repairing any defects and damages.

At the same time, work is undergoing to maintain and service water pumps, water coolers, water heaters and water tanks in 204 government schools, which will be either repaired or replaced the defective parts.

Building Maintenance Directorate at the Ministry has also prepared a two year electromechanical maintenance program to be implemented in 20 schools, which is planned to commence in September 2009 for the first time. The program is to be implemented through specialized contractors in this field. Works include preventive maintenance and inspection of all services and equipment including urgent and daily repairs to schools’ facilities concerning electrical and mechanical installations, plumbing, sanitary fittings and sewage works.

The program aims at speeding up emergency repairs in a specified period of time and at the same time maintaining the continuous operation of equipment, water and electrical installations for the safety of occupants.