Monday, February 08, 2010

Typical!

Open all of four weeks, now "due to unexpected high traffic, the observation deck at Burj Khalifa has been temporarily closed for maintenance and upgrade."

Absolutely typical.

Build something, open it to great fanfare. Almost immediately surround it with red & white cones and dig it up.

'Unexpected high traffic'? It was always going to be a major attraction, numbers are capped, volume of traffic to expect was obvious.

The real problem is in the statement though: "Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on".

Again, it's absolutely typical. Had the work been done properly in the first place there wouldn't be 'technical issues' after four weeks.

The story's in Arabian Business.
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9 comments:

hut said...

Seabee, every building experiences a 'breaking in' phase after completion / upon occupation. That's why there is (usually) a one year defects liability period. Duting this time cracks appear due to settlement, faulty plumbing becomes apparent, etc. etc. This is true for any new structure all over the world. (With the exception of course of Australia where everything is perfect...)

That said, what could have been done is to build in pre-scheduled maintenance holidays from public use during the first few months to monitor the building's performance to nip any issues in the bud.

February 08, 2010 10:44 am
Anonymous said...

It's the same problem as with the Metro: Officially inaugurate some half build crap just because of some fancy date.

Build it right, make sure it works, then open it. Simple, no?

But people here, especially in higher management are too afraid to say "No, this won't work" because they (a) believe that you can walk, sorry, "write" on water or (b) are afraid they loose their sweet expat gig, depending on where they're from.

Then that's what you get: Metros breaking down, Buildings not working, Companies collapsing.

February 08, 2010 11:08 am
Seabee said...

Nick, "This is true for any new structure all over the world. (With the exception of course of Australia where everything is perfect...)"
I wasn't aware of that. My complaints about builders in Oz must be unfounded.

I have to disagree with your huge generalisation that "any new structure all over the world" is liable to have plumbing faults (or electrical faults come to that). I know plenty that didn't, because the work was done, inspected, approved properly and professionally.

February 08, 2010 1:15 pm
Dave said...

And how long is it anticipated to close for? One day, one week, one month? Or until AUH pays for the repairs....

As for the volume of traffic being the reason for the problem.... well what a load of rot. This is 100% controllable through the booking system.

February 08, 2010 2:56 pm
Mohammad said...

Its all about ego's and people scared of superiors.

As anon above pointed out, it was likely that someone pointing out that it wouldnt be wise to open the tower prematurely just to coincide with something, would probably be told he was "unambitious" and that he didnt share Dubai's vision etc etc.

February 09, 2010 8:12 am
Matt said...

What's even worse (as reported in the National last night) is that you need to get a refund for your tickets from the venue.

So you can purchase your ticket/s online, but you can't get a refund without going in person to the booking office.

Another screw up. Thanks Dubai/Emaar.

February 09, 2010 8:15 am
Anonymous said...

Sorry, my fault Seebee, I just arrived or 2 weeks and was planning to go up there. It'll be fixed once I leave. Having heard about this and previous problems with elevator brake failures, perhaps it's just as well. I'll come back next year when everything should be running smoothly, insha'allah.

February 09, 2010 9:07 am
Anonymous said...

Dave. "And how long is it anticipated to close for? One day, one week, one month? Or until AUH pays for the repairs...."

Indefinitely.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/7189379/Dubai-skyscraper-Burj-Khalifa-closes-to-public.html

February 09, 2010 11:14 am
Seabee said...

Dave, some of the international media is saying it's an indefinite closure, as Anon's Telegraph link shows.

Gulf News has a photo of a sign at the ticket office which says 'No ticket sales until further notice' but the story says that it's scheduled to reopen on Sunday, February 14.

I tend to go with the 'until some unspecified time in the future' version.

February 09, 2010 2:38 pm

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