#1. Refrigerant Recovery (F-Gas Regulation)
All HFCs, HCFCs and HFOs (R134a, R404A, R407F, R448A, R744 CO2) must be recovered before any cutting of refrigerant pipework. The UAE follows the Montreal Protocol and Dubai Municipality's F-gas Circular requirements — refrigerant must be recovered by a certified technician using sealed cylinders and disposed at a licensed reclaim facility. Penalties for venting are AED 30,000–80,000 per incident.
#2. Ammonia (NH3) Plant Decommissioning
Larger cold stores (food distribution centres, ice plants) use ammonia as the primary refrigerant. Decommissioning requires: full inventory of ammonia charge, neutralisation in a closed system, controlled vent to scrubber, and a Civil Defence-approved hot-work permit before any cutting. Specialist ammonia contractors typically charge AED 80,000–280,000 for full decommissioning.
#3. PUR/PIR Insulated Panel Disposal
Cold store envelopes are typically 100–200mm PUR or PIR panels with steel facings. Steel is recyclable (AED 350–550/tonne scrap value), but PUR/PIR foam must be disposed of at a Dubai Municipality-licensed waste facility — it cannot go to a standard inert landfill. Disposal cost: AED 280–450/tonne.
#4. Glycol Secondary Loop Drainage
Secondary-loop systems contain 500–5,000 litres of glycol (typically propylene or ethylene) that must be drained and either reclaimed or disposed of as chemical waste. Drainage cost is included in MEP scope but adds AED 8,000–28,000 to total demolition cost.
#5. Structural Demolition
Once refrigerants are recovered and panels removed, the steel portal frame and concrete slab are demolished conventionally. Recovery of structural steel typically offsets 12–22% of total demolition cost depending on steel quality and current scrap prices.
#6. Cost Benchmarks 2026
Standard 1,000–3,000 sqm cold store with HFC chillers: AED 95–145/sqm fully turnkey. Larger 5,000–15,000 sqm ammonia-system facilities: AED 145–225/sqm. Subtract 10–18% for steel and refrigerant recovery credits.
#7. Timeline
Refrigerant and ammonia recovery: 2–6 weeks. Panel removal: 1–3 weeks. Structural demolition: 3–7 weeks. Total: 7–18 weeks depending on system complexity.