Smoke alarms will be mandatory in homes across the UAE when a federal law comes into force next year, according to civil defence authorities. Meanwhile, civil defence units will be carrying out awareness campaigns.
In Sharjah, for example, civil defence teams will install 1,000 smoke detectors free of charge across selected homes in the emirate in a bid to raise awareness and secure the homes, reported The National newspaper citing Lt Col Sami Al Naqbi, head of Sharjah Civil Defence.
Officials in Fujairah and Ajman said the new regulation will be enforced on all flats and villas, with campaigns beginning as early as this month.
“It is a nationwide campaign under the umbrella of the Ministry of Interior and General Directorate of Civil Defence. The aim of is to raise the awareness of residents about the necessity for these devices,” said Lt Col Ali Obeid Al Tunaiji, Director of Fujairah Civil Defence.
The UAE is updating its UAE Fire and Life Safety Code which, among other things, will emphasise the responsibilities of the developer, consultant, owner, and tenant, as well as facilities, school, and hospital management. The new Code is expected to be released this year.
Tenants to be responsible for fire safety
In another fire prevention measure, tenants in the UAE will face penalties for non-compliance of their responsibilities in ensuring fire safety in their buildings, reported Gulf News. Tenancy contracts will have to spell out the roles and responsibilities of tenants and make them accountable for ensuring fire safety in their apartments and villas.
In recent years, there was a spate of building fires in the UAE, including the highly-publicised 2015 New Year’s Eve blaze at The Address Downtown hotel. In December, a fire swept through a Palm Jumeirah apartment block, aided by flammable exterior cladding, as has been the case in several incidents across the UAE in recent years.