07 Dec Six negligent property owners asked to pay firefighting costs and fines
Six UAE property owners have been ordered to foot firefighting costs and a fine of Dh50,000 after their buildings did not meet current fire safety standards.
Sharjah Civil Defence has issued a warning for others that if they don’t adhere to building code, they too could face similar costs and fines. Buildings that are found to have violated the fire safety codes, owners of warehouses, workshops, factories and commercial outlets will be required to cover all costs associated with dousing a blaze, the fire department confirmed.
The charges are based on the number of hours spent extinguishing a fire, the number of fire engines and firefighter teams used and materials employed during dousing operations. The charges are being levied on top of fines of up to Dh50,000 for flouting fire safety codes as prescribed by regulations in the emirate.
Colonel Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, director-general of Sharjah Civil Defence, said stricter fire prevention measures are being adopted as part of Ministerial Resolution No. 213 of 2017. He explained: “We decided to implement it here in Sharjah, due to its unique situation related to the size of our industrial areas.
“Our main priority is to ensure safety for people and at the same time, a safe and peaceful environment for the Sharjah emirate, which attracts a large number of industrial businesses in the country.”
He added: “Inspectors from each fire station will be carrying out inspections in the areas they cover to check if these industrial facilities comply with the fire safety regulations.”
Col. Al Naqbi said making negligent owners of industrial and commercial buildings pay for the firefighting costs will hopefully deter others from flouting fire-safety norms.
Col. Al Naqbi has urged all property owners, investors and tenants to adhere to safety rules and share the responsibility with Civil Defence.
Colonel Al Naqbi said stricter fire prevention measures were being adopted as part of Ministerial Resolution No 213 of 2017.