Saturday 09 January 2010
Colonel Othman Al Tamami, Director of Emergency and Public Safety Department at Abu Dhabi Police and Member of the High Committee of Building Code in Abu Dhabi have stated that the fire code will be introduced in Abu Dhabi this year.
The code includes public safety conditions, safe exits in cases of fire, smoke detectors, sprinklers and internal fire extinguishers.
According to a source, who preferred not to be named, at the Department of Municipal Affairs in Abu Dhabi Emirate, the fire code which will be implemented in the Emirate is the first of its kind in the Middle East Region.
He added, it includes organizational specifications which should be available in the buildings, construction materials and additional requirements in high rising towers. The code which is implemented in USA will be amended to suit the Capital buildings. There 13 world building codes.
Curiosity of people is disturbing
Colonel Al Tamami urges the public not to crowd at fire incident sites. Such crowds hamper the work of the firemen and arrival of emergency vehicles. Irrational use of electricity always causes fires. Furniture not in the right place also hampers the Civil Defence men work. Use of old buildings car parks forms an obstacle to rescue works. Fire incidents are a joint responsibility between land lords and tenants. Negligence of maintenance threats the safety.
According to Colonel Abdullah Hassan Ghareeb, Director of Civil Defence in Abu Dhabi, we mobilize our men and equipments urgently to the incident site but the crowds impede our rescue efforts.
Electrical Wiring
According to Colonel Abdul Rahman Al Hamadi, Director of Forensic Evidence Department at ADP, sometimes improper electrical wirings cause fires. Standard specifications and skilled electrical technicians shall be considered in electrical wirings.
Reports classification
According to Lt. Colonel Nasser Al Maskari, Head of Operations Section At ADP, fire reports are received by the Central Operations Room which passes them to the Department of emergency and Public safety and Civil Defence. The Civil Defence does not respond unless the report is received from the Operations Room. This allows the arrival of Civil Defence men in a short time. The reports are classified according to the fire size. Intruders always hinder rescue works. Many people lack the culture of dealing with such incidents.
Psychological Support to Victims
The Department of Community Police at ADP works to provide reassurance and solace to the fire incidents victims. They visit them to ensure their welfare after the incident.