Civil Defence steps up inspection of buildings for safety

The Civil Defence is stepping up inspection of buildings in the emirates to ensure that they comply with safety requirements to prevent accidents and protect public health.

The Civil Defence teams have inspected nearly 70 buildings in Abu Dhabi over the past two days and found some of them not meeting safety standards.

"The campaign covered residential buildings, hotels, shopping centres and other facilities in Abu Dhabi city. It is in line with the instructions of Major General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, to intensify inspection of buildings to ensure they adhere to safety rules," said Major General Mohammed Salim bin Kardous Al Amiri, Director General of the Civil Defence.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Rahim Ali, Director of the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Depart-ment, the latest inspections revealed serious violations of safety rules at some buildings, including closure of emergency exits, storage of materials at some emergency doors, and non maintenance of fire and alarm systems.

He said such practices were in serious violation of the Civil Defence safety rules while some buildings amended the apartments without a prior approval.

In some buildings gas control systems were not working, he said, adding this endangered the lives of the building's residents.

Captain Ahmed Al Massabi, Head of the Protection and Safety Section, said owners of the violating buildings have been served with a notice and given a deadline of one to two months. He said inspections will be intensified and offenders will be given jail terms of up to three months and a Dh10,000 fine.