Abu Dhabi: All schools in Abu Dhabi will have to be equipped with sprinklers as part of new Civil Defence regulations to prevent fire tragedies.
The fire safety rules mandate that every classroom, hallway or space in nurseries and grade schools must be fitted with European-standard fire sprinkler systems.
Workers were seen working around the clock in several schools for the fit-out. Schools and nurseries were informed of the new regulations during inspections by civil defence officials upon renewal of their trade licences.
Noah’s Ark Nursery has already completed the fit-out of 30 sprinklers in its three nurseries in Najda Street, Mohammad Bin Zayed City and Khalifa City A. “Every classroom and corridor has been fitted with a sprinkler. The entire job cost us around Dh220,000, in addition to another Dh200,000 for the pump, tank and a spiral staircase. All this is a mandatory requirement,” said Rhonda D’Mello, principal.
Another school official said the fit-out requires a huge initial outlay, but offered peace of mind over the long term. “We are currently awaiting a special European-made water pump approved by authorities,” said an official of a nursery who asked not to be named.
“Our entire cost so far has been around Dh600,000.”
An official of Bright Riders School (BRS School), which recently opened in Abu Dhabi, said they are doing all they can to adhere to the new regulations.
“We are fitting fire sprinklers in every classroom, office space and corridor in the entire school. This is mandatory and we will comply,” said Dr Rishikesh Padgaonkar, principal.
“We opened our school in April after building it on a design-and-build project basis and hence the cost of fire systems had been included in the project cost. We have not compromised on quality and safety,” said the principal.
An official of a civil defence-approved company said the cost will vary depending on brand and pump size. “A big pump with a capacity of 300 gallons per minute costs around Dh400,000. A fire alarm system that can serve an equivalent of three villas costs around Dh70,000, while the emergency and exit lights for three villas costs around Dh50,000. There are other charges like labour costs, pipe fitting cost and supply and installation, which is about Dh135,000 per villa.
“The biggest cost is the pump and the tank,” said a staff at a fire safety installation company.
Parents have welcomed the new fire safety rules. Lebanese mother Rania Walid said: “This is great news. My son will join a pre-school nursery in Abu Dhabi and I am so relieved by this.”
Tanya Sen, an Indian mother of two, said: “The new regulation is most welcomed by us as safety of children should always be given top priority.”
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