Open electrical panels pose danger in The Springs

Residents of The Springs, Emaar Properties' high-end gated community, are concerned as authorities ignore the open electrical panels that allow direct access to bare cables, thereby posing danger to their children's lives.

“The main electrical panels – installed at ground level after every four villas in the community – remain unlocked even though they are equipped with a locking device. This gives direct access to live bare cables carrying 440 volts of current,'' said François Mark, a resident of Springs 5.

“Our children often play hide and seek. The panels, which can be opened by anyone, are potential hiding places for our kids. Can you imagine the consequences? Are the authorities merely waiting for a death to happen in order to take action? Every time my three-year-old daughter goes out to play, I am paranoid,'' Maria Sachtz, a resident of Springs 3, said.

More danger

Other communities of Emaar Properties, like The Lakes, also face the same problem. “There are no locks in these panels. During rains and storms if the doors open up, water may get inside and cause short circuits,'' Jane Webber, a resident of The Lakes, said.

Mark said the panels have “faulty locking systems... a manufacturing defect''. The electrical distribution cabinets and feeder pillars within Emaar's communities are the properties of the utilities service provider, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).

An Emaar Properties spokesperson said: “They have the sole authority regarding installation, maintenance and inspection [of the panels]. The keys for the panels are in the custody of the utilities service provider.'' Dewa authorities were unavailable for comment.

The voltage in the panels is as per standard supply in the UAE and is a 440 volt three-phase system, the spokesperson said and added: “Emaar is committed to the safety of our residents and will undertake all efforts with the cooperation of the concerned authorities to rectify the issues.''