Sharjah: The General Directorate of Civil Defence in Sharjah has launched a 'Ramadan Safe' campaign to ensure that all Ramadan tents in the emirate meet fire safety standards.
Brigadier Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director-General, Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, urged owners to adhere to safety regulations in tents that serve iftar meals and at household kitchens as well.
He emphasised the need to have adequate extinguishers. The work of installing electricity connections should be carried out by licensed technicians only, he added.
Brig Al Naqbi said special teams are visiting the tents and delivering awareness lectures on measures to be followed in kitchens in order to avoid the occurrence of fire from gas ovens, cooking appliances, gas cylinders and electrical appliances.
He pointed out that all tents need to be licensed by the department and must meet certain criteria in terms of size, number of occupants, material and location.
-Heaters, ovens and cooking appliances are not allowed inside tents. Only readymade meals can be served.
-If a tent is air-conditioned, the exhaust unit should be kept outside and a 1.5 metre tube should be used to supply air.
-A distance of 50cm should be maintained between lighting and the tent’s fabric.
-Electric wiring should be in protective pipes with circuit breakers.
-Storage is strictly prohibited inside tents.
-Interior decoration and fabrics should be treated with fire-retardant materials.
-Sufficient number of fire extinguishers should be provided.
-At least one safety supervisor should be onsite and have direct link with Civil Defence.
-A minimum distance of four metres should be maintained between tents and booths.
-No inflammable materials, waste or grass should be kept in the area surrounding the tents.
-While erecting adjacent tents, enough space should be provided for emergency evacuation.
-Every tent should have two exits.
Advice to residents
-Install smoke detectors at home.
-Maintain fire extinguishers.
-Check validity of gas cylinders.
-Switch off the gas valve after cooking.
-Clean kitchen fans and grease hoods.
-Do not leave incense burners in cupboards.
