ABU DHABI TO CREATE INTERNATIONAL
FIRE CODE TO INCREASE SAFETY LEVELS

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipal Affairs has said that a swath of fire codes requiring all new buildings to have alarms, smoke detectors, emergency exits and sprinklers will come into effect early next year, declaring ‘a new era of safety’.

Abu Dhabi’s International Fire Code, based on the International Code Council standards in the United States, is expected to become law in the first half of 2010. Although it will not apply retroactively to existing structures, the code will cover building extensions and additions.

“We are preparing the Emirate to minimise fire hazards and related damages,” said Ahmed Shareef, the Under Secretary of the Department of Municipal Affairs. “Once the codes are implemented, a new era of safety will begin where buildings will be better equipped to resist fire, thus protecting the lives of their occupants.”

The announcement came days after a fire broke out in an eight floor apartment block in the Tourist Club area of the UAE capital, killing two people. At least 32 others suffered broken bones and the effects of smoke inhalation as they tried to escape. Fire officials confirmed that the building, which had been scheduled for demolition, was not equipped with safety features such as sprinklers or alarms.

Abu Dhabi’s new Fire Code was introduced several weeks ago in workshops attended by more than a thousand of the Emirate’s fire protection system designers, engineers and architects. The new Code calls for routine fire drills, and require building maintenance staff to perform regular checks to ensure all installed safety systems are in working order.

“Ensuring the safety for the community of Abu Dhabi is at the heart of everything we do,” Mr Shareef said.

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, which approves designs for all new structures in the capital, was part of the committee that helped to develop the Fire Code. Yesterday, the council said the codes would be of the highest standard. A source within the Department of Municipal Affairs said developers who ignored the regulations would be violating the law.

The new building codes will be phased in gradually, taking into account training and some projects that are still under way. The source stated that it would be unfair for the new codes to be adopted and ask for them to be implemented right away, but there is a sense of urgency to have the implementation take place as soon as possible.

The new fire codes are expected to be introduced in the Emirate next year as part of a broader set of Abu Dhabi Building Codes, which will also ensure new structures meet standards for environmental sustainability, earthquake defence and accessibility.

“The new family of building codes, including the Fire Code, requires all buildings to follow international standards of fire safety that will better protect the lives and property of our people across the Emirate,” concluded Mr Shareef.