UAE records 31% drop in fire accidents in 2016
Drop attributed to timely response times by civil services, greater awareness and introduction of modern fire-prevention technology
The UAE Ministry of Interior has recorded a 31% drop in fire accidents in buildings and establishments in 2016, compared to the previous year, a senior official has said.
Fire accidents dropped from 3,388 in 2015 to 2,352 in 2016, thanks to the timely response by civil services, alertness and the introduction of modern fire-prevention technology, said Major General Jassem Mohammed Al Marzouqi, general commander of Civil Defence at the Ministry of Interior.
He added that qualified firefighters, sustained public awareness campaigns and intensified efforts to meet challenges, guided by an integrated and coordinated doctrine also played a major role in reducing the numbers.
“Fatalities from fires also declined from 23 in 2015 to 16 in 2016, a decrease of 52 percent,” Major General Marzouqi noted, adding that fires at households went down by 7% in 2016, when compared to 2015.
Figures released by the Ministry of Interior showed that civil defence inspectors had visited and inspected 4,167 buildings and establishments in the first half of 2016.
In December last year, Dubai Municipality announced plans to set up its own laboratory to test building materials and products for fire resistance.
Khalid Mohammad Sherif Al Awadi, assistant director-general for Health, Safety and Environment Control, said that the civic body was in talks with Dubai Civil Defence to finalise the establishment of the new laboratory.
When operational, the fire-testing lab will work under the Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) of Dubai Municipality, he added.
The lab will be used by civil defence authorities in the country to test and certify the fire resistance of building materials and fire safety products and systems, added Amin Ahmad Mohammad, director of DCL.
