Last week, the US government imposed restrictions on dozens of companies in Iran's oil and petrochemicals sectors
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n a move aimed at protecting children from accidental deaths, the Dubai Municipality has made handrails with a minimum height of 90cm mandatory for balconies and swimming pools in all new buildings in Dubai with immediate effect.
Apart from the protective fence, the civic body has also called for security alarms at private swimming pools.
The Buildings Department of the municipality has issued a new circular for all consulting and contracting companies in the emirate of Dubai mandating protection rails for balconies and swimming pools.
Teenager falls to death from highrise apartment
The Sharjah Police are investigating the death of a 14-year-old Filipino boy who died after falling from his 13th floor apartment in Al Nahda area on Tuesday.
A passerby notified the police, who rushed to the spot and found the teenager lying motionless in a pool of blood. The police transferred the boy’s body to the morgue for forensic investigations. They are questioning the boy’s relatives to ascertain how he fell from his apartment. - afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
Marwan Al Mohammed, Acting Director of the Buildings Department, said the issuance of this circular aims at ensuring public safety and comfort of living in Dubai. “Safety of the people is the first priority of the civic body. We don’t want to hear any more tragic stories in our city,” he said in a press statement issued on Thursday.
Though no case of children falling to death has been reported under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Municipality, Marwan said they officials do not want to take any chance. “Hence, all consulting and contracting companies should ensure the availability of handrails for balconies and swimming pools in all new buildings with immediate effect, in line with the specifications stipulated by the civic body.
“Minimum height of the handrail should be 90cm and should be installed in a way that kids cannot use it. It should not allow kids to climb on or creep though it,” he explained.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, he said the circular is a reminder to all professionals expected to ensure safety of structures.
He acknowledged that the municipality’s building code already had the specification of minimum height of 90cm for balcony railings. “But, we want to remind everyone that it is a must to adhere to this and make it even more difficult for children to climb on or slip through. So, there should be more precautions.”
As per the new circular, he said, there should not be any bars on the handrail for kids to climb on or any gaps wide enough to let them slip through. “The message is clear. The engineers and consultants should know it is their duty to ensure structural safety.”
The official said the municipality recommends putting protecting fence of minimum 90cm height around swimming pools with a lockable door and a warning system.
“It is also good to have an alarm whenever the pool is not attended by the rescue staff.”
He urged private villa owners to implement these safety measures to safeguard children from accidental drowning. The official added that parental supervision plays an equally important role in ensuring safety of their children.
sajila@khaleejtimes.com
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