‘Al Nasser Tower lacked fire safety measures’

Sharjah - Following the massive fire that occurred in Al Nasser Tower on King Faisal last week, the Sharjah civil defence have intensified inspections in residential towers to ensure fire safety measures are being followed.

Speaking to the Press, Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the Sharjah Civil Defence, said Al Nasser Tower lacked fire safety procedures and fire protection equipment.
He added that failing to maintain the alarm systems and other fire equipment was one of the main reasons that led to the spread of the fire to other floors. “Fire fighters had to use their own equipment to douse the fire, as there was no hose or sprinklers in the building,” he said.
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Some of the affected families have returned to their apartments after Sewa restored power partially, while the rest are still in hotels provided to them by Red Crescent where they will remain until the maintenance services for the building are over.
Al Suwaid stressed that the civil defence department has intensified inspections in all towers in the emirate to ensure alarm systems are in place and regular maintenance services are being done in residential buildings.
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The department will not tolerate slackness especially when it endangers people’s lives, he said adding that the maintenance company of Al Nasser Tower is being now questioned. A report from the forensic laboratory is being awaited and penalty will be decided which will be hefty.
Al Suwaidi added that maintenance companies are now under probe and those not fulfilling their tasks will have to pay hefty fines and even face closure.
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He explained that all new builders in Sharjah have been told to use anti-fire material for cladding, but unfortunately, Al Nasser Tower was built before this specification came into force.
The civil defence department is now in the process of finding out a mechanism to control fires in old buildings, he added.
He urged building owners to cooperate by implementing fire safety and protection measures and procedures.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com