5 months to install smoke detectors

sharjah — From October, smoke detectors will be mandatory at all residential units in the emirate. The civil defence department has already distributed a circular in which it has instructed the owners of residential buildings to instal the device to protect the lives of residents.

Col. Sami Al Naqbi, directorgeneral of Sharjah Municipality, said that the department has recently approved three companies to sell the devices. “The department is planning to approve many companies to cover all the parts of the emirate. Priority will given to residents to prevent suffocation cases which cause death during fire accidents,” he said

Al Naqbi pointed out that an agreement was signed with Sharjah Municipality to establish a mechanism for the installation of equipment. The role of the municipality is to review and approve fire prevention drawing which must be issued by the building licence department. Meanwhile, the civil defence’s main responsibility is to inspect the site before handing it over.

From next year, the authorities will not approve any drawing or scheme without safety mechanisms and periodical maintenance.

These fire safety equipment include smoke detectors and fire alarms, which give sufficient time for residents to evacuate the house, building or residential unit. Col. Al Naqbi said that the department has launched several promotional campaigns to introduce the product and highlight its importance through social media and mosques, where the imams explained the importance of the smoke detector to prevent death. Besides, 20,000 devices have been distributed among the people for free. He added that the Ministry of the Interior carried out a nationwide campaign under the slogan “Smoke detector for your home safety”.