Unsafe tower block in Abu Dhabi must come down
Municipality chiefs evacuated an unsafe tower block in Abu Dhabi and residents have been given alternative temporary accommodation.
The 13-storey building in the Al Zahiyah area must now be demolished, Abu Dhabi Municipality said yesterday.
It is unclear when the residents left but it is believed Emirates Red Crescent helped them to find places to live.
Residents had reported “strange vibrations” and tremors in the building, which is located in what formerly was known as Tourist Club area.
An inspection revealed cracks in the building’s core structures, such as the pillars supporting it and in the walls and stairs.
“The building has been deemed unfit for occupation, falls short of Abu Dhabi building codes and provides no safety for residents,” the municipality said.
Before the demolition process started, the building was first reinforced with steel and concrete to prevent collapse. This also allowed residents to safely retrieve their possessions.
“The entry of residents into the building was made under the supervision of the police to avoid tampering with the property of residents by strangers,” the municipality said.
Adnoc also provided assistance by removing gas cylinders from the flats. A temporary boundary wall was built around the building and the site sealed off.
The demolition of the tower block comes as municipality chiefs target property owners who do not maintain their buildings.
Owners have been given until the end of the year to comply with tough rules on “preventive maintenance” of their buildings such as external appearance, improving safety and adhering to regulations on hygiene.
If they fail to register on the municipality’s preventive maintenance system, property owners may not be able to secure an occupancy certificate and, in turn, register new tenancy contracts. Occupancy certificates are mandatory for property owners.
Last month, the municipality demolished 220 rundown units while in the past three years, 376 buildings were served with offence notices.
The municipality, meanwhile, thanked everyone who helped with the demolition process and relocation of residents.