New hazard prevention procedures in place

Now, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has introduced advanced technology and qualified human resources to promote levels of response, readiness and awareness and enhance prevention efforts to address potential risks and challenges.

Effective July 1, the department implemented new procedures that obliged owners of warehouses, workshops, factories and commercial outlets to bear the cost of firefighting operations if a fire in their premises is caused by safety violations.

The Sharjah Civil Defence decided on the procedures as part of the Ministerial Resolution No. 213 of 2017, recently issued but not yet implemented. “We decided to implement it here in Sharjah due to its unique situation regarding the size of industrial areas,” he said.

One business owner whose premises caught fire last week has had to pay up already, seeking to pressure owners into following fire safety regulations at any cost.

“The insurance companies are not allowed to process insurance services for any business without approval from the civil defence; violating this rule will result in forcing the insurance company to bear all responsibilities in the even of accidents,” Col Al Naqbi warned.