UAE Civil Defense Acting General Commander in Chief, Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi emphasized the higher leadership’s attention to the Country’s moral and material cultural achievements, commending the diligent efforts exerted by the Federal Government to maintain the safety of individuals and properties. This attention was demonstrated in Resolution 24/2012, issued by H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, with respect to regulating Civil Defense services in the State; whose provisions apply to all existing or under construction buildings and facilities in the State, except for private homes and residential houses.
Al Matroushi stated: "This resolution reflects our Leadership’s keenness to maintain the safety of lives and property and national achievements under all circumstances. It earns the UAE an outstanding status as one of the safest and secure countries in the world. This resolution also represents the legislative basis for the finest competitive global Civil Defense services, as it will provide the requirements for strong foundation of public safety in all areas, facilities and buildings within the state, as well as accurately identify the duties and responsibilities of all private, governmental and social entities concerned with public safety.”
Al Matroushi noted that the resolution will enable the Civil Defense Directorate to become a true and efficient partner in supporting the various national economy sectors, particularly the real estate sector, by requiring a one year, renewable valid certificate of safety requirements issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Emirate with every licensing or renovation application. This would guarantee the continuous good functioning of the fire protection systems and provide the necessary safety requirements throughout the year.
This resolution guarantees compliance with fire safety requirements at all projects, facilities and new buildings, by refusing to issue construction licenses for new buildings or certificates of completion in the absence of a valid certificate on fire safety requirements; issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Emirate.
It will also contribute significantly to prevent violations that may start fires, and reduce the incidence of fires in all installations and buildings in the State.
According to last year’s statistics, minor fires amounted to 89%; medium fires 8% and large fires 3% resulting in 30 deaths and 229 injuries, in a total of 3170 accidents.
Major General Al Matroushi added that the resolution represents an important step in linking Civil Defense and insurance services as a cultural and economic procedure. The resolution stipulates preventing insurance companies operating in the country from issuing any document to any facility or building unless the insurance application is accompanied by a valid certificate of fire prevention safety requirements, issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Emirate. It also aims to enhance the role and performance of Civil Defense departments in each emirate, specifying the validity of licenses of all facilities operating in the Emirate, in the field of preventive safety regulations in these departments.
Moreover, the resolution established implementation mechanisms for compliance with public safety requirements, through imposing financial charges on all buildings and facilities, each according to their activity or service provided to them. These charges are based on the engineering plans of these facilities and buildings, on the total area used, and number of floors; taking into consideration that these revenues will be allocated to develop the Civil Defense services in the country; originall