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28 March 2024

Dubai Warning: Use only fire-retardent materials

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By Joseph George

Dubai Municipality has issued a new circular warning contractors and building material suppliers over non-use of fire resistant building materials.

The circular No 186 was issued on April 30, following the massive fire at the Al Tayer Tower in Sharjah on Saturday.

Residents and constrcution experts are blaming the plastic facade tiles used in the building.

Dubai has an established fire safety regulation in place since 2007 and has been directing building material suppliers and contractors on what materials to use in new structures.

“The guidelines are very strictly implemented. Notices are issued to any violators and the issues are rectified,” said Marwan Abdallah, Head of the Buildings Inspection Section at the Dubai Municipality.

According to him most violations in Dubai are however not related to faulty use of materials but to timing of submission of approvals.

About the state of new buildings in Dubai he said, “All of them have strict fire resistant materials in place. However nothing can be done about the old buildings except following strict safety regulations,” he said.

Commenting on the latest fire in Sharjah he said, “ we still do not know the exact cause of the building fire except for what is written in the news. A detailed investigation report is yet to be out,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Taha Marketing Manager for Al Jazeera factory for Building materials in Abu Dhabi and Delmon factory in Dubai, that produces fire-resistant blocks told Emirates 24|7 that they have received a copy of the notice that was sent out on April 30.

“It is a reminder to all suppliers on the guidelines that needs to be followed. If the DM guidelines are strictly followed, we can ensure that a building can remain fire resistant for at least four hours after the fire breaks out,” he said.

“Our own product -  the blocks, consists of  sand, cement, lime and water. We then cut it and place it inside the autoclave. The product not just fire resistant for upto four hours but also has thermal insulation and light weight,” he added.