Sharjah sets up panel to make high-rises safer

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah has issued a resolution establishing and naming the permanent committee for public protection requirements in high rise buildings.

Several incodents of fire have been reported in Sharjah's high-rises, especially in the summer months. The end-April blaze in Al Tayer building in Al Nahda area left hundreds of families homeless for days.

According to the resolution, the committee shall be tasked with revision and updating the current provisions pertaining to public protection and safety in high rise buildings, including elevators, fire alarms and any other potential hazarads to residents and users of the buildings.

The committee shall be chaired by the Director General of Sharjah Municipality, with members from Sharjah Police, Civil Defence and any other entities recommended by the emirate's Executive Council.

The committee is authorised to issue Certificates of Fitness (CoF) for high rise buildings which shall be valid for one year and renewed annually by the owner.

Sheikh Sultan also issued a resolution establishing and forming the permanent committee for classification and evaluation of construction contracting and sub-contracting companies in the emirate.

The committee shall be chaired by the director general of Sharjah Municipality. Other members are directors of other municipalities in Sharjah and representatives of any other entities recommended by the emirate's Executive Council.

The Ruler of Sharjah also issued a resolution mandating the Department of Suburbs and Villages to follow up with the families of deceased citizens the emirate the arrangements of funerals, in coordination with the charity organisations.

They shall seek to pay debts of the deceased who left inheritances, not enough to cover their debts, as decided by the Shariah Court.

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