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Safety science firm UL discusses amendments to UAE fire and life safety code

Fire Safety

Dubai ConstructionSafety science firm UL participated in a panel discussion with contractors, consultants and property developers on recent amendments to the UAE fire and life safety code

A series of fires in Dubai’s high rise buildings over the last few years have raised questions about building safety standards in the tourism and business hub of the Middle East, prompting authorities to step up building safety regulations.

“One of the biggest concerns for the construction industry in the Middle East is cladding. If the exterior cladding contributes to the spreading of the flame, the risk of secondary fires spreading to different levels of a building becomes much higher,” Jonathan Gonzalez, regional technical lead, building & life safety technologies at UL, Middle East, said.

The firm and the participants discussed the amendments made to the code, and specifically the chapter on quality standards for building facades.

The code, which was amended in 2017, now has a greater focus on third-party certification for building materials and will come into force in the upcoming months.

UL helps building materials makers in the UAE to meet the new testing, certification and inspection standards.

Human factors need to be taken into account when addressing safety. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

H.E. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, director general of Dubai Government Human Resources Department. (Image source: DGHR)

Source: SafeStart

The RealWear Navigator Z1. (Image source: RealWear)

The Al Khobar 2 SWRO desalination plant located in Saudi Arabia. (Image source: ACCIONA)

The new uvex phynomic cut glove range is manufactured in Germany using 3D hand ‘formas’ to mimic the contours of the hand. (Image source: uvex)

The GS700 incorporates the capability to detect H2, in addition to its existing ability to detect natural gas. (Image source: Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection))

The campaign focuses on keeping construction sites clean. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The new uvex phynomic cut glove range is manufactured in Germany using 3D hand ‘formas’ to mimic the contours of the hand. (Image source: uvex)

QatarEnergy LNG's CEO at the Safety Day. (Image source: QatarEnergy LNG)

H.E. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, director general of Dubai Government Human Resources Department. (Image source: DGHR)

The Tab-Ex 04 Pro DZ2 / D2. (Image source: Pepperl+Fuchs)

The Al Khobar 2 SWRO desalination plant located in Saudi Arabia. (Image source: ACCIONA)

Source: SafeStart

Both municipalities said they were committed to advancing HSE practices in the country.

The project will have an expected annual processing capacity of 900,000 tonnes of waste, making it one of the region’s largest. (Image source: EWEC)

There are a diverse range of factors to consider from suspension, soft textile materials, vented or non-vented models, to heat regulation accessories, size and aesthetics. (Image source: MSA Safety)

The workshop focused on safety in construction as well. (Image source: ICC)

The new partnership will enable HMi Elements to tap into Cobic-Ex’s global network. (Image source: HMi Elements)

Sarah Hutcheon, product development manager, OPITO. (Image source: OPITO)

To improve differentiation, hard hats can be customised with different colours and logos. (Image source: MSA Safety)

The new harness comes with integrated trauma suspension relief straps in leg pads. (Image source: Guardian)

Human factors need to be taken into account when addressing safety. (Image source: Adobe Stock)