ABU DHABI // Britain's top fire fighting expert said yesterday illegal structures added to high-rise buildings could put lives at risk in the event of a fire, and authorities should carry out regular building inspections to ensure no illegal alterations had been made.
Sir Ken Knight, a former commissioner of the London fire brigade and currently the chief fire and rescue adviser to the British government, said a high level of training and forward planning were also needed to help prevent fire disasters in skyscrapers.
"Where people have added structures on the roof, for example, which do not conform to building standards, that can definitely put lives at risk. The authorities can't check every building in a city, but they can target their resources by assessing where there is the greatest risk," he said.
Following two roof top fires in the capital last month, one of which apparently involved illegal makeshift structures, the Municipality pledged to take strict action against property owners who violate building codes. The Interior Ministry also ordered aerial inspections of all city buildings to spot offenders.
Sir Ken was speaking before the two-day World Security Forum in Abu Dhabi, which starts today. The challenge of fighting fires in skyscrapers is one of the issues that will come under discussion. Sir Ken will give a presentation on the topic this afternoon.
"Fire safety has to be taken into account at the design stage, and modern buildings are usually built to very high standards - but firefighters have to be aware that that may not be the case with older structures," he said.
"Fighting fires in high-rise buildings happens from the inside - over a certain height the emergency services will not be able to reach the fire with ladders, so you have to go in and climb up to it. That means you need lightweight equipment that allows you mobility, and specialised training - a situation like that involves fire fighters having to put themselves at risk."
Sir Ken said that in the case of a fire on one floor of a building, civil defence crews would form a bridgehead one or two storeys below, from where they could gather enough people and equipment to tackle the blaze properly.
"There is no point in just one or two firemen going in on their own - they are not going to be able to do very much and will be at much greater risk. You have to wait until you have enough strength to really take it on," he added.
He said it was essential that police, ambulance crews and firemen worked under a clear chain of command.
"Operational intelligence is essential; buildings are all different and knowing the layout is very important," he said.
"You can't carry that information around in your head. A relatively simple method of dealing with that is to make it a regulation that every building has to have a Premises Information Box at the entrance, which contains blueprints and other details relevant to the building."
Sir Ken also had advice for people who live or work in a high-rise building.
"You should always know what the escape routes are, but in general if there is a fire on one floor, it is preferable not to evacuate the entire building, as that can put hundreds and hundreds of people on to the street and make the work of the emergency services more difficult," he said.
gmcclenaghan@thenational.ae
Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,200m
10pm: Handicap Dh 165,000 1,600m
Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A