More than 21,000 warnings have been issued for buildings in Abu Dhabi that have failed to adhere to fire safety regulations.
Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority inspected 10,753 residential and commercial buildings and centres across the emirate between May and October this year.
These included 6,994 entities in Abu Dhabi city, 3,494 in Al Ain and 265 in Al Dhafra.
Inspections led to the issuing of 21,271 warnings for buildings that were found non-compliant with fire safety requirements.
It's pivotal to assess and enhance the safety and fire prevention standards in the emirate
Brig Gen Salem Al Dhaheri,
acting director general of Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority
Abu Dhabi accounted for 16,053 notices, while buildings in the Al Ain region and Al Dhafra were issued 4,212 and 1,006 notices respectively.
A grace period – the duration of which was not disclosed – has also been given to property owners to rectify non-compliance issues.
The Civil Defence said it will monitor the properties during this time.
The move aims to enhance fire safety standards across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Brig Gen Salem Al Dhaheri, acting director general of Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, lauded the initiative.
"It's pivotal to assess and enhance the safety and fire prevention standards in the emirate," he said, adding that intensified efforts made by the authority and its strategic partners have made the initiative a success.
The scheme began with inspections of residential buildings, businesses, and industrial zones, focusing on essential safety measures.
Buildings are required to install fire detectors and fire alarm systems, while maintaining service contracts with Civil Defence-approved companies, among other requirements, he said.
Field inspections also revealed that owners and investors are actively rectifying previous violations.
In an interview with Al Fujairah Radio in May, Lt Col Amir Al Otaibi, deputy chief of the inspection scheme, said the initiative was designed to examine and highlight potential hazards in buildings.
Building owners that do not adhere to fire safety regulations will face fines of up to Dh50,000, he said.
For severe non-compliance, buildings will be temporarily closed until all issues are rectified.
Civil defence teams responded to more than 3,000 incidents in 2022, according to Ministry of Interior figures.
There were 2,169 building fires, a three per cent increase from 2,090 in 2021, and a 10 per cent increase from 1,968 in 2020.
The majority of fires took place in residential areas, with villas and apartments accounting for 1,385 of the incidents.
A further 256 fires occurred in commercial buildings, 153 on farms, and 122 at public service facilities.
The figures did not include information on deaths or injuries.
Emergency services responded to about 860 fires last year in Abu Dhabi.
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Brief scores:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
Honeymoonish
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MATCH INFO
What: Brazil v South Korea
When: Tonight, 5.30pm
Where: Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
MATCH INFO
Kolkata Knight Riders 245/6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 214/8 (20 ovs)
Kolkata won by 31 runs
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
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