Public urged to call authorities if balcony or swimming pools do not have protective barriers

Dubai Municipality is reminding builders that all companies must instal 90cm-tall hand railings on all new balconies and swimming pools.

Residents in Dubai are being urged to check to see if their balconies and swimming pools conform to safety standards and, if they don't, they should contact authorities. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // The municipality is urging members of the public to contact safety inspectors if their balcony or swimming pool does not have protective barriers.

“We have inspectors going out doing random checks in places like Bur Dubai and Deira but they can’t be everywhere,” a spokesman from the municipality’s buildings department said.

“So if people are concerned about a particular building then I would urge them to contact us.”

He warned owners that, by law, child-proof railings must be installed in residential buildings.

“We have been making sure new buildings have these barriers for more than a year,” the spokesman said. “A building cannot get a certificate of completion without having these safety features in place.”

Last week the civic body issued a circular reminding building companies that they must install 90-centimetre hand rails on all new balconies and swimming pools.

The main focus for inspections was high-rise buildings and action would be taken against owners who do not comply with the rules, the spokesman said.

Privately owned properties that do not meet the regulations are initially given a warning and a week to comply.

“They are given two more warnings and if they have still not rectified the problem, then we have the authority to cut the electricity or water to that property,” he said.

“Obviously, we would not do that in a case where there is a large multiple-occupancy tower, as innocent tenants would be affected.”

The municipality has received calls from the public about the lack of safety rails and has taken action, he said.

“In these cases companies own and maintain such towers so we would then look at their licence to operate. If the issue is serious then we act immediately and do not give a warning.”

The regulations have been welcomed by safety experts.

“This is a sensible step to take,” said Andy Dean, head of facade engineering at WSP, a management and consultancy services company.

“These types of barriers do make a difference to safety and making them difficult for children to open or crawl through is important.”

Members of the public were also reassured by the news.

“It’s good that the municipality is encouraging people to come forward if they are worried about a building’s safety,” said Ajmal Faruq, a Pakistani who lives in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

“One of the reasons I live on a lower floor is because I have a couple of young children and I’m worried they would get on to the balcony. These railings are a good idea.”

Canadian David Tisdale urged the municipality to put more focus on inspecting older buildings.

“To be fair, I think the newer towers seem safer,” Mr Tisdale said. “But they need to check places like Bur Dubai and Deira, as this is where buildings were built when the safety regulations were different.

“At the same time they need to educate the public about the dangers balconies and swimming pools pose to children if they are unsupervised.”

Gemma Baines, an American who lives in The Greens, agreed.

“The regulations are one thing but people must also take responsibility and not take stupid risks,” Ms Baines said.

“There’s no point if you have these railings but then you don’t speak to your children about the dangers if they play on a balcony or near a swimming pool.

“If you educate parents and children about the dangers then I think most of the issues will get solved.”

Dubai Municipality can be contacted on 800 900.