Improved fire safety standards announced

All new buildings in the capital must be fitted with fire protection measures, including fire exits, sprinkler systems and smoke detectors, from next year. Under steps implemented by the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA), all developers must comply with a minimum standard of fire safety, and are part of sweeping changes to regulation over the construction of buildings. Owners of buildings will also be required to maintain fire safety systems and periodic inspections of all systems will also be conducted. Ahmed Shareef, the undersecretary of the DMA, said: "Our priority is to ensure the safety of people living and working across Abu Dhabi. We are preparing the emirate to minimise fire hazards and related damages. "Once the codes are implemented, a new era of safety will begin where buildings will be better equipped to resist fire, thus protecting the lives of its occupants." The DMA said it had not yet been decided whether older buildings would also be required to introduce increased fire safety measures for older buildings. The news comes four days after two men were killed and 32 more injured after a fire devastated an eight-storey building in the Tourist Club area that had been condemned to be demolished.