Sharjah City Municipality And Civil Defence Launch Campaign For Industrial Facility Safety Awareness

The initiative "The Safety of Industrial Establishments Is Everyone's Responsibility" has been introduced in partnership with Sharjah City Municipality and the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority. This programme also involves the Sharjah Economic Development Department, aiming to raise awareness among industrial business owners about fire safety and prevention measures.

Industrial facilities must prioritise fire safety by adhering to proper storage methods, maintaining building setbacks, and ensuring clear escape routes. The campaign stresses the need for obtaining necessary permissions from relevant authorities for licensing and fire prevention before starting any industrial activities.

The advertisement underscores the importance of having effective fire detection and extinguisher systems in place, along with their regular maintenance. It aims to identify potential risks within facilities and promote appropriate solutions. Ensuring that fire detection systems are linked to civil defence operating rooms is crucial to minimise risky behaviours that could lead to fires.

Addressing common violations by facility owners is another focus of the programme. These include unauthorised construction or extensions, high-risk or unregulated operations, and neglecting the upkeep of fire prevention equipment. Other breaches involve improper or excessive storage and worker housing that fails to meet fire safety standards.

The campaign covers all industrial regions in Sharjah, including Al Saja'a Industrial Area. The Sharjah Civil Defence Authority highlights the necessity of adhering to regulations such as not exceeding a storage height of 3 metres in buildings without fire suppression systems. Maintaining at least 1 metre of clearance below sprinkler heads is also essential.

For hazardous or flammable materials, proper separation of incompatible chemicals is required, along with storage in fire-resistant or shielded areas as outlined in the Material Safety Data Sheet. Avoiding electrical overloads and ensuring that trained technicians perform electrical and mechanical maintenance are vital steps.

Ensuring Safe Evacuation Routes

Regular cleaning is necessary to reduce combustible items, while escape routes must remain unobstructed with a minimum width of 1.2 metres between racks and equipment. Each institution should clearly display evacuation plans and have at least two exits equipped with well-marked signage and emergency lighting.

The campaign also emphasises the significance of routine maintenance for fire detectors and alarm systems. Additionally, it highlights the importance of acquiring a fire safety compliance certificate through Sharjah Civil Defence’s digital platform.

With inputs from WAM