|
The devastating fire in Al Quoz industrial area on Wednesday must serve as a wake-up call to the authorities on how such areas can be monitored for safety.
Al Quoz is a relatively new industrial and storage area, yet has a poor safety record regarding the number of fires that have erupted there.
In the light of the fact that the majority of premises are fairly new, it is right to question whether proper procedures and official checks are being made to ensure the safety and security not only of personnel working there, but also that appropriate measures are taken to store and protect the variety of materials warehoused.
It seems inconceivable that flammable or explosive materials can be stored in a warehouse without adequate fire and smoke detection alarms or fire fighting equipment. Any fire that can be controlled within the first five minutes has a good chance of being extinguished completely, thus avoiding further damage.
If insufficient measures are being taken in Al Quoz, then there must be a change in inspection procedures and penalties for non-compliance by companies. Perhaps it may also be worth determining whether the factories are too close to each other, thereby contributing to the conflagration.
|
