Sharjah promotes safety of industrial facilities

The campaign "The Safety of Industrial Establishments Is Everyone's Responsibility" was launched in collaboration with Sharjah City Municipality (SCM) and the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority.

The programme also includes the Sharjah Economic Development Department, and it seeks to promote awareness among industrial business owners about the necessity of fire prevention and safety procedures.

The advertisement emphasises the importance of following fire safety and prevention procedures in industrial facilities. Proper storage techniques, building setbacks, and clear escape routes are all important considerations. It also emphasises the significance of obtaining permission from the appropriate authorities for licensing and fire prevention before engaging in any industrial activities.

The ad highlights the importance of effective fire detection and extinguisher systems, as well as their routine maintenance. It aims to identify possible risks in facilities and encourage proper solutions.

Another critical issue is to ensure that fire detection systems are connected to Civil Defence operating rooms and to minimise risky behaviours that may result in fires.

The programme also seeks to address typical breaches committed by facility owners, such as unauthorised construction or extensions, high-risk or unregulated operations, and a failure to maintain effective fire prevention equipment.

Other breaches include improper or excessive storage, as well as worker housing that does not meet fire safety standards.

The campaign includes all industrial regions in Sharjah, including Al Saja'a Industrial Area.

The Sharjah Civil Defence Authority emphasises the importance of following 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, and keeping aisles, structural elements, and walls at least 1 metre away from storage racks. Furthermore, mezzanine floors cannot exceed 50% of the ground floor space.

For hazardous or flammable goods, the campaign requires proper separation of incompatible chemicals and storage in fire-resistant or shielded spaces, as specified in the Material Safety Data Sheet.

Avoiding electrical overload and ensuring trained technicians perform electrical and mechanical maintenance are crucial. Regular cleaning is essential to reduce combustible items, and escape routes must be kept clear, with a minimum width of 1.2 metres between racks and equipment.

Each institution should prominently display evacuation plans and have at least two exits equipped with well-marked signage and emergency lighting.

The campaign emphasises the significance of regular maintenance for fire detectors and alarm systems. It also emphasises the importance of acquiring a fire safety compliance certificate via Sharjah Civil Defence’s digital platform.