Abu Dhabi has initiated a safety campaign aimed at wedding halls to promote compliance with fire safety and prevention standards.

The move, reported by Gulf News, is set to elevate community safety standards through improved adherence to safety procedures and the provision of necessary firefighting systems and first aid facilities.

Fire safety compliance in focus for wedding venues

The Civil Defence Authority in Abu Dhabi has begun an assertive campaign to check the compliance of wedding halls and event planning companies with fire safety and public prevention requirements.

This campaign involves an assessment of the availability of firefighting equipment and first aid in these venues.

Colonel Dr Faisal Hassan Al Qahtani, the acting director of the Civil Protection Sector, said that the main goal of this campaign is to verify the percentage of wedding halls’ compliance with safety and fire prevention standards.

Civil Defence Authority to conduct periodic inspections

In his statement reported by Gulf News, Al Qahtani highlighted the measures for ensuring safety: “The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority attaches great importance to the safety of our society.”

He confirmed the authority’s commitment to regular monitoring and strict enforcement, indicating planned periodic inspections and consequences for non-compliant facilities.

Al Qahtani further emphasised the preventive strategies essential for maintaining safety during events, noting the necessity of not using highly flammable materials in the wedding hall, not exceeding the maximum capacity, and opening all emergency exits during occasions.

He also mentioned the importance of training for venue workers on evacuation procedures and dealing with fire incidents.

For more information on the campaign, you can read the Gulf News article here.

IFSJ Comment

The Civil Defence Authority’s proactive approach to fire safety at wedding halls in Abu Dhabi reflects a growing awareness of the risks associated with large public gatherings.

By focusing on compliance, training, and the availability of firefighting systems, the authority is taking steps to prevent fire incidents, which can lead to loss of life and property.

Training venue workers in fire response and ensuring open emergency exits align with global safety best practices.

The scrutiny on the use of materials and venue capacity also demonstrates a commitment to not just react to emergencies but to create an environment where risks are minimally present.