UAE residents urged to ensure safety of Iftar tents

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UAE residents urged to ensure safety of Iftar tents

Abu Dhabi - The civil defence issued a warning to owners about the licensing procedures for erecting Iftar tents.

by

Ismail Sebugwaawo

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Published: Sun 5 May 2019, 4:47 PM

Residents setting up Iftar tents at their homes or near mosques have been told to comply with safety requirements so as to protect Muslims who will be using the facilities for breaking their fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense in Abu Dhabi issued a warning to owners about the safety and licensing procedures for erecting Iftar tents.
Brigadier General Mohammed Mayouf Al Ketbi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Department said families and establishments setting up Iftar tents must abide by the minimum requirements for public safety and fire prevention in order to ensure the safety of people in the tents throughout Ramadan.
"All tents must be made of fireproof materials and electricity should be properly installed while following the required technical installations to avoid the risks of fire that may result from faulty wiring," said Al Ketbi.
"The tents must be equipped with fire extinguishers and first-aid kits."
The civil defence authorities said all tents need to meet certain criteria on size, number of occupants and at least two emergency exits marked clearly in Arabic and English.
The phenomenon of setting up tents increases during the month of Ramadan as people use them during Iftar (breaking the fast) while others use the tents for Suhoor.
And officials say the safety of Iftar tents is a priority in Ramadan and all those setting them up must have applied for a license.
Hefty fines would be imposed on those whose tents do not meet the safety standards, according to authorities.
Requirements and guidelines for setting up an Iftar tent
Residents are allowed to set up Iftar tents nears their homes after submitting applications to the municipality seeking temporary permits according to the set template.
The application for setting up a tent must include all supporting documents required along with an undertaking from the applicant to comply with the stipulations set by the municipality. Having completed the required documents for Iftar tent, certain guidelines must be met and verified during the onsite inspection of the venue where the Ramadan tent is set up.
-The Ramadan tent guidelines include; not erecting tents on utility lines and/or extensions of all kinds, tents must not cause any damage to utility lines, sidewalks or streets, tents must not block streets, routes or entry points to buildings, car parks or emergency exits and ensuring that tents don't affect the mobility of pedestrians, nor must they be erected on private properties of a third party.
-The tents must be equipped with fire extinguishers and first-aid kits and need to meet certain criteria on size, number of occupants and at least two emergency exits marked clearly in Arabic and English.
-The Iftar tents must be consistent with the general appearance and must maintain an acceptable level of hygiene and cleanliness.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense has to review the security and safety requirements for tents installation.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com


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