Dubai: Daredevil wanna-bes listen up.
Dubai's civic body has issued a stern warning and strict instructions to building owners to prevent death-defying selfie takers or dangerous selfie-adventurists from using high-rise buildings in the city.
In an official circular issued on Tuesday, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, has urged all owners and those in charge of public facilities and buildings to adhere to strict health and safety requirements to ensure the public safety and avoid endangering the lives of those who pose a risk to themselves and others.
Explaining the circular, Khalid Mohammed Sharif, Assistant Director General for Environment, Health and Safety Control Sector said that the Municipality is keen to keep the city safe.
“The emirate has, in the recent past, witnessed a person illegally sneaking into one of the towers in Dubai without official approval and drooping outside the protection fence at the top of the tower, without any restrictions or means to ensure safety and protection and then carrying out some dangerous shows,” said Sharif.
He warned against such dangerous acts without informing the concerned bodies in order to take the necessary insurance measures to protect the life of these adventurists.
He stressed that it is never permissible to practice these acts, except from places fully insured by the competent authorities in the Emirate — and unless there are enough safety measures taken in coordination with those bodies.
“We want to reduce the risks that may result from lack of safety requirements in public places and buildings or the risks that occur as a result of dangerous practices due to the hobbies and adventures practiced by some people endangering their lives,” he said.
Local order
Sharif explained that on the basis of the Local Order No. 11 of 2003 and its executive regulations, Dubai Municipality issued the circular aimed at emphasizing owners or those in charge of public facilities and buildings to provide all health and safety requirements that ensure the protection of society from risks.
He said that the circular obligates owners and those in charge of public places and buildings to provide security and surveillance around the clock to prevent adventurous and unauthorized persons from infiltrating on to the high and dangerous parts of the buildings such as roofs and high beams inside and outside.
“The circular also pointed towards the need for installing CCTV system, electronic sensors and safety systems that ensure that unauthorized access to those places is restricted,” said Sharif.
Reckless adventurers
The circular also obligates the owners of residential units and private places to take the necessary measures to prevent their exploitation by the abusers or reckless adventurers and not to provide them entry to the buildings or use the premises for purposes other than that are assigned to them.
He appealed to all owners and those in charge of public and residential buildings to report any violations in this regard and adhere to the circular and not to violate the rules and regulations and local orders in force for the safety of the community.
