Banned cladding ‘cause of Sharjah building fire’
01 June 2020
Sharjah police has cited the use of ‘banned aluminium composite cladding’ as the main cause for the blaze at the 49-storey Abbco Tower last month, said a report.
An initial probe revealed that highly flammable cladding was used in the facade, which caused the fire to spread throughout the tower in minutes, reported Khaleej Times, citing Brig Ahmed Al Serkal, Acting Director of Operation Room And Director-General Of Forensic Department at Sharjah Police.
Certain aluminium composite cladding has been banned in Sharjah since 2017, after it was found to be a primary factor in massive fires in 2015, 2016, and 2017, stated Brig Al Serkal.
Such cladding issues were also detected in the fire incidents at The Address Downtown and The Torch in Dubai Marina.
Though the Abbco Tower was built before the cladding ban, its owner had already been ordered to remove the aluminium panels from its facade.
Following the blaze, Sharjah authorities have announced that inspections of buildings, especially those found with aluminium cladding, would be ramped up.
“The municipality has issued rules and ordered the owners of all the old buildings with aluminium façade to replace it,” said a senior municipal official.
A comprehensive survey of existing buildings with aluminium facades has been conducted across the city. Owners are being given a grace period to change the exteriors and replace the material, he stated. After this, the violators will have to pay hefty fines, he added.
- Tender issued for sub-sea power network
- Abu Dhabi announces $1.49bn residential packages for citizens
- Empower extends network by over 320km
- Banned cladding ‘cause of Sharjah building fire’
- Key test completed for Unit 4 of nuclear plant
- Johnson Arabia gets Maeda Spider Cranes
- Sharjah to set up new development authority
- 700MW solar project on track despite challenges
- Dewa signs deal for MBR park Phase Five
- RTA completes 37pc of Khawaneej project
- In brief
