The well-publicised increase in the frequency and severity of
high-rise building fires in the Middle East in recent years has
thrust the region under the global spotlight in relation to fire
safety and standards. Earlier this year, a new Fire Life and Safety
Code was introduced by the Dubai Civil Defence to instil higher
standards of fire safety at all stages of construction.
Key stages
It appears that developments in Dubai are being mirrored in
other jurisdictions in the Middle East, most notably in the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, who have given notice to all building owners in
the Kingdom to replace combustible cladding within one year.
Whilst the formal announcement is yet to be released,
instructions from Civil Defence and Minister of Municipal Affairs
have shed some light on what this will entail for the construction
industry, and those associated with it. The process for replacement
is in three stages:
