Industry specialist recommends mandating regulatory change and public awareness for fire safety in the region.
Dubai, September 28, 2008: Electrical fires are endemic to hot and arid regions which experience rapid loss of moisture of brine-based earthing solutions, rendering most earthing protection systems ineffective. In such conditions, the earth pits of the buildings cannot discharge fault current to the ground and may cause electrical fire. Recent reports state that Dubai Civil Defense authorities have intensified inspection of residential and commercial buildings to match global requirements under specific conditions. In the same vein, Dubai Municipality announced the revision of Electrical Safety Manual and to publish it in both English and Arabic. It is proposed to cover all safety measures at construction site. The current manual was written 13 years ago.
"The elaborate code for earthing requirements and a formal protocol for appropriate maintenance is yet to be developed in UAE. The move by Dubai Municipality to update their reference manuals is an important step in the right direction. The municipality revisions will be made available to all contractors, ensuring that they understands the differences between maintenance and longevity of earthing mechanisms based on the format used. But there is much more to be done at various levels including the end-users, trade centres and warehouses. Generating public awareness on electrical safety measures is a critical step towards minimizing potential risks," said Sonjib Banerjee, Technical Director, Duval Messien.
Based on decisions made at the design and construction phase, the maintenance schedule of systems is decided and this imposes the need for strict adherence to manufacturer protocols to ensure safety of the building throughout its life-period.
Lightning facts
Lightning is a transient, high-current electric discharge whose path is generally measured in kilometers. Lightning occurs when some region of the atmosphere attains an electric charge sufficiently larger than the electric field associated with the charge, cause the electrical breakdown of the air. The charge of the lightning bolt can reach upto 200000 amperes and temperature at the core of the bolt may exceed extreme limits. It is a myth that the Gulf is not prone to lightning strikes. There are around 10 thunderstorm days in the UAE per year which translates to one lightning strike in a two- to six-sq-km area every year.
Costs and the Contractor's Choice
Optimal electrical safety standards demand effective maintenance-free systems. As UAE lacks regulations to enforce maintenance protocols, the contractor's choice of earthing protection solutions are largely governed by costs, particularly in a bidding war for a project. Despite new, more technologically superior systems are available, many design consultants in the region continue to recommend out-dated earthing system for buildings that are otherwise ultra modern. The most common factor that challenges use of high-tech system is the cost though the system available is most effective and maintenance free which saves huge recurring maintenance cost in long run to the owner.
"In a scenario where we have a plethora of prominent structures popping up across the Gulf States, this shortfall in safety understanding is undesirable. The high rise buildings which are housing a population of a small township are a community by itself. Such structures deserve high standard electrical safety measures. Any incidence of fault can lead to devastating damages to life and assets "added Mr. Banerjee.
Quantifying the risk will allow contractors to make an educated financial decision about the lightning protection and earthing measures which need to be employed for business. The high-tech lightning protection and earthing system is vital to decrease the overall risk of damage to the building. It is thus logical to make it mandatory to have the latest lightning protection systems in place for all structures - systems that are pro-active, intelligent, remotely monitored and maintenance free.
DUVAL MESSIEN, the 173 year old French company has been appointed to install lightning protection system at the world's tallest structure - The Burj Dubai - believed to be the Gulf regions top-notch residential and commercial project. SATELIT 3 - the world's most technically superior lightning protection system has already been commissioned at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's Head Office, Raffles Hotel and the like.
-Ends-
About DUVAL MESSIEN:
Manav Enterprises FZC is the sole distributors of Duval Messien's Lightning Protection & Earthing systems for the Arabian Gulf. Satelit 3 Lightning Protection System & TEREC+ Earthing Compound are state-of-the-art products introduced by them to the region. The multi-national team boasts specially trained sales and engineering specialists with valid experience in various terrains and a diverse variety of project types including Refineries, Defense, Telecom, Airports, Industries, Shopping malls, Commercial/residential towers, Palaces & villas. The company has recently been awarded contracts with The Burj Tower, DEWA Head Office, International City and Raffles Hotel in Dubai; royal palaces in Oman; and other prestigious projects across the GCC region. The company is located in Freezone in UAE with distribution offices conveniently dotted across all emirates, expanding soon to the rest of the region.
About Raee Public Relations is a boutique consultancy that offers tailored communication solutions that deliver results. Our research based approach ensures we are relevant to your business dynamic, while our regional systems ensure we are alert and coherent. Drawn from an international cross-section of journalism, PR and creative professionals, our team is fuelled by passion and guided by fact.
For more information, please visit our website: www.raeepr.com
For more information, please contact:
Raee Public Relations
Sana Lababidi
Media Relations Manager
Tel : 04 3415558
Fax:04 3415559
Email : sana@raeepr.com
© Press Release 2008
