Authorities in Abu Dhabi will start inspections next month to ensure compliance with a Window Safety Fixtures Conformity Scheme launched on Tuesday that makes it incumbent on building owners to install window safety fixtures in residential buildings that will keep children from falling from heights.
The iniative by the Quality and Conformity Council(QCC)is in response to a decree issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs(DMA)in March that calls for the installation of window fall-prevention devices in all residential buildings in Abu Dhabi by the end of September.
Hussain Salem Al Katheeri,secretary general,QCC,said:"As a council responsible for the development of quality infrastructure,we are constantly working with the concerned entities towards identifying risks and controlling products that assure public safety.The Window Fixtures Conformity Scheme aims to ensure that all residential buildings in Abu Dhabi conform to quality and safety standards as mandated by DMA in order to prevent the recurrence of accidents and enhance public security,"he said.
New DMA regulations stipulate that balconies,windows or openings that lead to the exterior in residential buildings and are less than 1.5 m in height from the floor have to be secured by locks or other safety fixtures.All windows and doors on outside walls must not open wider than 10cm.The onus is on building owners to ensure such protection measures.
With immediate effect,the QCC has called upon all suppliers and manufacturers of window fixtures to apply for quality certification.
New and existing buildings in Abu Dhabi must also comply with the standards outlined in the scheme.
Products that achieve certification through formal testing against specified criteria will be granted a Certificate of Conformity and licensed to carry the QCC Trustmark in product promotion and merchandising.
The new scheme was developed in consultation with DMA and Abu Dhabi Civil Defence.
Salem Bin Khalid Al Qasimi,acting product conformity director,QCC,said:"A conformity scheme is a detailed assessment to determine whether a product or service meets specific requirements and standards.Applicants that gain the QCC certification under the conformity scheme will be permitted to use the Abu Dhabi Trustmark as evidence of meeting the standards mandated by the Department of Municipal Affairs."
The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council was established in 2009 to raise the quality of the emirate's exports and locally traded products while protecting the interests of consumers and supporting the UAE's competitive economy.This objective is achieved through empowering regulators to establish and implement product safety standards and adhere to compliance schemes.
QCC also sets guidelines and benchmarks to ensure that products manufactured and traded in Abu Dhabi conform to the highest quality standards.
The Window Fixtures Conformity Scheme is the second conformity scheme introduced by QCC.The earlier scheme for Water Efficient Fixtures was launched in August this year.
