Abu Dhabi Municipality Starts Demolition of Cracking Tower at Zahya

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADM) has started the demolition of a 13-storey tower at Al-Zahya, Abu Dhabi after the engineering inspection revealed cracks in the core structures of the building. Immediate actions have to be taken to avoid any risks associated with the current condition of the building. The building has been deemed unfit for occupation, falls short of Abu Dhabi building codes and provides no safety for residents.

The Municipality notified that owners of properties have to apply for issuing occupancy certificate of property units, and considered mandatory for them to seek this certificate from the Municipality. The Certificate will be useful for the owner, investor, tenant and beneficiary from the property. The Certificate provides a considerable security of the building, extends the lifespan of the property and improve the integrated services.

Concerted efforts

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality, expressed its deep thanks to strategic partners and their efforts to cope with this emergency case. It offered thanks to the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crises and Disasters Team, Abu Dhabi Police, Civil Defence, Red Crescent, Abu Dhabi Prosecution, Adnoc and Abu Dhabi Distribution Co. for their keenness to provide critical logistical support. Their assistance was instrumental in the evacuation process and ensuring the safety and comfort of residents.

The immediate actions taken by the Municipality and its partners echo the values of our leadership to provide the highest levels of security & safety for all people, especially during emergency cases. Thanks to the concerted efforts of these national entities, we were able to vacate and secure the building and start the demolition process.

All owners and managers of buildings and property units are urged to give more attention to the periodic maintenance of buildings as it plays a vital role in fulfilling the security and safety needs of residents. We pin high confidence in the self and social responsibility of property owners and their keenness on the safety of occupants, and nurturing a superior residential environment befitting the global standing of Abu Dhabi and the values of the UAE as regards the security and safety of people.

Site Efforts

Once the engineering and technical assessments had been made, the ADM coordinated with the concerned partners the vacation of the building. The General Manager of the Municipality praised the security presence of Abu Dhabi Police, which had secured the properties, and valuable items of occupants to the building as well as the surrounding areas. He offered special thanks to Abu Dhabi Police for supporting occupants in relocating their important items from their flats.

The Municipality commended the response of the Red Crescent Authority and its humanitarian and charitable role in offering support and assistance. The provision of an alternative temporary accommodation had been completed so quickly for all tenants of the buildings. Their efforts echo the values of the UAE and its leaders in protecting the safety of people and providing a civilized living to all people under all conditions.

It also thanked the Civil Defence and Ambulance teams who were keen to remain at site and deliver any assistance needed besides preparing for any emergency. All processes were completed successfully without incidents or injuries. Thanks are also offered to ADNOC for the assistance in relocating all gas cylinders from flats and preparing the building for demolition without any surprises.

Indicators and Procedures

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality had taken immediate measures to verify the technical and engineering condition of the building especially after residents felt strange vibrations. Inspections revealed that the cause of such movements was the crumbling pillars supporting the building. Accordingly, measures had been taken following a report from Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crises and Disasters Team of tremors in the building. The Municipality made an instant response and sent a team to the site, and coordinated with strategic partners the required measures. It was decided to vacate the entire building with the assistance of Civil Defence and secure the site. The ADM had taken all security and safety measures by building a temporary boundary wall around the building and sealing off the site to secure the surrounds of the building.

Following the structural inspection and site survey, it was confirmed that there were serious cracks in the pillars of the ground floor, in addition to cracks in the walls and stairs of the ground mezzanine floors. The specialist engineers of the Building Permits at the Municipality recommended the demolition of the building as it falls short of the safety factors and poses a danger to inhabitants as well as the neighbouring buildings and pedestrians let alone the distortion of the general appearance. Readings revealed that the building had settled down which warrants the evacuation of residents from the site and continuing the monitoring of the building for 24 hours as a precautionary measure. A decision was taken to demolish the building, and the Infrastructure and Municipal Assets Sector was directed to initiate demolition procedures for the building while providing public safety precautions and continuously monitoring the building.

Preventive Measures

The Municipality and its partners had taken utmost care in handling the building due to its non-compliance with the building and safety requirements. The municipal engineers started urgently to reinforce the impacted structures of the building by solid steel moulds along with concrete renovations to fend off a sudden collapse of the entire building during the demolition process. The concerned teams removed all gas cylinders and any flammable materials. The reinforcement of the building also aimed to enable residents to enter their apartments, take their important belongings, and leave the building with no safety concerns. The entry of residents into the building was made under the supervision of the police to avoid tampering with the property of the residents by strangers.

Continued Assessment

The Municipality carries periodic inspection visits to verify the technical and engineering condition of buildings within its environments to ensure their compliance with Abu Dhabi Building Code. About 376 buildings had been served with offence reports over the past three years.

The Municipality yesterday called on all local media channels and director of residential units to care for periodic preventive maintenance to ensure the highest levels of safety for all residents.

The preventive maintenance system approved by the Municipality examines the extent of compliance of property managers with the planned maintenance works, which have to be carried periodically for all internal and external elements of the property in a specific timetable. This step stems from the keenness of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities to provide the highest standards of security and safety for all property residents. At the same time, it enables tackling all practices distorting the public appearance.

Caring for the structures and appearance of buildings and the fitness of building is a top priority, as they had to conform to Abu Dhabi Building Code. At the same time, they ensure the provision of public utilities that ensure a civilised living with integrated services for the residents of these properties.

The Municipality offered a grace period until the end of this year for all owners of properties in Abu Dhabi. In January 2019, the Municipality will start the implementation of the Administrative Resolution No (20) for 1994 regarding the Executive Regulation of the Buildings Works Law.