The Department of Municipal Affairs orders Window guards to enhance Safety in the Emirate’s Buildings

As step to implement the government directions to enhance safety standard in the buildings of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and to enhance children protection and preventing them from falling out of high-rise buildings, and in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, and the Child Protection Centre in the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Municipal Affairs issued a decree gives building owners six months to install protective devices on residential windows to protect children and disabled from falling.

According to the new decree, all residential buildings in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi have to be secured by locks or proper means of protection for balconies, windows or openings that lead outside and are less than 1.5 meter in height from the floor, and all windows and doors must not be able to open any wider than 10cms.

The new decree aims to enhance safety in the Emirates buildings and protect children from falling; the civil Defense authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and in coordination with the Emirate’s Municipalities will conduct inspections in residential areas to ensure the new rule is adhered to.

New residential leases must include provisions that the owner will provide the protection. The rule will be enforced by Civil Defense and by the emirate's municipalities.