ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Gas Safety Committee concluded the review of its final report, which included the most important results achieved during its six-month operation. The committee’s work significantly contributed to enhancing the safety and security of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems in residential buildings and economic establishments in the Emirate. The Committee also highlighted the key challenges identified through inspection campaigns and outlined appropriate solutions to address them, in cooperation with relevant authorities and partners.
Dr. Saif Said Al Qubaisi, Acting Director-General of Regulatory Affairs at the Department of Energy and Chairman of the Gas Safety Committee, said, ‘The Committee has achieved promising results in enhancing the safety and security of LPG systems and protecting residential buildings and economic establishments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The inspection results for residential buildings exceeded the target, reaching 2,991 buildings compared to the target of
2,800 buildings. As for the inspection of economic establishments, the number reached 8,403 economic establishments compared to the target of 6,900 economic establishments, which represents a significant achievement. Al Qubaisi indicated that these positive results reflect the commitment of the inspection teams to perform their tasks with the required accuracy and their endeavour to conduct visits and carry out a comprehensive survey of the areas assigned to them, which resulted in an increase in the number of buildings and economic establishments covered in these inspection visits.”
As for the report’s outcomes, Al Qubaisi noted that the visits resulted in rectifying the situations of several economic establishments that violated the gas system safety procedures. Most of these economic establishments were reopened after taking the required corrective measures. In addition, a large number of circulars were issued with the objective of improving the safety of LPG systems across the emirate.
Al Qubaisi added,
‘The most important challenges identified by the Committee are: non-compliance with safety standards and specifications for gas systems, non-compliance with the annual maintenance contract renewal, the need to update existing gas system regulations and guidelines, and training of workers in buildings and economic establishments.’
Al Qubaisi said, ‘The Committee approved a number of recommendations and corrective plans, including the introduction of a gas system compliance certificate; enhancing the role of entities in issuing violations and following up on violators; developing a system for gas filling permits; introducing guidelines related to the safety of gas systems and gas uses; closing high-risk food establishments; raising the capabilities of workers, and developing training and awareness programs. In addition, the Committee issued circulars and notices, and republished previous circulars related to the gas sector.’
‘The Committee’s final report identified several takeaways,” Al Qubaisi explained. ‘T
he most important of which are the need for comprehensive and accurate data on buildings and economic establishments; the need for establishing a single source for gas-related information; the importance of adhering to safety standards and specifications; the importance of renewing annual maintenance contracts for gas systems, and regularly updating legislation, regulations, and technical guidelines.’
He also highlighted the necessity of training building security personnel and food service workers to handle potential gas-related incidents, and the need for increased awareness regarding the principles of handling gas systems.
The Gas Safety Committee was formed by the Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi with the participation of 12 Abu Dhabi government entities. The Committee was tasked with reviewing procedures, standards, and safety measures related to gas supply and fixtures to prevent gas incidents in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Source: Emirates News Agency
