Riskey Business? Gas Safety Concerns in Abu Dhabi Explored
UAE: Over 11,000 Cooking Gas Facilities Investigated, Resulting in Multiple Violations Detected
Abu Dhabi's gas usage doesn't always play out smoothly, concerning common risks like shoddy installations, junk equipment, and skipped maintenance checks. Unreported tales from field surveys and inspections hold these dangers in high regard, as per the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE).
Take a peek at the rascals in the scene: residents flouting regulations on LPG systems, be it domestics, workers, or eatery bosses. Or employers carelessly neglecting their employees' training, putting them in harm's way. And what about those creepy recruitment companies playing fast and loose, hiring the wrong workforce to handle gas appliances?
You guessed it—substandard hoses and gas equipment, reliance on unlicensed gas suppliers, and storing gas cylinders without proper permits are among the usual suspects, posing significant safety threats.
But hey, there's a silver lining! With more regulation, certified installations, and a culture shift towards safety, these risks can be massively reduced.
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Thousands of Check-ups
With life-saving and property in mind, the DoE started the second phase of the public awareness campaign promoting the safe and responsible use of LPG systems—all under the motto "your safety is our priority." This mission continues initiatives from 2024 and 2025, aiming to uphold regulatory compliance and instill a culture of safety and accountability throughout residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Ahmed Alsheebani, Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Petroleum Products Sector, spoke to Khaleej Times. "We carried out over 11,000 inspections as part of broader efforts to improve compliance, promote gas safety, and inculcate a safety-conscious mindset across every sector."
Tripwires
To elevate the gas system game, the department worked wonders in several aspects:
- Swapping 450 central gas tanks and control panels
- Installing over 10,000 gas leak detectors
- Decommissioning outdated or redundant systems in various properties
Alsheebani shared, "This critical project greatly boosted the safety of Abu Dhabi's central gas systems, ensuring thorough analyses and necessary improvements."
To keep everyone in check, the DoE imposes a series of gas safety regulations. Key provisions include:
- Forbidding gas cylinder use in structures fitted with compliant central gas systems
- Ensuring proper ventilation and emergency exits in commercial kitchens
- Requiring periodic maintenance by approved service providers
- Reporting leaks immediately via emergency numbers 997
Paperwork
Establishments like restaurants must maintain up-to-date documentation, such as certificates of conformity, No-Objection Certificates, Project Completion Certificates, Annual Maintenance Contracts, and Civil Defense Safety and Prevention Compliance Certificates. Failure to comply may lead to closures and other legal consequences.
Embrace Preventive Practices
Homes and food businesses are advised to adopt preventive measures, such as:
- Installing gas leak detectors
- Working with authorized gas companies only
- Performing regular safety checks
For example, homeowners may test for leaks by applying soapy water to gas connections, with bubbles indicating a possible leak, and replacing damaged hoses promptly.
Alsheebani cautioned, "If you detect a gas smell, switch the main valve off immediately, ventilate the area, refrain from turning on electrical switches or igniting flames, and contact emergency services or your gas supplier."
Through its ongoing awareness campaign, the DoE encourages safe gas use through an integrated outreach strategy. This includes digital campaigns in various languages on social media platforms, SMS notifications in partnership with government bodies, and distributing multilingual leaflets to food businesses.
The department actively organizes Gas Safety Majlis sessions and interactive workshops, focusing on vulnerable individuals such as laborers and kitchen staff, utilizing tools like virtual reality to emphasize best safety practices and influence behavior.
READ MORE:
- UAE: Residents urged to practice precautions after gas leaks cause fires
- UAE: Fire erupts at Al Barsha residential building after gas leak in restaurant
- Abu Dhabi
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- In the sphere of education, learning about gas safety in Abu Dhabi is essential for residents, especially those working in food businesses, to prevent accidents and ensure a safer environment.
- Abu Dhabi's Department of Energy (DoE) is taking steps to promote gas safety through regulatory measures, such as imposing gas safety regulations and conducting thousands of check-ups.
- On the business front, food establishments are advised to maintain up-to-date documentation, including certificates of conformity and annual maintenance contracts, to comply with gas safety regulations.
- The DoE is also implementing various initiatives, like Gas Safety Majlis sessions and digital campaigns, to educate the public on gas safety best practices, ensuring a culture of safety and accountability in Abu Dhabi.
