When we speak of fire safety and speedy evacuation in Dubai, we have to consider the fact that a large number of buildings here exceed 20 floors which further adds to the complexity of the issue. Even if you have the most carefully thought-out plan and evacuation procedures, supported by a voice evacuation system and emergency and exit lights, people trapped in higher floors will have little, if no chance for escape if a fire breaks out. In this case, the intelligent evacuation systems prove to be much more efficient than the ordinary alarms, lighting and voice evacuation systems since they can guide people to the exists finding out the fastest and safest options for escape. Basically these smart systems consist of lighting, speaker and camera which are fully integrated in the fire safety system. The system monitors the exits and guides people by light and voice signals to the closest ones or the ones which are not blocked. In addition it sends images to the control room where the security officers can monitor the evacuation.
Despite the obvious advantages, the smart systems alone are not an optimal option and developers and landlords should also consider equipping their buildings, especially the high-risers, with evacuation system such as the Spider. This is a mobile device installed at different areas of each floor. It is used to evacuate the people by a support mechanism, support ladder and harness which allow the people to evacuate the building by gliding safely down.
Unfortunately these systems have not been implemented in Dubai yet. First Security Group will be shortly introducing the Spider system and we hope that its advantages and benefits will be considered by the developers and landlords.
Undoubtedly, the smart systems are more expensive than the conventional ones and are considered not cost-effective. However, for huge complexes of the scale of Dubai International Airport and Dubai Land or buildings such as Burj Dubai, Burj Al Arab and Dubai Mall they should be the essential components of the fire safety systems. After all, when human lives are at stake, money should not be a concern.
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