Change following Villaggio tragedy?
Following the Villaggio tragedy, I can't help wondering what would happen in any other mall, cinema or tower etc. in Qatar, should a small incident occur that should be manageable.
Does it take a horrendous tragedy like Villaggio to make responsible people realise they need to take a closer look at the safety of people using their buildings.
Will anything change?
I don't ever want to see a post here on QL of a locked or blocked fire escape ever again. I am not saying there were locked or blocked fire escapes in Villaggio on Monday, but images have been posted of locked fire exits here in the past. And if you see a car blocking a fire exit, please be sure to photograph it and name and shame them on here.
Will people take an interest in a fire drill when next held in their building? Will proper training and drills be given by companies?
Will anything change!?
Or will this all be forgotten, and the tragic loss of life on Monday do nothing to safeguard the lives of others in the future?
Please anyone reading this who can make a difference please do so. Especially those of you who know there is something that can be done, and just haven't got around to doing it yet. You could be saving lives in the future by doing so, perhaps even after you have left Qatar.
If you are an architect have you really put in enough fire exits, if you license companies to trade have they really taken safety into account, if you are a building/ store manager or similar, have you really planned for an incident and do you know how to easily manage it?
Will anything change.... perhaps you can make it change
This now 12 years on - I just went to a huge new supermarket at Ramada junction - the 'Entrance' allowed you in, but not out, as the door sensor inside was switched off, Exit was via another door, past some trollies. Is that legal?
This now 12 years on - I just went to a huge new supermarket at Ramada junction - the 'Entrance' allowed you in, but not out, as the door sensor inside was switched off, Exit was via another door, past some trollies. Is that legal?
properly coordinated with the authorities as not to create misconception and confusion in the surroundings!
Nothing much will change. Yes, rues may be tightened , but what can you do with existing structures.
Most will forget the tragedy until its anniversary and life will go on as normal .
Sounds like a good idea, Azi!
Mandi
Couple of months back, the fire alarm went off and someone from reception announced through the PA system to stay alert ETC and to wait for further announcement.
We never heard anything again, and when I went down 3 hours later, I asked the reception what was that about. She said a smoke alarm went off on one of the floors.
I complained that the PA system is hardly audible...no 2nd alert was announced. We could have been trapped on our floor if there was really a fire.
Maybe I should send an e-mail to the Property Management that they should conduct fire drills ON WEEKDAYS instead of SATURDAYS(no one hardly comes to work on Saturdays)...
Good!
Mandi
Yes Mandi, We Said for sure & even complained as well to the Security Incharge at that time...
See something, say something!
Mandi
People Do not have Civic Sense at all, Just Yesterday at DIA Gate NO 2, as soon i parked my Car, Ambulance with a Patient arrived from the Ramp, and had to wait for 10 mins only because Airport Security Guy parked his LC infront of the Gate, and there is a Big Sign on that gate stating "For Emergency Only"...
This is not the 1st time this kind of a thing has happened...
NM, I think things are changing, habibti! Carpe diem!
Mandi
This is only feasible if a person of high authority officially gives us, the EXPATS, permission/authority to point out the wrongs when we see them.
And even then, if there is no serious follow up by this person, nothing will change.
And we all know that will never happen.
We, the RESIDENT expats have to live here, we are here for a reason and anybody who has been in the ME longer than a day KNOWS what can and can't be done.Simple as that.
There is a featured picture in Doha News of a guy smoking right under a "No Smoking" sign. Name and shame!
Mandi
and u shouldn't LP
it's not ur job, unless ur a law enforcement officer.
he may just tell u "F**k off", and u'll have a fight in progress, with U starting it.
all u can do is complain to the security/law enforcement official (with minimal chaces that he'll do anything).
so i agree with u: the problem is in not implementing the rules. the laws are there, and they are good. only not enforced.
Guys, whatever new "rules" they will issue, it won't make any difference as long as they are not implemented. Saw guys smoking in Landmark today. No F.u.c.k.i.n.g. a.s.s.h.o.l.e (including me) said anything to the thobe wearing guy!
How was the licence given for a children play room over a store room?
and hope it continues and does not fade away with passing days...
Police can manage minor tragedies; they need volunteers support in major disasters under their direction
Problem in Qatar, Police or any other authority will never allow you to help others, You can just wait for police/authorities to do their job, whether they can do it or not, whether they come on time or not, but you have to wait for them to do the job!
Yep I agree with Knight Returns....It has to begin with Top and cascade down the proper training to each individual to remain alert and hold basic knowledge of fire fighting equipments. Civil defense is to control through annual monitoring of Health check over the Safety procedures to ensure number of smoke detectors, fire alarms and water sprinklers in the occupied area & size.
Rules and regaulations are in place; Qatar needs stringent controls, follow up and implementation.
Yes, there is a movement afoot now that is as pivotal as the grass-roots support for the Arab Spring. No longer will those of us in the majority remain silent about safety issues, especially concerning children. Too much is at stake. No more locked emergency exits, no smoking in public places, no kids without seat belts. If you see something, SAY something! We stand in good company with His Highness, remember that. The whole world is watching, know that as well. Thank you, TB!
Mandi
It wasn't a Nursery they said but an " activity centre " and for that it had all the required paperwork in place "THEY SAID"
Never...
While everyone is responsible for his/her own safety..the change should come from the top.
Review the legislation for its adequacy and effectiveness. Locate the weak links in the chain from layout design approval to the day-to-day running of the commercial establishments. This includes incorporating the minimum safety requirements into the design, using only high quality electrical cables and cable connectors, fuse boxes and trippers etc.
Most often it is seen that construction work is subcontracted to a petty contractor who use sub-standard materials in electrical circuits. I don't think there is any government control in this area.
Finally, each commercial conplex needs to have an active safety team that would be responsible for all safety related activity like that of a private company operating in a field. Trainings, safety drills and monitoring of fire-fighting equipment in the complex would be an essential part of their everyday work.
but people are so obssessed with cheap finishes and cheap fictures this was inevitable
agree with victory, and the investifation seems going in the right direction, at an acceptable pace. i'm optimist as to the investifation outcome. the MOI minister started right by not trying to hide the death toll, with the uproar in the newspapers the next day blaming the TVs and Radio for their irresponsible unprofessional behaviour. now the arrestings for investifation...
wait and see.
People are more concerned about safety measures, especially for their children at Schools.
We can't blame always the authorities, each individual is equally responsible to ensure and should be aware of basic fire Safety precautionery measures.
Let the investigation get completed and identify the root cause of the fire incident at villagio.
they will not learn from this, the fact the certain malls here have no civil defence is ridiculous. they ask you to build to a european standard but refuce to pay for it. considering the amount of money these people have, they refuse to spend what is required to have a safe working enviroment.
I read in some comments that, we as ex pats often see things and say this would not happen in our country - and just walk on by - Dont be fooled by this, In many instances the perpetrators of these issues are indeed Ex Pat companies,who simply slip into the supposed way of the land,(they are saving and making money)I recently worked on a large shopping mall project (Western Main contractor)and everyday exits were blocked as a matter of course,no signs or warnings.There policy for Safety was ''Paperwork is everything'' they would stage manage fire drills with muster points, for the occasion, then the next day when all the paperwork has been done dig up these areas and continue with there works program.they would have regular safety walk through,but just pass by any issues that would delay there works, (but the paperwork would be in place - the walk through Happened.
In relation to the Villaggio fire - i bet the paperwork was everything, TELL THAT TO THE VICTIMS FAMILIES
We often have fire drill in our office building.. some of the people are too lazy to move their ***.... but the fire Marshalls make sure that everyone is out of the building though the fire exit...Fire exits are always kept clear...
If proper measures are taken many of these mishaps can be avoided...
Around 10 yrs back there was a fire in a residential building near to my house..There was a furniture warehouse in the basement of that building... and the fire started from there.. most of the people were sleeping at that time...the firefighters were not allowing others to rescue the people and couple of people jumped from the 2nd floor window and died in front of our eyes.....I think 4 people died in that incident...
Normally to start a Nursery is a big hassle; they need to comply with lots of things. Fire safety is one of the major issues. The authorities will inspect the premises before issuing the license. But the nursery in question was owned by a Minister's daughter..that explains it all..
Well I just learnt the nursery was not licensed.
Also hopefully some of this security guards will be trained and monitored so they perform their duties that they are being paid for instead of sharing and eating beetle nut on duty and giving a very bad impresiion of a security guard
smoke: Something fishy must be there
I guess New rulz r on the way.
Hope so there we will be a change in Designs of building now, and Architect will concentrate on keeping the fire exits door in buildings.
a thought just occurred to me...God forbid such a fire happens in City Center Mall...how long do you think it would take to evacuate that hell hole of a mall?
Apparently there were a few more fires over the last few days as well. Is it the heat?