Are Malls SAFE???

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Flor tell me honestly, do u like men?

Peter? Stock your food at home so you don't need to go out also. It's been a long time since I visited these malls on Thursday and Fridays.

You die when your time comes you degenerate.

Maybe if half the city does not go to these only 2 malls every Thursday, it will free up some parking space for when I go to be my food.

I don't need to wait 40 You are scared? minutes to park. So best way to be safe, if you want to buy nothing, stay home and watch TV you clowns

Question: How many have actually stopped going to malls since the tragedy ?

I would be wary of malls in Doha as they really are not designed particularily well with fire in mind. That said just being aware of the building you are in and where to go if there is a fire can save you, for instance The Station fire in New York was a terrible tragedy, but the majority of the people in the building left by the front door instead of the other fire exits I believe even one fire exit people didn't even use which lead to the bottle neck and trapping of the people at the front door. In a fire people will leave by the way they came in try not to be like this and be aware of where the nearest exit is.

Your point about caps being on the sprinkler system I cannot say without any certainty, but there are plenty of sprinkler systems that the caps are left on especially in kitchens is that if they are left open over time they will fill up with gunk (grease etc) and become blocked the caps are there to stop this and the water pressure will blow them off when activated, but I have not seen the ones you are talking about.

I think this fire will be what is needed to jump start the fire regulations here and to see an improvement, you will find in most countries it took something like this to instigate change I know in the uk it was the Bradford city Stadium fire which turned around fire regs for us! Let's hope the same things happen here!

on these common areas,, Malls, Theatres, etc

There should strict punishment who does not abide by the SAFETY NORMS either in Fire fighting or Medical first aid.

these should be compulsorily imparted to various schools, at least LET THE NEXT GENERATION COMES WITH A VISION

social organisations, charity organisations should be given these training so that all individual should be brought to the scene, instead of waiting for the authorities to reach the spot

I think we may have all learnt this lesson by now. Never leave your own safety, or the responsibility of those under your guardianship, to anyone. Always be alert and aware. People are mere mortals after all and hence prone to mistakes, carelessness and irresponsibility.

in schools curriculum so everyone will be aware. In my profession, it is really a highlight in our course so we are very much aware of it all throughout our life (not only when a tragedy occured that we go on guard).

Yes we need to be vigilant of our OWN safety as LP said.

Since most Malls have many exits, are not multi-storey, and usually have wide aisles/corridors the main shopping areas are fundamentally safer than say a tower block.

But for your safety you need to get out if ...

1) you hear anything that might be an alarm.

2) you see or smell smoke.

Don't wait around. Don't panic. Be safe - much of it is in your hands. Don't rely on others - make up your own mind. If it's not a real incident, you can come back later. You'll be alive to do that.

Remember that everyone in the general areas of Villagio did get out. Even with the confusion, malfunctioning sprinklers and possibly inaudible alarms.

Cinemas, theatres, etc., in Malls are no more unsafe than anywhere else. New Malls are built to the latest standards and don't have the risks associated for example with old electrical wiring and switchgear.

I tell you one thing, I'll never again go to the cinema at City Center. The only entrance is ringed by restaurant grilles, fryers, and ovens. I have no idea where the emergency exits go. It's on the third floor. I just shudder thinking about it. I'm not sure I'm going anywhere I can't see my exit anymore. LP, you are absolutely right - your own safety is in YOUR hands.

Mandi

YOUR safety is YOUR problem. The moment you delegate your safety into the hands of others, you are basically unsafe. Don't trust anybody, they are only humans!

now where are we safe on the roads i feel like am in a jungle and animals can jump on me from anywhere any time...let me translate that...........when i take my very small Tilda onto the roads i cant compete with the Prados. SVU Ranger Rovers etc Not that i would dare anyway, i have a 3.7yrs old baby to think about all the time.....The locals here rule everything i cant even dare hoot at a Local who dared run me out of the road this morning he might stop blocking my way and before i can say "i was taking my daughter to the hospital" am deported out of here soo fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets Join hands and make it a better place...

I have been informed that today there is a condolence prayer at 5pm in Aspire Park...If it is then lets support.

As I am not aware so I cannot comment on local approval standards but yes when incidents like this happen norms should be checked and modified accordingly...My personal opinion would be to locate schools out of commercial hubs for example Qatar Foundation...It's a best example for this situation.

city center is a disaster in case a fire broke out...with the construction going on at the basement level..there are no clear exit or easier access to go out except in the front..but with at least a thousand people running in one direction in case, a commotion or trampling of one another is a very close scenario...

Not sure I agree with you there, Innards - the nursery would never have received a governmental permit to open in many other countries, given what we now know about lack of evacuation plan, etc.

I hope you are well aware of the latest scientific developments taking around.

It can be Tsunami, Earthquake or any natural catastrophe precautions are always there and it has been proven. Negligence is not the right attitude to face any situation.

Qatari government has taken all possible measures and controlled the situation or it would have been worst. Salute to all those brave fire fighters.

Situation could have been different if mall authorities who know look and corner of the mall should have guided the people stuck inside or at least the fire fighting team.

With reference to the original post, caps on sprinkler nozzles is not always a bad thing - some models come with a protective cap that pops off when the sprinkler fires.

I'd say a lack of accessible and clearly signposted fire escapes will be top of my list of concerns in future - the only way to be really safe from a fire is to get away from it.

Not anymore.......

No, none of them are safe. Nothing in Qatar is built to any internationally known safety level. We all know this, we all live or lived in Qatar. We know exactly what kind of crap is built there.

In my opinion, City Center Mall has better visual references about fire exits, rest rooms, etc marked at numerous spots inside the mall. I mean it is easier at City Center to spot these markings even if you don't wanna look at them. In Villagio or Landmark, I find it harder to know where I am or where I wanna go.

City Center, Villagio and Landmark are large places and can give multiple locations for exit in an emergency.

Lulu Hypermarket on D Ring Road I feel is very dangerous because of the entire Asian expats from Doha descending upon it on weekends. Controlling a crowd like that in emergencies will itself result in further mishaps like a stampede or something.

Yesterday's event has really opened my eyes and I realize that safety is in my own hands.

Doha News

Here's our list of those who died so far. Please let us know if you can help add to it:

Hana Sharabati, 3 years old

Mahmoud Haidar, Civil defense

Shameega Charles, 28, South Africa

... Omar Emraan, 18 months old, South Africa

Hossam Chahboune, Moroccan firefighter

Lillie, Jackson and Willsher Weekes (triplets, 2 years old, New Zealand)

Maribel Orosco, teacher, Philippines

Margie Yecyec, teacher, Philippines

Julie Ann Soco, teacher, Philippines

We also received this note from the mother of one of the deceased teachers last night:

My daughter Shameega Charles, aged 29 was a teacher at Gympanzee and perished in the blaze. My condolences to all the other families who lost loved ones in this tragedy. We pray that God Almighty makes it easy on all of us.

Her 5 year old son misses her dearly and was looking forward to her upcoming visit in August.We have still not been able to tell him of his mother's passing.

Regards, Maryam Charles

Yes, incidents like these make us think better...We can take all necessary precautions to avoid such incidents in future and notify officials when we come across any lack in safety, may be in our home or outside...Lets make a difference for a better tomorrow for ALL.

its a sad incidence, but I hope we can learn from all the mistakes and make better and safer place to go.

In my 4 years with my company in Qatar, I never heard of any fire drills and evacuation programs. They're housed in a 16 storey building! Yet in my India company, which was an American MNC, fire drills were carried out every year with full demonstrations of fire fighting skills.

So I ask, do you even know how to respond in such a situation?

All casualties in Villagio happened due to smoke inhalation. They mentioned in the Gulf-Times that nobody was admitted to the burns department. Of course they may not publicly announce about the cause of the deaths.

Really tragic and unfortunate.

I cannot imagine the state of shock for a family to loose THREE children...Yesterday there were not one but two families who lost three children...God give them strength

Didn't Landmark also have a fire at the BHS end ? Some time ago.

I think one should not neglect when the Alarm sounds. The alarm was On for long time. People tend to ignore and carry out their normal work. I still remember being thought of fire incident in my school life. It is just not the responsibility of the government but each and every one of us.

samadsami

Condolence to all the families who lost their loved ones...RIP

happend at city center , which is a four-storey bldg...

MOI should indulge into FREE compulsory training to citizens, expats, schools, organisations,, how to use the FIRE FIGHTING.... no person should shy away from it

Iam scared to go in any mall now oops its really dangerous..........

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