The Sharjah Civil Defence Authority has stepped up its public awareness drive on fire safety, urging residents and businesses to ensure manual fire extinguishers are properly maintained and fit for use. The move comes as part of enforcement of Violation Clause 13, which targets neglected or malfunctioning fire safety equipment in residential and commercial buildings. According to the authority, keeping fire extinguishers in poor condition is a legal violation. As first-response tools in emergencies, extinguishers that are not properly serviced may fail at critical moments, potentially leading to avoidable loss of life or property. Fines for non-compliance Under the executive regulations of Executive Council Resolution No. 10 of 2020, property owners and managers who breach the regulation face financial penalties ranging from Dh500 to Dh1,500. The fines are intended to ensure all fire safety equipment across the emirate remains in a constant state of readiness. When is an extinguisher unfit for use? Civil Defence officials urged building owners to carry out regular checks, noting that an extinguisher may be deemed unfit if it shows any of the following signs: Pressure gauge needle outside the green “charged” zone. Visible rust, corrosion or dents on the cylinder Blocked nozzles or cracked, brittle […]