DOHA: The Media Centre for the Fourth Civil Defence Exhibition and Conference discussed at a forum technologies applied in modern constructions their reliability and safety during emergencies and disasters.
Ministry of Interior (MoI) Logistics Department Director Brigadier Abdul Aziz Al Ansari; Prevention Department of General Directorate of Civil Defence (GDCD) Engineering Drawings Officer Lt. Khamis Al-Kaa'bi; Consolidated Gulf Company (CGC) PR Director Ahmad Lahdan Al Muhannadi and Arab Bureau for Engineering Affairs Director Engineer Hani Al Hawamida participated in the discussion held here.
This discussion comes ahead of the Fourth Civil Defence Exhibition and Conference to be organised by Al Sharq Media Management under the patronage of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the Administration of Civil Defence.
The conference will be held from November 11 to 13 at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Speaking at the event, Brigadier Abdul Aziz Al-Ansari reiterated the importance of security and safety of buildings as well as community members is paramount.
He stressed that new technologies and systems to prevent fires and other disasters would minimise injuries and fatalities.
A global code on these topics has been modified and adapted according the requirements of Qatar's environment, he said.
"Educating and creating awareness on safety measures is the basic pillar and cornerstone of preventive measures provided that it includes all categories of the community," said Al Ansari.
There is much integration and co-operationg between the various nodal agencies and authorities to ensure this, he added.
Lt. Khamis Al-Kaa'bi gave an overview of the tasks and duties carried out by the Engineering Drawings Section of Prevention Department of GDCD and stressed that drawings meet the safety standards.
He explained the importance periodic maintenance work of the security and safety devices such as water sprinklers, smoke detectors and early warning systems in all buildings.
He added that the maintenance work plays an important role in preventing any disaster.
The Prevention Department has stopped all the paper transactions.
All drawings and designs submitted by companies and engineering offices, issuing certification and other transactions are done electronically which has made the processes efficient, he added.
Ahmed Al Muhannadi said that CGC Qatar, which provides the Central Alarm Monitoring System (CAMS), is one of the first technology companies that gives integrated technological solutions and services in the local market .
He said that CAMS receives warnings from the alarm boards installed in government institutions, commercial and residential buildings.
This alarm system can also be linked to the fire alarm system in the building.
In case of fire, the smoke detectors send a signal to the fire alarm panel which in turn alerts the CAMS, which triggers the Alarm Monitoring System installed in the Operations Room at the MoI and the Civil Defence.
This alarm contains data which helps locate the place of crisis through Global Positioning System (GPS), which enables the Operations Room staff to guide the fire engine personnel and police officers to the exact site.
Highlighting the systems efficacy, Al Muhannadi said, the Operations Room staff can even monitor the site through surveillance cameras installed in the building and if they are linked to the CAMS.
The staff can forward initial pictures of the site to firefighters emergency response teams to help them assess the extent of damage and take appropriate steps.
Engineer Hani Al Hawamdeh explained that role of the engineering offices and consultants is fundamental and important. (QNA)
