KUWAIT: Acting Chief of Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) Lt Gen Khaled Fahad announced new fire safety requirements for investment buildings to prevent future incidents. All investment buildings, regardless of height, will now be required to have fire sprinkler systems, a measure previously only mandated for buildings over 10 floors. These changes follow the Mangaf fire incident, with intensified inspections focusing on doors of roofs, basements and storage areas.

For private housing, KFF advises owners to install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, although such requirements remain optional. Collaboration with the Kuwait Municipality and Public Authority for Housing Welfare is planned to integrate these safety measures into housing plans. Since the start of 2024, there have been 4,056 fire incidents, with 918 in residential areas and 411 in non-residential areas. The total number of rescue operations reached 5,997 cases, while fire incidents involving juveniles and children totaled 396, including 184 deliberate acts. — KUNA (See Page 2)