Zonescorp, the largest developer and operator of purpose-built industrial zones in the UAE, recently conducted extensive fire and chemical leakage drills at Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD)’s Gulf Fluor facilities.

The exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence and Abu Dhabi Public Safety and Emergency Services, aimed at testing Zonescorp’s safety systems against emergency events, and train and explain safety procedures for all staff and workers.

This is part of a wider initiative of the Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (Zonescorp) across the industrial facilities in Abu Dhabi to conduct extensive safety exercises for all the plants to measure the readiness of each entity internally in terms of equipments, emergency plans, and command & control teams.

The ‘test scenario’ used during the exercise involved a fire caused by a chemical reaction as a result of a chemical spill. The staff at the factory immediately implemented fire-fighting procedures using equipment available at the factory.

During the scenario the fire spreads out of control at which point safety officials at Gulf Fluor factory activate the emergency alarm, begin the evacuation process and inform Abu Dhabi Civil Defence and Zonescorp about the incident.

In the scenario the situation is then brought under control with the arrival of the civil defence, rapid intervention teams, ambulance, police and departments within the Ministry of Interior for dealing with hazardous materials who take control of the all the drill process.

Saeed Issa Al Khaili, acting chief executive officer, said: “Zonescorp in collaboration with various departments of the Ministry of Interior and sub-departments in the industrial areas will continue to conduct similar drills regularly in various Abu Dhabi and Al Ain industrial cities, to ensure all parties’ readiness in the event of an emergency or crisis situation. This will reflect positively on the industrial sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.” – TradeArabia News Service