Balcony barbecue’ fine fixed at Dh500 --Trakhees Commences Campaign for Misuse of Balconies and Damage to Buildings Facades

Trakhees Community Conformance Division (CCD), Department of Planning & Development – aims to maintain the aesthetic appearance of residential compounds in particular and of Dubai in general. To ensure the commitment of residents in adhering to the rules and regulations applicable within its jurisdiction, CCD has undertaken a comprehensive community-based awareness campaign among all users of these complexes which includes a range of awareness-raising posters and brochures in five languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, and Chinese, all containing the following instructions: 

• - Do not install satellite dishes on the facades of buildings and balconies
• - Do not use balconies as places of storage for any purpose other than seasonal furniture
• - Do not shake or hang sheets, clothes or curtains or rugs or mops or laundry on balconies or railings of homes
• - Do not light barbecues on balconies of apartments

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness in all segments of society, among residents or visitors of these complexes by reaching them in their place of residence. The outcome will be to preserve upscale appearance, which is characteristic of the Emirate of Dubai by reducing the off-putting appearances which adversely impact the overall aesthetics. The fine for misusing your balcony or damaging the façade of the building in Trakhees-supervised residential communities will be Dh500 per offence.

In a statement the authority said initially officers would be warning residents not to misuse their balconies, set up barbecues, or fix any satellite dishes, and those failing to follow the rules will be fined Dh500.

Areas under Trakhees’ supervision, as per Degree No 22, includes, but not limited to Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Heights Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Lakes Tower, Jebel Ali Downtown, International City, Discovery Gardens.

Last week Community Conformance Division (CCD), Department of Planning & Development of Trakhees has informed residents not to fix satellite dishes on the facades or balconies of their buildings; not to use balconies as places of storage for any purpose other than seasonal furniture pieces; not to hang sheets, clothes or curtains or rugs or mops or laundry on balconies or railings of homes and not to have barbecues in their balconies.

Trakhees the organizational arm of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) Dubai

Trakhees the organizational arm of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), services & facilities contribute to a healthy environment, nurturing business development and keeping abreast of commercial developments spanning the Emirate of Dubai.

Out of its desire to deliver top-class services to stakeholders & customers, PCFC established Trakhees as the entity responsible for licensing engineering & commercial services activities for individuals and companies operating under its umbrella and will enhance the conduct of business, render licensing a smooth and comprehensive process. PCFC manages & oversees a massive portfolio of projects in the diverse fields of real estate, shipping, industrial complexes, investment, and finance, among others. Trakhees licenses and monitors a host of business activities spanning commercial, engineering, environmental, health, and safety fields. In the field of commerce, it provides existing & new customers with licenses, registration and approvals required for the conduct of business. Trakhees can also provide governmental services, such as employment & visit visas, and handle consulate affairs and related services.

In the field of civil engineering, Trakhees provides customers and stakeholders with regulations of the highest quality applicable by PCFC in building design and construction, carried out with sophisticated electronic applications. Environmental, health and safety regulations & guidelines enforced by Trakhees reflect the best international practices applicable.

EHS Regulations

This document of EHS Division is comprised of (i) Environmental Regulations (ii) Design and Development Regulations (iii) Construction Safety Regulations (iv) Industrial Operations Regulations (v) Ports Operations Regulations (vi) Green Building Regulations(vii) Commercial and Retail Operations Regulations(viii) Fire Protection, Fire Prevention & Fire/Emergency Control Regulations and (x) Food and Health Regulations having the force of law and are applicable to all Business Units of Dubai World and to their clients and stakeholders operating within the jurisdiction of Trakhees-Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation. These regulations [setting out standards and specific requirements for ensuring high level of safety of people, property, equipment and environment against the risks & hazards associated with industrial and commercial operations] are issued pursuant to the Article (4) of the Decree No. (22) of 2009 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Where so cross referenced/expressed, this document shall be read in conjunction with other Trakhees regulations and statutes/laws of the governments of Dubai and UAE

The EHS Division, as an authority, operates under a system of prior and continuous approval and no operation may commence until the facility/operations have been inspected and the authority is satisfied that the facility meets its requirements and is fit to operate. When the authority is satisfied with the facility and operational/ health, safety & environmental controls, then an Operation Fitness Certificate shall be issued by its competent officials. The licensee/lessee are also responsible by the Law under Ministerial Decision N. (32) of 1982 and other federal/state regulations, for the protection of their labor/staff from risks at work, injuries, disease, fire, etc. that may result, and he must take the appropriate precautions to the satisfaction of the authority.

Relevant international codes and standards viz., Health & Safety Executive (HSE- UK), OSHA, NFPA, IAEA, API, IP, ASME, IGEM and ASHARE have been adopted by reference into these regulations to deal with any specific requirements that are not, otherwise, covered by the criteria or the provisions of these regulations.

Inspectors, Officers & Managers of EHS Division are authorized to make visits to all facilities/operations to ensure that the standards and requirements are being met. During these visits, unsatisfactory circumstances may be found, which need correction and these are drawn to the attention of the senior management of the concerned company. Should any company/lessee not respond positively to notifications from EHS, then EHS will be constrained to take necessary actions or apply appropriate sanctions to ensure a safe and clean environment.

All the business units and their clients/stakeholders are advised to study this document minutely; and I look forward to their cooperation to enhance Environment, Health & Safety Standards.

Note: EHS Standards and Regulations are subject to revisions on a regular basis. Please make sure that you are viewing or downloading the latest revisions.