Anwar Al-Hajji urges contracts with accredited elevator companies

• There are approximately 300 companies in Kuwait operating in the firefighting sector, including three that specialize solely in inspections to ensure equipment quality and proper installation.

• Kuwait Fire Force advises building owners to add a backup battery to the elevators to enable people stuck inside to exit safely in the event of a power outage, as the elevator will automatically move to the nearest floor, and the doors will open using the backup source (battery).

• The Kuwait Fire Force advises purchasing elevators only from licensed and approved companies, which can be verified on their website before signing a contract.

Brigadier Anwar Al-Hajji, head of the Firefighting Equipment Contractors and Dealers Accreditation Office at the Kuwait Fire Force, cautioned against using ‘street contractors’ for periodic elevator maintenance. He emphasized the necessity of coordinating with the elevator supplier company to guarantee quality service.

Al-Hajji stated in an interview with Al-Rai newspaper that there are approximately 300 companies in Kuwait operating in the firefighting sector, including three that specialize solely in inspections to ensure equipment quality and proper installation. These companies provide interested parties with a certificate proving the safety of the product. He noted that this has led to the establishment of a unit for training and accrediting engineers working in these companies.

He explained that this unit, located on the second floor of the Prevention Department building in Mishref, is equipped with all the necessary firefighting and prevention equipment, including alarms, elevators, and doors, to train engineers and grant them licenses to practice in firefighting contracting companies.

He also pointed out that the Kuwait Fire Force permits the importation of any firefighting equipment or fire-fighting and alarm products, provided they comply with approved international specifications and have a certificate of origin for customs clearance.

Excerpts from the interview:

How many certified companies do you have working in the field of firefighting?

The approved companies subject to the approval and licensing of the Kuwait Fire Force are divided into two sections: those operating in the sale of equipment, systems, and accessories, and those involved in fire contracting activities. The activities of fire contractors include firefighting, fire alarms, emergency lighting and exits, ventilation and smoke drainage, elevators and escalators, gas networks, structural protection materials, gap-sealing materials, and fire-resistant doors.

Additionally, there is a specific activity dedicated to inspection bodies, which is the inspection of elevators and escalators. The number of these companies is increasing, exceeding 300. The names of the companies can be viewed according to their activity and the required purpose by visiting the Kuwait Fire Force website.

Are companies that operate without a license subject to fines?

Yes, it is a violation to practice the activity without a license from the General Fire Force. What we encounter most in this regard are some elevator companies that operate without a license. Everyone knows how dangerous it is to use elevators from companies that are not licensed, as these elevators lack the necessary safety conditions for their users.

Additionally, those who install them are not qualified and certified to perform this activity, which poses a danger to lives. Therefore, I advise anyone who wants to install an elevator to purchase it from a company that is licensed and approved to install this type of elevator by the KuwaitFire Force. You can verify its licensing by visiting the department’s website and reviewing the companies before signing the contract.

What is the expected life of elevators in buildings?

The expected lifespan of elevators ranges from 15 to 25 years. To maintain proper operation, it is essential to conduct monthly and ongoing maintenance and to address faults immediately by contracting with a firefighting contractor licensed by the Kuwait Fire Force to practice the activity of elevators and escalators.

What are the most common elevator problems?

Elevator breakdowns usually occur due to a lack of regular monthly maintenance and delays in addressing faults, if any, by contracting with a contractor licensed to practice elevator activity by the Kuwait Fire Force. We prefer that maintenance be carried out by the elevator contractor who installed the elevator or the authorized agent to deal with faults quickly and effectively

Care must also be taken to avoid contracting with any person or entity not licensed to install elevators by the Kuwait Fire Force (often referred to as a “street contractor”).

We advise building owners to add a backup battery to the elevators to enable people stuck inside to exit safely in the event of a power outage, as the elevator will automatically move to the nearest floor, and the doors will open using the backup source (battery).

Why does the fire brigade refuse to adopt firefighting equipment or materials brought from abroad?

No product that meets the accreditation requirements will be rejected. Any product submitted for accreditation is studied, and all technical requirements are verified, with the most important being the existence of a certificate of conformity with international specifications.

If all requirements are met, the study report is submitted by the Firefighting Contractors and Dealers Accreditation Office to the technical committee responsible for issuing recommendations and decisions regarding product accreditation.

The department refuses to allow the importation of any equipment or materials related to activities subject to its control and accreditation without obtaining prior accreditation from it.

What is the reason for the delay in customs clearances in the force?

There is no delay; every transaction that meets the conditions and has valid papers is released on the same day. Delays occur only if the conditions are not met or if the owners are late in providing the necessary documentation. Imports are often made by companies that have products approved by the department and are familiar with the requirements needed to obtain a customs release permit.

What causes most fires, and how can the fire department accept counterfeit materials?

Most fires are caused by counterfeit equipment that leads to electrical short circuits, so it is not possible to approve the entry of counterfeit materials subject to fire regulations.

All products are technically inspected, and the customs declaration, invoices, and certificates of origin for both the product and the supplying factory are verified. The approval issued by the Kuwait Fire Force is also inspected to ensure compliance with the conditions and quality of the imported products.

What is the purpose of having a certificate of conformity?

The purpose of a certificate of conformity is to ensure the quality of the products and their compliance with international technical specifications.

There is an accredited laboratory that monitors the production line in the factory to ensure adherence to the technical standards and specifications under which manufacturing is carried out, through periodic monitoring of both the production line and the materials used.

Additionally, our specialists perform technical procedures to audit and verify the validity of the certificate before issuing the accreditation.

Are engineers working in firefighting contracting companies accredited by you?

Yes, engineers are accredited based on their experience and by passing proficiency tests, according to the contractor’s type of activity and the required category, in line with the licensing requirements for fire contractors.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to install an elevator?

We recommend including certain provisions when contracting, such as ensuring that the equipment to be installed is approved by the Kuwait Fire Force. Additionally, the contract should include a requirement for the building owner to receive an elevator inspection certificate from an entity approved by the department.

We also recommend having a maintenance contract with a licensed elevator contractor and the installation of a backup battery to ensure safety, reassurance, and security for elevator users.

Training center

Brigadier Anwar Al-Hajji stated that the training center in the Prevention Sector was opened in 2020 and contains models of all preventive equipment for buildings, including fire-fighting systems and equipment, fire alarm systems and equipment, emergency lighting and exits, engineering services such as elevators, fire-resistant doors, smoke exhaust fans, fire dampers, structural protection materials, gap sealing, and various systems used for fire prevention in facilities.

The center aims to familiarize trainees and visitors with this equipment and these systems, teaching them how to use, operate, and apply them to provide effective fire protection for various types of buildings.

Worst accident: A child gets stuck in an elevator

Al-Hajji confirmed that the worst accident he had dealt with occurred about five years ago when a 7-year-old girl was trapped between the outer door and the elevator cabin due to the lack of safety requirements in the elevator. Additionally, maintenance was performed by an unauthorized person, not licensed by a body authorized to practice elevator activity by the Kuwait Fire Force. The elevator also had manual doors and lacked essential safety features.

He stressed that this type of manual door is currently prohibited from being imported or approved. If found in some old buildings, it must be replaced or additional safety measures must be implemented to protect people in the elevator cabin, depending on the location of the elevator.

Verifying the source of the products

Al-Hajji explained that the Kuwait Fire Force requires a certificate of origin to verify the source of the product and the country in which it was manufactured. This requirement also ensures that the country of origin of the product is consistent with the accreditation issued by the Kuwait Fire Force.

National factories producing elevators

Al-Hajji revealed that there are national factories producing elevators that have been approved as integrated products by the Kuwait Fire Force, and they meet a high technical standard. We are proud of their presence and encourage them to continue developing and upgrading their products.