A number of major malls in Qatar have intensified their efforts to implement safety and security measures, particularly regulating and stopping the use of power extension cords, to prevent fire and other hazards, it is learnt.
According to mall officials, many tenants have been using such cords recklessly without realising the possible dangers they can cause.
“We faced many circumstances, in which tenants were using extension cords carelessly,” Dar Al Salam Shopping Mall operations manager Zahid Iqbal told Gulf Times.
He stressed that tenants have been completely unaware that an overloaded power extension cord might cause electrical sparks, overheating of wires, and “eventually cause fire and other safety hazards in the mall.”
To avoid the use of extension cords, Iqbal noted that they successfully convinced their tenants to replace it with permanent power sockets, which also made it easier to organise power cables.
“With the close co-operation of our tenants, such measure is working well enough and reduces fire and other safety hazards in the mall,” he pointed out.
Hyatt Plaza Shopping Mall also reiterated the importance of strictly implementing safety measures to avoid accidents such as fire in the mall.
General manager Feroz Moideen told Gulf Times that their ‘43 check point inspection’ covers all potential safety hazards including electrical appliances, fixtures and equipment to ensure that all their tenants and mall premises follow high safety standards.
“At Hyatt Plaza, we take the safety of our customers seriously. We have an in-house Health Safety and Environment team who conducts frequent inspections at all our outlets,” he said, adding that they have been regularly doing this for a long time.
Al Khor Mall is also regularly conducting safety inspections with a dedicated team, which includes regulating the use of power extension cords.
Mall manager Navaneeth Sudhakaran said all their tenants need to seek a work permit and approval before using any equipment or machine, or even replacing a light bulb, as part of their safety measures.
He added that they also regulate the use of extension cords with multiple outlets inside the mall, limiting it for charging smartphones and other similar devices but not high wattage machines or equipment to avoid overloading.
The Ministry of Interior has advised residents not to overload extension cords or outlets and not to place electrical cords under a rug.
Reckless use of extension cords.
