Municipal and Housing Ministry urges strict safety compliance in group housing

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has stressed the importance of complying with the updated safety requirements outlined in the latest guide for health and technical standards in group housing for individuals. The ministry highlighted the responsibility of facility owners to provide a safe living environment and to enhance preparedness for emergency situations.

The ministry explained that the safety system begins with maintaining clear evacuation routes and emergency exits, ensuring they remain free of obstacles. It also includes providing illuminated guidance signs and backup lighting systems that activate automatically during power outages. Additionally, emergency doors must be equipped with mechanisms that allow easy opening from the inside, and locking systems should not hinder their use during evacuations.

The ministry emphasized the need to ensure the readiness of alarm and fire suppression systems, to conduct regular maintenance, and to prevent random storage within housing facilities or in corridors and exits. Facilities must also adhere to their approved occupancy limits to minimize risks and enhance safety.

The ministry called on facility operators and employers to prepare approved evacuation plans in accordance with regulatory requirements, to display evacuation maps prominently, and to clearly indicate emergency exits and assembly points. It also stressed the importance of ensuring that all residents are familiar with the procedures to follow in case of emergencies.

The ministry noted that human readiness is a key pillar of the safety system, requiring regular training of residents on evacuation procedures, conducting emergency drills, and educating them on the safe use of basic firefighting equipment to improve response times and effective action.

The ministry concluded by affirming that compliance with safety requirements is not only about meeting regulatory obligations, but also represents a direct responsibility to prevent accidents and protect residents. It noted that preparedness and proper response in the first minutes of any emergency help reduce losses and ensure a safe and sustainable group housing environment.