Sharjah is set to revolutionize its firefighting efforts with the introduction of advanced drones equipped with water tanks, aimed at combating high-rise fires more effectively starting early next year.
The Sharjah Civil Defence has announced that these cutting-edge drones will be operational within the first quarter of 2025, designed to significantly decrease response times and enhance safety during critical fire emergencies. Salam Al Amir reports on September 06, 2024.
Developed in collaboration with the UAE-based Drone First Building Services company, these drones have already undergone successful testing. Brigadier Sami Al Naqbi, director general of Sharjah Civil Defence, confirmed the successful trial, stating, “We successfully tested the drone, and it passed the test with flying colours.”
The drones are fitted with water tanks capable of holding 5,000 litres and can deliver water up to 15 meters. “When more water is needed, the drone can be supplied from a ground-based water tank connected to the drone through a hose,” Brigadier Al Naqbi added. The drones are equipped with sophisticated sensors that allow them to identify the source and intensity of fires, providing critical data to ground teams.
One of the key advantages of the drones is their ability to swiftly reach fire sites, reducing delays that traditional fire trucks might face due to traffic or equipment setup.
“Fire trucks can face delays in traffic, especially given their size and the equipment they carry,” explained Brigadier Al Naqbi. In contrast, these drones can be launched quickly and efficiently from a small vehicle.
Brigadier Al Naqbi also noted that the drones are being further refined to enhance performance. Plans include increasing the drone’s operational height and improving water pressure and hose diameter. “We’re also exploring the possibility of increasing the drone’s height limit from 40 floors to 60 or 70 floors to make it even more efficient in high-rise fires,” he stated.
Initially, two drones will be deployed, with additional units added as needed. Each drone, weighing 27 kilograms, can operate for up to 12 hours on a single charge and features an emergency parachute system to prevent crashes.
The cost-effectiveness of the drones is highlighted by Brigadier Al Naqbi, who compared them to the current firefighting ladder system, which costs around Dh5.5 million. “This confirms that investing in drones is not only a more efficient approach to firefighting but also cost-effective,” he said. Reflecting on past incidents, Brigadier Al Naqbi pointed out that drones could have significantly expedited fire control and reduced damage during the Abbco Tower fire in 2020.
Mohamad Ghaith Jeratly, CEO of Drone First Building Services, praised Sharjah Civil Defence’s forward-thinking approach, stating, “Sharjah Civil Defence’s vision to utilise drones in firefighting is truly forward-thinking.
Since partnering with them two months ago, we’ve been customising the drones based on their feedback to meet the unique needs of high-rise fires in the emirate.”
Local residents, like Yara Elbanna, who experienced a fire evacuation, expressed support for the technology. “If a drone had been able to accurately locate the fire and assess its severity, civil defence teams could have decided whether it was necessary to evacuate the building or not,” Elbanna said. This technology could potentially make evacuations less burdensome, especially for vulnerable individuals.
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