Billboards hamper rescue

Random billboards in front of shops should comply with the officially approved technical standards, said Civil Defense. It asked the Ministry of Municipality and Rural Affairs to take action.
Some of these billboards cover the front of a two-story building, others overlay a whole residential building, which hampers extinguishing fires and rescue operations. The billboards keep smoke trapped inside the buildings, threatening the safety of residents.
The Mayor’s office in Jeddah ordered relevant bodies and sub-municipalities to disapprove of billboards that do not comply with the binding technical terms and requirements, reported a local newspaper.
These ensure that billboards do not hamper the openings of doors and windows, rescue operations, sewerage networks, water pipes and air-conditioners.
Requirements stressed also on the use of iron bars, not wood, to install billboards on walls.
Billboards on the façades of businesses should not exceed 20 percent of the total size of the front side of the building, with a flat level all over, and should be posted on the main building or parallel to it on a pillar jack facing the street. Lighting the billboard is admissible, on condition that it does not affect the safety of traffic and its height does not surpass that of the building.
Every individual shop has the right to install only one billboard facing the street with a maximum of 4.5 square meters in size. Advertising is prohibited if no pavements exist.