Tehran Authorities Issue Urgent Safety Warnings for Four High-Risk Towers
In a decisive move underscoring a commitment to public safety, Tehran municipal and fire prevention authorities have escalated their focus on several high-risk buildings, identifying four major complexes as being in a critical state due to stalled safety upgrades.
A Critical List and Stalled Progress
Kamran Abdollahi, Deputy of Prevention for the Tehran Fire Department, reported that the number of buildings in the capital classified as being in a “critical condition” has reached approximately 54. He expressed particular concern that several of these structures had previously initiated safety protocols and even submitted contracts to the fire department, but the vital work was subsequently abandoned, leaving them vulnerable.
The Aluminum Building: A Case of Incomplete Systems
The Aluminum Building was highlighted as a primary example. While it had begun installing fire alarm and suppression systems, none were ever activated or completed. According to Abdollahi, the firefighting system lacks a water supply, electrical wiring safety checks have not been conducted, and emergency stairwells and exits remain unsecured. The building continues to operate under unsafe conditions, despite having a 24-hour on-site firefighter. Following a review by the District 11 safety committee, a judicial order for its closure was recently enacted.
Persistent Non-Compliance Leads to Action
The situation at the Champs-Élysées Passage is even more severe. Authorities state that none of the required safety systems have been installed, despite repeated warnings and official communications with the owner, including notifications to the prosecutor’s office. With the building remaining in the initial phase of safety retrofitting, the prosecutor’s office intervened, resulting in its closure by the district municipality several days ago.
High-Risk Structures Face Shutdown
Two other buildings, the Mehrestan Passage and the Aghaghia Building, were also named among the four most dangerous in District 11. The Mehrestan Passage, noted for its high combustible load primarily from textiles, was issued a utility cutoff order on October 20 by representatives of the judiciary and the fire department. Officials have warned that the next phase of enforcement will be permanent sealing if immediate action is not taken. The Aghaghia Building faces a similar fate.
A Call for Accelerated Action
In his concluding remarks, Abdollahi emphasized the urgent necessity for building owners to accelerate safety retrofitting processes. He stressed that while the Aluminum Building is in a “high-risk” state, the other three are classified as “very high-risk.” The authorities are determined to prevent any recurrence of past tragedies and are utilizing all legal and executive measures at their disposal to ensure public safety.