Dubai firefighters climb Burj Khalifa's 159 floors in 52 minutes to set world record

An advanced team of Dubai firefighters have scaled new heights after climbing 159 floors of Burj Khalifa in record time.

The Dubai Civil Defence crew completed the tall order in 52 minutes and 30 seconds, while wearing firefighting gear, including an oxygen cylinder, weighing 15 kilograms in total.

The towering achievement not only secured a place in the Guinness World Records, but served to highlight how Dubai's firefighters are ready and able to answer the call in emergency situations such as blazes at high-rise towers.

Last month, Dubai Civil Defence units arrived at the scene within six minutes to tackle a fire at a residential building in Al Barsha.

About 150 people fled the 14-storey Saleh Bin Lahej building, near Mall of the Emirates, after fire broke out at about 2pm.

Tenants said lives were saved as many children, mothers and nannies had just returned home from school and were able to leave their apartments in seconds.

The blaze was brought under control with the help of advanced firefighting drones, and no casualties were reported.

The Burj Khalifa is a record-breaker in its own right - standing as the world's tallest building at 828 metres.

Burj Khalifa - in pictures

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.