The Fire Protection & Technology Summit will gather the most prominent fire and emergency service leaders from across the region to talk about the key challenges, opportunities, standards & policies and technology. This conference aims to create synergy and strengthen the collaboration between the authorities and the industries, making it a definitive networking platform, where new projects and partnerships are initiated and visionary objectives are implemented.
As KSA looks to improve nationwide fire safety and industrial security regulations, the Kingdom’s demand for fire prevention and safety implementation systems is forecast to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years.
KSA’s fire safety systems and equipment market – the largest in the GCC – is set to track 5.5% CAGR by 2025, reaching a cumulative value of $402 million. This tremendous growth is being driven in part by government regulation of compulsory installation of fire safety, detection, and alarm systems in buildings and the strengthening of the remit of Saudi Arabia’s High Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS).
Key Themes:
- Saudi building code (importance, requirements, and applications)
- Disruptive technologies and AI for fire detection and prevention
- Latest equipment for fire suppression (robotics and drones)
- Fire safety hazard for electric vehicles
- Promoting fire safety awareness and preparedness
- Emergency response to critical incidents
- Strategies, best practices, and innovative approaches to mitigate fire risks associated with climate change
- Occupational health and safety prioritisation
Agenda
Day 1 | 1 October 2024
11:35 – Opening Keynote
Major General Dr. Hamoud bin Suleiman Al-Faraj, General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense
12:10 – On-stage conversation: Beyond Compliance: Advancing Fire and Life Safety through Code Equivalencies and Expertise
- Transitioning from Compliance to Equivalency Solutions
- The Role of Expertise in Driving Equivalency Solutions
- Balancing Safety with Flexibility in Code Implementation
Jim Quiter, AESG Executive Consultant, Chair of the NFPA Standards Council
Abdullah Faza, Director of Fire & Life Safety- ME, AESG
12:30 – Panel Discussion: Crisis to Recovery: Strategies for Effective Fire Post-Incident Management
This session will discuss the critical phases following a fire occurrence, with a focus on post-incident management. Panelists will discuss best practices and case studies in post-incident recovery.
Moderator:
Peter Stephenson, Director- Fire Safety Division, Hydrock, now Stantec
Panelists:
Neil Odin, Chief Fire Officer, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
Jamal AlGhamdi, Corporate Process Safety Director, Sadara
Yousuf Al Ansari, Honorary Member and Board Consultant, Kuwait Fire Protection Association
13:40 – Presentation: Global Collaboration and Learning
Global learning for fire and rescue services emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices across borders to improve safety, efficiency, and effectiveness in emergency response. By collaborating internationally, fire and rescue teams can adopt innovative techniques, learn from diverse experiences, and enhance their preparedness for various disasters.
Neil Odin, Chief Fire Officer, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
14:40 – Presentation: Challenges Faced by Safety Engineers and Firefighters in Sustainable Buildings
15:20 – Panel Discussion: Green Technologies for Fire Prevention and Control: Promoting Sustainable Practices in Fire Safety
This session will delve into exploring sustainable building practices in giga projects developments that prioritize fire safety, such as the use of non-combustible materials, energy-efficient design, and sustainable fire suppression systems.
Moderator:
Hani Adnan Abdel Razeq, Director of Sustainability, AESG
Panelists:
Mohammed Al Saeefan, Fire Protection Engineering Specialist, Saudi Aramco
Abdulaziz Alkhuder, Senior Project Manager, Rua Al Madinah Holding
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, VP - Health, Safety and Environment, International Maritime Industries
Khalid Al Mandil, Deputy Fire Commissioner, Red Sea Global
Day 2 | 2 October 2024
13:35 – Panel Discussion: Fire Safety – Post Handover
- Repeated FLS challenges during operation
- Stakeholders’ awareness and liability
- Annual inspections, audits, and certifications
- Existing building’s compliance – added value
Moderator:
Abdullah Faza, Director - Fire Life Safety, AESG
Panelist:
Abdulrahman Alluhaidan, Projects and Strategy Expert, Government Entity
Ghassan AbuMarar, Senior Risk Consulting Manager, GIG Insurance
Vinay Deshpande, Technical Director - Fire and Life Safety, WSP Middle East
Colonel Khaled Al Mutairi, Saudi Civil Defense
15:15 – Panel discussion: Fire Challenges Due to Climate Change
Panelists will discuss the strategies, best practices, and innovative approaches to mitigate fire risks associated with climate change.
Moderator:
Eiad Shami, Principal Consultant- FLS KSA Lead, WSP Middle East
Panelist
16:20 – Presentation: The Role of Standards in Fire Safety
- Quality infrastructure in standardization
- Contribution of Saudi Standards (SASO) in fire safety
Rashed Aldress, Standards Specialist, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality, SASO
16:35 – Panel Discussion: What Will it Take To Make Future Work Safe and Healthy
How is the world of work evolving? Can workplaces become safer and healthier than they are now? What if no matter where you worked in the world minimum standards for workplace safety and health protected you? What if agreed principles focused on reducing harm as a priority?
Moderator:
Iain Mcintosh, Senior Business Development Manager, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Panelists:
Dr Marwan Behisi, Occupational Medicine Consultant, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare
Lorenzo Visentin, HSQE Director, the Capital Metro Company
Abdullah Alghamdi, Lead Field Compliance Coordinator, Saudi Aramco, IOSH Coordinator, Saudi Arabia
Day 3 | 3 October 2024
Workshops
Workshop One Fire-rated Ductworks What does it mean that ductwork if fire rated? What are benefits of Fire resistance testing & product certification of ducts? This presentation will focus on fire testing requirements for ducting systems including kitchen extract duct specific requirements. Dr Sebastian Ukleja, ESL Testing Manager, Emirates Safety Laboratory Fire Risks Related to Roofing and PV Panels Installed on Roofs Which materials are fire safe when installed on roofs? Is it safe to install PV panels on roofs? These questions will be answered during the presentation which will focus on fire testing of roof coverings
Dr Sebastian Ukleja, ESL Testing Manager, Emirates Safety Laboratory 12:50: Presentation Fire Safety of Facades – Methods of Assessment
Dr Sebastian Ukleja, ESL Testing Manager, Emirates Safety Laboratory
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Workshop Two Introduction: The training workshop sessions will include the following topics with details briefing by Speaker and open discussions with attendees: Objectives: Emergency Response Preparedness
Basic Firefighting
Training Methodology:
About The Speaker: Syed Mazhar is Director, HSSE Department at AlBawani, the appointed Chair for IOSH UAE Branch, a Chartered Safety Professional and Authorized trainer by IOSH UK and Certified Master Trainer by AOSH UK. He is holding BBA, BSc in fire and safety engineering with professional OHSE Qualifications such as NVQ, NEBOSH, ISOs, IOSH, NASP and OSHA. He is having over 15 years of experiences in the field of HSE and previously worked with world well known organizations in the middle east |
All sessions are CPD certified
Highlights of 2023
2024 Speakers
Major General Dr. Hamoud bin Suleiman Al-Faraj
General Directorate, Saudi Civil Defense
Who Should Attend
Job Titles
The summit will be uniting the following job titles across the public and private sectors.
- Chief Fire Officers and Engineers
- Civil Defence and Government Regulators
- Fire Consultants, Inspectors and Surveyors
- Contractors, Developers and Project Owners
- Architects and Design Consultants
- Fire Safety Equipment Manufacturers
- Insulation and Material Manufacturers
- Advanced Fire Safety System Providers
- Distributors and Integrators
- Emergency Response Professionals
- Insurance Professionals
Organization Type
- Government Authorities (Civil Defense/MOI/Police), Law Enforcement Bodies & Federal Agencies
- Maritime
- Aviation
- Logistics
- Healthcare
- Energy
- Entertainment & Sports
- Education
- Hotel & Leisure
- Construction/ Real Estate