Building safety for the modern world
Iain Hoey
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Vice President Beth Tubbs and Regional Director Mohamed Amer highlight ICC’s role in advancing building resilience, fire safety and sustainable practices in the MENA region
Having recently taken its first step onto the global stage at the International Fire Operations Conference (IFOC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the International Code Council (ICC) is bringing a mission of comprehensive building safety and resilience.
In this interview, Beth Tubbs, ICC’s Vice President of Codes Development and Mohamed Amer, Regional Director of Operations at ICC MENA, outline ICC’s role in advancing fire safety through an integrated approach to building codes and standards. Together they provide insight into the organisation’s work in the Middle East, where ICC’s solutions are increasingly relevant in an interconnected, fast-evolving world.
Could you introduce yourself and explain your role at the International Code Council?
Beth: I am Beth Tubbs, Fire Protection Engineer, past president of the Society of Fire Protection engineers and registered professional fire protection engineer in California and Massachusetts, USA. I am currently serving as the Vice President of Codes at the ICC. I have been heavily involved in the code development process associated with the International Codes and associated legacy codes along with the development of the ICC Performance Code since the late 1990s.
As Vice President I focus on the facilitation and implementation of the code development process for ICC. I, along with the code development team, work to ensure the successful development of a new set of the I-Codes every three years. In addition to code development, we develop commentary and work with many activities both internally and externally to ICC to help make the codes as technically up to date as possible.
Amer: I am Mohamed Amer, the Regional Director of Operations for the MENA region at the International Code Council (ICC). I lead ICC’s Dubai office, where I provide essential support to organisations involved in building safety across the region, working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), consultants, manufacturers, architects and more.
With over 15 years of experience in the oil and gas, project management and TIC industries, I am responsible for spearheading ICC’s operations and business development in the MENA region. I collaborate with both existing and new partners to deploy ICC’s service lines and introduce innovative business offerings, ensuring we meet the region’s evolving needs for building safety and code compliance.
For readers unfamiliar with ICC, what is the primary mission of the organisation and what services does it provide?
Amer: The International Code Council is a member-focused organisation with a network of over 64,000 members. Recognised industry wide as leading global source of building safety codes and standard, it also provides a range of additional services known as our ‘Family of Solutions’. These offerings include testing, inspection, product certification, training and credentialing, accreditation and consulting services.
Why is ICC’s participation in the International Fire Operations Conference in Riyadh a significant step for the organisation?
Amer: As a first-time participant in this strategic event, we found ourselves with a moral responsibility to advance and tackle fire safety challenges in the region. This event was helpful for ICC to engage directly with key stakeholders, including authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), industry professionals, building safety stakeholders in general and in the fire safety domain in specific for enhanced collaboration. By showcasing its expertise in developing building safety codes and standards, including fire safety, ICC further strengthens its leadership position in the region.
Additionally, the conference provided an opportunity for ICC to expand its network, forming strategic partnerships that can lead to collaborative efforts in shaping local fire safety regulations. With Saudi Arabia’s rapid growth and focus on innovation in construction, ICC’s presence at the conference also highlighted its role in promoting safety and resilience through its broad range of services, ranging from certification and training to consulting.
This participation not only allowed ICC to address regional fire safety challenges but also provided valuable insight into the evolving market, ensuring that its solutions remain relevant and tailored to local needs.
How would you describe ICC’s current work in the Middle East and what priorities is it addressing in the region?
Amer: The ICC MENA office was established to serve as a regional hub for building safety expertise, supporting local stakeholders and partners in the rapidly evolving building safety landscape. Initially focused on customising the I-Codes for the region, the office aimed to position the ICC as a trusted resource offering tailored solutions.
Over the past five years, under my leadership, ICC MENA has expanded its influence through strategic partnerships, workshops, media content and trade show participation, establishing ICC as a leading voice and preferred trusted advisor in building safety. The office has enhanced Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) solutions for new building technologies, such as 3D concrete printing and offsite construction, by working closely with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).
Aligning with regional goals of sustainable construction and digital transformation, ICC’s efforts focus on promoting resilient and innovative building practices through appropriate codes, standards and assessments.
Can you outline the concept of a “holistic and coordinated approach to building safety” that you were discussing at the IFOC?
Beth: The concept of a holistic and coordinated approach to building safety is focused upon having a strong ecosystem that is made up of various components that work together as a system. This begins with model codes (regulations) and associated standards but those do not create safe buildings on their own.
To be successful, various other elements must be available and in place to support the successful implementation. This includes enacting legislation, a compliance (enforcement) infrastructure, proper qualifications of those involved, product testing, inspection and certification programs and a proper accreditation framework for such things as laboratories and manufacturing processes.
What are some key global building safety challenges that ICC aims to address with its codes and standards?
Beth: The core building safety challenges in today’s world include quickly developing and evolving technologies such as energy storage systems, the popular use of lithium ion fuelled devices and equipment, combustibility of building products, changing risk profiles in the places we live and work, threats to the built environment from more numerous wildland fires and climate change impacts such as hurricanes. These challenges are even greater for existing buildings.
Have recent technological or environmental changes impacted fire safety and ICC’s regulatory focus?
Beth: We are seeing rapid changes in a variety of areas including technological changes and societal expectations which are difficult to keep up within real time. Currently the big issues related to technology involve how we integrate and coexist with photovoltaics, energy storage systems and the increasing use of lithium ion and similar battery technologies which pose different fire safety risks than in the past.
In addition, we are seeing more plastics in construction products and systems and the contents of our buildings. These hazards can be addressed, but we must be aware that the risk profile is changing. Additionally, there is a growing demand for sustainability, energy efficiency and the need for affordable housing. These demands are often placing pressure on the fundamentals of fire safety as such features and characteristics often conflict with these goals.
In your view, what are the critical factors for building resilient and safe structures, especially in rapidly developing regions?
Beth: A baseline of safety needs to be established with building and fire regulations. Once the regulations are established methods to ensure compliance need to be in place and supported by the ability to demonstrate that the construction and associated products meet the requirements of the regulations and are installed as specified in the design and as approved by the authorities.
Finally, how does ICC envision the future of international cooperation in building safety and what role will it play in shaping this future?
Amer: There is so much construction happening in GCC and an immense demand for innovative solutions, best practice knowledge and leveraging tools that have proven successful in other parts of the world. We plan to deepen our engagement in key markets, including Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, where there’s significant interest in our solutions, while at the same time continuing to engage with AHJs and stakeholders in other markets throughout the region to respond to identified and articulated needs with tailored solutions and propagate our success stories.
While we see considerable opportunity to expand our TIC business and enhance regulatory support, we view ourselves as trusted advisors – listening to the needs that our partners communicate to us and striving to provide customised service offerings that meet those needs and the growing needs of the region. We’re also committed to staying ahead of emerging issues such as climate change, fire safety and digital transformation, ensuring that our expertise continues to drive the future of building safety in the MENA region.
About the International Code Council
The International Code Council is a global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. The I-Codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide. More information about ICC MENA: www.iccsafe.org/mena
