Intersec 2026 opens in Dubai with expanded fire and safety programme
Iain Hoey
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Intersec 2026 opens in Dubai
Intersec Dubai 2026 opened at Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE on Monday 12/01/2026.
The 27th edition runs until Wednesday 14/01/2026 and includes an expanded Fire & Rescue exhibition alongside a specialist conference programme.
Organisers said the event brings together manufacturers, regulators, engineers and frontline responders from around the world.
Intersec reported more than 1,400 exhibitors from over 60 countries are participating, with tens of thousands of trade visitors expected across the three days.
The programme combines exhibition activity with conference sessions aimed at fire safety practice, compliance and emergency response planning.
Fire & Rescue exhibition across multiple halls
The Fire & Rescue element of Intersec Dubai 2026 includes dedicated exhibition space across multiple halls at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Organisers said the show floor spans fire suppression, fire detection, passive fire protection, integrated life safety systems and specialist rescue equipment.
Returning exhibitors listed for the Fire & Rescue section include NAFFCO, Hochiki, UL, Bristol Fire Engineering, FM Approvals and ATEIS.
The exhibition is positioned as a procurement and specification opportunity for those assessing equipment ranges and system integration options.
The event also frames the show floor as a meeting point for civil defence authorities, architects, engineers and fire protection consultants involved in complex projects.
Fire & Rescue Conference themes and sessions
Intersec’s Fire & Rescue Conference runs alongside the exhibition over the three-day show.
The conference programme covers early fire prediction using artificial intelligence (AI), integration of building life safety systems, human behaviour in crisis situations and the effects of climate change on fire dynamics.
Organisers said day one includes keynote addresses and panel discussions focused on structural risk management and fire prevention design.
Sessions also cover project delivery challenges and protection of critical infrastructure, including data centres.
Speakers and panellists are described as drawn from fire protection engineering, civil defence leadership, safety regulation and technical specialist roles across the Middle East, Europe and North America.
NFPA Day spotlights codes and standards
The second day of the Fire & Rescue Conference includes NFPA Day, hosted in collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Organisers said the sessions examine how standards including NFPA 915, NFPA 72 and NFPA 4 are applied to modern fire protection practice and complex construction projects.
A scheduled session includes a fireside chat with Jim Pauley, President and CEO of NFPA.
Panel discussions also cover fire and life safety challenges in mega projects and the management of evolving standards across the UAE construction sector.
Passive Fire Day with ASFP
Intersec hosts Passive Fire Day on Wednesday 14/01/2026 in partnership with the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP).
The day focuses on passive fire protection elements designed to contain fire and smoke, protect escape routes and maintain structural integrity without reliance on active systems.
Sessions include discussion of competency frameworks, certification and practice in passive fire design and installation.
Contributors also address how regulatory frameworks and building regulations connect to product performance, and the role of early design engagement.
The programme includes panels on improving passive fire performance on site, compliance strategies and the move from laboratory conditions to real-world service life.
A further session examines fire suppression strategies for battery energy storage systems (BESS) as the use of renewable energy storage expands.
Wider context for fire safety activity
Intersec 2026 takes place amid regional activity focused on emergency preparedness and fire risk management.
Organisers referenced Dubai Civil Defence’s “1 Billion Readiness Project” as an example of public education initiatives linked to fire prevention and readiness.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is described as participating in that initiative as part of its outreach and codes adoption work.
Intersec also points to demonstrations of autonomous firefighting robots using 3D mapping technology, described as part of efforts to improve operational readiness in hazardous environments.
Government ambitions were described as including an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from fire incidents by 2050.
Who will use the information from Intersec 2026
Procurement teams and equipment specifiers can use Intersec Dubai 2026 to compare suppression, detection and rescue products across multiple halls, using direct access to suppliers listed for the Fire & Rescue exhibition.
Fire protection engineers, consultants and building services teams can use the Fire & Rescue Conference sessions on AI-enabled prediction, system integration and human behaviour to benchmark approaches for complex buildings and infrastructure.
Standards and compliance leads can track how NFPA Day frames the application of NFPA 915, NFPA 72 and NFPA 4 in large-scale projects, including discussion of standards alignment in the UAE construction sector.
Passive Fire Day content is directly relevant to those responsible for passive fire strategy, installation oversight and inspection regimes, with sessions on competency, certification and maintaining performance from design through service life.
Energy and industrial safety managers working with battery energy storage systems can also use the BESS session to map fire suppression considerations as renewable storage expands.
