From Grenfell to EVs: NFPA’s headline sessions at Intersec Saudi Arabia revealed
Iain Hoey
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NFPA confirms full programme in Riyadh
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has confirmed it will take part in Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025.
The event will be held at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC) from 29 September to 1 October 2025.
The exhibition is organised in association with the General Directorate of Civil Defense and under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior.
NFPA said its main contribution will be a dedicated Theatre Day on Tuesday 30 September.
The sessions begin at 11 a.m. and will focus on how global fire and life safety standards can support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Keynote sessions on global safety challenges
NFPA confirmed that President and CEO Jim Pauley will deliver a keynote titled “From Grenfell to Global Action: Strengthening Communities Through the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™”.
The session will reflect on lessons from the Grenfell Tower fire and examine the framework for safer communities.
Pauley said: “Intersec Saudi 2025 is an important platform for advancing the conversation around fire and life safety, especially as Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate its Vision 2030 goals.
“With the scale and complexity of developments, from giga-projects to smart cities, there is a growing need for innovative safety strategies.
“At NFPA, we are committed to sharing global expertise and demonstrating how evolving standards and emerging technologies can be applied to strengthen resilience, protect communities, and save lives.
“Collaboration with our regional partners will be essential in shaping safer, smarter environments for future generations.”
Sessions to address new hazards
The NFPA Theatre Day will include a presentation by Mike Brunzell, Vice President of Global Business Development.
His session is titled “Electric Vehicles, Emerging Hazards: Rethinking Fire Safety for a Changing World”.
The talk will examine the fire risks associated with electric vehicles, including thermal runaway and firefighting challenges.
Brunzell said: “As Saudi Arabia advances major projects across aviation, tourism, urban development, and digital infrastructure, fire and life safety play an increasingly vital role.
“Intersec Saudi 2025 presents a valuable opportunity to showcase NFPA solutions, from codes and standards to tools and technical resources; and to engage in meaningful discussions with industry leaders.
“This collaboration supports the creation of safer environments across the Kingdom’s evolving landscape.”
Partnerships with Saudi organisations
NFPA said the Theatre Day is curated by Zahi Daher, International Business Development Manager for Saudi Arabia.
The programme will be co-chaired with Saudi Civil Defense.
NFPA added that the day will feature sessions with organisations including Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO), the Saudi Building Code Center (SBCC), Saudi Aramco, Red Sea Global, MODON and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC).
Topics will range from resilient infrastructure and lithium-ion battery safety to the use of standards across giga projects.
NFPA said its focus is on collaboration and knowledge-sharing to support Vision 2030 objectives.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The NFPA Theatre Day at Intersec Saudi 2025 will bring international codes and standards directly into focus for professionals in Saudi Arabia’s fast-developing sectors.
For fire engineers and consultants, the sessions on urban development, giga projects and resilient infrastructure will provide detailed insights into applying standards at scale.
Procurement officers and system installers working in aviation, data centres and electric vehicle projects will be exposed to new requirements around lithium-ion battery risks and emerging hazards.
Facility managers in tourism and digital infrastructure projects will gain perspective on safety frameworks designed to protect large public environments.
Collaboration with Saudi Civil Defense and regulatory bodies such as SASO and SBCC makes the sessions directly relevant for compliance officers and standards bodies tasked with enforcement.
By engaging regulators, industry leaders and project operators, the Theatre Day offers applied guidance on how global standards can support national goals under Vision 2030.
NFPA to lead safety discussions at Intersec Saudi 2025 in Riyadh: Summary
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will participate in Intersec Saudi 2025 at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 29 September to 1 October 2025.
The organisation confirmed it will host a dedicated NFPA Theatre Day on Tuesday 30 September 2025, beginning at 11 a.m., with keynote sessions and panel discussions on fire and life safety.
NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley will deliver a keynote titled “From Grenfell to Global Action: Strengthening Communities Through the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™”, which will highlight lessons from Grenfell and global safety frameworks.
Vice President of Global Business Development Mike Brunzell will present on electric vehicle fire hazards, thermal runaway and the need for updated codes and training.
The Theatre Day will also feature Saudi Civil Defense, SASO, SBCC, Saudi Aramco, Red Sea Global, MODON and SEC, addressing topics including resilient infrastructure and lithium-ion battery safety.
The sessions aim to align global fire safety standards with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 through collaboration, knowledge-sharing and applied technical guidance.
This article contains information from the following source: NFPA