NFPA to host fire standards programme at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025
Iain Hoey
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Full-day NFPA event to focus on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will lead a full-day programme on 30 September as part of Intersec Saudi Arabia’s Fire Protection and Technology Summit.
The event, to be held at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will focus on how international standards can support fire and life safety across Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030.
According to the organisers, the NFPA Day will address topics such as large-scale event protection, fire regulation compliance and human capital development in the safety sector.
Jim Pauley, President and CEO of NFPA, will deliver the keynote address alongside representatives from Saudi Civil Defense.
The sessions will be curated by Zahi Daher, Saudi Country Manager of International Business Development at NFPA.
NFPA to offer sessions on regulation, training and giga-projects
According to Intersec Saudi Arabia, the NFPA Day will include multiple presentations and discussions led by industry and government stakeholders.
Planned sessions include ‘Protecting GIGA Developments and Large-Scale Events in the Kingdom’, ‘Building Human Capital in Fire Protection’, and ‘Navigating New Fire Safety Regulations and Compliance’.
NFPA said the programme is intended to provide direct engagement with Saudi professionals on local safety challenges.
Jim Pauley, NFPA President and CEO, said: “As Saudi Arabia undergoes rapid transformation aligned with Vision 2030, integrating internationally recognized fire and life safety standards is more vital than ever.
“NFPA is pleased to support the Kingdom by providing the knowledge, resources, and global expertise needed to safeguard lives, property, and infrastructure.
“We are honoured to be part of Intersec Saudi Arabia, where we can engage directly with local stakeholders and help drive meaningful progress in fire safety.”
NFPA added that the event will provide practical insights into applying NFPA standards and certification systems to Saudi Arabia’s context.
Regional focus on standards and innovation
Intersec Saudi Arabia said the NFPA Day is one element of a broader Fire Protection and Technology Summit programme spanning 29 September to 1 October.
According to the organisers, the summit aims to address safety challenges specific to the region, including the integration of smart systems, mass event planning and high-rise incident response.
Sessions will feature topics such as AI-enabled fire detection, IoT applications in prevention systems, and HAZMAT coordination frameworks.
The summit will also include case studies from events such as Hajj and Saudi Arabia’s national space sector development.
According to the organisers, the summit is designed to provide sector-specific expertise on safety infrastructure across multiple industries.
Spotlight on training and representation in fire safety
The final day of the summit on 1 October will include sessions focused on building a skilled safety workforce in Saudi Arabia.
Topics will include educational pathways, localised training frameworks, and community-level fire awareness initiatives.
Riham Sedik, Exhibition Director of Intersec Saudi Arabia at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said the summit aims to connect experts with emerging talent.
A dedicated session will explore the role of women in the fire protection sector and how they are contributing to sector development in the Kingdom.
Intersec Saudi Arabia stated that these sessions are part of its broader commitment to supporting workforce growth and diversity in safety fields.
Industry and government collaboration featured at event
The NFPA programme is being developed in collaboration with Saudi Civil Defense and various governmental stakeholders.
According to Intersec Saudi Arabia, the goal is to align national development priorities with international safety protocols.
Bilal Al Barmawi, CEO and Founder of 1st Arabia Trade Shows & Conferences, said: “The NFPA Day at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025 offers a dedicated platform to explore how international fire and life safety standards can be applied to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, accelerating fire protection and safety in the Kingdom.”
Zahi Daher, NFPA Saudi Country Manager, added: “The NFPA Day at Intersec Saudi Arabia is more than just a series of sessions – it’s a dynamic platform for exchanging knowledge, building local expertise, and fostering meaningful collaboration between industry leaders, government authorities, and safety professionals.
“Our goal is to elevate fire protection standards across the Kingdom, laying the foundation for safer communities today and for generations to come.”
Networking opportunities will be available throughout the event for participants seeking collaboration or knowledge exchange.
NFPA to host fire standards programme at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025: Summary
The NFPA will host a full-day event on 30 September as part of Intersec Saudi Arabia 2025.
The event will be held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The event forms part of the Fire Protection and Technology Summit.
The NFPA Day will include sessions on fire safety regulations, giga-project protection and workforce training.
Jim Pauley, President and CEO of NFPA, will open the event with a keynote address.
Zahi Daher, NFPA Saudi Country Manager, will chair the programme.
Intersec Saudi Arabia is organised by 1st Arabia and licensed by Messe Frankfurt.
The summit will include sessions on AI fire detection, smart city firefighting and HAZMAT response.
The final day will focus on workforce development and women in fire safety.
Networking sessions will be included to promote collaboration and industry engagement.