The Middle East market for firefighting systems, fire detection and alarm systems, and emergency exit and lighting is estimated to be worth US$3bn by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate of nearly eight per cent, according to a new report by analyst 6Wresearch
The report was published ahead of the Intersec exhibition, a trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection, which will take place from 20-22 January 2019 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The report stated the regional market witnessed a slight decline during 2014-2016, however, from 2017 demand has picked up, aided by recovering oil prices and government economic diversification initiatives aimed at reviving the construction sector.
The revised fire and life safety codes, such as those rolled out by the UAE Civil Defence in 2016, has helped growth in passive fire-rated products in new buildings and infrastructure while adding further impetus to the retrofitting segment, where newer systems in line with current regulations are replacing older systems.
Frank Ackland, Eaton’s Middle East Managing Director said the regulations set out by the UAE Civil Defence, for example, offer a much higher standard of regulation that has ever been seen before.
“All those involved in the construction process are placing greater importance of the meeting, and exceeding, the standards set out. That doesn’t mean there isn’t more work to be done, and this is where we see a significant investment in retrofitting also taking place in the UAE, in order to make older buildings safer and in line with current regulations,” he stated.
Ackland added, “This is not limited to our life safety division products, and we’ve have noticed there’s a much greater emphasis placed on how power solutions can keep a building safe and mitigate risks caused by power fault or failure.
“Our uninterrupted power systems (UPS), for example, provide vital peace of mind to buildings, specifically those where critical power is a necessity such as in hospitals and military bases. They also to ensure the continued safety of data and information that can be lost to public cyberspace within a split second of a power failure,” Ackland explained.
Andreas Rex, Intersec’s show director, commented that the commercial and hospitality sectors are other important verticals driving demand for fire safety systems and equipment.
“The big growth, particularly in the UAE will come over the next two years as delivery of the Dubai Expo 2020 looms, while throughout the Gulf region, large-scale infrastructure investment will steer the market toward solid growth,” he concluded.
