Fire Safety

Zahi Daher, manager of international business development for Saudi Arabia. (Image source: NFPA)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has appointed Zahi Daher as the new manager of international business development for Saudi Arabia.

Joining Dana Kamal, director of international business development for the MENA region, Daher will focus on advancing NFPA initiatives in the Kingdom by promoting fire and life safety standards in line with the country’s rapid development.

Daher brings extensive expertise in fire protection, standards management, and business development, having previously worked at UL Standards & Engagement as the regional standards manager for the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA). In his prior role, he played a key role in building strategic relationships with government bodies, industry associations, and regulatory entities, driving the adoption of international safety standards throughout the region.

His appointment follows the recent opening of NFPA’s regional office in Riyadh and marks a strategic move to enhance fire, electrical, and life safety efforts as part of the Saudi Building Code. 

“Saudi Arabia is undergoing an incredible transformation, and I am honoured to help NFPA play a role as fire and life safety standards are implemented throughout this process, aligned with local risks and hazards,” said Daher, adding that, “I look forward to working with stakeholders across the Kingdom to foster an environment where safety continues to be prioritised at every level.”

MSA Safety will also feature its full line of Bristol fire protective clothing at ESS. (Image source: MSA Safety)

From protective gear to cutting-edge technology, MSA Safety offers expertise and solutions that help firefighters and fire brigades safeguard both themselves and their communities. These comprehensive MSA Safety fire protection solutions will be showcased at the upcoming Emergency Services Show (ESS) in Birmingham taking place on 18-19 September.

A highlight of this year’s ESS will be MSA Bristol Managed Services, part of MSA Safety’s Services & Solutions portfolio. This end-to-end offering promotes first responder safety by providing full management and logistical support for the care and upkeep of fire protective clothing (FPC) and personal protective equipment (PPE) for firefighters. The Bristol Managed Services team has developed specialised repair routines based on extensive experience and proven outcomes, all while adhering to essential UK standards for cleaning and inspection.

“We help to keep our customers and their teams safe, here in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe and the Middle East,” said Dave Howells, president of MSA International. “We've been leading the way in driving advancements in safety solutions by focusing on customer-driven innovation. Throughout our history, this has been one of our main focuses. We remain committed to this and will continue working alongside our customers to help find or develop the solutions that address their challenges effectively.”

MSA Safety will also feature its full line of Bristol fire protective clothing at ESS, including:

• MSA Bristol Rescue Stretch: The latest addition to Bristol’s range, this design incorporates the innovative, lightweight GORE-TEX CROSSTECH PYRAD stretch fabric, offering flexibility, waterproofing, windproofing, and blood-borne pathogen protection.
• Bristol X4 Wildland Garment: Designed for long-term use in hot conditions, this lightweight garment is ideal for firefighters in scenarios where a structural suit may be less efficient.
• Bristol X4 TRW-Hybrid Suit: Tailored for the evolving needs of technical rescue teams and wildland firefighters, this suit can transition between technical rescue and wildland firefighting roles.

Products at display

ESS attendees will also get to explore the latest advancements in MSA’s Connected Firefighter Platform, a suite of hardware and software solutions designed to help fire departments manage PPE and related data for usage and maintenance. This includes the M1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), the MSA HUB, a cloud-connected wireless gateway for on-scene and remote monitoring, and FireGrid software.

MSA Safety will emphasise the benefits of the data generated by the Connected Firefighter Platform and how information transmitted from the M1 SCBA to the cloud integrates with FireGrid to enhance safety, improve on-scene decision-making, and simplify remote monitoring and post-event analysis. This year, MSA will also showcase FireGrid Inventory Management, highlighting how it can digitise tasks like equipment checks and inspection scheduling for SCBA and fire helmets. Inventory Manager helps fire departments better track equipment usage, locations, and maintenance needs, ultimately extending the lifespan of their gear.

“With our Connected Firefighter Platform, we’re continually working to provide valuable insights to firefighters and fire brigades without adding complexity or getting in the way,” said Bob Apel, MSA Safety executive director of fire service and digital experience. “At ESS, we’re looking forward to having conversations with our customers and showcasing how our solutions can help them make progress toward their safety goals and make compliance easier. We know the fire service market and environment are constantly evolving, and we are continually looking at ways to enhance our capabilities to bring innovative solutions to the fire service to help keep firefighters safe and ready to go.”

MSA Safety will also be presenting its Gallet range of fire helmets at ESS, including the GALLET F2XR Rescue Helmet. Designed to meet multiple challenges, the GALLET F2XR helmet is certified for wildland firefighting, technical rescue, urban search and rescue, climbing, and water rescue, offering firefighters a versatile option to enhance safety during operations.

Kevin Killeen, global product line manager for Flame Detection at MSA Safety. (Image source: MSA Safety)

Kevin Killeen, global product line manager for Flame Detection at MSA Safety, outlines how advanced diagnostic technologies help minimise false alarms in flame detectors

In industrial environments where flammable materials are handled, flame detection systems are crucial for safety. They serve as an essential layer in safety programmes, helping to prevent fires and explosions by detecting the presence of flames early on. However, false alarms can be a significant issue, disrupting operations and potentially desensitising personnel to real alerts. Different flame detection methods exhibit varying false alarm profiles depending on the application, which is why advanced diagnostic technologies, like artificial neural networks (ANNs), have been developed to enhance these systems and reduce false alarms.

Traditional flame detection systems rely on sensors such as infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) detectors to identify flames. These sensors, however, can be prone to interference from sources like sunlight, arc welding, and hot surfaces, which may lead to false alarms. Environmental factors like dust, smoke, and fog can further limit the effectiveness of flame detectors, making it challenging to distinguish between genuine threats and false alarms.

Addressing the challenges

ANNs are a powerful solution to these challenges. They are computational models inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, capable of learning complex patterns and making decisions based on vast datasets. When applied to flame detection, ANNs can discern subtle differences between actual flames and potential sources of interference, significantly reducing false alarms.
ANNs are trained using extensive datasets of spectral data from both real flames and common sources of interference. Through supervised learning, the network adjusts its internal parameters to optimize its ability to accurately classify input data.

Once trained, the ANN can quickly analyse incoming sensor data and determine whether a detected anomaly corresponds to a genuine flame or a false alarm. Since 2005, MSA has been at the forefront of using artificial neural networks in flame detection technology.

Numerous industries, including oil and gas, chemical processing, and manufacturing, have adopted ANNs for flame detection with remarkable results. By integrating ANNs into their safety systems, companies have reported significant reductions in false alarms, leading to enhanced operational continuity and improved worker safety.

Additionally, the scalability of ANNs allows them to be deployed in diverse environments, from offshore platforms to industrial plants, highlighting their versatility and effectiveness.

Key advantages

The key advantages of using ANNs in flame detection include:
1. Adaptability: ANNs can handle varying environmental conditions and sources of interference due to their extensive training library, making them robust in real-world applications.
2. Accuracy: ANNs leverage sophisticated pattern recognition capabilities to differentiate between genuine flames and false alarms with high precision.
3. Efficiency: ANNs can process large volumes of data in real-time, enabling rapid decision-making and minimizing response times in critical situations.
4. Reduced maintenance: With fewer false alarms, flame detection systems that incorporate ANNs require less frequent maintenance, resulting in cost savings and improved operational efficiency

The FL5000 Multi-Spectrum Infrared (MSIR) Flame Detector is our latest generation flame detector. It builds on the foundation set by the FL4000H, with increased neural network capabilities that further reduce false alarms. The proprietary MSIR flame algorithm ensures that the detector verifies the presence of a legitimate flame before initiating an alarm, protecting both assets and budget.

Additionally, the FL5000 is the first flame detector to incorporate Bluetooth technology. With the exclusive Flame Connect App, users can easily set up, configure, and download event logs from mobile devices.

Advanced diagnostic technologies, especially artificial neural networks, offer excellent accuracy and efficiency in flame detection while minimizing false alarms. By harnessing the power of ANNs, industries can mitigate risks, protect assets, and safeguard personnel. As technology continues to evolve, the integration of next-generation ANNs is poised to set new benchmarks for excellence in industrial flame detection.

Panel session at Intersec last year. (Image source: Intersec KSA)

The sixth edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia, scheduled to take place from 1-3 October at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC), will underscore the importance of fire safety in the built environment.

This event, recognised as the country’s premier trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection, will feature a significant discussion led by Neil Odin, chief fire officer of the UK National Fire Chiefs Council, who is a prominent figure in fire safety.

Odin, with over three decades of experience in the UK fire service, will share his unique perspectives on the challenges faced by the Middle East during the panel discussion titled "Crisis to Recovery: Strategies for Effective Fire Post-Incident Management," set to take place on the opening day of the Fire Protection & Technology Summit.

A construction surge

According to Mordor Intelligence, Saudi Arabia currently hosts over 5,200 ongoing construction projects, collectively valued at more than US$819bn. These projects, spanning residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure sectors, highlight the pressing need for effective fire-safe design strategies.

"A response strategy cannot stand alone; it must be intricately linked with fire-safe building designs and comprehensive prevention strategies. Understanding the root causes of fire disasters and sharing this knowledge is key to innovating effective solutions," said Odin.

“The Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, holds the potential to lead in global fire management through its focus on designing out risks in new developments,” he added.

The session will delve into the critical phases following a fire, showcasing best practices and innovative approaches to post-incident recovery, with a focus on restoring normality for affected communities, buildings, and emergency responders. Odin will be joined by Jamal Al Ghamdi, corporate process safety director at Sadara Chemical Company, on the panel.

Additional sessions on the first day of the Summit will cover topics such as promoting fire safety awareness and preparedness, fire safety hazards associated with electric vehicles, and lessons learned from past disasters.

The second day of the Summit will feature a full agenda addressing various topics, including the integration of IoT and AI in fire safety systems, the maturity of robotics in firefighting, safeguarding fire safety infrastructure against emerging threats, and fire challenges exacerbated by climate change. These sessions will be led by experts from diverse fields critical to fire safety.

Riham Sedik, show manager—Intersec Saudi Arabia, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said, “Intersec Saudi Arabia has an integral role to play in providing a platform for some of the greatest minds and most experienced individuals to come together from around the world to discuss critical challenges, opportunities, standards & policies, and technology relating to fire safety.

“Our packed agenda ensures Intersec Saudi Arabia remains a key date for all concerned in this field.”

Alongside the Fire Protection and Technology Summit, the event will also host the Future Security and Safety Summit, focusing on the convergence of security thought leadership, innovation, and global expertise. Both summits are part of Intersec Saudi Arabia’s high-level content and conference programme, all of which are CPD-certified.

This year's exhibition will span five product categories: Commercial & Perimeter Security, Cybersecurity, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire and Rescue, and Safety and Health. With unprecedented demand from exhibitors, the show has sold out two months before its opening day, leading to a 34% increase in exhibition space from the previous year, now covering a total of 23,000 sqm across five halls and a dedicated outdoor area.

Bilal Al Barmawi, CEO and founder of 1st Arabia Trade Shows & Conferences said, “I’m delighted to see such a high calibre of experts who will be able to share insights from their many years of experience. This secures our position as a must-attend exhibition.”