JEDDAH, 27 April 2008 — A one-day seminar on fire, entitled “Fire Safety in Buildings,” is to be held tomorrow at the Jeddah Hilton.
Lt. Gen. Saad Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri, director general of the Civil Defense, and Kate Rudd, British consul general in Jeddah, will lead a team of British fire prevention and control experts at the event.
The seminar, organized by Halspan, a world leader in the manufacture and installer of fire doors, is being held at a time when the region’s real estate sector is burgeoning.
The event targets fire safety experts, architects, designers, engineers, property insurers, and construction companies among others.
Fire safety and a fire safe environment has become a major issue in all developing countries, especially in the case of high-rise buildings, work places and public buildings. In Saudi Arabia, the General Directorate of the Civil Defense is adopting stringent measures and setting tough standards for builders.
Fires — particularly in the old Balad area of Jeddah — are frequently blamed on electrical faults and human error. Many old buildings contain large quantities of combustible material and have little or no fire prevention measures. As a result, the Civil Defense is working to ensure builders conform to established fire safety standards.
“The Civil Defense’s main concern is to ensure safety, especially fire safety,” Al-Tuwaijri said, adding that he hopes the seminar will help the Kingdom’s fire fighters add knowledge on the subject.
In his opening speech at the seminar, John Martin, managing director of Halspan, will address the need of planners and local authorities to evolve a strict code to employ fire safety norms in buildings.
Dr. Kevin Towler, director of a fire consultancy and product testing business, is scheduled to discuss fire engineering, detection containment and escape.
Other speakers will review the types and uses of building materials and describe the use of fire retardant materials.
Consul General Rudd was proud that Britain was playing a key role in supporting the Kingdom’s future development as a partner. “I am particularly pleased that the British Consulate General and UK Trade and Investment are supporting this event in partnership with the General Directorate of the Civil Defense,” she said.
