This 5th issue of Gulf Fire coincides with the 19th edition of Intersec in Dubai being staged on 22nd to 24th January 2017, and the sheer growth and influence of this annual global showcase event is truly staggering. The show began life as a modest conference along with a table-top exhibition involving only a few companies, and has indeed come a long way over the past years to become the world’s leading security, fire protection and safety trade gathering.
In Intersec’s multiple exhibition halls, visitors can find all the industry’s latest trends, cutting-edge innovations and new products. With the globally unrivalled range of products, from major brand manufacturers, international newcomers and many others, Intersec is the most important business platform worldwide and the No.1 in the MENA region.
The 2016 edition of Intersec featured 1,289 exhibitors and welcomed more than 31,261 visitors from 128 countries which made it the largest and most international edition of all times. Intersec 2017 again looks very likely to break all records.
The Intersec conference programme also provides a learning and awareness aspect of some of the latest global topics and developments, together with the show’s significant opportunities for business networking.
As Intersec’s premier key media fire and rescue magazine partner, this edition also creates its own record with a 120 page edition – the largest Gulf Fire magazine yet produced by MDM Publishing.
The region’s resurgent construction sector and its increased infrastructure spending, along with the updated regulations and safety standards have increasingly paved the way for a steep growth in the fire detection, prevention and protection industry.
Recent industry reports indicate that the fire safety systems market across the GCC region alone was valued at US$ 1.2 billion in 2015, and this is expected to grow annually by 14 per cent up until at least the end of 2018.
As if to underline this growth, Intersec organisers Messe Frankfurt Middle East GmbH have recently launched details of their new Intersec Saudi Arabia event taking place on 2nd–4th May 2017 in Jeddah.
Anticipating further amendments to the UAE Unified Fire Code will be amongst the topics that are surely to be prevalent at Intersec 2017 in Dubai, together with the string of fires that have occurred involving aluminium composite panels (ACP’s) on the external faces of a number of the region’s high rise towers.
Another recently highlighted topic has been the growing problem of fires of electrical origin. At the top of the list for the first half year of Dubai’s 2015 fire statistics were fires caused by electrical short circuits, or the misuse of electrical appliances.
Older buildings tend to have more inherent fire risks and electrical installations which are frequently the cause of concern. Those offering accommodation can have a more cramped population where the sheer demand for power can put a much greater load on the electrical supply to the building. Air conditioning units, cooking, lighting and overloaded plug sockets, added to factors that include incorrect installation and poor electrical maintenance significantly to the risk of fire, especially if the building’s power supply is not designed to provide these increased loads.
These risks continue to be borne out by recent fire statistics which demonstrate that the UAE is not alone in this matter. In recent years, the UK has suffered over 25,000 fires of electrical origin, a number including fatalities, and there is a trend for these fires to occur in white domestic goods including tumble dryers and dishwashers.
As Gulf Fire goes to print it is significant that Dubai Civil Defence have launched an award for innovation in fire safety that is set to be a smart platform where individual innovators and companies both locally, regionally and internationally can submit their ideas in five separate categories.
Major General Expert Rashid Al Matroushi, Director of Dubai Civil Defence said that the first edition of the new fire safety innovation award will start the evaluation of entries in early January 2017. Prizes will be announced to coincide with World Civil Defence Day on 1st March 2017. It is to be hoped that the solution of fires of electrical origin may well be a focus for innovative entries for this new and welcome award. No doubt at Intersec Dubai there will be examples of new innovative technology that will combat the unacceptable number of electrical fires, not just in the Gulf region but worldwide.
Finally, Gulf Fire will be celebrating its first birthday at Intersec in Dubai and visitors and delegates are welcome to visit us at stand 3-A33 where our team will be very pleased to greet you. Throughout the past year, the many complimentary remarks regarding the style and content of the new magazine from our readers together with the support of our advertisers has been very much appreciated. Looking to the future, Gulf Fire will continue to develop the editorial coverage of the wide spectrum of contents from fire protection and safety topics through to the work of front line firefighting and rescue teams across the region.
About the Author
Neil Wallington is a former British Chief Fire Officer, a Past International President of the Institution of Fire Engineers, and a holder of the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. He is the author of 17 books on the work of the fire service, and acts as a consultant with extensive experience in the Gulf on a range of projects.
