Despite the good news of the development and imminent availability of vaccines to combat the dominating global effect of Covid 19 and its necessary precautions, the pandemic continues to cause further postponements of scheduled fire-related exhibitions and conferences, and other gatherings of fire professionals, including two major events in the Gulf.
Event organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East has confirmed that the 23rd edition of Intersec, the world’s renowned security, safety, and fire protection trade fair, has been rescheduled to take place in Dubai in January 2022.
The three-day event was originally set to run from January 24th to 26th 2021, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. However, the event has now been moved after extensive consultation with key industry stakeholders.
Alexandria Robinson, Intersec’s Show Director at Messe Frankfurt said: “Over the past couple of weeks we have spoken to many of our exhibitors, industry trade associations, supporters and partners, and have heard first-hand the challenges they are facing that put pressure on their ability to participate at Intersec in January 2021.”
She added that moving Intersec to its customary January dates in 2022 at the Dubai World Trade Centre will allow time for recovery. Intersec will be very active throughout 2021 via its ongoing webinar series, whilst the Messe Frankfurt team is now working towards creating a virtual event early next year, in order to engage industry leaders, regulators, government agencies and opinion formers.
Robinson said that by hosting these talks via a digital forum, it will enable Messe Frankfurt to keep connected to the industry and nurture existing relationships, whilst sharing solutions and common goals. More details and plans about the digital event will be available in the coming weeks. Intersec’s popular free-to-attend webinar series, of which there have been 11 so far in the last four months, have kept thousands of attendees abreast of the latest industry trends and opportunities. More detailed information can be found at www.intersecexpo.com.
Gulf Fire magazine has been a Key Media Partner of Intersec Expo since the launch of the publication in 2016, and will keep readers updated. In addition, the MDM website will also carry further news of Intersec 2022.
Intersec 2020 featured 1,100 exhibitors from 56 countries, while attracting 33,872 visitors from 135 countries. The global industry event is supported by Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Police, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), Dubai Police Academy and Dubai Municipality.
Also due to the effects of Covid 19, Expo 2020, the major World Exposition event being held in the Middle East for the first time has also been rescheduled and will open its doors in Dubai on 1st October 2021 through to 31st March 2022.
Despite being rescheduled, organisers will keep the name Expo 2020 for marketing and branding purposes. So far 192 countries have confirmed their involvement and the Expo Show 2020 area will cover some 438 hectares (1,080 acres) – www.expo2020dubai.com
More positive news is that the 10th Fire Safety Forum UAE remains scheduled to take place in Dubai on the 31st March 2021. This growing event will be preceded by six Virtual International Best Practice Conferences spread from 11th January to 22nd March 2021. Taking up the Forum’s theme “A Global Approach to Fire & Life Safety” best practice panels will review industry sectors for advancement and technical insights into safety aspects.
The Panels will be made up of subject matter experts who represent different industry groups and process stakeholders, who will share insights, research & development and industry best practice advice in collaboration with the Fire Safety Forum Committee. Panel findings and recommendations will then be presented at the In-Person Fire Safety Forum and Exhibition on 31st Mar 2021. For more details see www.fsfuae.com
Amid other global fire events, Gulf Fire keeps an eye on the ongoing Public Enquiry in the UK into the Grenfell Tower fire disaster of 14 June 2017 that claimed the lives of 72 men, women and children. This very protracted hearing is now taking evidence in its second phase.
As part of the UK government’s responses to the Grenfell Tower fire through amendments to UK Building Regulations Approved Document B (Fire Safety), from 26th November 2020, sprinkler systems in the UK will be required to be installed where a building is 11 metres or taller. These sprinklers should be provided within the individual apartments. Under present UK regulations, the trigger height for when sprinklers are required in a block of flats is 30 metres.
The updated amendment responses to the Grenfell Fire also provide a new provision for wayfinding signage for the fire service. The UK government has stated that each floor in a block of flats more than 11 metres above ground level should have floor identification signs and flat indicator signs provided. Such signs should be located on every landing of a protected stairway and every protected corridor/lobby in a format and at a height that makes them easily visible.
It will be interesting to see how these amendments are viewed outside the UK, given that they have been made following one of the worst fatal fire death tolls in modern history.
The Gulf Fire team look forward to more normality and brighter times after the protracted global impact of the Covid pandemic, and to meeting readers and advertisers at the various forthcoming events of 2021 and beyond.
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.
