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Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - RIYADH: Global safety organization the National Fire Protection Association is establishing an office in Riyadh which will help train Saudis to implement stringent standards across the Kingdom’s ambitious developments.

In an interview with Arab News, the body’s CEO Jim Pauley said the decision to open a base in Saudi Arabia reflects the accelerated progress and the unique challenges posed by the Kingdom’s quick urban growth and infrastructure expansion.

Founded in 1896 in the US, NFPA’s involvement in Saudi Arabia is not entirely new, with the Kingdom’s building code already incorporating approximately 110 of its standards. 

The opening of the Riyadh office marks a significant step in enhancing direct collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders. 

“What is different (about Saudi) is the speed of the development that’s happening. And so, what we’re really going to do is open our office here in Saudi Arabia so that we have a presence that can be able to work with the entities to do this,” Pauley said.

According to the CEO, the office in Riyadh will initially start small, focusing on building a foundation for its operations in the region.

Over time, as the demands and needs of the Kingdom’s growing infrastructure and urbanization projects increase, the office is expected to expand its capabilities and workforce, he added.

This expansion will enhance the NFPA’s ability to support the local market and establish Riyadh as a critical node in the organization’s global network, fostering greater collaboration and knowledge sharing across the MENA region.

Pauley expressed his enthusiasm for the undertaking, highlighting the unique opportunity it presents for the NFPA to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s transformative journey. 

He pointed out the giga-projects are a testament to the Kingdom’s ambitious vision and a call to action for international partners like NFPA to support these initiatives with world-class safety standards and practices.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan to diversify the economy and improve the quality of life, includes numerous large-scale developments such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya. 

These giga-projects present unprecedented engineering challenges, necessitating rigorous safety protocols from inception. 

Pauley emphasized the importance of integrating safety measures early in the development process. 

“Vision 2030 encapsulates Saudi Arabia’s vision for rapid growth with safety at its core. We commend the leadership for prioritizing safety from the outset rather than retrospectively,” Pauley stated.

Pauley highlighted the role of the Ministry of Investment in facilitating NFPA’s presence in Saudi Arabia. The ministry worked with NFPA to secure a license allowing the organization to operate as a non-profit in the Kingdom, underscoring the government’s commitment to public safety, he affirmed.

A critical component of the body’s strategy involves developing a skilled local workforce proficient in implementing and enforcing fire safety standards. The association plans to collaborate with local entities to provide specialized training for engineers, inspectors, and installers.

“Our objective is to train Saudi nationals through our programs, ensuring they are well-equipped to apply fire protection systems effectively,” Pauley said. 

This initiative is expected to create job opportunities and enhance the technical capabilities of the local workforce.

NFPA’s presence in Riyadh will serve as a hub for the Middle East and North Africa region, supporting various safety initiatives and providing technical expertise. 

Pauley noted the significance of Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects in setting new benchmarks for urban development and safety standards globally. 

The non-profit’s proactive approach includes working with government authorities to adapt and enhance existing codes and standards to address the unique conditions of these projects.