Intersec 2019 - Solid growth anticipated for fire safety systems and equipment market

Posted On: 17-02-2020

New government regulations and infrastructure investment key drivers as Intersec 2019 looms with the latest solutions on show

The Middle East fire safety systems and equipment market will see solid growth over the next six years, with new government regulations around life safety and fire protection along with large scale infrastructure investment among the key market drivers.

A November 2018 report by analysts 6Wresearch estimates the Middle East market for firefighting systems, fire detection & alarm systems, and emergency exit & lighting will be worth US$3 billion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate of nearly eight per cent.

The report stated the regional market witnessed a slight decline during 2014-2016, however from 2017 demand has picked up, aided by recovering oil prices and government economic diversification initiatives aimed at reviving the construction sector.

Additionally, revised fire and life safety codes, such as those rolled out by the UAE Civil Defence in 2016, has helped growth in passive fire-rated products in new buildings and infrastructure, while adding further impetus to the retrofitting segment, where newer systems in line with current regulations are replacing older systems.

6Wresearch's report was published ahead of the Intersec exhibition, the world's leading trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection, taking place from 20-22 January 2019 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Fire & Rescue is the second largest of seven show sections at the annual three-day event, where more than 1,300 exhibitors from 59 countries are set to take part in the show's 21st edition early next year.

More than 350 of those will be in the Fire & Rescue section, including the biggest names in the global fire and life safety business such as UAE-based powerhouses NAFFCO and Concorde Corodex Group, Honeywell from the USA, Japanese-headquartered Hochiki, Drager from Germany, and Turkish fire truck manufacturer, Volkan.

Eaton Corporation is another headline exhibitor in the Fire & Rescue section and is one of many companies at Intersec 2019 positive about the current and future fire safety trends in the regional market.

Frank Ackland, Eaton's Middle East Managing Director said the regulations set out by the UAE Civil Defence, for example, offers a much higher standard of regulation than has ever been seen before: "Eaton provides emergency lighting and fire detection systems for buildings and we've noted an increase in the levels of regulation that are being adhered to - not only to the set standard but also above in many cases.

"All those involved in the construction process are placing greater importance of the meeting, and exceeding, the standards set out. That doesn't mean there isn't more work to be done, and this is where we see a significant investment in retrofitting also taking place in the UAE, in order to make older buildings safer and in line with current regulations."

Concorde Corodex Group is another regular Intersec exhibitor and will showcase in 2019 its UAE-made emergency mobile solutions, such as fire trucks, ambulances, special vehicles, and hydraulic platforms, along with its static fire equipment, including pumps, cabinet extinguishers and fixed suppression equipment.

Starting out as a two-man show with big ideas and a lot of hard work in 1974, the company now has two factories in the UAE with 1,500 people and is widely regarded as one of the world's most trusted exporters of life safety and fire protection solutions.

Mohanned Awad, Concorde Corodex's Regional Director for Business Development, said much of this is thanks to its UAE roots, "In the UAE, the natural status of our customers and partners is to be early adopters," said Awad. "Our partners always request to think ahead of the curve; they don't want to just solve the problem but to be able to prevent the problem and be two or three steps ahead of the problem."

Intersec 2019 is organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East and returns with key government supporters such as Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Police Academy, Dubai Municipality, and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA).