The current cycle of events investigates fire safety considerations for malls and other high occupancy buildings with a view to strategy planning, material, egress and safety system requirements, which are constantly challenged by the ambitious infrastructure development in the GCC.

The conference brings fire consultants, façade designers and testing experts together with safety system suppliers to give an update on industry standards and provide a debating platform for trends and development.

Participants are invited to join and influence the panel agenda by submitting questions and topic proposals.

The day's programme will consist of registration and breakfast, and then a welcome speech will be followed by Sessions, Session I will cover Safety and Design of Complex Buildings and Session II will cover the implementation of fire safety design.

The topics covered will include “Solving the Fire Alarm Problem: Design and Commissioning of Fire Detection and Alarm Systems” - In the design and commissioning of fire alarm and detection system installations in the built environment, consideration of fundamental concepts is required to avoid nuisance alarms, yet maintain accurate notification in the event of an emergency. This presentation details critical aspects of design and installation of fire alarm systems to avoid nuisance alarms and other pitfalls in selected occupancies such as assembly, residential high-rise, and healthcare facilities.

“Fire Alarm Recognition and Exit Choice in Underground Stations” will be a further point of discussion.  Researchers have been collecting building evacuation data, especially pre-movement time, for various occupancies for the purpose of egress analysis studies. However, little effort has been exhorted in determining the effectiveness of the various types of fire alarms available in the market, especially with the increased use of open architecture assembly spaces. This study presentation focuses on occupants’ ability to recognise various alarm signals, most suitable alarm signal for underground stations, and how to increase occupant awareness of emergency exits.

Altaf Afridi, Regional Director MENA | Dorma  will be present a paper on  “Aligning Safety, Security and Aesthetics in Architectural Openings”. Architectural openings are more about Life Safety than egress and fire rating only. The automatic and manual revolving, sliding or swing door can be hazardous for users unless properly designed as per relative standards and codes. More so when we deal with frameless glass assemblies and the user group includes disabled, elderly people and children. Also, adding security hardware may cause safety issues for doors. While taking care of all these issues, the same doors are one of the main aesthetic items in architectural and interior design and a balance is always needed to align all these aspects. The presentation will focus on these points and will provide some case studies, how such challenges were resolved.