The current cycle of events investigates fire safety strategy considerations with a view to strategy planning, material, egress and safety system requirements, which are constantly challenged by ambitious infrastructure development plans.

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 fire safety, prevention and evacuation strategies.

The day is divided into two sessions, with session I dealing with the topic of Safety Design of Complex Buildings and will be chaired by Andy Dean, Head of Façades, WSP, and he will discuss the subject of “Fire and Facades – the Essential Elements”. As industry expert for façade design and fire testing Andy Dean addresses some of the essential considerations related to fire and facades; including highlighting a few common industry misunderstandings. His presentation puts industry standards and codes into context by conveying four concepts and learning objectives: reaction to fire testing versus fire resistance testing, the façade context for full fire resistance, perimeter fire stopping, and reaction to fire – flame spread on facades. He will also guide the audience through a video demonstration of a large scale fire test, illustrating the remarkable difference between a fire-rated and non-fire rated material.

Alexander Castellanos, Associate Consultant, Fire & Life Safety, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff will also speak in Session 1 on  the "Integration and Coordination of Fire Safety Design Strategies During Construction".  Fire strategies are developed with varying degrees of information and detail for specific system requirements dependent on the type of project. Often times there will be a gap of information between the strategy, the design of the systems to meet the strategy, the installation of systems by the various contractors, and the actual operation and maintenance by the building operators.

Fire proofing expert Alex Tsiolas will also elaborate on structural fire protection by explaining fire resistance ratings, fire testing standards and specification of intumescent fire protection. His talk further showcases structural fire engineering principles and explains benefits and cost optimization opportunities for intumescent coating applications.

Session II will deal with the Implementation of Fire Safety Design, in which Altaf Afridi, Regional Director MENA, Dorma will speak 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.

James Bychowski, Senior Vice President ME of Aon Fire Protection will discuss “Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Automatic Sprinkler Systems”  and Jonathan J. Gonzalez, Project Engineer from UL – Underwriters Laboratories Middle East  shares information on the “Importance of Conformity and Certification in Life Safety.”