Dubai, UAE: Greater risk awareness coupled with continued construction growth is driving demand for the GCC’s fire prevention and protection industries, as more than 350 fire safety and rescue companies gear up with their latest solutions and fire suppression technologies at Intersec 2015.
According to global analysts Frost & Sullivan, the Gulf region’s fire safety systems market, which was worth US$ 1.2 billion in 2013, is expected to grow at 14.4 per cent up to 2018, as end-users ramp up efforts to protect their critical infrastructure and commercial projects.
The surge in regional fire safety demand in key segments such as petrochemicals, oil and gas, commercial and residential buildings, tunnels, airports, public facilities and schools, presents major growth opportunities for global players to capitalise on.
Fire & Rescue constitutes the fastest-growing section at the 17th edition of Intersec, which takes place from 18-20 January 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Some of the biggest local and international fire and rescue names will descend upon the three-day event, led by Founding Sponsor NAFFCO, which will occupy an entire exhibition hall.
Other big names launching new products and technologies include Bristol, SFFECO (Saudi Factory for Fire Equipment), Hochiki, Eaton, Honeywell, Unisafe, UL, Oshkosh, DuPont, Draeger, and GENTECH.
“Fire safety and prevention is an issue that has been of growing concern for all living and doing business in the Gulf region, but ongoing efforts to create awareness among companies and citizens has led to increased demand for the most advanced firefighting and prevention systems that ensure safety and security,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the organiser of Intersec.
“This demand is reflected in the growth of the Fire & Rescue section at Intersec 2015, as global manufacturers and suppliers line up to meet regional requirements.”
According to Frost & Sullivan, fire detection accounts for 33.1 per cent of the overall GCC fire safety systems market and is estimated to grow at a rate of 14.6 per cent, while fire suppression accounts for 66.9 percent of the overall market and is estimated to experience a growth rate of 14.3 per cent between 2014 and 2018.
The increased focus of fire safety and prevention in the region comes as good news for Al Thornton, Global Business Market Manager for Fire Extinguishants at DuPont, one of the world’s largest chemical manufacturers.
“The Middle East represents the largest single application market for DuPont fire extinguishing products,” said Thornton. “The rapid growth of critical infrastructure projects in the region, combined with a strong focus on quality fire protection, creates a perfect match for our FM-200 fire extinguishing product that we are showcasing at Intersec.”
“FM 200 has been successfully protecting the region’s most significant projects and facilities for decades; power and water generation, airports, metros, industrial plants, financial institutions, medical sites, and centres of learning all across the Middle East.”
Also expressing high optimism about the regional market was American industrial company Oshkosh Corporation, which is targeting a 35 per cent increase in business in the coming financial year, and will debut their purpose-built Global Striker 6x6 Airport Firefighting Truck at Intersec 2015.
Meanwhile, UK-based fire clothing manufacturer, Bristol, will launch a range of firefighting gloves and innovative layered firefighting garments, while SFFECO will launch its Black Stallion range of Saudi-made diesel engines to drive centrifugal pumps for firefighting, packing 15 horsepower to 300 horsepower in capacity.
Fire & Rescue is also well represented at the USA Pavilion, where more than a dozen companies will showcase a range of fire suppression related products that will be seen in the Middle East for the first time, including Anvil, Marin, Martech, Mueller International, Spectrex, and Task Force Tips.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Intersec is the world’s largest trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection.
More than 1,200 exhibitors from over 50 countries will cover 48,000sqm at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre – 10 per cent up on 2014’s record-breaking turnout.
Intersec 2015 will feature an enhanced line-up of conferences, seminars and workshops covering Fire Safety; Information Security; Commercial Security; technical textiles and non-woven safety clothing; Occupational Safety and Safety Design in Buildings.
The three-day event is the largest and most international trade fair of Messe Frankfurt’s global network of security and safety exhibitions, which include: Secutech India, Secutech Taiwan, Secutech Thailand, Intersec Buenos Aires, Secutech Vietnam, Seguriexpo Buenos Aires, TB Forum powered by Intersec in Moscow, and SecProtec EastAfrica powered by Intersec in Nairobi.
More information is available at www.intersecexpo.com