SDiB forum highlights key safety and security issues

JEDDAH — The Safety Design in Buildings (SDiB) Conference 2016, got off to a successful start with the first two legs of the pan-Middle East forum, getting a robust response from safety consultants, architects, engineers and government officials in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The 2016 round of the SDiB program featured a high-powered panel of international safety design experts explore the concepts of integration for safety and security related aspects of high occupancy buildings with a view to strategy planning, material, and system requirements. Organized by Sesam Business Consultants, the SDiB Conference is co-founded by Intersec, the leading international trade event for safety, security, and fire protection. It forms part of a pan-Middle Eastern initiative to debate and highlight the current standards of safety and security in buildings in the region as well as to promote a dialogue between regional industry professionals and international experts. The core focus of the current SDiB Conference comes as demand for fire safety and design is on the increase in a Gulf region which is witnessing a boom in the construction of numerous high-rise buildings. According to the Council of Tall Buildings, the GCC was home to 269 buildings over 150 meters in height in 2015, making the region a prime target for fire protection and safety system providers. Dubai, according to Emporis, a building information provider, is home to 911 completed high-rises, 88 of which stand taller than 180 meters. The growing market for fire-rated building material and security systems is reflected in the doubling in size of the Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion at Intersec 2017, which takes place on Jan. 22-24 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Introduced for the first time in 2016, the pavilion is dedicated to the building materials industry, including fire-rated facades, fabrics, doors, windows, paints, stucco, and egress systems. — SG