A Milestone for Fire Safety in the Kingdom by ACTS

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its development across mega-projects, urban expansion, and industrial growth, fire safety has become a critical pillar of construction quality, public safety, and regulatory compliance. Ensuring that materials, systems, and designs meet the highest fire performance standards is no longer optional yet it is essential.

In this context, ACTS proudly marked a significant milestone with the successful hosting of the ACTS Fire Safety Forum, alongside the official launch of the Reaction-to-Fire section at the ACTS Fire Testing Laboratory which is the first facility of its kind in Saudi Arabia.

This achievement represents a major step forward in enhancing local fire testing capabilities, supporting compliance, and advancing technical excellence across the Kingdom and the wider GCC.

A Platform for Industry Collaboration

The ACTS Fire Safety Forum was designed as a high-level knowledge exchange platform, bringing together industry leaders, fire safety experts, consultants, manufacturers, engineers, and practitioners from across the region.

Forum Objectives

The forum aimed to:

• Highlight advanced fire testing technologies and methodologies.
• Discuss material behavior, performance, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Encourage collaboration between stakeholders across the construction value chain.
• Facilitate dialogue on evolving fire safety regulations and compliance requirements.

Through technical presentations and expert discussions, the forum addressed critical challenges shaping the future of fire safety in Saudi Arabia, particularly in light of increasing project scale, architectural complexity, and innovative materials.

A First for Saudi Arabia

The highlight of the event was the official launch of the Reaction-to-Fire section at the ACTS Fire Testing Laboratory, marking a national first.

Understanding Reaction-to-Fire Testing

Reaction-to-Fire testing evaluates how construction materials behave when exposed to fire, focusing on parameters such as:

• Heat release
• Flame spread
• Smoke development
• Contribution to fire growth

These characteristics are essential in assessing materials used in:

• Interior finishes
• Insulation products
• Paints and surface coatings
• Building façades and cladding systems
• Composite and polymer-based materials

Reliable Reaction-to-Fire data is critical for informed material selection, performance-based fire engineering, and regulatory approval.

Why This Facility Matters?

Before this launch, many manufacturers and project stakeholders in Saudi Arabia relied on international laboratories for Reaction-to-Fire testing, often resulting in:

• Project delays
• Longer approval timelines
• Higher testing and logistics costs

With ACTS’ local Reaction-to-Fire testing capabilities now operational:

• Manufacturers gain faster market access
• Turnaround times are significantly reduced
• Testing can be performed within the Kingdom
• Compliance with local and international standards is streamlined

This development strengthens Saudi Arabia’s fire safety ecosystem and supports national self-reliance in critical testing infrastructure.

Expert Insights from Industry Leaders

The forum featured distinguished speakers who shared technical insights, international experience, and practical perspectives on fire safety and compliance.

Distinguished Speakers

• Hussain Zanoon – ALIAN Industry
  Discussed material innovation and the importance of verified fire performance from a manufacturing standpoint.
• Ali Al Musabih – Jensen Hughes
  Highlighted the role of performance-based fire engineering and the integration of testing data into fire safety design.
• Mohammed Asif – Techno Group
  Addressed advanced testing technologies and their impact on improving fire safety outcomes.
• Nawras Al-Rimawi – Al-Jazeera Paints
  Emphasized the importance of Reaction-to-Fire testing for fire-resistant coatings and product certification.

Their contributions reinforced the need for close collaboration between testing laboratories, designers, manufacturers, and authorities.

Leadership Commitment to Safety and Technical Excellence

The forum was opened by Eng. Khaled Awad, Chairman & CEO of ACTS, whose remarks highlighted ACTS’ long-standing commitment to:

• Investing in advanced testing technologies
• Supporting innovation through technical rigor
• Advancing fire safety and regulatory compliance
• Building regional engineering and testing capacity

This milestone reflects ACTS’ strategic vision to lead the industry through knowledge, infrastructure investment, and independent third-party expertise.

Impact on the Construction and Materials Industry

The launch of the Reaction-to-Fire testing section delivers tangible benefits across the construction ecosystem:

For Developers and Owners

• Reduced fire risk and liability
• Improved project approval efficiency
• Enhanced confidence in material compliance

For Engineers and Consultants

• Access to reliable, locally generated fire testing data
• Stronger support for performance-based fire design
• Improved coordination with authorities

For Manufacturers

• Faster certification and product approval
• Reduced dependence on overseas laboratories
• Increased credibility in the Saudi and GCC markets

For Regulators

• Enhanced national fire safety framework
• Stronger enforcement of fire safety standards

ACTS Fire Testing Services

The Reaction-to-Fire section complements ACTS’ broader fire testing and inspection service portfolio, which includes:

• Fire resistance testing
• Reaction-to-Fire testing
• Certification and conformity support
• Fire inspection and compliance assessment
• Technical consulting for fire safety strategies

Together, these services support projects throughout the entire lifecycle, from design and specification to construction and operation.

Looking to enhance fire safety compliance, material performance, and risk mitigation on your projects?

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