NFPA agreement focuses on Saudi training and fire code awareness
The Saudi Facilities Management Association has reported that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to advance fire safety in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement, formalised in Riyadh, aims to improve awareness and training among facility management professionals across the Kingdom.
It was signed by Olga Caledonia, director for International Business Development at NFPA, and Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA.
According to the Saudi Facilities Management Association, the agreement will support the sharing of research and knowledge to improve adherence to fire and life safety standards.
The organisation stated that the collaboration includes certification initiatives, training programmes, and events aimed at improving safety outcomes and skills development.
SFMA and NFPA agree on joint events and certification programmes
The Saudi Facilities Management Association said the two organisations will organise joint activities to support workforce development and training in fire and life safety.
According to the association, these activities will include events, certification programmes and other professional development offerings that use NFPA standards and guidance.
It added that the aim is to provide facility managers with access to globally recognised knowledge while also aligning safety practices with local development goals.
The NFPA stated that the initiative will support capacity building for safety professionals and contribute to long-term risk reduction efforts in the built environment.
NFPA says Saudi growth needs stronger fire protection systems
Olga Caledonia, director for International Business Development at NFPA, said:
“Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid development across sectors, from housing to hospitality, and from smart cities to iconic mega-projects, placing it firmly among the world’s fastest-growing economies.
“With this scale and speed of growth, comes a heightened need for robust fire and life safety measures to ensure that progress is not compromised by preventable risks.
“Through our partnership with SFMA, we are proud to support this national momentum by bringing NFPA’s nearly 130 years of expertise and a portfolio of more than 300 globally recognised codes and standards to assist in preventing loss.”
The association confirmed that it will support fire and life safety awareness by providing Saudi facility professionals with access to technical content and expert insight.
It added that the shared aim is to ensure high standards of risk management across all sectors of the built environment.
SFMA to provide members with access to global safety frameworks
SFMA said the agreement will provide members with access to NFPA tools and resources, including its Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem.
The association stated that these resources will allow facilities professionals to better understand risk factors and safety responsibilities at a systems level.
It confirmed that members will also be able to participate in NFPA conferences and in reviewing international codes and standards relevant to the Saudi context.
Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman of SFMA, said:
“At SFMA, our mission is to elevate the professional capabilities of facilities managers throughout Saudi Arabia, in alignment with Vision 2030’s goals of building safer, healthier, and more dynamic communities.
“This collaboration with NFPA will amplify our efforts by providing access to international best practices in fire and life safety, enriching training programmes, and promoting knowledge exchange that will positively impact communities across the Kingdom.”
NFPA and SFMA collaborate on fire safety training in Saudi Arabia: Summary
The Saudi Facilities Management Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Fire Protection Association.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh by Olga Caledonia of NFPA and Aiyd A. Alqahtani of SFMA.
The Saudi Facilities Management Association said the collaboration will support fire and life safety training in Saudi Arabia.
It stated that the partnership includes events, certification programmes and access to NFPA standards.
Olga Caledonia said the collaboration responds to Saudi Arabia’s rapid development and related safety challenges.
She explained that NFPA will contribute 130 years of safety knowledge and code development experience.
The Saudi Facilities Management Association said its members will gain access to NFPA resources including the Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem.
It stated that members will also be able to attend NFPA conferences and participate in code development.
Aiyd A. Alqahtani said the agreement will help strengthen the role of facility managers in delivering safe communities.
By: NFPA and SFMA sign agreement to enhance Saudi fire safety
