Saudi Arabia’s construction landscape is currently undergoing a historic transformation. NEOM’s futuristic cityscapes, separate from the Red Sea Global resorts and Qiddiya’s entertainment megaprojects, are delivering one of the largest construction booms in modern history. The market is expected to exceed US$500 billion by 2030, according to Daleel News, transforming skylines to redefine what is possible in terms of design and engineering.
But, within this unprecedented expansion is a silent threat: fire! A major fire occurrence is not a question of if for Saudi Arabia’s construction boom, but rather when. Without a systematic fire safety framework, a large-scale incident could stall progress, destroy investment and threaten lives.
The global context is the warning sign
There are sobering statistics from the US construction market to benchmark against. According to the NFPA Construction Site Fire Safety Fact Sheet (2022), an average of 4,300 construction site fires occur per year, resulting in five civilian deaths, 62 injuries and $376 million in direct property loss. These fires were virtually always caused by preventable acts; improper hot work, temporary heating misuse and poor housekeeping.
Saudi Arabia is likely to have an even higher risk exposure. By numbers, the Saudi Arabian construction sector is anticipated to surpass $500 billion by the year 2030. The speed, density and geographic concentration of megaprojects associated with the country create a perfect storm of risk. The harsh desert environment and tight timelines linked with massive growth in workforces with different backgrounds, increase the risk. High winds and extreme temperatures can contribute to rapid fire spread, and the remote location of many sites may hinder rapid responses in such cases.
Because of this, Saudi Arabia’s construction boom requires world-class fire risk management. Fire risk management that is anchored in lessons learned, including, in some cases, paid for elsewhere in loss and tragedy.
Compliance as the cornerstone
Fire safety on construction sites is not a bureaucratic exercise, it is a life safety strategy. The use of internationally recognised frameworks must be non-negotiable. Two documents define the global baseline. When combined, together they constitute problematic references to a rigid fire risk management system.
- NFPA 241: Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations.
- IFC 2024, Chapter 33: Fire Safety During Construction and Demolition.
In addition, these documents describe how to protect lives, property and project completion during the most vulnerable stages of a structure’s life, even before its fire systems are active. Temporary utilities, hot work controls, material storage and water supply, and phasing the activation of systems, all provided for.
Luckily, both standards are locally compulsory. While the Saudi Fire Code, SBC2024, adopts the IFC2021 Fire Safety During Construction and Demolition requirements, it also enforces NFPA 241. Together, they form the operational blueprint every Saudi developer and contractor should adopt.
Construction fire safety plan is the heart
At the hub of these frameworks lies one live document, the Construction Fire Safety Plan (CFSP). Too often, it is treated as a checkbox: completed, signed and then ignored. The reality is that it must be a ‘live document’ that is continuously updated as the site’s circumstances continue changing.
While there are many components required of a compliant CFSP under NFPA 241 and IFC 2021, the key elements include: –
- Fire Prevention Programme Manager (FPPM): A person clearly defined with authority and responsibility for fire safety.
- Site Security: 24/7 prevention of unauthorised trespass, arson and hot work. Construction sites will be protected at all times, not only during working hours.
- Storage & Housekeeping: All combustibles stored, handled or wasted, and housekeeping is disciplined daily, and no accumulation of fuel from housekeeping.
- Temporary Utilities & Equipment: Safely operated temporary power, lighting and heating systems installed.
- Hot Work Permits: A disciplined and assured process for hot work operations such as welding, cutting, grinding and roofing, with fire watch personnel trained to be on standby.
- Water Supply & Access: Fully functional hydrants, standpipes and fire department access at all times.
- Phased Integration: Early activation of permanent protection systems, sprinklers, alarms and detection network.
Both NFPA 241 and IFC mandate that the building owner or his/her authorised agent is legally responsible for appointing a Fire Prevention Programme Manager (FPPM) for every construction, alteration or demolition site. The agent shall be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of an approved, written site safety plan establishing a fire prevention programme at the project site applicable throughout all phases of the construction.
Answering the unanswered: When to review and/or update the CFSP?
Plans that are not updated become stagnant. The CFSP needs to evolve along with the project. Follow key milestones and take into consideration the following changes; –
- Project Milestones: for example, transitioning from structural steel to cladding, or rough-in to interior finishes.
- Scope Change: Any major design or scope change.
- Incident Responses: After any fire, near miss or unsafe act – no matter how small.
- New Hazard: Changes to materials or processes that change the risk profile.
- Schedule Changes: Moving forward with night shifts or compressing the work cycle.
- Seasonal Factors: Extreme heat higher than a threshold, sandstorms or high winds, that could flare and spread potential
A truly ‘live’ CFSP is continuously reviewed with the FPPM and other project management, contractors and AHJs. Each review and change would be documented, reviewed and communicated through toolbox talks and periodic fire drills.
Building a legacy of safety
The growth in construction in Saudi Arabia is changing how we, as a globe, view aspirational development. However, ambition must be matched with discipline, especially when it comes to fire safety.
The intent to follow the fire safety provisions in SBC801 and follow the International Practices is not a Western influence; it is to protect lives, property and the nation. Resilience in fire risk management is not a cost centre; it is a life-safety ecosystem that emphasises the importance of a long-term investment to maintain continuity, compliance and confidence.
As the Kingdom builds its future, it must do so on a foundation that does not burn. The call to action is simple; every stakeholder, developer, contractor and regulator must require and put the Construction Fire Safety Plan in motion, as an absolute priority, at each project. Only then will the construction revolution in Saudi Arabia rise safely and sustainably, converting vision into permanence, rather than smoke, hate and loss.
This feature appeared in issue 68 of Fire Middle East magazine.
