Strengthened partnership expands fire safety testing in Gulf
UL Solutions and GCC Technical Services Company (TS Co.) have announced an expanded partnership aimed at advancing fire safety in the Gulf region.
According to UL Solutions, the collaboration now includes TS Co., a GCC Labs affiliate, as part of the UL Witness Test Data Program (WTDP) for fire safety.
Under this arrangement, TS Co. will conduct fire safety tests at its Dammam laboratories under direct supervision from UL Solutions engineers.
UL Solutions will review the data and grant certification based on test results, authorising the use of the UL Mark for compliant products.
The company explained that this localised approach removes the need for manufacturers to ship product samples abroad, helping shorten certification timelines and accelerate market entry.
Patrick Abgrall, Director and Regional General Manager of the Built Environment group at UL Solutions, said: “This important step in the evolution of our collaboration with TS Co. will allow UL Solutions to effectively utilise their Dammam facility, strengthening fire safety and conformity services throughout Saudi Arabia and the greater Gulf region.”
Local facilities to serve regional manufacturers
UL Solutions said the enhanced partnership enables local testing for manufacturers across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Based in Dammam, TS Co. provides testing, inspection and certification services across industrial sectors to assess equipment safety, reliability and efficiency.
The company said the new arrangement supports its role in enabling Gulf-based manufacturing by providing internationally recognised fire safety certification within the region.
TS Co. Chief Executive Officer Khalaf Masaeed said: “By combining UL Solutions’ global leadership in safety science with our deep regional expertise, we are creating an unparalleled value proposition for the market.
“It also streamlines product evaluation and certification, ensuring that the ambitious construction projects in our region are built with materials and systems that meet the highest international safety standards.”
Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 development
UL Solutions noted that the partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which is driving major national infrastructure and development projects.
These include NEOM, the Red Sea development, THE RIG offshore tourism destination and the New Murabba project in Riyadh.
Preparations are also underway for new World Cup stadiums and Expo venues, bringing the combined investment of these giga-projects to more than $1.5 trillion, according to the KSA Construction Cost Benchmarking Report 2025.
UL Solutions stated that the collaboration with TS Co. will help meet fire and life safety demands across these large-scale developments by providing advanced testing and certification within Saudi Arabia.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The partnership between UL Solutions and TS Co. introduces regional access to UL-certified fire safety testing for manufacturers, contractors and specification professionals operating in the Gulf.
For construction, infrastructure and industrial project stakeholders, the development allows fire-rated materials and systems to be evaluated within Saudi Arabia, reducing both cost and lead times.
Fire engineers, consultants and project managers working on Vision 2030 projects may benefit from faster certification cycles and closer oversight of product conformity to international standards.
By localising the testing process, the partnership also supports consistent quality assurance and reduces logistical challenges linked to global supply chains.