American University of Sharjah introduces new minor in safety and fire protection engineering

by Featured NewsMiddle East - Breaking News

Responding to industry needs, the American University of Sharjah (AUS) College of Engineering is set to launch a Minor in Safety and Fire Protection Engineering.

This initiative, starting in Fall 2024, aims to bolster students’ knowledge in this critical field, marking a strategic expansion in the university’s academic offerings.

Industry demand drives new academic program

Recent feedback from industrial advisory boards, students, alumni, and the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority highlighted a growing need for safety and fire engineering experts.

The new minor, open to all undergraduate students at AUS, can be completed alongside their major degree program.

This curriculum is designed to provide a thorough understanding of fire protection principles, including fire behaviour, combustion mechanisms, and heat transfer.

It will also focus on the mastery of modern tools and strategies for enhanced safety and fire protection.

Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of CEN at AUS, commented on the program’s inception: “We are launching this minor in response to the industry’s call, and specifically to one of our strategic partners, Sharjah Civil Defence Authority.

“Safety and fire engineers hold important roles across various sectors.

“With this initiative, we will not only align with industry requirements but also contribute to societal welfare and open new career paths for our students both within and beyond our borders.”

Brigadier Sami Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, also expressed his support: “We commend the Emirate of Sharjah and AUS for pioneering the accreditation of the Minor in Safety and Fire Protection Engineering, marking a notable stride in academic excellence in the East, aligning with top-tier global universities.

“This program, designed collaboratively by experts from AUS and Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, offers specialised courses in fire sciences, dynamics and behaviour; firefighting equipment and chemicals.

“Primarily targeting the AUS College of Engineering’s students across all disciplines, we anticipate future expansions, including postgraduate opportunities.

“This initiative is poised to elevate fire safety standards, leveraging both the theoretical and practical facets of the curriculum.

“Moreover, the educational prowess of AUS enriches the program, making it a valuable asset for both public and private sectors.”

Expanding career opportunities and enhancing societal safety

The program’s impact will extend beyond academic enrichment.

Graduates with this minor are expected to find placements across various sectors such as large industrial establishments, civil defence units, consulting agencies, fire equipment manufacturers, testing labs, the insurance sector, forensic departments, and healthcare establishments.

This minor is projected to not only fulfil industry and societal needs but also to considerably boost job prospects for students across the UAE, GCC, and further fields.

Dr. Sameer Al-Asheh, Professor, Head of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at AUS, further explained: “The domain of safety and fire protection engineering is expansive, encompassing the analysis, design and safeguarding of various infrastructure facets.

“There is an evident need for specialised expertise in the field and we are proud to launch this minor in response.”

AUS is among the top 25 percent of universities in the world, according to QS World University Rankings (2024), and has ranked third in the UAE in the category of engineering and technology, according to QS World University Rankings by Broad Subjects (2023).

For more information about the new Minor in Safety and Fire Protection Engineering at AUS, please visit their website.

IFSJ Comment

The introduction of the Minor in Safety and Fire Protection Engineering at the American University of Sharjah is a timely response to the emerging demands of the industry.

The program’s comprehensive curriculum, focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects of safety and fire protection, is set to prepare a new generation of engineers equipped to address complex safety challenges.

This move also reflects a broader trend in higher education, where institutions are increasingly aligning their offerings with industry demands, thereby enhancing the employability of graduates.

The collaboration with Sharjah Civil Defence Authority further enriches the program, ensuring that it remains relevant and up-to-date with current industry standards and practices.

SFPE makes strides in sustainability for fire protection engineers

by Featured NewsFire Engineering

SFPE’s position on sustainability

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and the SFPE Foundation are making significant strides towards sustainability in the realm of fire protection engineering.

The SFPE recently expressed its commitment to ensuring a sustainable and fire-resilient built environment.

Earlier this year, the SFPE Board of Directors approved a position statement titled: “Engineering a Sustainable and Fire Resilient Built Environment”.

This statement recognises the importance of sustainability and fire resilience as key objectives for the built environment, and the necessity for every project to harmonise these aims.

SFPE’s efforts to promote sustainability

In an article titled “How SFPE is Developing Opportunities for the Fire Protection Engineering Profession to Influence & Elevate Sustainability in the Built Environment”, SFPE President, Jimmy Jönsson, FSFPE, and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Chris Jelenewicz, PE, FSFPE, outlined the ways fire protection engineers can work alongside architects, policymakers, researchers, and other professionals.

Their goal was to foster a constructive dialogue centred on the promotion of sustainable and fire-resilient built environments.

In a bid to incorporate these ideals into the daily activities of fire protection engineers, SFPE facilitated three live webinars, available now on-demand:

  1. Sustainability and Fire Resilience: Setting the Scene
  2. Fire Safety Perspectives Relative to the Three Pillars of Sustainability
  3. Research Directions in Sustainability and Fire

Moreover, a partnership has been forged between SFPE and Fire-Safe Sustainable Built Environment (FRISSBE) to organise an engineering solutions symposium.

Scheduled for November 29-30, 2023, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, this symposium aims to explore concepts, tools, and strategies conducive to fire-safe buildings.

Emphasis will be placed on the significance of fire safety in sustainable design and education.

For more details or to sign up for the SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium for Fire Safety and Sustainable Building Design, visit here.

SFPE Foundation’s focus on sustainability

Placing sustainability at its core, the SFPE Foundation adopted a fresh vision statement in December 2022.

This focuses on engineering a world that is resilient, sustainable, and fire-safe for everyone.

The SFPE Foundation recently released a report, “Risk and Performance Assessment Framework for a Sustainable and Fire Resilient Building Environment (SAFR-BE)”, to pave the way for future tools assessing sustainable and fire-resilient buildings.

Authored by Brian Meacham, Håkan Frantzich, Margaret McNamee, and Erik Kimblad, the report’s findings are available for on-demand viewing in a dedicated webinar.

Grand Challenges Initiative’s role

The SFPE Foundation’s Grand Challenges Initiative (GCI) unveiled a white paper on sustainability and resilience titled “Grand Challenges in Resilience & Sustainability:

A 10-Year Plan for Strategic Cooperation in Research and Education to Advance Fire Engineering”.

Accessible for download here, the paper was also discussed during the 2023 Virtual GCI Summit, with a recording now available for on-demand viewing. With the action plan set in motion, the GCI welcomes new partner organisations to collaborate.

For a deeper dive into the initiatives by SFPE and the SFPE Foundation centred on sustainability objectives, explore sfpe.org and sfpe.org/foundation.

IFSJ Comment

The concerted efforts of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and its Foundation in advancing sustainability objectives is noteworthy.

By integrating sustainable practices into fire protection engineering, they are not only elevating the standards of the profession but also setting an example for other industries to follow.

Their emphasis on fostering dialogue, promoting research, and forming collaborations demonstrates a holistic approach.

The advancements and initiatives undertaken by SFPE will likely shape the future direction of fire protection engineering, making built environments safer and more sustainable for all.

Ismail Cem Iyitoglu’s fire engineering firm, Atak Trade, makes global debut in London

by Featured NewsSafety

New fire engineering solutions on the global stage

Ismail Cem Iyitoglu, a recognised industrial engineer and entrepreneur, has recently launched a modern fire systems company, Atak Trade, in London.

Highly regarded within the Turkish fire engineering market, Iyitoglu’s enterprise is poised to make a global impact.

The firm promises to introduce innovative solutions aimed at enhancing property protection and life safety in the event of a fire.

Atak Trade: A new era in fire engineering

Headquartered in London, Atak Trade is devoted to bringing cutting-edge developments in fire systems to the global market.

The firm leverages years of experience, providing top-notch fire engineering solutions to both businesses and individuals in Turkey.

Now, the company is ready to embrace new challenges and capitalise on opportunities on a global scale.

Pioneering fire safety products

Atak Trade offers a wide range of premium products that adhere to the strictest safety and performance standards.

Their catalogue includes state-of-the-art fire suppression systems, precisely-engineered fire alarms, and robust fire doors.

Each product has undergone rigorous development and testing procedures to ensure maximum reliability and efficiency in fire prevention and containment.

Revolutionising fire safety through technology

Under Iyitoglu’s stewardship, Atak Trade’s seasoned team of experts has been developing technologies that aim to transform fire safety management.

These innovations could potentially simplify fire safety procedures for businesses and individuals, making property and life protection more efficient.

The company’s establishment in London paves the way for a broader global reach.

Located in a key business hub, Atak Trade can cater to the unique fire safety needs of diverse markets and industries across the globe.

Speaking about the company’s expansion, İyitoglu said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our business to London and bringing our expertise in fire engineering to a global audience.

“Our innovative solutions are designed to help businesses and individuals protect their property and the people inside it, and we are excited to be able to share our expertise with the rest of the world.”

Atak Trade: Setting new standards in global fire engineering

With a steadfast dedication to fire safety, a broad array of top-tier products, and the potential of transformative technologies, Atak Trade’s London venture is set to redefine the international fire engineering scene.

This could provide businesses and individuals with an unmatched standard of protection and peace of mind.

IFSJ Comment

The global debut of Atak Trade in London could mark a transformative moment in the fire engineering industry.

By exporting cutting-edge solutions and products, businesses and individuals worldwide could gain access to superior fire safety systems.

The firm’s innovative approach is expected to make a significant contribution to the enhancement of global fire safety standards.

UK should look to engineering community for solutions to social and economic challenges says BESA

by Featured NewsSafety

The President of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Rab Fletcher, has said the UK should look to its engineering community for solutions to many of the serious social and economic challenges it is facing.

In his presidential address to association members and guests, Fletcher said the building services sector had a pivotal role to play in tackling the energy, climate change, cost of living, and building safety crises confronting the country. 

He noted that this year “would be very tough” for the industry, but that building engineers were in a privileged position because they could make a difference and influence the future: “These are big problems for the UK, but they are also opportunities for us to demonstrate the value of this industry and why our expertise matters. 

“BESA will continue to champion our role, drive improvements in technical and professional standards, and support training as we strive to create a workforce capable of rising to these challenges.” 

Driving social progress

Fletcher, who is also mechanical services team manager at Fife Council, said there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic despite the general economic gloom, nodding to the first ever World Ventilation Day, which BESA helped to organise last November, as an example of how the industry could help to drive social progress. 

“We worked with 21 organisations, including professional bodies, universities, and environmental groups from across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia…demonstrating how good ventilation can help to keep people safe from infectious diseases, improve sleep, and reduce mould and damp in buildings,” he said. 

The President also paid tribute to the Honorary President of BESA’s Health & Well-being in Buildings group Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah who has been campaigning for air quality and child health since the tragic death of her daughter Ella in 2013 and received a CBE in the King’s New Year Honours for her services to public health: “She is a huge supporter of what we are trying to do about improving air quality in buildings. 

He added that last year’s BESA National Conference was another example of why members of the ‘BESA community’ should all be optimistic about the future: “We bring our industry together – not just for the sake of it – but to create positive change.”