Sharjah Civil Defence partners with NFPA on codes standards and training

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsMENA - Featured NewsMiddle East - Featured News Archives
L-R_Jim Pauley, NFPA President & CEO and His Excellency Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority

Intersec Dubai 2026 hosts Sharjah and NFPA MoU signing

Sharjah Civil Defence Authority (SCDA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a strategic alliance aimed at improving fire and life safety in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The the MoU was signed during an official ceremony held at Intersec Dubai 2026.

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, and Jim Pauley, president and CEO at the NFPA.

The alliance is intended to prioritise education and training programmes for fire and life safety professionals across the Emirate.

The collaboration will draw on the NFPA’s training resources and certification programmes, its more than 300 fire codes and standards, and the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem.

These elements are expected to support the creation and refinement of safety standards tailored to Sharjah’s requirements.

Training programmes and high rise building risk

Al Shamsi said: “At Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, fire and life safety are paramount, and we remain committed to safeguarding the well-being of our people.

“By collaborating with NFPA, we aim to leverage their 130 years of expertise in managing fire and electrical risks, ensuring that fire safety professionals across Sharjah are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools in line with global standards.

“This alliance reflects our dedication to continuous improvement and proactive measures to protect lives and property,”

Pauley said: “In the urban landscape, fire presents a constant threat, and with ongoing development across Sharjah, including numerous high-rise buildings, it is essential that robust fire and life safety systems are in place to protect the public.

“At NFPA, we look forward to working alongside the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority to enhance the training and education of fire and life safety professionals across the Emirate.

“Our aim is to strengthen awareness and implementation of relevant codes, standards, and regulations, supporting Sharjah’s efforts to align safety practices with global benchmarks.”

The announcement follows efforts in Sharjah focused on fire safety risks in high-rise buildings.

In 2024, under the directive of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Emirate launched an initiative to replace hazardous cladding materials with fire-resistant alternatives, funded by the government and valued at AED 100 million.

The organisations said the alliance is intended to complement such initiatives through technical expertise and global best practices.

The MoU sets out the collaboration as focused on training, education, and the use of codes, standards, and regulations to support fire and life safety.

Fire safety inspections intensify across Sharjah industrial zones

by Featured NewsMiddle East - Breaking NewsSafetyTraining

Warnings issued during fire safety campaign

According to Gulf News, the Sharjah Civil Defence has issued over 4,200 warnings to businesses for failing to meet fire safety regulations during the first half of 2025.

The Civil Defence conducted more than 18,700 inspections, including 13,306 surprise visits, across key industrial areas including Al Saja’a and areas 6, 10, 17 and 18.

Brigadier General Yousef Obaid Bin Harmoul Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, said several fires were found and contained during inspections.

Al Shamsi said: “We encountered several fire incidents during our inspections. In some cases, the fires had just started, and our teams were able to extinguish them immediately.

“These inspections are not just about enforcement—they are about saving lives.”

Establishments were given 72 hours to address non-compliance before further action is taken.

Training and response during inspections

During the campaign, Civil Defence teams provided on-site fire safety training for workers.

Brigadier Al Shamsi explained: “We don’t just issue warnings—we teach staff what to do if a fire breaks out.”

Sessions focused on first-response tactics and safe evacuation procedures.

Civil Defence staff said educating workers directly on site helps ensure the guidance is understood and immediately applicable.

This educational approach is intended to reduce delays in response during real fire emergencies.

Types of violations identified by inspectors

Officials reported multiple common safety breaches.

These included improper storage of flammable substances, blocked emergency exits and use of outdated fire safety equipment.

Some buildings had been altered without approval or operated without a fire safety licence.

Inspectors also found poorly maintained worker housing and storage layouts that compromised fire suppression systems.

Additional concerns included overloaded circuits, overcrowded accommodations and obstructions that prevented sprinkler activation.

Revised fire safety standards for high-risk sites

Sharjah Civil Defence has introduced rules to limit fire hazards in facilities without automatic suppression systems.

Storage heights must remain below three metres and leave one metre of space below sprinklers.

Racking must be kept at least one metre from structural elements, and mezzanines are limited to half the ground floor area.

Facilities handling hazardous goods face stricter obligations.

These include separation of reactive chemicals, use of fire-resistant rooms, certified system checks and electrical safety precautions.

Regular cleaning is also required to remove flammable debris.

Evacuation, exits and fire detection requirements

Emergency planning was a key element of the inspection checklist.

Facilities are now required to have two clearly marked and illuminated emergency exits.

Corridors must remain 1.2 metres wide to allow safe passage during evacuations.

Evacuation maps must be displayed prominently.

Routine checks of alarm and detection systems must also be carried out and documented.

These requirements aim to ensure readiness in the event of an incident.

Digital reporting and future enforcement

Brigadier Al Shamsi is encouraging firms to use the Civil Defence digital platform to apply for a Fire Prevention Compliance Certificate.

After violations are addressed, companies must report back.

Civil Defence inspectors will revisit sites to confirm issues have been resolved.

If problems remain, legal action will be taken.

Brigadier Al Shamsi said: “Our goal is simple. We want every industrial facility in Sharjah to operate safely and responsibly. These aren’t just rules—they’re life-saving measures.”

The next stage of the campaign will extend to all industrial sites in the emirate.

Sharjah Civil Defence enforces fire safety in industrial areas: Summary

Sharjah Civil Defence has conducted 18,714 inspections in industrial zones in the first half of 2025.

The campaign included 5,408 scheduled visits and 13,306 surprise checks.

Officials issued 4,293 warnings to establishments for fire safety breaches.

Warnings were issued for storage violations, blocked exits, outdated equipment and illegal building modifications.

On-site fires were found and extinguished during some inspections.

Workers received training in fire response during site visits.

Facilities without automatic suppression systems must now follow updated safety rules.

Hazardous material storage requires additional fire-resistant and electrical safeguards.

Facilities must ensure at least two lit emergency exits and 1.2 metre-wide escape routes.

Evacuation plans must be displayed and alarms regularly serviced.

Businesses must report back after fixing violations and will be re-inspected.

Unresolved issues will result in legal consequences.

Sharjah Civil Defence encourages digital certificate applications through its platform.

The campaign will expand to all remaining industrial areas.

Sharjah building fire systems under inspection in summer readiness drive

by Building ManagementFeatured NewsSafety

Joint inspection campaign targets faulty fire alert systems

A large-scale inspection of building fire alarm systems has begun across Sharjah, according to local media reports.

The campaign is being carried out by Saned Facility Management in cooperation with the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority and the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority.

According to local media, the initiative aims to identify faults in early warning systems using data collected from the Aman system, which links building fire alarms to emergency control rooms.

Saned Facility Management stated that the first stage of the programme focuses on properties flagged by the Aman system as having technical issues.

Building owners and managers are being contacted and advised to complete repairs through Civil Defence-approved maintenance providers.

The goal is to improve the response time to incidents and reduce the likelihood of property damage or casualties caused by fire.

Aman system used to pinpoint alert faults

The Aman system monitors connected fire alarms and transmits data to the General Directorate of Civil Defence and Saned’s operations centre.

This allows emergency teams to receive alerts immediately when a fire occurs and locate the source quickly.

The data also enables performance monitoring, allowing authorities to track trends and identify problems in early warning equipment.

The system is part of Sharjah’s broader effort to deploy digital tools for fire prevention across buildings and public infrastructure.

Saned said the campaign is ongoing and performance will be reviewed continuously, though no fixed end date has been announced.

Saned highlights importance of maintenance compliance

Eng. Hamid Al Zarouni, Managing Director at Saned Facility Management, said: “At Saned, we are committed to enhancing the efficiency of the public safety system in the Emirate of Sharjah through the early warning system ‘Aman,’ which stands as a top operational priority for us.

“It is considered one of the key pillars of the smart protection system implemented across buildings and facilities in Sharjah.

“The system plays a vital role in minimizing the risk and occurrence of fires by enabling rapid response from rescue and firefighting teams at the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, thereby helping to prevent human and material losses through early fire detection.”

Al Zarouni added: “Our ongoing partnership with the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority and the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority reflects our commitment to supporting government efforts in promoting proactive prevention practices and achieving the highest standards of safety and readiness to protect lives and property.

“It also contributes to building a safe and sustainable environment in the Emirate of Sharjah.”

Long-term campaign to track improvements

The joint committee leading the campaign stated that inspections will continue without a fixed deadline.

Performance data gathered from the Aman system will be used to evaluate how quickly emergency teams respond to alarms and how effectively faults are being addressed.

Property owners are being encouraged to take responsibility for system upkeep by working with approved providers.

Al Zarouni said: “We urge property owners, developers, and management and operations companies to swiftly contract with qualified and approved service providers to carry out and continue preventive maintenance operations, ensuring the protection of lives and assets.”

Saned Facility Management is a subsidiary of Sharjah Asset Management Company, the investment body of the Sharjah Government.

Sharjah building fire systems under inspection in summer readiness drive: Summary

Saned Facility Management has launched a building inspection campaign in Sharjah.

The programme is being run in partnership with the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority and the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority.

The inspections are informed by data from the Aman early warning system.

The Aman system connects fire alarms in buildings to control rooms at Civil Defence and Saned.

Properties with detected faults are being prioritised for review.

Property owners are being urged to use Civil Defence-approved providers for repairs.

Eng. Hamid Al Zarouni of Saned said the Aman system is central to Sharjah’s fire prevention strategy.

The campaign will continue without a fixed end date.

Performance data will be used to assess emergency response times and system effectiveness.

Saned Facility Management is owned by Sharjah Asset Management Company.

Sharjah residential tower fire update: officials release details and next steps

by Featured NewsMiddle East - Breaking News

Overview of the Sharjah residential tower fire

On 4th April, a fire broke out in a residential tower located in Al Nahda, Sharjah, resulting in the loss of five lives.

Sharjah Civil Defence and Police have confirmed the casualties.

Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a swift recovery.

The victims were identified as an Indian man and woman, a woman from the Philippines, a Kenyan man, and a Bangladeshi man.

The fire was reported at 10:50 pm, and emergency teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Immediate response and ongoing support

The quick response from the Sharjah Police Operations Room ensured the fire was contained promptly, although the rising smoke caused suffocation, leading to fatalities.

In total, 17 individuals were treated for suffocation, with 27 others being discharged after receiving necessary medical attention.

To provide immediate relief, 156 residents displaced by the fire were accommodated in temporary hotel lodgings across Sharjah, as stated by Maj Gen Al Shamsi.

Gradual return and the cause of the fire

As of 7th April, some residents have started to return to their apartments, while others remain in temporary accommodations.

The return process is being carried out gradually, ensuring all safety protocols are adhered to.

Major General Al Shamsi revealed that preliminary investigations suggest waste material in a hallway ignited, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

He stressed the importance of adhering to safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Resident accounts and fire safety measures

Residents of the tower shared their experiences, praising the swift action of the firefighters and emergency crews.

An Egyptian couple from the 26th floor recounted their escape, while an Uzbek woman from the 11th floor highlighted the help provided by firefighters.

The building, comprising 33 residential floors and five parking levels, saw its residents evacuated safely.

The fire originated in Block B, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety protocols.

IFSJ Comment

The fire in Sharjah’s Al Nahda tower serves as a reminder of the critical importance of fire safety measures in residential buildings.

The loss of lives underscores the need for continuous vigilance and adherence to safety protocols by both property owners and tenants.

It also highlights the exemplary response of emergency services, whose swift action prevented further casualties.

As investigations continue and preventive measures are scrutinized, this incident serves as yet another call to action for all stakeholders in the housing sector to prioritise safety and preparedness.

Ensuring such measures can mitigate risks, save lives, and provide a safer environment for all residents.

Sharjah Civil Defence initiates safety campaign in industrial areas

by Middle East - Breaking NewsSafety

Campaign launch for industrial safety compliance in Sharjah

Sharjah Civil Defence has initiated a focused campaign to ensure adherence to safety protocols in industrial facilities.

This campaign, a proactive effort to enhance safety in the industrial sector, commenced its first phase from February 1 to February 8.

Inspectors conducted thorough visits across all facilities located in industrial area 10.

During these inspections, they identified various safety violations and issued warnings to 180 establishments.

These entities were granted a 72-hour period to address and rectify the identified violations.

The violations noted by the inspectors ranged from improper storage practices and the construction of unlicensed housing to a general lack of safety standards.

Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the use of combustible chemicals and gases within these facilities.

Following this initial phase, the campaign is set to continue its efforts in industrial area 6.

Statements from Sharjah Civil Defence Authority

Brigadier Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, the Director-General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, elaborated on the campaign’s objectives: “We are committed to enhancing industrial safety and ensuring that all facilities comply with the established safety standards.

“Those establishments that have received warnings are required to visit civil defence service centres after rectifying the violations.”

This directive highlights the authority’s dedication to not only identifying issues but also ensuring they are adequately resolved.

Inspectors will conduct follow-up visits to these locations to verify that the necessary corrective actions have been taken.

Non-compliant companies risk facing legal consequences.

This stringent approach underlines Sharjah Civil Defence’s dedication to maintaining high safety standards across the industrial sector.

Recruitment and expansion plans

In tandem with this safety campaign, Sharjah Civil Defence is also undertaking significant recruitment and expansion initiatives.

Currently, they are in the process of recruiting 297 citizens for various roles, including firefighting and administrative positions.

From a pool of 350 applicants, these candidates will be chosen after comprehensive interviews and tests.

Additionally, 60 firefighters have recently completed their training in Abu Dhabi and joined Sharjah civil defence centres.

The upcoming months will witness the operational launch of two new fire stations, Al Nouf and Maliha, in the first half of 2024, while Al Siyouh fire station is scheduled to be operational by the following year.

The fleet enhancement will include the addition of new hazardous materials transport vehicles, eight first responder vehicles, and an array of new rescue devices and equipment.

Sharjah Civil Defence has also solidified its resource base by signing 13 contracts with nine suppliers.

These agreements, spanning three years, will facilitate the supply of 50 fire and rescue machinery, equipment, and marine parts.

IFSJ Comment

The Sharjah Civil Defence’s comprehensive campaign and expansion strategies reflect a robust commitment to public safety in industrial areas.

By conducting thorough inspections and enforcing stringent compliance measures, the authority demonstrates an unwavering resolve to prevent accidents and enhance overall safety standards.

Moreover, the recruitment of new personnel and the expansion of facilities and equipment underscore a forward-thinking approach to safeguarding the community.

These efforts are vital in creating a safer industrial environment and illustrate Sharjah Civil Defence’s role as a proactive and responsible entity in managing fire and safety risks.