New fire safety and prevention regulations in Saudi Arabia: requirements and tasks

In a strategic move aimed at raising safety standards in national facilities, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the adoption of a comprehensive regulatory framework for fire safety and prevention officers in both government and private sectors. This step comes to solidify occupational safety principles and protect lives and property, in line with the Kingdom's rapid urban and economic development.

Context of strengthening the national safety system

This new regulation comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is witnessing a massive urban development boom as part of Vision 2030, necessitating updated legislation to ensure a safe working and living environment. The shift from traditional safety methods to the application of rigorous institutional standards represents a fundamental transformation in the Civil Defense strategy, moving the focus from simply responding to disasters to proactive prevention through qualified and specialized personnel within each facility.

Classification of facilities and mechanism for appointing officials

The regulations establish precise criteria for defining the role of a safety officer based on the level of risk and the building's equipment. The new legislation mandates the appointment of a full-time safety officer in establishments with automatic sprinkler systems, given the need for close and continuous monitoring of these systems. Conversely, the regulations permit assigning safety duties (part-time) to an employee in facilities that do not require automatic sprinkler systems, thus providing flexibility for small and medium-sized enterprises without compromising safety standards.

Qualifications and experience: Competency is a requirement

To ensure quality performance, the regulations not only mandated the presence of the responsible official, but also set strict requirements for their qualifications, including:

• Obtaining specialized qualification and training in the field of safety and prevention in accordance with the requirements of the Saudi Building Code .
• At least three years of field experience in the field of safety.
• The possibility of waiving the experience requirement for holders of internationally accredited certificates such as (NFPA, OSHA, NEBOSH), which reflects the Ministry’s keenness to attract global talent and apply the best international practices.

The regulations also provided an option for entities to contract with licensed engineering or technical offices to carry out the duties of the safety officer, provided that they verify their ability to conduct daily and periodic inspections.

Legal responsibility and daily tasks

The regulations addressed the legal aspect firmly, stipulating that the safety officer bears full legal responsibility in the event of accidents resulting from negligence or dereliction of duty. To protect themselves, they must document any shortcomings and report them to senior management. Their daily responsibilities include:

• Conducting daily and periodic inspections of alarm and fire suppression systems and emergency exits.
• Maintain an up-to-date safety logbook that includes maintenance and inspection dates, ready for civil defense inspection at any time.
• Direct coordination with maintenance teams to ensure the operation of pumps and backup generators.

Expected impact: A safer work environment

The implementation of this regulation is expected to significantly reduce fire incident rates in the Kingdom and minimize economic losses resulting from business disruptions and property damage. The regulation will also enhance employee safety awareness by mandating annual training programs of at least 10 hours for all staff, in addition to conducting evacuation drills to ensure everyone is prepared to respond to emergencies.

Evacuation plans and strict monitoring

The regulations emphasize the necessity of having detailed and approved evacuation plans, including clear maps of escape routes and assembly points. This regulation concludes by activating the role of Civil Defense inspectors to monitor violations. Any party found negligent will be subject to investigation and penalties stipulated in the Civil Defense Law, thus underscoring the state's commitment to enforcing safety standards without compromise.