Sparks fly for regional fire safety

Ms. Suganya Rajan.

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Opportunities are endless for the Middle East’s fire detection and suppression sector, according to Frost and Sullivan’s research analyst for environment and building technologies practice Suganya Rajan.

The Middle East fire detection and suppression systems market is mainly driven by the increasing awareness about fire safety, especially in newly constructed high rises. And, with increasing commercial and industrial activities in the region, the construction sector and the fire safety systems market could witness a bright future.

The fire safety sector is influenced by the civil defense authorities of the respective countries, who play a major role in designing the norms and regulations, which in turn influence the demand for such systems.

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The respective civil defense authorities are consistently trying to improve the safety concerns in the tall concrete structures. All safety laws laid down by the civil defence authorities are strictly implemented and contractors and consultants abide by them.

Market overview:
The Middle East fire detection and suppression systems market is in its growth stage. The GCC states generated cumulative surpluses due to increased oil prices in 2008, and much of this income was directed towards construction projects and industrial development.

The influx of expatriates and increasing per capita income has augmented the demand for residential and retail development. Increasing activities in the industrial and commercial sectors, where suppression systems are widely used in places, such as refineries and server rooms, have boosted sales figures for such systems.

Trends point to a gravitation away from conventional systems to intelligent addressable systems as the Civil Defence does not approve projects that plan to use conventional system, especially in Dubai. The UAE dominated the demand for fire detection and suppression systems in the Middle East and remained the regional leader in terms of market opportunities in 2008.

However, there is a distinct shift of focus of attention towards Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Market concentration in Saudi Arabia and Qatar is low and offers good opportunities for new entrants.

Surging demand for fire detection and suppression systems in various end-user segments and increasing awareness about safety requirements could help this market grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 12% per year between 2010 and 2013.

The market is expected to gradually become more organised and highly competitive. A gradual shift in focus from the UAE to other countries in the region is expected and this could provide better returns with limited competition.

Competitive pricing and service offerings are the basis on which the success of system integrators is judged. End users and consultants are increasingly demanding comprehensive solutions to provide fire safety for their facilities.