The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched a new Middle East and North Africa (MENA) solutions page in Arabic as part of its 125th Anniversary commitment to serving global stakeholders. The new microsite introduces building, electrical, fire, and life safety workers in MENA territories to the NFPA codes, standards, training and certification resources that are paramount for keeping pace with progress.

Countries within the MENA region have experienced incredible growth over the last 25 years. The breakneck speed of development in the Gulf Region has led to electrical, fire protection, code enforcement, and inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) challenges like those experienced in the U.S. and other countries over the last century — only in the Middle East and North Africa, safety issues are presenting in a more condensed, concerning manner.

NFPA has spent decades working with government authorities and private entities in the Middle East to reduce risk, but this marks the first time the association has promoted relevant resources in Arabic for those charged with protecting people and property.

NFPA is making its resources accessible to more than 400 million Arabic speaking people in Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Anas Alzaid, the local NFPA representative in Saudi Arabia, assesses local safety concerns; builds relationships; develops safety strategies with existing and new alliances; and represents NFPA in regulatory, legislative, and technical circles.

Alzaid has identified the following NFPA guidance as priority solutions for cultivating an effective safety infrastructure throughout the burgeoning region:  

• NFPA 1, The Fire Code
• NFPA 13, The Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
• NFPA 20, Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection and NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems 
• NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code and NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code
• NFPA 70, National Electrical Code and NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
• NFPA 72, The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• NFPA 101, The Life Safety Code

The new Arabic solutions page also provides information on a wide array of online and in-person training offerings, as well as classroom training programs that assist professionals looking to prepare for certification. Trainings are based on the job requirements and proficiencies found in NFPA codes, standards, and handbooks.

“NFPA is synonymous with fire prevention and safety all over the world and has identified MENA as a priority region. Promoting NFPA codes, standards, and training solutions in Arabic so that stakeholders can understand the level of expertise it takes to establish a solid infrastructure, no matter the pace of development, is a great first step,” Alzaid said. “The new NFPA Arabic solutions page comes at a critical time in MENA’s history, and shows at-a-glance, the various steps it will take to connect the dots on safety in the Gulf Region.”