Schedule

Registration & Networking

Delegate registration and networking
Registration, snacks and networking outside the main hall.

Introduction

MC event introduction and welcome
Welcome to the 2026 Fire Security Summit, event mechanics and what’s lined up for the day.

Jason Saundalkar

Welcome Speech
Big Project Middle East’s Head of Content Jason Saundalkar welcomes speakers and delegates to the summit and discusses the event’s key themes and focuses.

Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East

TBA

Keynote address
Content to be announced soon.

Panel Discussion One

Raising Building Fire Safety Standards in the Middle East

Buildings are susceptible to a variety of threats, with fires ranking in the top five most deadly to life, property and the structure itself. As incidents of extreme heat and drier conditions increase in the region’s urban areas, a structure’s electrical and cooling systems, insulation and fire-resistant materials also come under increased pressure. It’s therefore vital that fire safety standards be elevated to ensure that life and property are protected, which calls for a multi-faceted approach to fire safety. This panel discussion will shine a light on:

• Moving from basic compliance to local building and fire codes/standard to accountability across the construction and building supply chain
• Adoption and/or integration of foreign safety principles and concepts such as the ‘Golden Thread’ into local regulations
• Existing building & fire codes and standards, and how construction stakeholders can navigate them to ensure new buildings are fully compliant and/or exceed minimum expectations through the building’s lifecycle
• Building components that are most at risk during extreme heat and ultra dry conditions, and how stakeholders can mitigate risks posed by these extreme weather events
• Implementing cutting edge MEP fire protection systems that can swiftly detect, control and suppress fires in a structure
• Leveraging certified fire-resistant materials in a building’s construction to limit the spread of fires (fire retardant paints, fire doors, fire-resistant façade materials etc)
• Ensuring fire safety systems are maintained and functioning properly, so residents trust them and take action when they are triggered
• The importance of emergency response planning and resident buy-in and training on evacuation plans
• The role of resident and occupant engagement in building trust and improving compliance outcomes

Moderator: TBA

Speakers: TBA

Presentation

First presentation
Content to be announced soon.

Networking

Coffee break

Break for coffee and networking.

Panel Discussion Two

Fire Safe Mega-Project Sites

Active mega-project construction sites are complex environments that play host to thousands of individuals, plenty of heavy equipment, tons of construction materials, and a variety of other elements. As a result, they must be managed carefully to ensure that a disaster such as a fire does not break out and lead to a loss of life, damage and significant project delays. In recent years, there have been several fire incidents at active construction sites across the region, meaning the time to act and prevent this from happening again is now. This session will discuss:

• The main causes of fire incidents at active mega-project construction sites across the Middle East
• Identifying ignition sources and working to mitigate the risks posed by these elements
• The importance of trained site personnel in terms of construction works and fire safety to minimise the risk of a fire breaking out, and instilling a safe and responsible work culture on-site
• The installation and maintenance of capable fire detection and suppression systems, and the need to have capable fire-fighting equipment on-site
• Managing and disposing of construction waste materials properly
• Planning escape routes and putting emergency plans into place for potential fire hazards
• Checking electrical systems and tools consistently to ensure they are working properly and not a potential fire hazard
• Real world examples of governance frameworks on mega project sites that have proved successful and can be adapted to other sites

Moderator: TBA

Speakers: TBA

Presentation

Second presentation
Content to be announced soon.

Networking

Lunch
One hour break for buffet lunch and networking.

Panel Discussion Three

Next Generation Smart Protection & Innovation

In recent years, there’s been significant innovation in fire safety systems, fire safety training technology and even fireproof materials. Today it’s possible to deploy artificial intelligence enhanced fire alarms and fire suppression systems, leverage drones for fire monitoring, secure up-to-date information on active fires via the integration of IoT in a building’s fire safety systems, and even run simulated fire scenarios to enhance individual preparedness and decision-making skills during emergencies. This session will explore:

• The critical part that IoT-connected sensors and other electronic devices can play in providing a comprehensive overview of building safety before and during emergencies
• AI-enabled smart fire detection systems that can predict and even prevent fires and minimise false alarms
• Ensuring interoperability between new technologies and existing building systems
• Leveraging fire modelling to predict how fires may behave in a structure, so action plans can be drawn up in advance
• Are wireless fire detection systems the answer to retrofitting older buildings with up-to-date technology? Are these as effective as hard-line based systems?
• Rolling out predictive technology that can alert building managers to important maintenance requirements before they grow into bigger issues such as electrical fires
• Choosing the right fire suppression systems for a structure and taking advantage of eco-friendly suppression agents as well as those that can minimise water damage to a structure

Moderator: TBA

Speakers: TBA

Presentation

Third presentation
Content to be announced soon.

Event Wrap-up

MC closing remarks
Thank you for attending the 2026 Fire Security Summit.