Doha, Qatar: The recent fire that forced the evacuation of the prestigious Torch Tower in Dubai underlined the importance of fire control regulations and safe design in buildings in reducing damage to property and loss of lives.

Prompt action on the part of the emergency services and adherence to safety codes laid down by civil authorities ensured that damages in this particular incident was reduced to a minimum.

With 220 residential building fires reported across the UAE in 2014, raising awareness about fire safety measures and safety design in buildings in compliance with existing safety codes takes high priority among both local authorities and developers across the region.

Highlighting the importance of safety and regulation in fire protection and building design, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organiser of Intersec – the world’s largest trade show for the security, safety, and fire protection industries – announced the event will feature a dedicated Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion in its upcoming edition.

“Given the importance of ensuring that buildings and structures around the region are in compliance with the safety codes laid down by the authorities, it is crucial to create awareness of the vital role these safety measures play in protecting life and property,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

“With this in mind, we are introducing the Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion at Intersec 2016, which will have a special focus on the life safety design, building construction, fire protection, fire rated building materials, fire alarm and smoke ventilation systems.”

The importance of safety standards and practices in the built environment will also be in the spotlight at the 2015 round of the Safety Design in Buildings Conferences, of which the first two of seven legs are being held in Doha on the 20th April, and Kuwait on the 22nd April.

Organised by Sesam Business Consultants and sponsored by Intersec, the conference series forms a GCC-wide initiative to debate and highlight the current standards of safety and security in buildings in the region as well as to promote a dialogue between regional industry professionals and international experts.

The conferences will feature a high-powered panel of international safety and design experts investigating fire safety considerations for malls and other high occupancy buildings in the region with a view to strategy planning, material and safety system requirements.

Supported by the Chartered Institute of Buildings (CIOB), the Society of Facade Engineering (CIBSE) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International), the conferences target architects, engineers, regulators and related professionals of the construction and contracting industry.

After Doha and Kuwait, the 2015 Safety Design in Buildings Conference series move on to Manama Bahrain in June, Riyadh and Jeddah in October, Cairo in November, and Muscat in December.

The 18th edition of Intersec will take place from 17-19 January 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.  In 2015, the dedicated three-day event featured 1,235 exhibitors from 52 countries, and attracted 27,303 trade visitors from 118 countries.