In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the civil protection system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Interior officially announced the adoption of a comprehensive regulatory framework for fire safety, prevention, and protection officers. This framework covers all government agencies and private sector establishments, providing a precise legal and technical structure to ensure the highest safety standards and protect lives and national assets.
Context of the decision and its strategic importance
This decision comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing a comprehensive urban and developmental renaissance within the framework of Vision 2030, necessitating continuous updates to safety regulations to keep pace with the expansion of infrastructure and major projects. This regulation represents a qualitative leap from simply having firefighting equipment to having a "qualified human resource" for risk management. By institutionalizing the role of "Safety Officer," the state ensures self-monitoring within facilities, thus reducing the burden on civil defense teams and shifting the focus from disaster response to proactive prevention before disasters occur.
Classification of facilities and conditions for appointing the manager
The new regulations detail the mechanisms for appointing a safety officer based on the building's equipment. They mandate that entities with automatic sprinkler systems appoint a full-time safety officer, given the complexity of these systems and the need for close monitoring. Conversely, the regulations permit facilities without such systems to assign safety duties to an employee in addition to their regular job, provided that safety requirements are not compromised.
Required academic qualifications and experience
To ensure efficient performance, the regulations set strict conditions for those who occupy this position, including:
- Obtaining specialized training qualifications 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.
- Those holding internationally recognized certifications such as (NEBOSH, OSHA, NFPA) are exempt from the experience requirement, reflecting the Ministry’s keenness to attract global talent and apply international standards.
Legal responsibility and daily tasks
The regulations clearly define the criminal and legal liability of the safety officer; they are directly responsible in the event of accidents resulting from negligence or dereliction of duty, unless they prove that they notified senior management of the risks and officially documented this. Their duties include:
- Conduct daily and periodic inspections of the alarm and fire suppression systems.
- Create a "Safety Log" to record maintenance and training operations, and make it available to civil defense inspectors.
- Maintaining up-to-date building plans and security systems.
- Direct coordination with the Civil Defense and reporting of periodic inspection dates.
Emergency plans and ongoing training
The regulations also addressed awareness and practical aspects, mandating annual training for all facility employees of at least 10 hours to ensure their readiness to handle emergencies. They also emphasized the necessity of having approved evacuation plans that clearly outline escape routes and assembly points, along with conducting regular fire drills to verify the effectiveness of the plans and the preparedness of field teams, thus strengthening the culture of occupational safety in the Saudi workplace.
