NFPA & Aramco Join Forces for Fire Safety in Saudi Energy and Petrochemicals Sector

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®) and Aramco, a global leader in energy and chemicals, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop fire, electrical, and life safety regulations. This collaboration aims to enhance educational initiatives and leverage expertise to protect lives and property within Saudi Arabia's energy and petrochemicals sector.

MoU Signing Ceremony

The MoU was officially signed by Sami A. Ajmi, Acting Vice President of Fire Protection at Aramco, and Jim Pauley, President and CEO of NFPA, during a ceremony at Aramco's headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This partnership marks a significant step in fostering cooperation between the two entities.

Commitment to Safety and Risk Minimization

The agreement highlights a mutual dedication to reducing fire and electrical-related risks while enhancing the exchange of vital fire data and information. Aramco and NFPA are committed to setting high safety standards within the energy and petrochemicals industry, aiming to mitigate potential damages and safeguard assets.

Development of Training Programs and Certification Processes

A key focus of the partnership will be the development of comprehensive training programs and the implementation of certification processes. The collaboration will also explore innovative fire prevention technologies to ensure the highest level of safety.

Knowledge Transfer and Research Initiatives

The MoU includes initiatives for knowledge transfer, sharing best practices, and conducting in-depth research to elevate Saudi Arabia’s fire safety standards to an international level. Both organizations will utilize the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem framework to analyse fire data and evaluate the economic impact of fires, guiding future prevention and response strategies.

Commenting on the agreement, Sami A. Ajmi, Vice President (A) of Fire Protection at Aramco said: “The historical significance of this MoU is the result of a long and great journey between Aramco, as the biggest industrial oil producer and NFPA, as a standard developer aiming to enhance fire protection measures and safeguard our operations and communities. This MoU was a major milestone in Fire Protection’s Global Participation Program, in which one of the goals of this program is to contribute to global fire safety and foster collaboration and information exchange. I’m proud to see many Aramco employees influencing the development of NFPA standards globally as principal standard committee members at many NFPA standards.”

"Partnering with Aramco marks a transformative chapter in our pursuit of enhanced fire safety. This collaboration will not only raise the safety standards in the Kingdom but also serve as a catalyst for industry-wide improvements. By combining our expertise, resources, and shared vision, we will develop comprehensive training programs, implement advanced technologies, and foster a culture of safety that extends beyond our organizations. Together, we will protect the energy and petrochemical industry, ensuring the use of the latest safety standards and innovative solutions," said Jim Pauley, President and CEO of NFPA.