WITH the safety of residents and visitors at Dhahran Tower being a primary concern, the developers have turned to a Saudi veteran specialising in the field of fire alarm and fire-fighting systems to ensure fail-safe protection at the landmark tower in the event of a fire.

Safety and Industrial Equipment Centre Company (SIEC), whose products are based on NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) and local authority standards, is responsible for the design, supply and installation of the sprinkler system, pump rooms, clean agent system and fire alarm system at the tower, according to Ali Abdullah Ohali, general manager.

Ohali (top) and Al Tramsy ... work on SIEC’s package is nearly complete.

As the contractor for the fire protection system at Dhahran Tower under a SR6 million ($1.6 million) deal, SIEC is expected to complete its three-year contract in February next year. Work on its fire-protection and fire-fighting package is almost 90 per cent complete with the rest under way, according to Ahmed Al Tramsy, technical manager at the company.

SIEC specialises in the design, supply and installation of fire protection and fire-fighting sytems.

It is an agent for fire alarm and security systems from Spectronics of the US, fire extinguishers and refilling machines from ABM Victoria of Italy, and fire hose reels and cabinets from No-Ha of Norway as well as Tipsa of Spain.

The company’s scope of activities covers project design, drafting and estimation; supply, installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance of fire alarm, fire fighting, sprinkler, CCTV and security systems, and a variety of fire extinguishers; and refilling and hydro-testing of fire extinguishers, including those containing ABC dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide (CO2), foam and water, Halon 1211 and 1301, and NAFS3, FM-200 and other agents.

“Our fire extinguishers provide maximum reliability of performance as well as long-time value and low maintenance cost. All fire extinguishers conform to Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation (Saso) and CEN standards or are UL (underwriters laboratories)-listed,” he says.

The company offers a wide selection of sprinkler systems. Tramsy says that the wet pipe is the most reliable and simple of all sprinkler systems since no equipment other than the sprinklers themselves is needed for operation. Other types include the deluge systems, which are normally used for high hazard areas requiring an immediate application of water over the entire risk area. Meanwhile, the preaction systems are generally used to protect properties where there is danger of serious water damage as a result of damaged automatic sprinklers or broken piping.

SIEC’s comprehensive fire safety portfolio also includes fire trucks (command and rapid intervention vehicle, fire pumps, foam tankers) and ambulances. It is also one of the leading companies supplying a complete line of fire apparatus, custom and quick attack pumps, aerials, tankers, crash fire rescue vehicles besides providing training, spare parts and after-sales service of this equipment.

Al Anoud Tower ... a major project for SIEC.

“SIEC attaches great importance to the protection of people in the fire-fighting business. That is why it offers a wide range of breathing devices such as first-aid equipment, respirators, masks and safety glasses to meet the exact needs of clients while assuring them of the highest possible protection,” says Tramsy.

SIEC’s fire-fighting suits are specially designed to offer maximum protection needed in hazardous situations. A complete range of fire-fighting and protective clothing, chemical and acid suits, uniforms for safety and security personnel, and reflective vests are available, all according to NFPA or EC standards.

The company continues to be on the look-out for the best products in life safety and emergency care, so that the jobs of those involved can be made easier and more effective. “Complete sets of fire-fighting hose reels and rack assemblies are available in different sizes, as well as portable and heavy-duty fire pumps and fire hydrants. These accessories are designed and built to the highest quality and standards for a long, trouble-free life,” he says.

SIEC’s product offering includes a wide range of light/sound systems specially designed for security and police emergency vehicles.

In the industrial safety category, SIEC supplies standardised helmets, safety goggles, gloves, harnesses, welding hoods and shields, safety shoes, boots, fire suits and fire plants and coveralls.

The company also supplies a wide range of road safety equipment to meet various requirements, including road barriers, lane dividers, road mirrors, reflective tapes, cones, bollards, speed ramps and barrier gates.

Established in Riyadh in 1979, SIEC is a fully-owned Saudi organisation and a pioneer in the field of fire and safety. For the past 31 years, it has continued to remain successful in this field, having clinched prestigious projects and accomplished them professionally. Apart from the Dhahran Tower, it is also involved in a mixed-use project in Riyadh for the Princess Al Anoud Charity Organisation and the Charity Committee for Orphans Care.

The company, which employs about 80 people, has showrooms in Riyadh – where its main warehouse is located – and Jeddah.

“SIEC has vast experience in studying the requirements and supplying and installing automatic and standard fire alarm and control systems and providing necessary maintenance, having undertaken design works for all projects right from supply and execution to final tests, delivery and operation,” concludes Al Tramsy.