The Ministry of Interior adopts the regulations for the safety and fire prevention officer

In a move aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the public safety system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Interior announced the adoption of a new detailed regulation governing the work of fire safety, prevention, and protection officers in all government agencies and private sector institutions. This step comes to strengthen compliance with international safety standards and protect lives and property from potential hazards.

Organizational context to enhance quality of life

The issuance of this regulation comes within the framework of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to improve the urban environment and raise the level of safety in facilities, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program. This regulation complements the implementation of the Saudi Building Code, as the relevant authorities seek to move from a reactive to a proactive prevention phase. This is achieved through the presence of qualified and trained personnel capable of managing safety within facilities with high efficiency, thus reducing economic losses resulting from fires and ensuring business continuity.

Classification of establishments and appointment mechanism

The new regulations establish precise criteria for appointing safety officers, linking the requirement for full-time employment to the level of risk and size of the facility. The regulations mandate the appointment of a full-time safety officer in establishments with automatic sprinkler systems, given the need for close and continuous monitoring of these systems. Conversely, the regulations permit assigning safety duties to a part-time employee in establishments that do not require automatic sprinkler systems, thus providing flexibility for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Required qualifications and experience

To ensure efficient performance, the regulations stipulate that the safety officer must possess specialized scientific and training qualifications, including accredited courses in the Saudi Building Code. The regulations also require a minimum of three years of field experience, with exceptions granted to holders of prestigious international occupational safety certifications such as NFPA, OSHA, and NEBOSH. Furthermore, the regulations permit entities to contract with licensed engineering or technical firms to perform these tasks, provided their competence and ability to conduct periodic inspections are verified.

Legal responsibility and daily tasks

The regulations establish a clear legal framework defining the responsibilities of the safety officer. The safety officer is legally responsible to the relevant authorities in the event of accidents resulting from negligence or dereliction of duty, unless they can prove that they notified senior management of the risks and officially documented this notification. Their daily duties include:

• Conducting daily and periodic inspections of the alarm and fire suppression systems.
• Maintain an up-to-date safety record that includes all inspections and maintenance work.
• Preparing and implementing annual evacuation plans and drills in coordination with the Civil Defense.
• Training employees and raising awareness of preventive measures within the facility.

Control and compliance

The regulations concluded by emphasizing the role of civil defense inspectors in monitoring the implementation of these requirements, as any negligence or violation will be subject to the penalties and sanctions stipulated in the Civil Defense Law, to ensure full compliance and provide a safe working environment for all.