NFPA and Aramco have signed an MoU to enhance fire safety within Saudi Arabia’s energy and petrochemicals industry
The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) and Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop fire, electrical, and life safety regulations collaboratively, promote educational initiatives, and share expertise to safeguard lives and property within the Kingdom’s energy and petrochemicals industry.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Sami A. Ajmi, Vice President (A) of Fire Protection at Aramco and Jim Pauley, President and CEO of NFPA, at a ceremony held at Aramco’s headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The agreement underscores a shared commitment to minimizing fire and electrical-related risks and damages while maximizing the exchange of critical fire data and information and aiming to establish high safety standards in the energy and petrochemicals industry. Together, the two entities will create robust training programs, implement certification processes, and explore cutting-edge fire prevention technologies. The partnership will also focus on knowledge transfer, best practice sharing, and in-depth research to elevate Saudi Arabia’s fire safety standards to a global level. Both organizations will leverage the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™ framework to analyze fire data and assess the economic impact of fires on society, informing 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, one of the goals of which 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 catalyze 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.