Fire Protection System Compliance Guide for the MENA Region

Fire Protection System Compliance Guide for the MENA Region

When designing or supplying a fire protection system in the MENA region, regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. Each country—whether Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, or others—has its own civil defense authority, yet nearly all require global certifications like UL, FM, and standards like AWWA C515, NFPA 24, or ISO 9001.

At BIMEX, we work closely with engineers, contractors, and regulators to ensure our products meet or exceed every local and international requirement. Here’s a practical compliance checklist for fire protection projects in the region.

1. Start with Certified Components

The foundation of any compliant fire protection system lies in its core components:

• UL Listed & FM Approved Valves and Hydrants
  BIMEX offers a full range of UL/FM-certified gate valves, check valves, and fire hydrants, including the BX5000 dry barrel hydrant, built to UL246 / FM1510.

• Coating Standards – AWWA C550
  Valves must have fusion-bonded epoxy coating with a minimum thickness of 250 μm, tested for adhesion and resistance to corrosion.

2. Check Local Civil Defense Approvals

Every country has a fire safety regulatory body that sets additional requirements beyond international codes. These may include:

• 🇸🇦 Saudi Civil Defense (KSA)
  Requires third-party certified valves and components, clear labelling, Arabic documentation, and system testability.

• 🇦🇪 UAE Civil Defense
  Demands full conformity with NFPA 13, 14, and 24, with inspection access for hydrants and test results from approved labs.

• 🇪🇬 Egyptian Civil Defense
  Typically aligns with NFPA and AWWA, with an increasing shift toward UL/FM product usage in high-risk facilities.

• Other MENA Regions
  Require either Gulf-standardized conformity (G-Mark, SASO, ESMA) or international certifications with local approval.

3. Hydraulic & Pressure Ratings

Fire system components must handle:

• Working Pressure: Typically 175 to 250 psi

• Test Pressure: 1.5× working pressure (as per UL/FM)

BIMEX products, such as resilient seated gate valves, are designed and tested to exceed these thresholds.

4. Supervision & Tamper-Proofing

Modern fire systems require monitoring for every control valve:

• Tamper switches for all gate valves

• Post indicator valves (PIVs) in outdoor applications

• OS&Y valves for visible position verification in pump rooms

BIMEX provides valves with integrated tamper switch options ready for BMS or fire alarm panel integration.

5. Documentation & Traceability

Regulatory authorities expect:

• Product datasheets

• UL/FM certificates

• Pressure test reports

• ISO certification for the manufacturer (e.g., ISO 9001, 45001)

At BIMEX, we deliver complete technical submittals and project documentation packages tailored to each country’s standards.

 Why BIMEX?

We’re not just a supplier—we’re a certified partner in compliance.

• UL/FM Certified Product Range

• Full engineering documentation available

• Manufactured under ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001

• Approved in multiple MENA countries

 In Summary: A MENA Fire Protection Compliance Checklist

Need a Local-Compliant Fire Protection System?

📩 Contact BIMEX for support with certification documents, system design, or compliance audits across the MENA region.