Whether commercial or industrial in nature, fire is one of the most dangerous disasters that can occur. What is the risk to your business? When assessing this it is useful to understand the definition of 'fire hazard'. A fire hazard has two separate components; the first is the possibility of a fire taking place, and second, the enormity of the consequences of that fire. A metal fabrication workshop, for instance, has a high possibility of fire due to the cutting and welding equipment utilised. However, if the company in question ensures that there are no combustible substances and they have up-to-date and well maintained firefighting equipment, a fire is not likely to spread, so the consequences should be low. This is a very simplistic example, but goes to show that common sense and good fire protection are vital in the modern world.
Fire protection is not a DIY job, it requires experience and expertise. NAFFCO provides both of these vital attributes and is today one of the world's leading providers of innovative solutions for protecting life, environment and property. In fact, there is nothing that NAFFCO can't protect, from the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, to industrial units and airports the company always has a solution in terms of fire protection and safety standards.
One of the world's most respected businesses in fire protection engineering, NAFFCO offers a broad portfolio of superior quality firefighting equipment, fire protection systems, fire alarms, security and safety engineering systems. Moreover, as an Emirati firm, with all of its products being manufactured locally in the UAE, its vision is to be the industry's market leader globally, and as it already exports to more than 100 countries it is well on its way to achieving this target.
Its top-of-the-line products include all types of firefighting systems, such as sprinklers, inert gas systems, CO2 and the complete line of powder systems. It also offers state-of-the-art fire trucks, rapid intervention vehicles, crash tenders for airports, mobile hospitals (for refugees and emergency provisions), airport rescue firefighting vehicles (popularly known as ARF), and a variety of different types of ambulance.
Protecting the UAE
Located in the world's largest free zone, Jafza, NAFFCO was first established in 1991, and its proximity to both the port and a new airport has helped tremendously in its quest to serve a global marketplace.
The growth and diversification of the UAE economy as also fuelled growth and expansion, with innovation and technology advancements in the construction, maintenance, manufacturing, trade and retail sectors having provided it with numerous opportunities to research and develop the very latest solutions.
This five-time winner of the UAE's Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Excellence Award boasts a 12,000 strong workforce cooperating with authorities throughout the world and has an unrivalled track record when it comes to raising safety standards. The company is equally committed to the development of products and services that are environmentally friendly. NAFFCO has a vast portfolio of 'green' fire prevention and protection products, ranging from eco-friendly extinguishers to fire suppression systems.
As a provider of total fire protection systems, NAFFCO undertakes turnkey projects across a broad array of markets and sectors beginning with the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of various systems including fire detection, fire alarm, fire suppression and firefighting systems. Each one of these solutions is practical, cost-effective and tailor-made to the specific needs and requirements of individual customers.
These customers take in some of the biggest names in the UAE, including the Burj Khalifa; Dubai Metro; Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central); Jumeirah Beach Residence; Mall of the Emirates; Mirdif City Centre; Palm Jumeirah; The Address Downtown; ADIC; Masdar City; Paris Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi; and Yas Island.
Naffco's Vision in India
Naffco is aligned with the vision of Indian government “MAKE IN INDIA” and a step towards the same Naffco has started with their 100% owned subsidiary NAFFCO INDIA PVT. LTD. and having sales, engineering and after sales and service office in Advant Navis Tower, Sector-142, Expressway, Noida and a branch in Mumbai. At the moment Naffco is executing projects in India such as 2x660MW – Super critical Thermal Power Plant of NTPC in Khargoan, M.P and having a list of esteemed clients in India such as HAL Nasik, Hyderabad Metro rail, Shapoorji Paloonji, Lodha group and many more. They are aggressively looking to take market share in India and to support the same very soon coming up with manufacturing plants in India.
Total Solutions
NAFFCO's products comply with international Quality Management Systems such as ISO 9001, together with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System for occupational safety. Furthermore, the company has implemented a new innovative monitoring system that enables it to monitor fire pumps 24/7 irrespective of the location. In line with the strict application of codes and standards and the UAE's momentum to develop, NAFFCO is also proud to have developed the cloud system to in lieu with the vision of the UAE Civil Defence.
With factories in the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, NAFFCO offers a service that is universally recognised as being unparalleled in the industry today, with the company's CEO, Eng. Khalid al Khatib commenting: “We have led from the front, evolving and developing firefighting as a fundamental element in the development of safety standards.” It is no surprise, therefore, that many of the UAE's most iconic buildings, as well as numerous industrial and commercial units, are protected by NAFFCO.
The company's clients recognise that NAFFCO provides total solutions, ranging from manufacturing, installation and testing through to commissioning and maintenance of firefighting equipment and security systems. This goes a long way to explaining why the company provides firefighting vehicles to clients in locations as diverse as Japan and South America.
Eng. Khalid al Khatib believes that being a free-trade zone, Jafza has helped NAFFCO to go from strength-to-strength. Moreover, the strategic advantage that Dubai enjoys has provided the company with the added impetus for growth and mobility.
Thinking Smart
Looking to the future, NAFFCO is committed to developing Smart Solutions, keeping in mind the eagerness and policy of Developing Countries to opt for Smart Cities.
Eng. Khalid al Khatib concludes: “We believe in investing in the future, with ongoing research and development being essential. Consequently, we do not want to limit it. We believe in finding new solutions and investing in state-of-the-art production.
“Firefighting is an essential requirement in our lives, so there can be no compromise whatsoever.”