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Promat, a leader in passive fire protection, opens its first Middle East office.
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| 23 Oct 2006 |
Companies involved in the Middle East building boom will now have on-the-ground support from Europe's leading force in passive fire protection. Promat has opened its first office in the region, in Dubai. The company has been operating in the Middle East for more than 20 years and has an impressive list of local clients.
Customers are not just buying into products. Promat is also renowned for its technical back-up. This draws on the resources and expertise of a worldwide research network and 40 years experience in passive fire protection. Now this expertise is available on-the-ground to architects, engineers and contractors throughout the region.
Incidents have raised public awareness about fire hazards in buildings. Examples include the Oasis Shopping Centre and more recent fires at a furniture factory at Al Aweer and the Gulf & Safa Dairies plant close to Dubai International Airport. So fire protection is not an area where companies can afford to cut corners. Promat can help.
"This is the next stage for us," says Geoff Mann, who heads the new Dubai office. "We're here to offer technical support to architects, engineers and contractors with the full range of products and systems available from the Promat Group."
The Promat office will also support clients in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt and Iran, through a network of distributors. Alongside supporting the Middle East, the office will be responsible for Turkey and Greece.
Regulations governing fire protection in the Middle East have been far less stringent than in Europe. But that's changing. International architectural practices and construction standards are playing a larger role in the region these days. The high value of new projects also has raised awareness about the importance of fire safety.
Passive fire protection is built into the fabric of a building. It creates a physical barrier to contain heat and prevent the spread of smoke and fire. It can't be turned off, requires no power or water to work, and remains passive until it's called upon to provide fire protection. Promat's products and systems help control the course of a fire and the damage it can do. They can contain fires for up to 240 minutes, giving occupants time to leave the building and fire fighters a chance to stop its collapse.
Among the company's current projects are the new Dubai Mall, and lining for the underwater tunnel that connects the Crescent of the Palm Jumeirah resort to the main palm trunk. Promat's products have also been put to the test at luxury hotels such as the Burj Al Arab Hotel and the award-winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Promat is owned by Etex, a European building materials group with centres in more than 30 countries. These form a global network of specific knowledge concerning fire protection and high temperature insulation. Promat is constantly in tune with the legislation and building culture of the countries in which it operates. And with the new Dubai office, it will also be producing dedicated literature for the Middle East.
"Companies know that when they come to us they really are getting the best products and support available," says Geoff Mann. "We're really excited to be playing a far greater part in this market and the future fire safety of the region."
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