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Goal:

The regulation aims to establish controls and procedures for the establishment and formation of private fire and rescue teams in fully equipped facilities humanly and automatically in accordance with the articles of this regulation.

Article (1):

Definitions:

The following terms and expressions - wherever mentioned in this regulation have the meanings expressed in front of them, unless the context requires otherwise:

1. System:      

The Civil Defense Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/10) dated (10/5/1406H) and its amendments.

2-           Regulation:

The regulation means -wherever it appears- the list of private fire and rescue teams updated to the regulation issued by Ministerial Decision No. 8015 dated 8/3/1435 AH to determine the controls and procedures for the establishment and formation of private fire and rescue teams in public and private facilities.

3.           Specifications and Metrics:

It is the specifications and standards issued by The Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO) that must be adhered and taken into account, or European, US or any other specifications approved by SASO.

4-           Fire Brigade:

A group of qualified and licensed persons to carry out firefighting works and use the available movable and stationary extinguishing means.

5-           Rescue Brigade:

A group of qualified and licensed persons to carry out rescue work and use the available movable and stationary rescue means.

6.           Eligible Person:

A person who has passed the tests of knowledge and professional skill (Knowledge & Skills) of his specialization, in accordance with the controls and standards of the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), and the tests are conducted and evaluated by an accredited body by the General Directorate of Civil Defense as follows :

Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications (NFPA 1021 ).

Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications (NFPA 1001 ).

Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications (NFPA 1006).

7- Temporary celebrations:

All public or private events or activities that are held at specified intervals in temporary or permanent locations, so that it is necessary to provide fire and rescue teams present during the period of such events or activities.

8- High-rise buildings:

A building with an occupied floor located at a height of more than 23 meters above the lowest level of access for civil defense teams.

9- Qualified Operator:

Each entity which has added the activity of operating private fire and rescue teams within the activities of its commercial register after it has met all the operating requirements and with the approval of the General Directorate of Civil Defense.

Article (2):

Scope of application of the Regulation:

(a) This regulation shall apply to the following establishments:

1. Health facility (hospitals or medical cities).

2. Residential facility (government or private residential complex).

3. High-rise buildings.

4. Social welfare facilities (social welfare homes, nursing homes, correctional facilities)

5. Educational facility (schools - universities - colleges - training institutions - military training institutes and centers).

6. All government departments, public bodies and institutions.

7. Industrial cities.

8. Small industrial facility.

9. Sports clubs and cities.

10. Theme parks and cinemas.

11. Sites of permanent and temporary celebrations and exhibitions.

12. Major shopping centers.

13. Major warehouses.

14. Establishments that fall within the organizational plans allocated to workshops, warehouses and the like and to which the regulation applies collectively and does not apply to them individually, provided that Article (14) applies to them.

15. Private institutions and companies.

16. Agricultural installations, forests and reserves.

17. Service and municipal sites such as storage, reservation and public health yards.

18. Train stations within cities and airports.

19. Military cities and bases.

20. The Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites.

21. High-risk facilities determined by the Directorate General of Civil Defense.

(b) This regulation shall apply to establishments that are subject to the preventive supervision of the General Directorate of Civil Defense, and shall exclude all establishments and sites under the supervision of the high commission for Industrial Security, the General Authority of Civil Aviation or the General Directorate of Border Guards, and the responsibility of the General Directorate of Civil Defense in those sites and facilities shall be supporting.

C/

1. This regulation shall apply to public and private establishments mentioned in paragraph (a) of this Article, whose total score is more than seven points, according to the tables shown below:

2- The total area of the repetitive floors in tall buildings is added to the total area of the facility.

3. This regulation shall apply to high-risk and important installations determined by the Civil Defense.

d. This regulation shall apply to:

1-  Existing establishments:

Existing establishments shall be granted a maximum period of three years from the adoption of the Regulation for the application of the provisions of the articles and paragraphs of this Regulation.

2-  New establishments:

 New establishments shall be obliged to apply the provisions of the articles and paragraphs of this Regulation.

Article (3):

Formation of Teams:

The teams shall be formed according to the activity of the establishment, the minimum operating persons of the team shall be (12) persons qualified to carry out fire and rescue operations throughout the day, and the establishment shall have the freedom to organize the working hours where it is not less than three shifts at the rate of (4) persons per shift, without prejudice to the minimum requirement of the basic dedicated employees of the team which is specified in (4) persons. The establishment may benefit from part-time employees for the fire and rescue work within the facility to support around the clock without prejudice to the conditions of qualification, equipping, and Training so that each full-time employee meets (3) part-time persons present inside the facility during the shift period.

Article (4):

Teams Headquarters:

A suitable location must be chosen within the facilities so that the team can access all facilities of the establishment as quick as possible, and that the roads leading to all these facilities are free of any natural and artificial obstacle taking into account the following controls when choosing the location of the team:

1. To be in an area in the middle of the facility.

2. To be on a main street within the facility.

3. The location of the headquarters of the team should be free of everything that hinders its movement in all directions.

4. The headquarters should be called the " the private Fire and Rescue Brigade ".

Article (5):

Structural specifications of the team's headquarters:

The requirements of the Saudi Building Code must be applied to the buildings of those teams, and the international specifications contained in Article (1) Third Item is resorted to in the event of non-availability of Saudi specifications:

The headquarters of the team includes:

1. Administrative offices.

2. Accommodation for overnight.

3. Kitchen and dining hall.

4. Operating room.

5. maintenance and washing wing.

6. A break for team members.

7. Parking for fire and rescue vehicles.

8. Water tank with a capacity of at least (40m3).

9. A wing and private space for training.

10. A warehouse for firefighting, rescue equipment and spare parts.

11. A special area for personnel lockers for the storage of clothes and personal protective equipment.

12. This facility should be designed with an engineering design that facilitates the process of access of the vehicles described in Article (6) to all parts of the facility and the fire brigade can carry out its work in extinguishing fires in the facilities provided for in Article  (2) through the use of stationary equipment such as (fire hydrants and water hoses in the facilities) with working to carry out the necessary rescue work,  Identify sources of supply of fire water to ensure the continuation of fire work when needed.

Article (6):

vehicles:

while complying with the specifications included in item (3) of Article (1) of this Regulation, the vehicles to be procured shall be as per the following:

1.     Fire pumper: according to the categories in following table:

2.  Rescue vehicle.

3.  Water Tanker capacity not less than (12) Mᶟ (if required).

4.  Ladder vehicle (if required).

5.  Any other specialized vehicle that may be required, it must be supported by a risk analysis study.

6.  the approval of the General Directorate of Civil Defense, it is possible to procure a multi-role vehicle or equipment provided that the main specification is not compromised.

7.  the approval of the General Directorate of Civil Defense, it is possible to procure a multi-role vehicle or equipment provided that the main specification is not such.

8.  An authorized agent or body must be present in the Kingdom to provide maintenance and spare parts at a suitable time, with the possibility of supplying a replacement vehicle to ensure the continuation of work.

The following specifications must be provided:

• Design , manufacture, and equip the vehicles according to the latest international standards, European standards (EN) or US standards (NFPA), or standards approved by the General Directorate of Civil Defense.

• The manufacturer must obtain an ISO Certificate (ISO 14001- ISO 9001).

• American NST coupling system for all inlets and outlets, for pumps, hoses, and tanks to comply with General Directorate of Civil Defense vehicles in case support is needed.

• Traffic running System must comply with the conditions and requirements of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).

Article (7):

 Training:

The establishment must continuously train fire and rescue workers at the workplace and in specialized centers licensed by the relevant authorities within the Kingdom after the General Directorate of Civil Defense approves the programs when required according to the approved standards.

Article (8):

 Licensing:

1/ The facility must obtain a permit from the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region to operate fire and rescue brigades after complying with all required conditions before operating.

2 / When hiring a contractor, he must be qualified to operate. The practice of operating private fire and rescue brigades must be enlisted in his commercial register, and he undertakes to issue an operating license for each brigade he operates separately.

3 / The relevant authorities shall not grant or renew any license for building and operating facilities mentioned in Article (2) of this Regulation until the completion of their engineering layouts per the provisions of this Regulation and after the approval of the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region.

Article (9):

Private fire and rescue brigades' equipment:

The facility undertakes to equip the fire and rescue brigades with all the necessary clothes, equipment, and personal protective equipment to carry out their duties to the fullest, per the latest international standards (European or American standards) or any standards approved by the General Directorate of Civil Defense.

Article (10):

 The conditions for selecting private fire and rescue brigade members:

The selection of members must be according to the following:

1. Age must be at least 18 years.

2. Good  physical condition.

3. Minimum high school Diploma or equivalent.

4. Must successfully pass the knowledge & skills tests related to his major according to the regulations and standards of the National Fire Protection Association. The tests are submitted and evaluated by an accredited body for the General Directorate of Civil Defense.

5. The criminal record must be clean from any cases stipulated in the Ministerial Decree No. 365 dated 21/1/1432 AH.

6. Complying with the Saudization rates according to the laws of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Article (11):

Duties and tasks of the teams:

A.           Administrative duties:

1. Studying the area under the supervision of the teams within the facility to identify the activities of the facility, the potential risks of those activities, the sources and locations of water, and roads within the facility and identify them on a map placed in the control room of the facility and the operations room of the private fire and rescue brigade.

2. Ensure the readiness and preparedness of these teams on a daily basis.

3. Develop the detailed plans necessary for fire and rescue operations in the various facilities of the establishment.

4. Coordinate with the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region to determine and implement the tasks and responsibilities of the fire brigade chief, and the rescue team chief, and their deputies and the leaders of fire and rescue groups before, during and after the incident.

5. Coordinate with the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region, to draw up and implement a hypothetical contingency plan for both fire operations (firefighting) and rescue.

6. Coordinate with the authorized specialized training bodies to prepare and implement on-the-job training programs for the fire and rescue teams in the facility.

7. Coordinate with the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region to draw up a mechanism for rapid intervention to participate, if necessary, in facing fire and rescue emergencies.

8. Carry out all the administrative tasks assigned to the team and required by the nature of the work within the scope of jurisdiction.

B. Technical Duties: (Operating Procedures):

1. Carry out fire and rescue operations within the boundaries of the facility.

2. Contributing in the issuance of professional and hazardous work permits, coordination is made with the concerned authority of the facility "Security and Safety Department" after the General Directorate of Civil Defense approves the mechanism for issuing such permits by them.

3. Periodic operating of the vehicles and equipment of the brigade in accordance with the operating programs of the vehicles and equipment.

4. Periodic maintenance of all the vehicles and equipment of the brigade in accordance with the maintenance programs of the vehicles and equipment.

5. To Master the work and operation on all the vehicles and equipment of the team available.

6. To Know the capabilities of the available vehicles and equipment, and ensuring the ability of the members of the fire and rescue team to operate the vehicles, equipment available in the facility.

7. Recovery of the team to their normal state after accidents and hypothetical exercises.

8. Assign support teams of the General Directorate of Civil Defense in accidents when required according to a specific mechanism agreed in advance.

9. Develop procedures that ensure an immediate response and the initiation of any emergency around the clock, whether the persons working on these teams are full-time or assigned to work.

10. Carry out all the technical tasks assigned to the team and required by the nature of the work within the scope of jurisdiction.

Article (12):

Organizational Structure and Direct connection/link:

A. Organizational Structure of Teams:

An organizational structure, organizational tables and a manual of tasks, duties and responsibilities of the administrative unit and all members of the team are prepared and approved in accordance with international standards by the management of the facility.

B. Supervision and direct connection/link:

The private fire and rescue teams in the organization structure must be linked to the security and safety departments of the facility or their equivalents in case of different names.

Article (13):

 Tasks and responsibilities of the facility that the teams follow:

1. The authority supervising the fire and rescue teams in the facilities shall abide by the following instructions he authority supervising the fire and rescue teams in the facilities shall comply with the following instructions:

2. Comply with the articles and paragraphs of this Regulation.

3. Prepare a manual of daily, weekly and periodic procedures, which includes all administrative, qualifying and technical duties for all employees according to the chain of command throughout the year and provide the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region with it.

4. Comply with the mechanism determined by the General Directorate of Civil Defense to ensure the compliance of the establishment to the standard operation, whether under the direct supervision of the General Directorate of Civil Defense or through a third party with the approval or request of the General Directorate of Civil Defense.

5. Follow-up and supervision of the operations and periodic maintenance of the facility and of the vehicles and equipment of private fire and rescue teams.

6. Training, qualifying and developing the skills of members of private fire and rescue teams.

7. Inform the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region of any changes to the special fire and rescue teams, the location of the facility and the scope of its service

8. Ensure the readiness and suitability of private fire and rescue teams vehicles and equipment to work 24/7.

9. Linking the operations rooms of the fire and rescue teams of the facility to the operations rooms and the command-and-control center of the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region or to unified operations 911.

10. Continuous permanent coordination with the Directorate of Civil Defense in the region on all new in the field of fire and rescue operations.

11. Equipping the facility with the vehicles and equipment of fire and rescue teams as stipulated in the articles and paragraphs of this Regulation.

12. Provide the General Directorate of Civil Defense in the region with proof that the members nominated to work in the fire and rescue teams have passed the conditions and duties required and approved by the General Directorate of Civil Defense.

Article (14):

The establishments to which the Fire and Rescue Teams Regulation applies are obliged to submit a risk analysis study in the facility by an accredited Consultative body, and the establishments are obliged to provide an updated study of the risk analysis when adding any activities or buildings after the issuance of the team permit.

Article (15):

Any establishment that does not meet the standards set forth in Article (2) may provide its own fire and rescue team while complying with the requirements mentioned in this Regulation.

Article (16):

More than one establishment located within a single geographical area to which the private Fire and Rescue teams Regulations apply may participate in one or more teams jointly (in accordance with the regulations in force in the Kingdom), provided that these teams are sufficient to cover these establishments in accordance with the approved standards (Article 14 to be taken into account).

Article (17):

The General Directorate of Civil Defense has the right to use companies and competent parties to carry out the rehabilitation, training, follow-up and licensing of special fire and rescue teams for a specific fee to be borne by the beneficiary.

Article (18):

The Director General of Civil Defense may oblige establishments that do not meet the conditions for the application of the regulation to provide fire and rescue teams if he deems it necessary.

Article (19):

Violations:

The regulation for reviewing violations of the civil defense law and regulations issued by the decision of the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Civil Defense Council No. (12/1 / and / 5 / Def) dated on (4/18/1428 AH) shall be applied to facilities that violate the provisions of this regulation.

Article (20):

The application of this regulation shall begin after (180) days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, provided that the regulation is reviewed every seven years or whenever the need arises.