Artificial intelligence in fire and life safety: transforming fire protection in the MENA region

Oringially published in the April edition of Fire Middle East 2025 magazine.

As the MENA region undergoes rapid urbanisation and economic transformation, fire and life safety (FLS) is becoming a critical priority to ensure the safety of residents, workers, and visitors. Governments and developers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond are investing in world-class infrastructure, smart cities, and sustainable developments. However, fire safety remains a pressing challenge, particularly in high-density urban areas and heritage sites where traditional firefighting methods often fall short.

Fire incidents in the region highlight the urgent need for advanced solutions. The 2017 Dubai Torch Tower fire, which saw flames engulf a 79-story skyscraper for the second time in two years, exposed the vulnerabilities of high-rise structures. Similarly, the devastating fire at Iraq’s Al-Hamdaniya wedding hall in 2023, which resulted in over 100 fatalities due to highly combustible materials, underscored the dangers of non-compliant construction and inadequate fire prevention measures.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in fire safety, offering advanced fire prevention, real-time risk assessment, and enhanced emergency response. By integrating AI with fire safety strategies, governments, designers, and authorities can mitigate risks, improve response times, and protect lives and assets.

There are many ways in which AI can be used in firefighting and emergency response to enhance current practices:

AI-driven incident analysis and decision-making
AI can analyse fire incidents in real-time, processing data on human behaviour, fire spread, wind conditions, and structural integrity to recommend the best response strategies. This enhances the efficiency of firefighting operations, reducing response times and improving safety outcomes.

Robotics in firefighting and rescue operations
Autonomous firefighting robots and drones equipped with AI and thermal imaging can navigate hazardous environments, assess fire severity, and even extinguish fires in areas inaccessible to firefighters. These technologies are particularly valuable in high-rise structures and remote locations. For example, Dubai Civil Defence has deployed AI-powered firefighting drones that provide real-time data to emergency teams, improving situational awareness and response efficiency.

AI-powered emergency evacuation planning
In high-density developments, AI-driven systems can predict crowd movement and suggest optimized evacuation routes. Smart buildings equipped with AI sensors can automatically guide occupants toward the safest exits in real time, improving evacuation efficiency and minimising casualties. Such AI-driven evacuation strategies are particularly crucial in high-rise buildings and mega-events, such as Expo 2020 Dubai and Saudi Arabia’s upcoming NEOM, Diriyah and Al Aula developments and even in Hajj season in Saudi every year.

Preserving the pact, protecting the future

The MENA region is home to some of the world’s most treasured historical sites, from the old cities like Jerusalem, Old Cairo in Egypt, to the traditional districts like Hegra, Diriyah in Saudi and Old markets in UAE and Qatar. However, these heritage sites present unique fire safety challenges:

• Narrow alleyways and fire truck accessibility: many historic districts were designed with narrow streets to create shade and regulate temperature. This makes it difficult for fire vehicles to access affected areas quickly. AI-powered drone technology can play a crucial role in fire detection, suppression, and real-time monitoring of such locations.

• Fire exposure risks: old buildings, often repurposed for modern use, pose significant risks due to new, highly combustible furnishings and materials. AI can assess fire propagation risks and recommend preventive measures to limit fire spread.

• Preserving ancient structures: in places like old cities, heritage regions, and archaeological sites, traditional water-based fire suppression may not be feasible. AI can optimise alternative fire protection solutions besides suppression techniques, such as gas-based or mist systems, to protect these irreplaceable landmarks. Also, it often becomes very important to analyse fire event scenarios very quickly in terms of the type of the fire, the wind direction and the expected materials inside the buildings. This supports fire fighters’ decisions and lets them select the best firefighting strategy for the scenario.

Architecting the future of fire safety
AI also has a significant and impactful role to play in fire safety design and strategy development. As a tool, it can quickly and accurately assess buildings to support the work of fire teams.

AI-based fire risk assessment in modern and heritage buildings
AI can analyse architectural designs and identify fire hazards before construction begins. In historical buildings, AI-driven simulations can predict fire spread and propose custom mitigation strategies that align with preservation requirements.

Automated fire and life safety compliance
AI can streamline regulatory approvals by automating fire code compliance checks and safety assessments. This might save time in the reviewing process, providing new approaches, such as passive systems or engineering solutions. This is particularly useful in fast-paced urban developments, where ensuring fire safety without delaying construction timelines is a priority.

AI integration with sustainability and asset protection
As the region moves toward sustainable planning, AI can help balance fire safety with environmental goals. Intelligent fire suppression systems can minimise water and chemical use while ensuring an effective fire protection approach depending on the passive approaches.

Intelligent inspections
In addition, predictive fire risk monitoring can be achieved with the use of machine learning. AI can analyse historical fire data to predict potential hazards. In high-risk zones, such as commercial districts or industrial areas, AI-powered monitoring systems can detect unusual heat patterns, electrical faults, or material degradation, allowing for preventive measures before an incident occurs.

Similarly, computer vision can also significantly improve on real-time fire detection. AI-powered computer vision can enhance fire detection accuracy by recognising smoke, flames, or abnormal heat signatures faster than traditional sensors. This is particularly useful in expansive sites like airports, large-scale developments, and heritage sites where early detection is critical.

As the MENA region continues its transformation, AI is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of fire and life safety. By integrating AI-driven solutions in firefighting, emergency response, building design, and heritage protection, the region can ensure safer cities while preserving its rich cultural legacy. AI is not just a tool for modernisation - it is a necessity for the sustainable and secure development of both contemporary and historical environments in the Middle East and beyond.