Ras Al-Khair and Jazan Zone Regulations Tie Fire Safety to the Saudi Building Code
On 16 September 2026 the Umm Al-Qura official gazette published the Regulation of the Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone and the Regulation of the Jazan Special Economic Zone, each effective from its publication date. Both name the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu as the “concerned entity” for the zone and give it clear security, safety and firefighting duties tied to the Saudi Building Code.
Key takeaways
- Each zone gets a security and safety department that works around the clock, responsible for security, safety and firefighting.
- Both regulations require an integrated alarm system to alert residents and visitors in line with the Saudi Building Code (SBC).
- Fire control instructions and procedures for the zone must be consistent with the SBC, and the technical specifications of firefighting equipment are set according to the code.
- Consulting and technical offices and contractors on the zone’s projects must be approved by the competent authorities.
What the regulations say
Both regulations define the security and safety department as the unit the concerned entity creates in the zone for security, safety and firefighting. Article 18 gives this department the job of building an integrated alarm system to SBC requirements, preparing fire control instructions and procedures in line with the code, and setting the technical specifications of firefighting equipment according to the SBC. The same article in both regulations requires adequate firefighting water through a fire hydrant network, and the Jazan regulation requires alarm, safety and fire prevention provisions in all facilities.
Article 25 in both regulations requires safety and fire suppression systems to local and international standards. Article 18 requires security, safety and firefighting projects to be carried out by qualified companies approved by the competent authorities, and contractors and consulting and technical offices on the zone’s projects to be approved by those authorities. Article 16 requires project risk analysis studies to be prepared by an approved consultant, and requires licensed facilities to apply the fire safety and prevention codes approved by the competent authorities. The Ras Al-Khair regulation also requires facilities under HCIS supervision to follow HCIS instructions and regulations.
What it means for the Saudi market
Facilities in these two zones will work within a clear framework: the Saudi Building Code is the reference for the zone alarm system, fire control instructions and firefighting equipment specifications, and approval of the contractor and consultant is a requirement, not an option. Anyone planning a plant or warehouse in Ras Al-Khair or Jazan needs a code-compliant design from day one and a contractor who can show approval by the competent authorities.
AZEIDK Expert Take
Start with design: engineering design and calculations for fire alarm and fire fighting systems to the Saudi Building Code reduce rework at review stage. Ask every contractor for approval documents before award, and make sure the facility emergency plan matches the concerned entity’s instructions. The industrial facilities page lists the systems AZEIDK provides for the sector.
Sources
- Regulation of the Ras Al-Khair Special Economic Zone (in Arabic), Umm Al-Qura (Official Gazette), 16 September 2026
- Regulation of the Jazan Special Economic Zone (in Arabic), Umm Al-Qura (Official Gazette), 16 September 2026
