National Fire Fighting manufacturing Co Ltd (NAFFCO) based in Jebel Ali, Dubai, has recently started manufacturing fire trucks.

The firm is part of a larger group engaged in the manufacture of fire fighting, fire protection and fire detection systems in the Middle East.

In response to the increasing demands from clients, NAFFCO has made a substantial investment to establish a full fledged Fire Truck Division.

The first NAFFCO fire truck was inaugurated by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman, ports, customs and Free Zone Corporation, at a function organised at NAFFCO's Jebel Ali office.

NAFFCO's general manager, engineer Khalid Al Khatib has said that the idea of manufacturing fire trucks was a long term wish for NAFFCO since 1994.

Despite the fact that the firm has made many medium sized twin agent trolleys and foam trailers previously itself, it got the confidence to manufacture fire trucks when Colonel Ali Sayed of Dubai Civil Defence gave it the opportunity of manufacturing a small fire car, called "Farha," used during the 2000 Dubai Shopping Festival.

A fire fighting truck consists of four major fire fighting systems namely water, foam, dry powder and carbon dioxide mounted on a chassis having a configuration, which meets the area of application as well as the client requirements.

The capacity of each system is also highly dependent upon the area of application and client requirements.

NAFFCO has already developed in-house the required technical expertise and skills required to manufacture multipurpose fire fighting trucks, oil refineries fire fighting trucks, rescue fire fighting vehicles, rapid intervention vehicles, fire fighting water tankers and rescue ambulances.

All are manufactured strictly in adherence to international standards.

The present manufacturing facility has the capacity to produce annually around 45 - 60 fire fighting vehicles based on the type of use and capacities.

The current market trend shows a huge demand for them in Sudan, Egypt and Yemen.

Potential market opportunities exist in the various Arabian Gulf countries as well.

NAFFCO was established in 1994 with the most sophisticated production facilities for the manufacture of high quality fire protection equipment and systems and is certified to ISO 9001 quality system by LPCB UK and BVQI.

NAFFCO can provide total fire protection solution under one roof for all type of facilities including residential buildings, commercial complexes, telecommunication centres, industrial installations, refineries and petrochemical industries.

Its products for fire fighting, fire protection and safety are exported to more than 40 countries through a series of authorised agents and distributors. Manufacturing processes are based on a quality control system that ensures conformity of raw materials, well monitored process control techniques and vigilant final inspection.

The firm's backbone is a team of 500 employees which includes well experienced engineers and technocrats who are qualified in their respective fields.

According to engineer and general manager Khalid Al Khatib, NAFFCO's reputation for quality and reliability has made it a trusted name through out the UAE and worldwide.

To maintain a competitive edge, NAFFCO also imports and stock reputed brands at its large warehouse to complement its wide range of products.

It's engineering division is one among the best, claims the firm, and is equipped to provide total engineered solutions. Workers are well trained under international standards in cooperation with NFPA, LPCB and BSI.

In addition to this NAFFCO organises periodical seminars and training in cooperation with international organisations in fire protection field to update its knowledge base.

The company is a member of the British Standard Institution (BSI), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Safety Council (NSC), American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), Fire Extinguishing Trades Association (FETA) and Fire Protection Association (FPA).

NAFFCO has been recently awarded the Kite mark from BSI, UK for complying with the requirements of BS EN3 standards for portable fire extinguishers.

The approval, says the firm, can break many barriers in the international market by offering quality products at a reasonable price.

The Kite mark approved range includes a comprehensive selection of dry powder, foam, carbon dioxide, water and wet chemical extinguishers.

NAFFCO has also obtained BS EN3 approval from LPCB, UK.

The extinguishers are Kite marked and bear graphics and colour coding in line with European standards to indicate clearly for which types of fires they are suitable.

Portable extinguishers have acquired the CE marking for meeting European standards of safety.

NAFFCO claims to be the only manufacturer for the whole range of foam systems and equipment in the Middle East. The range includes bladder tanks, foam proportioners, foam chambers, foam pourers, rim seal pourers etc.

In addition to this, it also produces all types of fire fighting foam concentrates in cooperation with reputed international companies.

NAFFCO assembles all types of water pumps and fire pumps according to NFPA 20. It also has a facility for the assembling and manufacturing of all types of electric and electronic controllers for the fire pumps according to NFPA 20.