TEC’s HCIS CONSULTANCY SERVICES
The High Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS) Security and Safety Directives of 2017 are essential for the national security of Saudi Arabia. These directives establish minimum security and safety requirements for a wide range of industrial facilities and designated critical infrastructure, including petroleum, electric power and distribution, petrochemicals, water, industrial services, telecommunications, mining, gas, civil explosives, chemical manufacturing, metal fabrication, ports, and railways.
The directives are mandated by His Royal Highness, the Minister of Interior, and are legally binding under the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Compliance with the HCIS Directives is a prerequisite for facility operation.
The HCIS Security & Safety Directives cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Physical security measures, such as perimeter security, access control, and intrusion detection
- Information security measures, such as data protection and cybersecurity
- Operational security measures, such as incident response and risk management
- Safety measures, such as fire protection, emergency preparedness, and hazardous materials handling
The HCIS Directives are regularly updated to reflect the latest security threats and best practices. This ensures that Saudi Arabia’s industrial facilities are always well protected.
The HCIS Security and Safety Directives are essential for protecting the national security of Saudi Arabia for several reasons. First, they help to protect critical infrastructure from sabotage, terrorist attacks, and other threats. Second, they help to prevent accidents and injuries at industrial facilities. Third, they help to maintain public confidence in the safety of Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector.
The HCIS Security and Safety Directives are also important for the Saudi economy. A safe and secure industrial sector is essential for attracting foreign investment and promoting economic growth.
The Saudi government is committed to implementing and enforcing the HCIS Security & Safety Directives. The HCIS has a dedicated team of inspectors who conduct regular assessments of industrial facilities to ensure compliance with the directives. The HCIS also provides training and support to industrial facilities to help them meet the requirements of the directives.
The HCIS Security and Safety Directives are an important tool for protecting the national security and economic prosperity of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government and the industrial sector must continue to work together to ensure compliance with the directives and to maintain the highest levels of security and safety at industrial facilities.
HCIS-SAF WORKFLOW
HCIS SAF Workflow (2017 Edition)
The HCIS SAF workflow outlines the process for achieving compliance with the High Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS) Safety and Fire (SAF) directives in Saudi Arabia. This workflow applies to projects involving the design, installation, and commissioning of fire protection systems in industrial facilities.
Here’s a breakdown of the key stages:
Pre-FEED Stage:
- Project Initiation: Identify the project scope, timeline, and stakeholders.
- Site Visit and Data Collection: Gather information about the existing facility, layout, and potential hazards.
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA): Identify potential fire hazards and assess their associated risks.
- Preliminary Design Development: Develop a preliminary fire protection system design based on the HIRA findings and applicable SAF directives.
FEED Stage:
- FEED Report Preparation: Prepare a comprehensive FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) report detailing the fire protection system design, calculations, material specifications, and compliance with SAF requirements.
- HCIS Approval: Submit the FEED report to the HCIS for review and approval.
- Final Design Development: Once approved, finalize the fire protection system design based on the HCIS feedback.
Installation Stage:
- Contractor Selection and Approval: Select an HCIS-approved contractor to carry out the installation works.
- Installation Package Preparation: Prepare an installation package outlining the complete scope of work, procedures, materials, and quality control measures.
- Installation and Commissioning: Execute the fire protection system installation and commissioning as per the approved design and installation package.
- Inspection and Testing: Conduct inspections and tests to ensure the installed system meets all SAF requirements.
Post-Installation Stage:
- Handover and Training: Handover the completed fire protection system to the facility operator and provide necessary training on operation and maintenance procedures.
- As-Built Documentation: Prepare as-built drawings and documentation reflecting the final installed system configuration.
- Maintenance and Inspections: Develop a maintenance plan and schedule regular inspections to ensure the ongoing functionality and compliance of the fire protection system.
Additional Points:
- The workflow may vary depending on the specific project complexity and SAF directives applicable.
- HCIS involvement and approvals are required throughout the process, particularly for critical stages like design and installation.
- Utilizing HCIS-approved consultants and contractors can simplify the compliance process and expedite approvals.
- Maintaining detailed documentation and records is crucial for demonstrating compliance and facilitating future maintenance and inspections.
HCIS released the latest edition of the SAF directive (2017 Ed.) and specified a detailed flowchart for the successful submission of the SAF package.
Please click here to download a PDF copy of the HCIS SAF flowchart
HCIS SUBMITTAL RULES
HCIS SAF-01 requires the SAF package to be submitted as follows:
- All submissions to the HCIS must be in writing.
- All submissions shall be provided on a compact disk. Submissions via external flash memory will not be accepted.
- The HCIS Declaration of Compliance form shall be submitted via the HCIS Portal, and the form shall be signed by the facility’s assigned industrial security manager.
FP CONSULTANT RESPONSIBILITIES
An FP consultant, also known as a fire protection consultant shall be licensed and registered to perform consulting in accordance with the applicable laws of the KSA, including approval by the HCIS.
A fire protection consultant shall be responsible for doing the following:
- Implementing the building code requirement
- Conduct a fire hazard analysis.
- Development of the FEED Package
- Review and endorsement of the installation package produced by the approved FP contractor in compliance with the approved FEED package and the requirements of the applicable code and standard
- Troubleshooting during construction or installation
- Participating in the testing and commissioning of the fire protection systems.