13 Jan Intersec Dubai day one was a success!

Intersec Dubai 2026 opened its doors on Monday, 12 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre, marking the start of the 27th edition of the world’s leading exhibition for security, safety and fire protection.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, the three-day event brings together more than 1,200 exhibitors from over 60 countries. Organisers expect more than 50,000 trade visitors by the time the show closes on Wednesday, 14 January.

From the outset, day one set a clear tone around fire and life safety, professionalism and the growing influence of intelligent technologies across the built environment.

Intersec 2026 spans approximately 65,000 square metres and features an extensive conference and events programme, with contributions from more than 250 experts and speakers.

One of the key announcements on the opening day was the introduction of Passive Fire Day, scheduled for Wednesday, 14 January.

Delivered in collaboration with the Association for Specialist Fire Protection, the initiative aims to elevate passive fire protection from a secondary trade to a recognised professional discipline, with a focus on early design engagement, competency frameworks and regulatory alignment.

Across the show floor, the expanded Fire & Rescue exhibition spans multiple halls, covering fire detection, suppression, passive fire protection, integrated life safety systems and specialist rescue equipment. Returning exhibitors include NAFFCO, Hochiki, UL, Bristol Fire Engineering, FM Approvals and ATEIS.

On Stand B22 in Hall 4, Hochiki is showcasing Ekho, its hybrid wireless fire detection system, which has been shortlisted for the Tomorrow’s Facilities Management Fire Category Award.

By combining hardwired loops with a wireless mesh, Ekho is designed to cut cabling, speed installation and enable upgrades in heritage, retrofit and live operational environments. The stand also features Latitude fire control panels, marine and specialist ranges, and EN- and UL-approved detection solutions engineered for Middle East conditions.

Live demonstrations were a major draw for delegates on day one.

Among the prominent UK exhibitors, ATG Access is presenting real-time operation of its SP400 Automatic 80 and SP400 TT automatic bollards at Stand S3 E30. Alongside the demonstrations, the company is displaying a detailed 3D-printed model of its shallow-mount portfolio, illustrating how varying protection levels can be deployed across a single site while maintaining a visually sympathetic architectural aesthetic.

Speaking ahead of the event, Richard Ellis, Managing Director of ATG Access, said:
“Intersec Dubai brings together decision makers from across the security and built-environment sectors, and it provides us with a valuable platform to demonstrate what our physical security systems can do. Seeing the bollards operating in real time gives visitors a meaningful insight into the reliability, precision engineering and visual subtlety that underpin our approach. As global cities continue to adapt, our focus is on supporting stakeholders to design and protect public spaces that are both secure and welcoming.”

Technology-led resilience was another strong theme on the opening day. As global attention turns to the UAE’s ambition to become an AI innovation hub, Milestone Systems is using Intersec 2026 to highlight data-driven security and safety solutions.

The company recently launched its next-generation Vision Language Model in EU and US versions, alongside XProtect Video Summarisation and VLM-as-a-Service, with a focus on cyber-resilience and outcome-led applications.

AI-powered screening also featured prominently, with Apstec Systems announcing the launch of its AI-driven, high-throughput discriminative metal detection system, Apstec Merlin. The solution is positioned as a new standard for non-invasive security screening to detect metallic threats, reinforcing Intersec’s role as a launchpad for next-generation innovation.

Adding a live editorial dimension to the opening day, Ryan Bickerton from Fire Middle East Magazine and Security Middle East Magazine was broadcasting throughout the day from the Intersec Pulse Studios on the main concourse. Interviews with senior figures from organisations including UAE Civil Defense, Buro Happold, Barco, Design Confidence, The Royal Commission for AlUla, Intertech Vision Middle East, Frontier Pitts Middle East, Comm Port Technologies Inc. and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service focused on the trends expected to define fire and security throughout 2026 and beyond.

Across the duration of the show, the Pulse Studios will continue to capture fast-paced conversations on the future of the sector, with video interviews released throughout 2026.

All in all, Intersec Dubai 2026’s opening day set a confident pace for a week of insight, discussion and advancement.