Why the Middle East matters to designers in Central Asia
The Gulf states are a major market for construction and for oil and gas processing, and their approach to fire protection is often carried into projects worldwide by international EPC contractors and consultants. A common feature of the region is that it has almost no fire test methods of its own: national codes rely on US (NFPA, IBC/IFC, UL, ASTM) and European/British (EN, BS) standards. The key regulator is Civil Defence, which approves designs and authorises products for use.
Requirements in the region vary between emirates and authorities and are updated frequently. What follows is a general overview; always check the details of a specific project against the current edition of the code and with the local Civil Defence authority.
UAE: UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice
The main federal document is the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice, issued by UAE Civil Defence. Industry publications cite the 2018 edition as current; according to the same publications, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence has issued its own amendments to it. Confirm the current edition and any local amendments for a particular emirate with that emirate’s Civil Defence. The Code covers means of escape, fire resistance and compartmentation, detection and suppression systems, and requirements for materials and facades. Its provisions are largely based on NFPA standards adapted to UAE practice.
Fire resistance and fire protection of structures
- The required fire resistance of elements is determined by the building’s construction type and occupancy, usually in hours.
- Which fire resistance test methods are accepted is determined by the Code itself and by the emirate’s Civil Defence. An official list could not be confirmed when this page was prepared, so for a specific project it should be requested from Civil Defence.
- Fire safety products, including fire protection, must be third-party certified and approved by Civil Defence.
Product approval
Products used in fire protection systems go through a material approval procedure with the emirate’s Civil Defence. In Dubai, according to industry sources, a key role is played by the Emirates Safety Laboratory, which issues a certificate of conformity for use on projects in Dubai. Approval usually requires a package of documents: test reports from an accredited laboratory, a certificate from a recognised product certification body, a listing or classification, and technical documentation.
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Building Code
The Saudi Building Code (SBC) is the national system of building codes, based on the ICC model codes with local amendments. Two documents are important for fire protection:
| Code | Scope |
|---|---|
| SBC 201 — Saudi General Building Code | Construction types, required fire resistance ratings and the methods for demonstrating them. Fire resistance ratings are determined by testing, or by test-based methods, as set out in Section 703; testing is to ASTM E119 or UL 263. |
| SBC 801 — Saudi Fire Code | Fire safety during building operation, fire protection systems; refers to SBC 201 for fire resistance. |
The codes are published by the Saudi Building Code National Committee on the sbc.gov.sa portal; alongside the 2018 edition, the portal also hosts the 2024 edition — The Saudi Fire Protection Code. Since SBC 201 follows the US model, fire protection of structural steel in buildings is usually demonstrated by designs tested to UL 263 / ASTM E119. For industrial and oil and gas facilities, major national clients apply their own engineering standards, which generally refer to hydrocarbon test methods (UL 1709 and equivalents).
Qatar: Civil Defence requirements (QCDD)
In Qatar, fire safety designs and products are approved by the General Directorate of Civil Defence (Qatar Civil Defence, QCDD) under the Ministry of Interior. Its Fire Prevention Department maintains a list of recognised product certification bodies and testing laboratories; revision 13 of the list was issued in August 2024.
Fire protection system products regulated by QCDD must be listed, labelled or certified by recognised organisations. The list includes US, British and European bodies and laboratories, each with its scope of recognition. The passive fire protection section covers, in particular:
- fire protection of structural steel, including thin-film intumescent coatings;
- fire resistance and smoke tightness of doors and shutters;
- linear joint seals and penetration seals;
- fire resistance and reaction-to-fire classification;
- sandwich panels and facade cladding systems.
Qatar therefore recognises both US (UL) and European/British testing and certification — provided that the body that issued the certificate is on the QCDD list for the relevant product group.
Which tests are accepted: summary table
| Country | Main document | Standard fire | Hydrocarbon fire | Product approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice + local amendments by individual emirates | In line with the Code and the requirements of the emirate’s Civil Defence | To the project specification, usually UL 1709 | Approval by the emirate’s Civil Defence, third-party certification |
| Saudi Arabia | SBC 201, SBC 801 | ASTM E119 / UL 263 | To the client’s standards, usually UL 1709 | As required by the SBC and Saudi Civil Defence |
| Qatar | QCDD requirements, list of recognised bodies | Testing and certification by recognised bodies (UL, European, British) | To the project specification | Listing/certification by a body on the QCDD list |
Practical conclusions
- A certificate counts for more than a test report. In the Gulf states a test report alone is usually not enough: a certificate or listing from a body recognised by the local Civil Defence is required.
- CIS national methods are not a basis for approval. Test reports to GOST R 53295 are generally not accepted as a basis for approval in these countries; the benchmark is UL/ASTM or EN/BS.
- Climate is taken into account. High temperatures, coastal humidity and UV exposure make durability data important (UL 2431, type X to EAD 350402-00-1106).
- The experience is relevant to Central Asia. International contractors who have worked in the Gulf often carry the same requirements over to projects in Uzbekistan. This needs to be taken into account at the specification stage, so that the material meets both local regulations and the client’s requirements.