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In Dubai, the DCD approval is mandatory for all those opening or renovating a commercial building and it guarantees that the building is in compliance with all the fire and life safety requirements of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code.
Whether it is outfitting a new office space or launching a retail store or operating a warehouse, the DCD approval needs to be obtained before business can be initiated.
This article offers a summary of the DCD approval process for commercial buildings, required documents, fees, timelines, and common causes of rejection.
Civil Defense approvals for industrial buildings such as restaurants, cafes, and buildings used for non-residential purposes are essential to ensure public safety, comply with regulations, and avoid fines and penalties.
They also ensure fire prevention and reduce the risks that could result from errors.
Hence, the DCD approval is mandatory because it:
Commercial Building DCD Approval (offices, malls, warehouses) Mainly deals with fire protection for the whole building like: alarms, fire-fighting apparatus, emergency exit, fireproof doors, sprinklers, evacuation strategy and structural stability.
the documents required for commercial building DCD Approval are:
The first step to get a DCD approval is to set an appointment with a DCD approved consultant who will prepare and submit the documents. The DCD will check the documents and give the preliminary approval. After installing the fire safety equipment, the DCD inspected the site and gave the final approval.
1- Appointment of a DCD-Approved consultant |
2- preparation and submission of documents |
3- cross-checking by DCD and getting a preliminary approval |
4- fit outs work and final inspection |
Your fire and safety documents will be prepared and submitted by an approved consultant.
Make sure that the company or the person you are dealing with is officially licensed by the Dubai civil defence, you can check the DCD online portal to check for approved companies where the DCD have an updated list for all the companies that are licensed by them.
Prepare the documents and drawings and upload them on the DCD online portal. Those documents must comply with the DCD code and fire safety standards. The code contains standardised symbols and colors to simplify the process of evaluating the documents. In addition to that,
The DCD will cross-check your drawings for compliance. If there is any discrepancy, the revisions will be made.
Once the design is compliant with all the requirements, you get preliminary approval to move forward with the construction or fit-out.
Install fire alarm systems, sprinklers, emergency lights, and other protection systems as per approved drawings, then schedule an on-site inspection through the DCD online portal once the installation is complete.
if there are no comments after the inspection, you get a Fire Safety Compliance Certificate to operate upon a successful inspection.
There are many reasons that could be the cause of rejecting your DCD application such as incomplete drawings and incorrect emergency exits.
The common reasons for DCD rejections are:
DCD approval takes a month or two depending on how smoothly the process goes. Initial approval takes 10 days, inspection takes 15 days, while final approval takes 15 days.
Application/Review Fees: Varies according to project size.
Small to medium commercial project: around AED 3,000–AED 7,000.
More extensive or more complex projects: up to AED 10,000–AED 20,000.
Other Charges:
Third-party consultant fees (you have to hire a DCD-approved consultant/engineer): varies, around AED 5,000–AED 20,000+
Inspection/Reinspection fees (if necessary): nominal cost, around AED 500–AED 1,000 per inspection.
Key takeaways for cost and time:
Obtaining Dubai Civil Defence approval is a key requirement for any company in commercial premises because it guarantees the facility complies with high levels of fire and emergency standards to protect people and assets.
Though the process could be multi-stage, involving documents and fees, it is a crucial factor that helps Dubai sustain its image as a secure and well-regulated business environment.
With good planning, the participation of qualified consultants, and adherence to DCD rules, the approval process can be streamlined and a safety and compliance culture can be instilled across the emirate by companies.
DCD fees are the cost of the DCD application or other services that the DCD offers. it vary depending on the type of service or the certificate applied
Defective information, not following DCD drawing format, submitting irrelevant documents, poor document organization, ignoring fire and life safety code are common challenges of obtaining DCD.
Yes, all industries and facilities require DCD approval in Dubai.
firefighting, rescuing, disaster management, public education, DCD approvals, and inspections. Their main goal is to protect lives and respond to any emergency immediately to provide support and to manage the situation.