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DCD approval is important to ensure that the restaurant meets safety requirements as it is a fire-prone place with heaters and stoves.
From fire alarm systems and emergency exits to kitchen hood systems, DCD approval is required to be obtained to maintain the safety of property, customers, and employees.
Here we will take you through the process of DCD approval for restaurants, challenges, approximate cost, and timelines so that you may proceed with it easily and effectively.
because restaurants entail high fire-risk operations, particularly in the kitchen where open flames, gas pipes, and electrical appliances are used continuously.
DCD approval guarantees your facility is designed, fitted, and maintained in a manner that ensures lives, property, and public safety.
Dubai Civil Defence approval is not only a regulatory requirement, it’s an essential safety measure.
Key takeaways for why DCD approval is mandatory for restaurants:
The documents required for DCD initial approval are: trade license, title deed, architectural drawings, MEP layouts, no objection certificate, and fire and life safety drawings. For the inspection stage it requires: building drawings, completion certificate, installation certificate, NOC and Valid Annual Maintenance Contract
Design approval stage focuses on the building design and its compatibility with Dubai’s fire and life safety regulations before the construction process begins. The documents required are:
Landlord or property developer
Relevant authorities if applicable (e.g., mall management)
These submissions are submitted via the DCD online portal by the DCD consultants.
After completing the initial approval phase and ensuring that the building meets DCD safety standards, the final or inspection phase comes, requiring the following documents:
You can explore a step by step the DCD approval process in the article: Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) Approval Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Obtaining DCD (Dubai Civil Defence) approval for a restaurant is a systematic process to guarantee that your design, kitchen systems, and overall layout meet fire and life safety requirements.
It begins with the appointment of a DCD-approved consultant who will design and submit architectural and fire safety drawings required for initial design approval.
After preparing drawings, they are submitted on the DCD online portal.
Then the DCD engineers review them to make sure it comply with the UAE fire safety code. they grant initial approval for fit-out and installation work to start as per the approved design.
Improper kitchen Hood and poor quality drawings can be the reason for rejecting your application. Here is a list of common reasons for DCD rejection:
1- Improper Kitchen Hood and Duct Design: wrong size of the hood or Insufficient airflow can cause serious problems because Grease and smoke trapped in poorly designed hoods/ducts can ignite easily, leading to serious kitchen fires.
2- Poor Quality or Incomplete Drawings: Submitting drawings is essential to get the green card to start the project. Because it contains all the building details such as emergency exits and fire alert system
3- Violation of Building Codes: It is built on international standards that meet the conditions of the UAE. ignoring this code can cause penalties on the legal level and safety risks.
4- Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation: Delete any unrelated documents when submitting to the civil defense permit. Those documents can be marketing materials or wrong-titled documents or drawings.
avoid them.
The cost of a DCD approval for a restaurant depends on the cost of the required documents. A trade license costs 10,000 to 12,000 AED, Tenancy Contract or Title Deed AED 4,000 for properties valued up to AED 500,000 and AED 8,000 for properties valued above AED 500,000, and no objection certificate which costs from AED 500 to AED 5,000.
The overall process takes 1.5 months to complete. The application process for Civil Defense approval takes only one day, while the file review process takes two weeks, and the inspection process takes a full month, after which approval is immediately granted.
If there are errors in the application process, it may take longer than usual because you will be forced to correct and resubmit your files.
Key takeaways for DCD approval cost and time:
Finally, the process of applying for Civil Defense approvals for restaurants requires extensive attention due to the presence of stoves and steam.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that appropriate conditions are met to prevent accidents and endanger public life.
Yes, restaurants and cafes in Dubai need Dubai Civil Defence approval.
Yes, DCD approval is required for office fit-out and retail shops in Dubai.
Yes, warehouses and industrial facilities require DCD approval in Dubai.
Yes, Dubai Civil Defence approval needed for villa projects and residential constructions.