What this covers
DCD governs fire and life safety across every occupied building in Dubai, reviewing against the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice. This review is entirely separate from the Municipality permit, and no fit-out reaches completion without a DCD no-objection certificate.
What the review examines
- Sprinkler layout, coverage and hydraulic calculations
- Fire alarm and detection design with device schedules
- Emergency lighting and illuminated exit signage
- Travel distances, escape route widths and door swing directions
- Fire-rated partitions, fire stopping and compartmentation
- Kitchen suppression systems and LPG gas installations
Two stages, not one
Design approval comes first — the drawings are reviewed and the NOC is issued so work can proceed. The site inspection follows after installation, where an officer verifies that what was built matches what was approved. Passing the first stage and failing the second is common when contractors deviate from the approved drawings mid-build. We attend the inspection with you.
Restaurants and assembly spaces
Commercial kitchens, clinics, nurseries and any assembly occupancy attract a wider review and a longer timeline. If your project includes a kitchen, lock the equipment schedule before we start — the suppression and gas design depend entirely on it, and late changes trigger a full resubmission.
What you receive
- Fire and life-safety drawing set
- Sprinkler layout with hydraulic calculations
- Fire alarm and detection design
- Emergency lighting and exit signage
- DCD portal submission and comment closure
- Inspection attendance and final NOC