- The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority has introduced a series of amendments to the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice
- The changes formalise 54 amendments, many of which had previously been applied on a case-by-case basis
- Officials say the move will bring greater consistency to approvals
The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA) has introduced a series of amendments to the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice (2018 edition), which is a significant change in how fire safety requirements are applied across the emirate.
Released on 12 March 2026, the changes formalise 54 amendments, many of which had previously been applied on a case-by-case basis.
Officials say the move will bring greater consistency to approvals while offering more practical and flexible design options for developers and consultants.
The updated provisions are also intended to align more closely with international standards, particularly those set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), while supporting more sustainable approaches to building design.
The amendments affect a wide range of fire safety elements, including compartmentation, fire barriers, suppression systems, hydrants, smoke control, alarm systems and building classifications. They also introduce more tailored requirements for specific building types such as industrial facilities, residential villas and mosques, aiming to improve real-world application without compromising safety.
Among the most notable changes is a relaxation of fire separation requirements for warehouses, removing the need for full-height separation extending above roof level.
New guidance has also been introduced on fire barrier testing in cases where architectural projections are not present.
Assembly point requirements have been refined to apply only to areas with more than 50 occupants and 100 square metres, reducing constraints on smaller developments. In addition, smoke barriers in fully sprinkler-protected buildings will no longer require a fire rating.
Further updates include exemptions for fire-rated doors in certain service rooms where compliant fire stopping and one-hour-rated walls are in place, and clarification that phone jack systems are only required in buildings taller than 90 metres.
Changes to electrical room protection mean clean agent systems are no longer mandatory for panel-only rooms, provided adequate fire stopping is installed. Industrial buildings may also benefit from more flexible hydrant requirements, with private systems no longer required where public hydrants are located within 100 metres.
In residential and mixed-use developments, the removal of mandatory balcony sprinklers is expected to simplify design and construction.
Meanwhile, a revised definition of building height brings local rules into closer alignment with NFPA guidance.
With the changes coming into force, it means that the rules are more consistent across the board.
