How to choose a Civil Defence approved fire contractor in the UAE
Every building in the UAE needs fire fighting, fire alarm and emergency lighting systems that are approved by the Civil Defence of its emirate and maintained every year. The contractor you choose decides how fast you get approval, how safe the building is and how much you spend on repairs later.
This guide explains what to check before you sign with a fire fighting company in Sharjah, Dubai, Ajman or any other emirate.
1. Six things to check before you choose
- Civil Defence licence in your emirate. Ask for the company's licence for installing and maintaining fire systems in the emirate where your building is.
- Design, shop drawings and approvals in-house. A good contractor prepares the drawings, submits them and follows the approval with Civil Defence until the completion certificate.
- Real project references. Ask for completed projects similar to yours: towers, villas, schools, warehouses or hotels.
- Testing and commissioning. Pressure tests, fire alarm cause-and-effect tests and pump tests should be done and documented before handover.
- Annual maintenance (AMC). Civil Defence requires regular maintenance. Choose a company that can maintain the systems it installs.
- A clear quotation. The quotation should list the quantities of every item: sprinklers, detectors, cabinets, pumps and valves, so you can compare offers fairly.
2. Fire systems a building usually needs
- Fire fighting systems: sprinklers, hose reel cabinets, wet and dry risers and fire pump sets.
- Fire alarm and voice evacuation: smoke and heat detectors, manual call points, sounders and speakers.
- Emergency lighting and exit signs along the escape routes.
- Special suppression systems: FM-200 and clean agent for electrical and server rooms, foam and deluge for generator rooms and LPG tanks.
- Fire extinguishers and fire blankets in kitchens, corridors and plant rooms.
3. What a fire maintenance contract (AMC) includes
An annual maintenance contract keeps your building compliant and your systems working. It normally covers scheduled inspections, testing of the fire alarm panel and detectors, fire pump runs, checking sprinklers and hose reels, refilling and testing extinguishers, emergency lighting tests, maintenance reports and support during Civil Defence inspections.
4. Why building owners choose Al Weqaya & Al Aman
- Fire protection contractor in the UAE since 2000.
- Licensed by Civil Defence in Sharjah, Dubai and Ajman. See our licences and approvals.
- 851 completed fire protection projects. See our projects.
- Design, supply, installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance under one company, across all seven Emirates.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Civil Defence approval for fire systems?
Yes. Fire fighting and fire alarm systems must be designed and installed by a licensed contractor and approved by the Civil Defence of the emirate before the building can be occupied.
How often must fire systems be maintained?
Fire systems need regular maintenance throughout the year under a maintenance contract, with inspection records kept for Civil Defence.
Which emirates do you work in?
We work in all seven Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
How do I get a quotation?
Send us your drawings or tell us about your building through the quotation form, call 06 548 2883 or email info@al-weqaya.com.
Need a fire safety system or maintenance contract?
Tell us about your building and our engineers will get back to you with a quotation.