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Building Department

Qualification & Building Studies Section

Building Researches and Studies Unit

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BY: FADEL SALEH ABUSHABAN

B.SC. IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, USA

M.SC. IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT, UK

FIRST EDITION

September, 2012

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1- Introduction

Dubai government has diversified its economy to attract revenues in

the form of expanding commercial activities and construction industry.

This action caused a huge boom in construction & industry sectors since

2002, which leads in importing plenty of new buildings systems and

materials.

At the heart of the buildings construction process is the requirement

to contribute to the objectives of sustainable structure, and to achieve

a more environmental design response. All those involved in importing of

new buildings construction systems should assess how those systems can

pursue the objectives of sustainable social progress, which recognizes the

needs of owners; effective protection of the environment; prudent use of

resources and maintenance of high level of economic growth.

The aim of this booklet is to clarify and simplify the complete

procedure for the approval of new building construction systems from

application submitting up to issuing the final approval certificate,

including all conditions and requirements in order to maintain high

quality, sustainable and durable buildings.

All documents will be evaluated based on DM regulations and in the

light of the following factors:

Durability, quality, environmental impact, urban change, social and

cultural impact, maintenance requirements, weathering condition, design

flexibility to future extensions, refurbishment and renovation and finally

life cycle cost.

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2- Building Department and its Regulations

(Reference: building department web site)

2.1- introduction

Building Department is the main legislative authority that enact laws

and standards and the requirements and specifications of buildings

construction in the Emirate of Dubai, and adopt an integrated system of

scrutiny and control over all phases of construction, which ensures the

application of all laws and standards so that as the buildings of Dubai

became the world dream. Also, it works on the development of the

construction works in the emirate, according to the highest international

specifications and standards, and to the optimal use of modern

technologies in order to create an outstanding city.

In addition, Building Department is working on the rehabilitation of

all consulting offices and contracting companies in accordance with

standards and plans that ensure the quality of their specialization, which

include: their registration, licensing , classifying, rehabilitation of their

engineers, and assessment annually.

Building Department is considered as a liaison center among the

different concerned bodies, which works on communicating the

information to the concerned parties inside and outside the Municipality,

and coordinating with the local departments, municipality departments,

vocational societies, and arranging the career practice in the required

manner.

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2.2- Building Department Vision

“Our Buildings ... Dream of the world”

2.3- Building Department Mission

“As a team , we study , organize , control and develop the

construction works in Dubai Emirate as per sustainability standards and

international specifications through the best use of technology and

modern techniques to create Dubai an excellent city”.

2.4- Buildings Department's Duties

1. Preparing and applying the engineering systems and criterions and the

approved specifications for design, construction and execution. In

addition, engineering audit on designs; engineering supervision on

execution; and implementation other departments' regulations relevant to

construction works.

2. Preparing and applying the approved systems and criterions for

evaluating, classifying and registering the engineers, contracting,

maintenance and decoration companies, vocational trades, consultation

offices, opinion advising offices and projects technical management.

3. Carrying the necessary examinations for evaluating the engineering

staff required for registering, classifying, promoting and renewing the

licenses of consultation offices and contracting, demolition, maintenance

or decoration companies and other vocational trades.

4. Monitoring and inspecting the consultation offices; contracting,

demolition, decoration and maintenance companies; and vocational trades

in both their head offices and working sites.

5. Preparing and applying Municipality laws, systems, regulations and

requirements relevant to the issuance of licenses and building permits and

buildings completing certificates.

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6. Studying and approving the new methods and systems applied for

construction projects, thermal insulation and green buildings.

7. Conducting the engineering supervision for execution works at

construction sites, used materials and construction methods, safety and

security requirements and the arrangement of work sites.

8. Monitoring and inspecting the existing buildings and facilities and

their exploitation for preventing any violation and irregular expansion.

9. Solving and handling complaints and technical disputes and providing

the technical opinion and advice in cooperation with the competent

authorities.

10. Providing all technical and administrative laws, regulations and

criterions applicable in the Department for all clients who benefit of its

services, in addition to spreading awareness and culture of building the

community.

11. Conducting studies and researches relevant to construction works

and spreading and circulating their contents to the concerned authorities.

12. Implementing training programs and courses, symposiums, forums

and educational programs, in cooperation with the concerned units, for

employees, engineers and those benefiting from the Department's services

for the purpose of upgrading the technical and administrative level.

13. Providing comprehensive databases for the buildings, facilities and

their components, and updating them directly on the spot.

14. Enforcing all the approved institutional systems and criterions in

order to manage, develop and improve the work in the Department.

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2.5- Building Department Sections

Buildings Department is divided into four sections that are working

altogether for providing their services to clients as follows:

1- Building permits Section:

The Building permits Section authorizes the licensing of engineering

drawings submitted by consultants, contractors or proprietors, which

should be identical to the general and special construction conditions

concerning the building intended to be constructed in the emirate

2- Engineering Supervision Section:

The Engineering Supervision Section, affiliated to the Department,

undertakes the task of permanently supervising the building under

construction, following up the matters with contractors and consultants,

following up work progress and compliance with the safety criterions.

3- Buildings Inspection Section:

The Inspection Section works on supervising and monitoring the existing

buildings through a group of the specialized engineers for following up

the buildings conditions and their exploitation in the manner these

buildings are intended for, in addition to verifying the compliance with

the safety and security criterions

4- Qualification & Building Studies Section:

Qualification & Building Studies sec. prepare and implement the

approved regulations and standards for the evaluation, classification and

recording engineers, contractors and consulting offices; as the approval of

new building and thermal insulation systems; as well as studies and

research works related to building construction field.

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2.6- Building Rules and Regulations

Out of Dubai Municipality keenness for organizing the construction

operation in the emirate, Buildings Department has issued a booklet that

clarify Building Rules and Regulations which aims to achieve the

department Vision and Mission.

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3- Types of Building Construction Systems

3.1 Introduction

The classification of building systems according to functional

purposes is divided into two main categories: First, Thermal & Electro-

Mechanical Systems which are known as Building Services Systems.

Second, Structural Systems which are divided into two sub-systems:

Complete and Partial building systems . For example, heat insulation

systems, communication lines, energy supply, plumbing: water supply

and drainage works, electrical works, escalators and lifts, fire detection

and protection, water proofing, (HVAC): heating, ventilation and air

condition and security and alarm systems are known as Thermal &

Electro-Mechanical Systems. Low and high rise buildings and precast

structural elements such as wall and roof panels, shells, vaults, folded

plates, pre-stressed slabs, and post-tension slabs are considered as

Structural Systems.

3.2 Definitions of Building Construction Systems

3.2.1 Structural Systems:

3.2.1.1 Complete building system

The complete building system is an architectural, structural and

services composite which consist of several components / materials that

are erected in a specific way to get a complete building that fulfill its

purpose.

The purpose of each building is to be used for one or more of the

following types:

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(a) Residential buildings

They are divided to two main types:

Villas which consists of one or two floors.

Multi-story buildings which consist of apartments.

(b) Commercial buildings

They are mostly multi-story buildings and usually consist of show

rooms or shops at ground floor and apartments at upper floors that are

used as offices for commercial purposes.

(c) Industrial buildings

They mostly consist of one or two floors which are used for industrial

purposes.

(d) Services buildings

They vary in shape and number of floors according to their use, such as:

Schools

Hospitals

Mosques

Hotels

Sports halls

Parties halls, … etc.

(3.2.1.2) Partial building system

The partial building system is a building component which consists of

materials that are mixed or fixed together in a specific way to get

a component. It is erected in the building to fulfill its purpose, such as:

a) Pre-cast structural elements such as: RCC walls and roof panels.

b) Post-tensioned structural elements such as beams and slabs, … etc.

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3.2.2 Thermal & Electro-Mechanical Systems (Building Services Systems):

Building services systems can be defined as the elements that are

erected in the building to fulfill their purposes, and all together needed to

allow a building to function, work, and provide for the occupants their

needs. They comprise Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP)

systems, all of which are further sub-divided into the following:

(a) Mechanical systems:

Escalators and lifts.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC).

Refrigeration.

Mechanical car parking.

(b) Electrical systems:

Energy / electricity supply systems.

Energy / electricity saving systems.

Communication lines, telephones and IT networks (ICT).

Artificial lighting.

Lightning protection.

Security and alarm systems.

(c) Public Health Systems:

Fire detection and protection.

Plumbing : water supply and drainage.

Gas supply systems.

Landscaping / external systems such as: swimming pools,

fountains, irrigation, etc.

Heat insulation components.

Water proofing layers.

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4.1 Requirements for Structural Systems

4.1.1 General requirements:

1) A copy of a local factory license which has an activity of new

structural elements manufacturing (In case structural elements are pre-

made).

2) A copy of a trade license for an erection contractor.

3) A contract between the original producer in the original country and

the local contractor.

4) A copy of one complete set of drawings for an executed project

included: architectural, structural and services drawings.

5) A brief history of the company (if new established co., submit

whatever is available) including:

List of staff.

List of labors.

List of assets and equipments.

List of all executed projects in the original country using same

system, photos and copies of three completion certificates.

Company category (G+1, G+4, …. Etc.).

Company profile, goals , aspects , etc

4- The Requirements

for the Approval of

New Building

Construction Systems

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6) After getting the preliminary approval certificate, a trial project mostly

is requires and to be executed providing that:

(a) The project drawings must be submitted through an approved local

consultant in order to get the building permit.

(b) A bank guarantee must be submitted for both performance and

safety.

4.1.2 Technical requirements:

1) All structural calculations including analysis and design.

2) Technical report for each of the following tests:

Compressive strength for concrete, wood and blocks (if used as

structural elements).

Tensile strength for steel, aluminum, or any metal (if used as

structural elements).

Amount of fluoride and chloride salts in R.C.C. structural

elements.

Effects of local temperature variations on structural elements.

Durability tests for structural elements.

3) A list of well trained staff for execution the system to be provided by

the original company.

4) Structure must last for at least 30 years (to be stated in the design

calculation sheet).

5) Guarantee certificate for safety of structure that covers min 10 years

from completion certificate date must be provided by contractor.

6) An approved code must be used in structural analysis and design.

7) Flexibility degree of the system that allow structure to be designed for

all possible architectural shapes.

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4.2 Requirements for Thermal & Electro-Mechanical Systems

(Building Services Systems):

4.2.1 General Requirements:

1. SYSTEM NAME: Give the generic type and the trade name of the

product, as will be given in the approval certificate.

2. MANUFACTURER: Give the name and the full address of the

manufacturer.

3. LICENSE of the COMPANY: Applicant (Manufacturer or his

authorized agent established in Dubai) must submit a valid license

(commercial, professional, industrial or agricultural) of the

company registered in Dubai.

4. AGENT INFORMATION (if applicable): The Applicant must

provide a written authorization confirming Agent's Authority to act

in this matter and a certified legal agreement between the applicant

and the manufacturer.

5. BRIEF COMPANY PROFILE: Provide a brief description of the

company (the applicant) and the manufacturer (if it is different)

including country and date of establishment, number of staff and

labor, number and type of equipment and any other supporting

information.

6. GUARANTEE CERTIFICATE: The Applicant must provide a

written full guarantee for the manufacturing, installation and

performance of the system for a period that will determined by DM.

7. REFERENCE PROJECTS: List the projects where the system

was used showing the year of installation and full address of the

location of installation.

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4.2.2 Technical Requirements:

1. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND COMPONENTS: Give a brief

description of the system and describe in detail all components of

the system and their physical relationship to each other, providing a

descriptive title, and including model numbers, sizes, and

dimensions where applicable.

2. SYSTEM USAGE, SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND

LIMITATIONS. Describe the uses for which the system is

intended and state types of buildings and locations where the system

can be used. Also, list the known limitations on the uses of the

material, system or building type.

3. APPLICABLE REGULATION: State the applicable

requirements according to the applicable codes and standards of the

current DM legislations (regulations). Also, Identify all provisions

of the current DM legislations (regulations) that inhibit the use of

the proposed material, system, or building design and/or identify the

provisions of the Building Code for which an equivalency is being

sought.

4. NON DM REGULATORY INFORMATION AND

STANDARDS: Include copies of any acceptances, authorizations,

evaluations, or refusals from other local or international bodies of

the proposed material, system or building design. These acceptances

by other bodies should be accompanied with the relevant regulation.

5. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION: Give all the technical data of

the system. Detail all relevant assumptions, limiting or restricting

factors, drawings and calculations, testing procedures, etc.,

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including any commissioning, operational and maintenance

requirements. List all Submitted Documents: Tabulate all

documentation and clearly identify the documents, tests, or support

materials to be considered by DM. Information you may consider

submitting for review may include and is not limited to:

System Description

Characteristics

Strength

Durability

Detailed design and installation drawings

Calculations

Certifications

Installation Manuals

Sample of the Product

Site monitoring information

Training Manuals

Quality Control Manuals (factory and onsite)

Identify how each document submitted supports the case that the

proposed material, system or building design provides a level of

performance, at least equivalent to that required by the DM legislations

(regulations). DM may also review or observe testing of the system by

the applicant.

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY: Identify if the system has any health or

safety risks in the handling, installation, usage, decomposition or

others. Provide all the required certificates from the concern

authorities such as civil defense, health and safety, environment or

any other.

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7. TESTS AND APPROVALS: Provide all test results and approvals

for the system. Also provide certificate of approval for all the

materials used in the system from Dubai Central Lab.

4.3 Civil Defense requirements

An approval certificate from Civil Defense Administration is required.

5- Approval Certificate:

If all the above mentioned requirements are fulfilled, a preliminary

or final approval certificate for the system will be given

(depending on the type and use of the system).

In case a preliminary approval certificate is given, a trial project is

required prior to the final approval.

D.M. staff will supervise the execution of the trial project until

completion certificate is issued. If all works and materials are

matched with DM specification and regulations, a final approval

certificate will be issued.

In case if any defect or technical problem appear in the approved

system within five years from building completion certificate, the

system approval will be terminated.

6- The approval process sequence:

A flow chart is shown next page which illustrates the process

sequence for the approval of a new building system.