What is FLS (Fire & Life Safety) approval?

FLS approval is the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA) sign-off on a facility fire-protection and life-safety drawings. It is required before installing the systems and before a building completion certificate or licence renewal is issued. The review covers alarm, suppression, passive protection and emergency egress against the UAE Fire & Life Safety Code.

Approval steps

  • Submit architectural and protection-system drawings through an ADCDA-registered consultant or contractor.
  • Design review against the code and adopted NFPA standards.
  • Design approval (No Objection Certificate), then execution.
  • Submit As-Built drawings after installation.
  • Field inspection, final approval and safety certificate issuance.

Required documents

  • Municipality-approved architectural drawings.
  • Protection-system drawings (alarm, sprinkler/suppression, pumps, emergency lighting) signed by a licensed engineer.
  • Design calculations: sprinkler density, detector coverage, occupancy load and travel distances.
  • Equipment specifications and approval certificates (UL/FM/EN).
  • A documented maintenance contract from a certified company at operation.

Common rejection reasons

  • Insufficient detector spacing or sprinkler coverage for the ceiling height and hazard class.
  • Missing occupancy-load and travel-distance calculations.
  • Water supply or pump room not compliant with NFPA 20.
  • No Hassantuk connection where mandated.
  • As-Built drawings inconsistent with the approved design.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is FLS approval required?

Before installing the protection systems and before a completion certificate or licence renewal; any material change to the systems requires re-approval.

How long does approval take?

It depends on drawing and calculation completeness and submission quality; a code-compliant first submission that avoids the rejection reasons above is the fastest route.

Can I submit it myself?

It is normally submitted through an ADCDA-registered consultant or contractor to ensure drawings and calculations meet the code.