A car service workshop is a high-risk environment: fuel, oils and grease, welding and cutting, batteries and flammable waste. That is why Civil Defense requirements for workshops are stricter than for ordinary shops.
How to Find Your Activity's Requirements on the Salamah Portal
Civil Defense licenses are issued through the Salamah portal. The application track is determined by the establishment's data: the request type, the main activity and the activity's floor area. Civil Defense guidance documents describe two tracks: an instant track completed online by attaching the requirement (an invoice or safety equipment certificate, or a technical report from an engineering office accredited on the portal, depending on the case), and a non-instant track that includes a site inspection. Read: Instant and non-instant activities on Salamah and When is a technical report required, and when is a safety equipment certificate enough?
The Regulatory Reference
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has issued the requirements for warehouses, workshops and stores, which require ensuring effective firefighting according to the Saudi Fire Code (SBC 801) and the facility's hazard classification under the Saudi Building Code (SBC 201), such as F-1, F-2, S-1 and S-2. They also state that the owner is responsible for installing and maintaining firefighting systems, with regular maintenance and calibration of alarm and extinguishing equipment according to Civil Defense instructions.
Essential Safety Requirements
- Storing oils and fuel in dedicated containers and areas away from welding zones and spark sources.
- Suitable fire extinguishers for oil and electrical fires, distributed throughout the workshop.
- Good ventilation to remove fuel vapours and vehicle exhaust.
- Welding controls: a designated area, flammable materials kept away, and an extinguisher close by.
- Electrical installations suited to an industrial environment.
- Disposing of oil-soaked waste as it is produced.
- Clear emergency exits not blocked by vehicles or parts.
Common Mistakes
- Stacking tyres or parts in front of exits.
- Storing fuel in unsuitable containers.
- Welding near the oil change area.
- Expanding into new activities (painting, panel beating) without reviewing the requirements. Read: Changing the activity and safety requirements.
Paint Work
Paint booths are among the highest-risk activities inside workshops and need a specific study of ventilation, explosion resistance and extinguishing systems. Read: Fire system drawings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small workshop need a technical report?
That is determined by the application track in the investor journey on the Salamah portal, according to the activity and area.
What is a workshop's hazard classification?
It is determined under the Saudi Building Code (SBC 201) according to the activity and materials.
Are the requirements the same for all establishments with the same activity?
No, they vary with floor area, number of occupants, classification and the building the establishment is in, and the actual requirements appear in the investor journey on the Salamah portal.
Who is responsible for maintaining fire systems?
The Ministry of Municipalities' requirements for warehouses and workshops, for example, state that the owner is responsible for installing and maintaining firefighting systems, with regular maintenance and calibration according to Civil Defense instructions.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office in Riyadh that provides safety and fire protection services: designing and approving safety drawings, technical reports, compliance reports and following up licensing through the Salamah portal. Learn about our Civil Defense license service, or Details of how we can help are on our Car Park Design & Layout service page. contact us to identify your facility's requirements.
Start with the complete guide: Salamah portal: the complete guide to Civil Defense licensing.
Information is based on the regulations and requirements of the General Directorate of Civil Defense (998.gov.sa) and the Saudi Fire Code; Civil Defense guidance documents do not replace the code. Requirements vary by activity, area and classification, so always refer to the investor journey on the Salamah portal. Last reviewed: October 2026.