There is no single set of "factory requirements" that applies to every factory; a food factory differs from a plastics, paint or chemicals plant, and a small factory with ten workers differs from a huge production facility with high-bay warehouses. The governing factor is the hazard classification and the nature of materials and processes. Understanding this classification early, before design, saves costly changes and delays to operation. This is a guide to civil defense requirements for factories by type of industry: classification under the code, what raises the hazard, the systems usually required, responsibility and maintenance, and the licensing route.
Factory Classification Under the Code
The Saudi Building Code (SBC 201) classifies industrial facilities into groups, including F-1 for moderate-hazard industries and F-2 for low-hazard industries, as well as group H for high-hazard occupancies and S for storage. The Ministry of Municipalities' requirements for warehouses and workshops link fire-fighting effectiveness to the fire code (SBC 801) and the hazard classification (F-1, F-2, S-1 and S-2). Read: The fire code SBC 801.
| Group | Indicative examples | Expected level of protection |
|---|---|---|
| F-2 low hazard | Manufacturing non-combustible materials such as metals and glass | Basic, increasing with area |
| F-1 moderate hazard | Furniture, paper, plastics, textiles, food | Usually alarm, fire-fighting network and sprinklers |
| H high hazard | Explosive, highly flammable or toxic materials | Special systems and strict separation |
| S storage | Raw material and product warehouses | Depending on materials and storage height |
The actual classification is set by the engineer under the code and the type of materials; the examples above are illustrative.
What Raises a Factory's Hazard?
- The nature of raw materials and products: flammable, explosive dust, or chemicals.
- Storage quantities, method and height.
- Thermal processes: furnaces, welding and drying.
- The factory's area and number of workers.
The Systems Usually Required
- An alarm system with detectors suited to the industrial environment. Read: Fire alarm system requirements.
- A fire-fighting network with pumps, a tank and hose cabinets. See our fire-fighting systems design service.
- Automatic sprinklers depending on area and classification.
- Special systems: foam for flammable liquids, or clean agent for control rooms. Read: The FM-200 system.
- Fire compartments separating storage from production and offices.
- Exits and escape routes, signage and an evacuation plan. Read: The evacuation plan.
Design Before Construction
The best time to address fire requirements is the design stage: production line layout, storage separation, tank and pump locations, and internal road widths for fire engines. Read: Designing a factory around the production line and Factory internal roads.
Responsibility and Maintenance
According to the ministry's requirements, responsibility for installing, maintaining and preserving fire-fighting systems lies with the owner, with periodic maintenance and calibration of automatic and manual alarm and fire-fighting equipment according to civil defense instructions.
Factories in Industrial Cities
Factories inside MODON have their own licensing routes. See our factory building permit service, and read: Certificates required before factory operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a factory always a non-instant activity?
The application route on the Salamah portal determines this; factories usually need drawings and technical reports because of their risks.
Is a safety drawing mandatory for a factory?
Factories usually need approved drawings for protection systems. Read: Fire system drawings.
Are the requirements the same for all facilities of the same activity?
No, they vary with area, number of occupants, classification and the building the facility is in; 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 installing and maintaining fire-fighting systems is the owner's responsibility, with periodic maintenance and calibration according to civil defense instructions.
What if the production line changes?
The classification and requirements may change, so review them before the change. Read: Production line changes and licences.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office in Riyadh that determines your factory's hazard classification, designs alarm, fire-fighting, sprinkler and compartment systems and evacuation drawings, and follows up the civil defense licence. Learn about our safety services, or contact us.
Regulatory information is based on the Balady platform and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and procedures may be updated by the competent authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.