A fire in a warehouse can mean losing all the goods at once, with rapid spread because of the quantities and storage heights. That is why Civil Defense issued a dedicated guide for storage buildings. This is an explanation of Civil Defense requirements for warehouses.
The Warehouse Buildings Requirements Guide (Group S)
Among the Civil Defense Safety Affairs publications (1443 AH), the requirements guide for warehouse buildings, Group (S) explains the fire prevention and protection requirements the Directorate enforces, based on the Saudi Fire Code. It distinguishes between stores according to the hazard of the materials, including the low-hazard storage group used for non-combustible materials.
The Instant Track and Its Requirements
The guide explains that the instant track requires registering the establishment on the Salamah portal and issuing a technical report from one of the technical engineering offices accredited on the portal, or attaching the safety invoice requirements, depending on the case. Among the requirements the guide mentions is having approved drawings for fire prevention and protection requirements showing compliance with the code and the construction documents.
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?
Essential Safety Requirements
- Storage: heights and aisles that allow firefighters access and let sprinklers work.
- Automatic sprinklers according to area, material classification and storage height. Read: When are automatic sprinklers mandatory?
- An alarm system with detectors suited to high ceilings.
- Well-distributed emergency exits that are never locked in a way that prevents exit; the guide refers to releasing electronic lock delays when sprinklers or automatic detection activate, allowing immediate egress.
- Separation between storage, offices and loading rooms.
- Regular maintenance, which the Ministry's requirements make the owner's responsibility.
Before Leasing or Operating a Warehouse
Confirm the classification of the materials to be stored, because changing the type of goods can change the requirements. For the warehouse license and its sequence, read: Warehouse licensing and drawing approval in Saudi Arabia. For design, see our factory and warehouse design service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all warehouses need sprinklers?
It depends on area, material classification and storage height according to the code.
Is the guidance document binding?
The guide explains the requirements but does not replace the code, which is the main reference.
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 Safety System Drawing Design & Approval 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.