Before installing any alarm or fire-fighting system, there must be an approved safety drawing setting out what is installed, where and why. This drawing is what civil defense and the technical auditor review, what the contractor builds from, and what the building is compared against at inspection and final testing. A facility that installs its systems without an approved drawing may later find that there are too few sprinklers, the pump is undersized, or a missing exit requires an architectural change. This guide explains what fire system drawings include, when they are required, their technical reference, who prepares them, and the approval steps.
What Do Fire System Drawings Include?
| Element | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Occupancy and hazard classification | The occupancy group under the code, the basis of all other requirements |
| Means of egress | Exits, travel distances, corridor and stair widths, and exit directions |
| Fire compartments | Fire-resistant walls and doors and their ratings |
| Detection and alarm | Detector locations, manual call points, bells and the control panel |
| Fire-fighting | Sprinklers, hose cabinets, standpipes, extinguishers and special systems |
| Lighting and signs | Emergency lighting and exit signs |
| Calculations | Hydraulic calculations for pumps and the network where needed |
When Are They Required?
- As part of the building permit, as the technical audit checks the designs' compliance with the Saudi Building Code.
- For the civil defense licence of facilities that require them; the civil defense guide for warehouse buildings states that approved fire prevention and protection drawings consistent with the code and construction documents must be available.
- When the activity changes or significant modifications are made. Read: Changing a shop's activity.
The Technical Reference
The Saudi Fire Code (SBC 801) together with the general building code (SBC 201) are the basis, with civil defense regulations and guidance manuals for application. Read: The fire code SBC 801.
The Main Systems in the Drawing
- Alarm: conventional or addressable depending on building size. Read: Conventional or addressable alarm?.
- Water-based fire-fighting: sprinklers, hose cabinets and standpipes.
- Special systems: clean agent for server and electrical rooms. Read: The FM-200 system.
- Evacuation: routes, signs and an evacuation plan. Read: The evacuation plan.
Who Prepares Them?
An engineering office accredited in fire protection. Most importantly, they must be coordinated with the architectural, structural and MEP drawings. Read: Clashes between drawings.
Approval Steps
- Determine the classification and code requirements.
- Prepare the drawings, calculations and specifications.
- Internal review and coordination with other disciplines.
- Submit to the competent authority and address comments.
- Install to the approved set, then final testing. Read: Failing the final test of safety systems.
To avoid comments: The most common civil defense comments on safety drawings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small shop need a safety drawing?
It depends on the route and classification; many small shops only need a safety equipment certificate or a technical report.
Can systems be installed before approval?
It is not advisable; installing on an unapproved drawing may mean rework.
Are drawings updated after modifications?
Yes, any significant modification requires updating the drawing.
Does an existing building need a new drawing?
If there are no drawings or the use has changed, usually yes. Read: Old buildings and safety requirements.
What is the difference between the drawing and the compliance report?
The drawing designs the systems before installation; the report verifies that what was installed complies. Read: The safety systems compliance report.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office in Riyadh that designs fire, alarm, fire-fighting and evacuation system drawings to SBC 801, fully coordinated with the other disciplines, and follows up their approval. See our alarm and fire-fighting systems design service, 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.