<p>A <strong>Civil Defense license</strong> is issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense through the <strong>Salamah</strong> platform. It confirms that a facility meets fire prevention and protection requirements for its activity and risk level. Without it, most commercial and industrial facilities cannot operate legally, and related services such as municipal license renewal may be blocked.</p>
<p>The process varies widely by activity. A small retail shop may receive its safety permit together with its municipal license, while a warehouse, factory or event hall needs approved safety plans, a site inspection and insurance. This guide explains each case and when you can complete the process yourself versus when you need an accredited engineering office.</p>
<h2>Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#what-is">What is a Civil Defense license?</a></li>
<li><a href="#difference">License vs safety permit vs safety certificate</a></li>
<li><a href="#who-needs">Who needs it? (by risk level)</a></li>
<li><a href="#requirements">Requirements and documents</a></li>
<li><a href="#steps">How to issue the license through Salamah</a></li>
<li><a href="#plans">When do you need Civil Defense plans?</a></li>
<li><a href="#insurance">Mandatory insurance for high-risk activities</a></li>
<li><a href="#technical">Key safety requirements inspected</a></li>
<li><a href="#renewal">Renewal and inquiry</a></li>
<li><a href="#rejection">Common reasons for rejection or delay</a></li>
<li><a href="#faq">FAQ</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="what-is">What is a Civil Defense license?</h2>
<p>Also called a <strong>Salamah license</strong> or <strong>safety license</strong>, it is an official document confirming that a facility is equipped with the safety measures its activity requires: fire alarm and suppression systems, emergency exits, emergency lighting and signage, evacuation plans, and safe electrical installations and storage.</p>
<p>It is issued electronically through Salamah and linked to the commercial registration, location and licensed activity. Any change in activity, area or location requires the license to be updated.</p>
<h2 id="difference">License vs safety permit vs safety certificate</h2>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Name</th>
<th>What it is</th>
<th>Issued through</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Safety permit (with municipal license)</td>
<td>A Civil Defense permit issued with the commercial license for approved activities, with no separate application</td>
<td>Balady, during commercial license issuance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Civil Defense license</td>
<td>A standalone license for the facility based on its activity; may require inspection and plans</td>
<td>Salamah platform</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Building safety certificate</td>
<td>Covers the building and its systems, not the operating activity</td>
<td>Depends on building type and use</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Civil Defense plan approval</td>
<td>Review of fire and life safety system designs before construction or operation</td>
<td>Through an engineering office accredited by Civil Defense</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 id="who-needs">Who needs it? (by risk level)</h2>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Risk level</th>
<th>Examples</th>
<th>Typical path</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Low</td>
<td>Administrative offices, small retail shops without flammable storage</td>
<td>Short process; many receive the permit with the municipal license</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Medium</td>
<td>Restaurants, cafés, salons, larger shops, general warehouses</td>
<td>Activity-specific requirements; inspection or technical reports may be required</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>High / crowded places</td>
<td>Factories, fuel stations, hazardous material warehouses, event halls, healthcare, education and entertainment facilities</td>
<td>Approved safety plans, installed and tested systems, inspection, and mandatory insurance where applicable</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The detailed classification appears in Salamah when you select your activity.</p>
<h2 id="requirements">Requirements and documents</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Valid commercial registration</strong> including the activity.</li>
<li><strong>Documented lease contract</strong> or title deed, with accurate location and area.</li>
<li><strong>Building permit or occupancy certificate</strong> for the building; see <a href="/en/services/occupancy-certificate">occupancy certificate</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Facility layout</strong> showing exits, escape routes and safety equipment, and for higher-risk activities, <strong>approved safety plans</strong> from an accredited office.</li>
<li><strong>Technical reports</strong> for alarm and suppression systems where required, such as fitness reports or maintenance contracts.</li>
<li><strong>Third-party cooperative insurance</strong> for covered high-risk activities and crowded places.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="steps">How to issue the license through Salamah</h2>
<ol>
<li><strong>Log in to Salamah</strong> using the National Single Sign-On (Nafath).</li>
<li><strong>Register the facility</strong>, link it to the commercial registration, and enter location and area.</li>
<li><strong>Select the activity</strong>; the platform determines the risk level and requirements.</li>
<li><strong>Upload the required documents and plans.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Review and inspection</strong>: low-risk requests may follow a short process; higher-risk ones go through plan review and a site inspection.</li>
<li><strong>Resolve any comments</strong>, then <strong>pay the fees</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Issue and print the license</strong> from the platform.</li>
</ol>
<p>A detailed walkthrough is in our <a href="/en/blogs/salamah-portal-guide">Salamah portal guide</a>.</p>
<h2 id="plans">When do you need Civil Defense plans?</h2>
<ul>
<li>High-risk facilities or crowded places.</li>
<li>New buildings or buildings under construction, where alarm and suppression systems are approved before installation.</li>
<li>Large areas, or major changes to internal layout or activity.</li>
<li>Applications rejected or returned with comments on exits, travel distances or systems.</li>
</ul>
<p>Plans typically cover fire alarm, suppression (sprinklers, hose cabinets, extinguishers, clean-agent systems for sensitive rooms), escape routes and exits, emergency lighting and signage, and hazard separation. See <a href="/en/services/safety-system-design-review">Civil Defense plan design and approval</a> and <a href="/en/services/evacuation-plans">evacuation plan design</a>.</p>
<h2 id="insurance">Mandatory insurance for high-risk activities</h2>
<p><strong>Third-party cooperative insurance</strong> is now a core requirement for a Civil Defense license for high-risk activities and crowded places, under a Council of Ministers decision applied in phases across economic, commercial, entertainment and healthcare activities. It covers the facility's liability for bodily and property damage to visitors resulting from incidents. Check whether your activity is covered by the current phase before applying.</p>
<h2 id="technical">Key safety requirements inspected</h2>
<ul>
<li>Fire extinguishers of the right type and number, within validity.</li>
<li>Fire alarm system suited to area and use (conventional or addressable).</li>
<li>Automatic suppression where required by the code.</li>
<li>Emergency exits: number, width, door swing, and no obstructions.</li>
<li>Emergency lighting and illuminated exit signage.</li>
<li>Safe electrical installations without overloading.</li>
<li>Flammable materials stored safely and within permitted quantities.</li>
<li>Evacuation plan displayed and staff trained.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="renewal">Renewal and inquiry</h2>
<p>Renew the license through Salamah before it expires, and make sure safety equipment is still valid: extinguishers refilled, maintenance contracts active, and no unreported change in activity or area. See <a href="/en/blogs/renewal-of-civil-defense-license">Civil Defense license renewal</a>.</p>
<h2 id="rejection">Common reasons for rejection or delay</h2>
<ul>
<li>Selecting an activity or classification that does not match reality.</li>
<li>The building has no building permit or occupancy certificate, or its use differs from what is licensed.</li>
<li>Insufficient exits, or escape routes blocked by stock.</li>
<li>Alarm or suppression systems not matching approved plans, or lacking fitness reports.</li>
<li>Plans not approved, or not matching the site.</li>
<li>Missing insurance for covered activities.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How ABAK helps</h2>
<p>ABAK Engineering Consultancy is accredited with Civil Defense through the Salamah portal. In Riyadh, we determine the right path for your activity, design and approve fire and life safety plans and evacuation plans, prepare technical reports, and follow up on inspection comments until the <a href="/en/services/civil-defense-permit">Civil Defense license is issued</a>.</p>
<h2 id="faq">Frequently asked questions</h2>
<h3>Does every shop need a Civil Defense license?</h3>
<p>Most commercial activities need a safety permit or license. Some receive it with the municipal license; higher-risk activities need a separate license from Salamah.</p>
<h3>How long does it take?</h3>
<p>There is no fixed duration. Complete low-risk applications can be quick; high-risk ones depend on plan approval, inspection scheduling and resolving comments.</p>
<h3>Do I need an engineering office?</h3>
<p>Not always. You need one when the activity requires approved safety plans or technical reports, or when there are comments related to exits and systems.</p>
<h3>Can the license be renewed online?</h3>
<p>Yes, through Salamah, provided safety measures remain valid and the activity or area has not changed.</p>
<h2>Sources</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://salama.998.gov.sa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Salamah platform — General Directorate of Civil Defense</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.alwatan.com.sa/article/1184256" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Watan — Mandatory insurance for crowded places and high-risk activities (Arabic)</a></li>
</ul>
<p><em>Reviewed by: Eng. [[Name]], Fire & Life Safety Department, on [[date]]. Requirements are updated by official authorities; verify on Salamah before applying.</em></p>
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