A clothes shop becoming a restaurant, an office becoming a salon, a warehouse changing the type of goods it stores, or an apartment becoming an office: these are all changes of activity that seem administrative, done by amending the commercial register, but they change safety requirements fundamentally. A restaurant needs kitchen and gas protection, a hall needs more exits, and flammable materials need different fire-fighting systems. Ignoring this means a rejected licence, a violation at inspection, or a real risk to life. This guide explains what the regulation says, examples of changes that raise the hazard, steps for a safe transition, and structural changes that need a permit.
What Does the Regulation Say?
The preventive fire protection requirements for facilities state that buildings in use before the regulation took effect may continue operating on two conditions: there is no evident real hazard to life, and the building's classification and activity remain unchanged; any change requires applying the regulation's conditions and requirements. Read: Old buildings and safety requirements.
Examples of Changes That Raise the Hazard
| From | To | What usually changes |
|---|---|---|
| Retail shop | Restaurant | Kitchen, hood and gas protection, possibly assembly classification |
| Office | Training room or hall | Number of occupants and exit requirements |
| Ordinary goods warehouse | Flammable materials | Hazard classification and fire-fighting systems |
| Residential | Commercial or furnished apartments | Fire compartments, alarm and exits |
| Shop | Salon or workshop | Electrical loads and storage of products |
| Residential building | Worker housing | Collective housing requirements |
Read the requirements by activity: restaurants, salons and converting a building to worker housing.
Steps for a Safe Transition
- Check that the new activity is permitted by the municipality and in the building.
- Enter the new activity in the investor journey on the Salamah portal to learn the requirements.
- Ask for a technical report identifying the gaps. Read: The technical report and safety equipment certificate.
- Carry out the modifications and update drawings where needed. Read: Fire system drawings.
- Obtain the licence for the new activity.
Watch Out for Structural Changes
If the new activity requires opening a facade or changing components, you may need a municipal permit. Read: Modifying building components. If the activity adds large loads such as heavy equipment or tanks, a structural assessment is needed. Read: The certified technical report.
Ask Before Signing the Lease
If you are a tenant planning to change the activity, check before signing:
- The landlord's consent and whether the building's permitted use allows the new activity.
- Whether the building has safety systems suited to the activity. Read: The building safety certificate for tenants.
- Whether the required services such as gas, hoods and drainage are possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is amending the commercial register enough?
No, the new activity requires applying its own safety requirements and licensing.
What if the new activity is lower hazard?
Reviewing the requirements is still needed because the classification has changed, but the modifications may be simpler.
Does the licensing route on Salamah change?
It may change from instant to non-instant or the reverse. Read: Instant and non-instant activities.
Do I need new drawings?
Yes, if the activity requires drawings or the systems and exits have changed.
What if I start the activity before licensing?
The facility is exposed to violations and closure; it is safest to complete the requirements first.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office that studies the new activity's requirements before the change, identifies the gaps with a technical report, designs the modifications and obtains the licences. See our technical safety reports 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.