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Façade Assessments and Inspection

In the UAE, façade systems must comply with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice which outlines stringent regulations for the fire performance, installation and inspection of external wall assemblies. These codes are increasingly harmonised with international benchmarks such as NFPA standards and BS/EN fire testing protocols.
While early versions of the UAE code provided limited details on façade fire performance, significant updates—especially those introduced after 2013—introduced detailed annexures governing combustible cladding, fire barriers, and inspection procedures. Today, façade assessments and inspections in the UAE are mandatory for most mid- to high-rise developments before cladding installation.  

Façade Assessments and Inspections UAE – Process Overview

A robust façade fire assessment and inspection process is crucial for reducing fire risk, ensuring code compliance and safeguarding building occupants. Below is a summary of the three stage process we follow at Vortex Fire a trusted Building Inspection Company in the UAE with extensive experience in façade safety and fire compliance.

In the UAE only certified Façade Engineering Consultants UAE are authorised to conduct design reviews and field inspections. All project stakeholders from cladding suppliers to system installers must meet specific licensing and competency criteria.

Minimum UAE code requirements include:

  • Civil Defence and relevant authorities must approve cladding manufacturers.
  • Cladding systems must be tested and certified by approved third-party labs.
  • The façade system must hold Certificates of Conformity (CoC) and local approvals.
  • Engineers conducting façade assessments and inspections in the UAE must be registered with Civil Defence or an approved House of Expertise.
  • Façade installers must be trained and certified by the system supplier.

At Vortex Fire, we are a Building Inspection Company in the UAE qualified under the Fire and Life Safety Code and ISO 17020, ensuring we meet the highest level of inspection and reporting standards.

Before any façade is installed, Façade Engineering Consultants UAE are required to submit a Façade Engineering Assessment Report to the relevant authority. This document outlines the complete façade assembly and includes:

  • Building occupancy, use classification, and height
  • Elevation drawings showing façade zones
  • System schematics, workshop details, and component drawings
  • Test reports for materials (with and without skin)
  • Fire test results for the full façade assembly (NFPA 285, BS 8414, etc.)
  • Minimum vertical and horizontal fire separation as per code
  • Certified cavity and perimeter fire barriers
The UAE code mandates both small-scale material testing and large-scale façade fire performance testing. In the event of system changes or deviations from tested assemblies, an Engineering Judgement (EJ) from a certified testing body is required.

To ensure compliance clients must submit undertaking letters confirming that the façade’s installation and design will meet UAE Fire and Life Safety Code requirements.

Facade-Assessments-and-Inspection

Once installation begins, periodic façade assessments and inspections in the UAE must be performed by ISO 17020-accredited entities. These inspections typically occur at 20% intervals throughout the project and include on-site validation of cavity fire barriers, perimeter fire stops, and passive protection systems.

Perimeter fire barriers must comply with ASTM E2393 and are subject to destructive testing at set intervals (e.g., one test per 150 linear meters). All installed components are cross-checked against the approved façade engineering assessment.

Any non-conformities identified during these inspections must be rectified, and updated documentation may be submitted to the local Civil Defence authority for reapproval.

Vortex Fire, as a leading Building Inspection Company in the UAE, conducts independent third-party assessments to ensure the full integrity and transparency of the inspection process.

Why Choose Our Façade Engineering Consultants UAE?

As experienced Façade Engineering Consultants UAE Vortex Fire provides a full range of façade fire safety services from system design review to onsite verification. Our approach aligns with UAE Civil Defence regulations and global best practices.

  • End to end façade assessments and inspections in the UAE
  • Civil Defence coordination & documentation
  • Material testing & façade assembly validation
  • ISO 17020 accredited inspections
  • Expert reports for approval & insurance documentation

Whether you’re working on a new development or upgrading an existing façade, our team ensures your project complies with all fire safety requirements safely, efficiently and professionally.