Interior Fit-Out Dubai: Rules, Approvals & Process

In Dubai, the Dubai Building Code defines a fit-out of a space or unit, or a change to a service system or building element, as a modification, and both the Dubai Building Code and the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code apply to the fit-out or change; wider reconstruction or change of use extends the code to affected areas such as exits and vertical transport. In jointly owned buildings, substantial alterations to the structure or external appearance need approval from the master developer, the Dubai Land Department and the competent authority under Article 39 of Law No. 6 of 2019. Tenants may not make changes without the landlord's permission and the required licences under Article 19 of Law No. 26 of 2007, and landlords must provide the approvals tenants need for decoration works that do not affect the structure. Finishes must meet Dubai Central Laboratory VOC limits, and new spaces need indoor air testing before occupancy.

Updated 17 October 2026. Every rule in this guide links to its official source at the end of the page.

Key facts

Code applies: a fit-out is a modification; the Dubai Building Code and UAE Fire and Life Safety Code apply (Table A.1).
Owners: substantial alterations need master developer, DLD and competent authority approval (Law 6 of 2019, Article 39).
Tenants: landlord permission and licences required (Law 26 of 2007, Article 19); landlord provides approvals for decoration works (Article 18).
Clear heights: 2.7 m living and bedrooms, 2.5 m offices and shops, 2.3 m corridors and toilets (Table B.4).
Room sizes: residential living spaces at least 10.5 m² and 3 m wide; studios 21 m² (Table B.3).
Air quality: certified low-VOC finishes and an indoor air test before occupancy (H.4.10.3).

What counts as a fit-out in Dubai

The Dubai Building Code defines a modification as the fit-out of a space or unit, or a change to a service system or building element. In practice a fit-out covers partitions and ceilings, floor and wall finishes, joinery, doors and glazing, lighting and power, air-conditioning distribution, plumbing and drainage for kitchens and toilets, fire safety devices, security systems and signage, turning a shell or an old layout into a usable space. Because a fit-out touches almost every building system at once, it is also where many compliance issues in existing buildings can arise, which is why the rules below matter.

When the Dubai Building Code applies

Table A.1 of the code sets how it applies to changes to existing buildings:

Type of change	Description	Applicable codes
Renovation	Change to linings or finishes, or strengthening of structure, with no reconfiguration of internal spaces	The Dubai Building Code and UAE Fire and Life Safety Code apply to the interior finish changes or building envelope changes
Modification	Fit-out of a space or unit, or change to a service system or building element	Both codes apply to the fit-out or change
Reconstruction	A modification that is not stand-alone, affecting adjacent egress routes or systems outside the area, so that a larger part of the building might need to close	Both codes apply to the reconstruction and any areas of the building it impacts
Change of use	Change of use or occupancy of part or all of the building	Both codes apply to the change and impacted areas, such as exit stairs and routes, vertical transport and sanitary provisions
Addition	Increase in gross area, built-up area, height or depth	Both codes apply to the addition, and the existing building is assessed if the addition relies on it for escape or vertical transport

The code also states that where it conflicts with referenced codes or standards, the most restrictive or highest-performance requirement must be met, and where a general and a specific requirement conflict, the specific one applies. As guidance, the practical test for any fit-out is whether it changes how people escape, what the space is used for, or the building's shared systems: the more it does, the wider the area that must be brought up to the code.

Approvals in jointly owned buildings

Article 39 of Law No. 6 of 2019 on jointly owned real property says that, without prejudice to construction legislation, an occupant may make substantial alterations or modifications to the structure or external appearance of their unit, or to any part of the jointly owned property, only after approval from the master developer, the Dubai Land Department and the competent authority. An occupant who breaches this must remedy any damage at their own expense in the manner the master developer or RERA prescribes, and if they fail to, RERA or the master developer may appoint someone to do it and charge the occupant. Article 17 prohibits using, altering, redesigning or shutting down common facilities in a way that restricts owners' use without prior approvals. As guidance, building management may also issue its own fit-out rules covering working hours, lift use, noise, deposits and insurance, which should be agreed before work starts.

Approvals for tenants and landlords

Under Law No. 26 of 2007 on landlords and tenants, Article 19 says a tenant may not make any changes or carry out restoration or maintenance works unless permitted by the landlord and after obtaining the required licences from the competent official entities, apart from restorations agreed or customary for tenants. Article 18 requires the landlord to provide the tenant with the approvals needed for submission to the competent entities whenever the tenant wishes to carry out decoration or other works requiring approvals, provided the works do not affect the structure and the tenant has the official request documents. Article 21 requires the tenant to return the property in the condition received, except for ordinary wear and tear. As guidance, a commercial tenant planning a fit-out should agree in writing with the landlord what will be built, what stays at the end of the lease and what must be removed.

Room sizes and clear heights

Section B.5.2 sets minimum net areas and dimensions for rooms, and B.5.3 sets minimum clear heights measured from finished floor level to any structural or suspended element or ceiling soffit:

Room	Minimum area	Minimum length and width
Residential living space (bedroom, living room)	10.5 m²	3 m
Residential studio (including bathroom and kitchen)	21 m²	3 m
Housekeeper or guard room (single occupancy, excluding toilet)	4.5 m²	2.1 m
Retail shop	—	2.4 m
Retail showroom	9 m²	—
Enclosed office	—	2.4 m
Enclosed kitchen	5.4 m²	1.8 m

Space	Minimum clear height
Living and bedroom spaces (residential, hotel)	2.7 m
Offices	2.5 m
Retail shops, stores and showrooms	2.5 m
School classrooms, nurseries and kindergartens	2.7 m
Ballrooms and multipurpose halls; prayer rooms	2.7 m
Corridors, passageways and lift lobbies	2.3 m
Washrooms and toilets; storage and utility	2.3 m
Other occupiable spaces; means of egress	2.3 m

In no more than 50% of a ceiling area, protruding objects may extend below the minimum clear height, provided 2.03 m headroom from the floor is kept. The manoeuvring space between kitchen counters, or beside a single counter, must be at least 1.2 m. As guidance, these heights decide how deep a false ceiling can be once ducts, sprinklers and lighting are fitted above it, so ceiling design should start from the minimum clear height, not from what fits.

Fire safety in a fit-out

Because the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code applies to every fit-out under Table A.1, partitions, ceilings, finishes, doors and services must keep the building's fire strategy intact: escape routes and exit widths, fire-rated walls and doors, fire alarm and sprinkler coverage, emergency lighting and exit signs. The code's villa part, for example, says materials such as aluminium, timber, gypsum board, glass and plastic may be used only where Chapter 1 of the fire code also permits them. As guidance, typical fit-out pitfalls are new partitions that block sprinkler or detector coverage, ceilings that cover fire dampers or access panels, and doors that change the swing or width of an escape route. Power Zone's fire safety maintenance guide covers the systems themselves.

Acoustics and sound insulation

Section H.10 requires internal airborne sound insulation, impact sound and reverberation to meet the standards listed for each occupancy: Approved Document E and BS 8233 for residential buildings, BS 8233 and the British Council for Offices' guide for offices, and Building Bulletin 93 for schools, with Dubai Health Authority rules for healthcare. The sound insulation of the envelope, floors and partitions must be designed to those standards or better. The code notes that on-site performance is lower than laboratory figures because of workmanship and flanking sound through other elements, and requires sound-absorbing surfaces where reverberation must be controlled. Where no hotel operator guidance exists, hotel rooms follow Approved Document E for rooms for residential purposes. As guidance, partitions that stop at the ceiling rather than the slab, gaps around services and unsealed sockets back to back are common reasons a new meeting room is not private.

Materials, finishes and indoor air

Section H.4.10.3 requires paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants to stay within Dubai Central Laboratory VOC limits, with certified materials, requires carpet systems to be certified, prohibits carpets in labour accommodation and educational facilities, and requires indoor air testing before occupancy, with formaldehyde below 0.08 ppm, total VOCs below 300 µg/m³ and particulates below 150 µg/m³. Dubai Municipality's indoor air quality guideline recommends running the HVAC system at higher ventilation to flush emissions from new materials before and during early occupancy, isolating renovated areas from occupied ones, and rebalancing air distribution after layout changes. Power Zone's painting guide and duct cleaning guide cover these steps in detail.

Corridors, doors and escape routes

Section B.6.2 sets minimum clear corridor widths, and B.6.5.1 minimum door clear widths, both alongside the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code's exit requirements:

Corridor	Minimum clear width (Table B.5)
Offices and hotels (common corridors)	1.5 m single-loaded; 1.8 m double-loaded
Residential common corridors	1.5 m single-sided; 1.8 m double-sided
Retail	1.8 m
Educational	2.1 m single-sided; 3 m double-sided classrooms
Internal corridors inside residential and hotel apartment units	1.0 m
Service corridors	1.2 m

Door	Minimum clear width (Table B.7)
Entry doors, general	915 mm
Bathrooms and toilets (excluding stalls)	815 mm
Exit and exit access doors	915 mm or more depending on occupant load under the fire code

The clear distance between two door openings must be at least 1.2 m, and exit doors must follow the fire code's rules on swing direction, door types, hardware, encroachment into corridors and stairs, fire rating and security arrangements. As guidance, a fit-out that narrows a corridor with joinery or swings a new door into an escape route can fail inspection even when everything else is perfect.

Accessibility

The Dubai Building Code's accessibility part applies to accessible routes, doors and sanitary facilities. Where a corridor forms part of an accessible route, it must also meet those requirements. Buildings, public facilities and public spaces must provide accessible toilets in the numbers the code sets, and where a building's gross area exceeds 2,000 m² and its users include children, 10% of sanitary fixtures must suit children under ten, with at least one children's toilet in both male and female facilities. As guidance, offices, shops, clinics and restaurants open to the public should check accessible routes from the entrance, door widths and accessible toilets as part of the fit-out design, not after it.

Daylight and windows

Section B.6.5.2 sets minimum window glazing areas as a percentage of room area for habitable and occupiable spaces, for example 10% for office workstation areas. As guidance, partitions and full-height joinery placed against windows can reduce daylight below the code's minimum for the rooms behind them, so layouts should keep workstations and living spaces near glazing and use glass partitions where internal rooms need borrowed light.

Fit-out in occupied buildings

Dubai Municipality's indoor air quality guideline asks that, in occupied buildings undergoing partial renovation, the spaces being renovated are effectively isolated from occupied zones, with supply air separated if necessary, and that polluting processes are encapsulated, given local extraction, exhausted directly outdoors or done when few people are exposed. As guidance, this means hoarding and dust screens, sealed AC returns in the work area, protected lifts and corridors, agreed noisy-work hours with building management, and daily cleaning of common areas affected by the works.

Planning the programme

As guidance, a fit-out programme depends less on finishes than on approvals, long-lead items and services coordination. Approvals from landlords, owners associations and building management can take time, so they should run in parallel with design. Custom joinery, glazing and specialist equipment should be ordered as soon as drawings are fixed. Inspections of hidden services must be booked before ceilings and walls close. Building in time for air flush-out before occupancy, as the indoor air guideline recommends, avoids moving people into a space that still smells of new materials.

Floors, wet areas and finishes

As guidance, flooring choice in a fit-out follows use: hard, slip-resistant finishes in wet areas, kitchens and entrances; carpet where permitted and certified; and robust finishes in corridors. The code requires wet area floor finishes to be non-absorbent and sets slip resistance requirements for floors, and wet areas need waterproofing before tiling. Power Zone's floor polishing guide covers slip resistance and floor care, and the waterproofing guide covers wet areas.

Records to keep

Approvals from the landlord, owners association, master developer, building management and authorities.
Approved drawings and as-built drawings for architecture and services.
Material certificates, including VOC certification for paints, adhesives and sealants.
Test and commissioning certificates for electrical, fire, AC and plumbing systems.
Indoor air test report where required before occupancy.
SIRA notifications for security changes where applicable.
Warranties, operation and maintenance manuals and the signed snag list.

Occupant load: how many people a space is designed for

Table B.2 sets occupant load factors used to size facilities, with exits and exit widths calculated under the fire code's own table:

Use	Occupant load factor (Table B.2)
Office, enclosed	9.3 m² per person (gross area)
Retail shops	5.6 m² per person (gross area)
Department stores, multi-level retail	3.7 m² per person (gross area)
Food court seating	1.4 m² per person (net area)
Classrooms	1.9 m² per person (net area)
Factories	9.3 m² per person (gross area)
Warehouse	27.9 m² per person (gross area)

As guidance, a fit-out that densifies an office or converts storage into a showroom changes the occupant load, which can change the number of toilets, exits and drinking fountains required, and is a sign that the change may be a change of use under Table A.1.

Facilities for occupants

Section B.8.2 sets facilities that fit-outs of larger spaces must provide. Drinking fountains are required by occupancy, for example one per 100 occupants in offices and one per 1,000 in shops and malls, and must not be in public restrooms. Feeding rooms are required in malls and amusement parks over 1,000 m² or designed for more than 250 occupants, with at least 4.5 m² and 2.1 m minimum dimension. Public and business buildings need first aid cupboards and rooms in line with Dubai Municipality's health and safety guidelines. Power Zone's water filtration guide covers drinking fountain and cooler hygiene.

Partitions and ceilings

As guidance, partitions and ceilings make up much of a fit-out's area and set its acoustic, fire and service performance. Partition types should match the room: fire-rated where the fire strategy needs separation, acoustic to the code's standards for meeting rooms and bedrooms, moisture-resistant in wet areas. Ceilings need access panels for fan coil units, valves and dampers, and their depth must leave the code's minimum clear height. Power Zone's gypsum partitions and ceilings service covers this work.

Lighting and power in a fit-out

As guidance, lighting layouts should follow the furniture plan and tasks, with emergency lighting and exit signs maintained to the fire code, and power and data placed where desks, counters and equipment will actually be. The Dubai Building Code limits exterior lighting power density for building envelopes and requires landscape lighting to avoid light pollution, and energy-efficient lighting and controls reduce cooling loads as well as electricity use. All electrical work should be done by qualified electricians with test certificates at handover.

Joinery, doors and glazing

As guidance, joinery and glass bring their own rules into a fit-out: composite timber must meet the code's limits on added urea-formaldehyde resins, at least 25% of permanently installed timber and timber products by volume must come from certified sources, doors must meet the clear widths and fire ratings for their location, and glass partitions and doors need safety glass and manifestation. Power Zone's glass and aluminium guide covers the glazing rules.

Change of use in practice

Table A.1 treats a change of use or occupancy of part or all of a building as a change to which both codes apply, together with any impacted areas such as existing exit stairs and routes, vertical transport and the quantity and type of sanitary provisions. As guidance, common examples in Dubai are converting an office floor into a clinic or school, a shop into a restaurant, or a warehouse into a showroom: each changes occupant loads, fire risks and services, and should be treated as a design project with authority approvals rather than a simple fit-out.

Clinics and healthcare spaces

For healthcare facilities, the Dubai Building Code refers room sizes, clear heights, corridor widths and acoustics to Dubai Health Authority regulations and health facility guidelines rather than setting its own numbers. As guidance, clinic fit-outs should start from the health authority's requirements for the specific facility type, which can cover clinical room sizes, hand-washing, finishes, ventilation and accessibility, and combine them with the general fire, electrical and indoor air rules.

Hotels and serviced apartments

For hotel establishments, the code refers minimum room sizes to the applicable DTCM (Dubai's tourism authority) classification criteria and sets common corridor widths of 1.5 m single-loaded and 1.8 m double-loaded. For acoustics, hotel operators will stipulate their brand requirements, and in their absence the requirements of Approved Document E for rooms for residential purposes apply. As guidance, hotel refurbishments are often phased floor by floor so rooms stay sellable, which makes isolation of works, dust control and air flush-out before reopening especially important.

Schools, nurseries and kindergartens

For educational buildings, the code sets 2.7 m minimum clear height in classrooms, corridor widths of 2.1 m single-sided and 3 m double-sided, acoustic design to Building Bulletin 93, one drinking fountain per 100 students or children, and prohibits carpets in educational facilities. Where a building's gross area exceeds 2,000 m² and its users include children, 10% of sanitary fixtures must suit children under ten. As guidance, school fit-outs are best done during holidays with enough time for air flush-out and testing before children return.

Signs of a well-run fit-out

Approvals in hand before work starts, displayed or available on site.
A clear programme with inspection points before walls and ceilings close.
Site separated from occupied areas, with clean common areas and clear fire exits.
Material certificates and VOC data available for paints, adhesives and sealants.
Services tested and commissioned, with certificates, before handover.
A walked snag list, corrected and signed, and a full document pack at handover.

Shell and core versus refurbishment

As guidance, a shell-and-core space arrives with structure, envelope, main risers and base services, and the fit-out adds everything inside: partitions, ceilings, finishes, final AC distribution, lighting and power, plumbing for kitchens and toilets, and fire system extensions to suit the layout. A refurbishment starts from an existing fit-out and changes part of it, which adds strip-out, protection of what stays, and the risk of hidden conditions behind old finishes, such as leaks, damaged services or unknown coatings that the construction safety guide says must be identified before demolition. Both are modifications under Table A.1, so both must meet the code and the fire code for the work done.

Services: AC, electrical, plumbing and security

Service	What a fit-out must address	Source
Air-conditioning	Rebalance air distribution after layout changes; protect ducts during dusty works; keep access to fan coil units and dampers	DM-HSD-GU119-IAQ; Dubai Building Code H.4.12
Electrical	New circuits, lighting and power designed and installed by qualified electricians; panels labelled; residual current protection	Dubai Building Code electrical sections; DEWA requirements
Plumbing and drainage	New kitchens and toilets need water supply, drainage, traps and venting to code; leak testing before closing walls	Dubai Building Code Part H
Security	Any change to design, components, coverage, lighting, entrances or activities must be recorded and notified to SIRA where the building is covered	SIRA Preventive Systems Manual 2025
Fire systems	Sprinklers, detectors, alarms and emergency lighting adjusted to the new layout by qualified contractors	UAE Fire and Life Safety Code

As guidance, the services are often where a fit-out programme is decided: partitions and finishes are quick, while redesigning AC zones, moving sprinklers and running new circuits need coordination and inspections. Power Zone's CCTV and access control guide explains SIRA notifications, and the electrical guide covers electrical safety.

Working safely on site

Dubai Municipality's construction safety guide applies to fit-out work: scaffolds designed for their load class and inspected before use, vertical ladders over 6 m with fall protection, lead-based paint and asbestos identified before demolition with asbestos removed only by specialists, dust controlled, and personal protective equipment for noise and dust. As guidance, in occupied buildings the fit-out site should be sealed from common areas, waste removed daily, and fire exits and fire equipment kept clear and working throughout the works.

The fit-out process step by step

Brief and survey: needs, budget, programme, and a survey of the existing space and services.
Design: layout, finishes, services and fire strategy, checked against room sizes, clear heights, acoustics and fire code.
Approvals: landlord or owners association, master developer, building management, and the competent authority as required.
Procurement: certified materials with VOC data, long-lead items ordered early.
Strip-out and preparation: protection of common areas, safe removal, services isolated.
First fix: partitions, ceiling framing, ducts, pipes and cables.
Inspections: services and fire systems inspected before ceilings and walls are closed.
Finishes: boarding, flooring, painting, joinery, glazing.
Commissioning: AC balancing, electrical testing, fire alarm and sprinkler checks, security notifications.
Flush-out and air testing: ventilation to clear emissions, indoor air test where required.
Snagging and handover: defects list, corrections, documents and warranties.

Offices

As guidance, office fit-outs combine open areas, meeting rooms and enclosed offices. Enclosed offices need at least 2.4 m minimum dimension and offices at least 2.5 m clear height under the code; meeting rooms need sound insulation to BS 8233 and the British Council for Offices' guide; glass partitions need safety glass and manifestation, as Power Zone's glass guide explains; and AC zoning must match the new rooms. Data cabling, power to desks and lighting are planned with the layout, and security changes notified where required.

Shops and showrooms

Retail shops need a minimum 2.4 m dimension and showrooms at least 9 m², both with 2.5 m clear height under the code. As guidance, shopfronts, lighting and signage drive the design, but escape routes, fire separation from the mall or building, and security requirements for the activity under SIRA's manual must be designed in from the start, and mall landlords may set their own design and approval rules on top of the code.

Restaurants and kitchens

As guidance, restaurant fit-outs carry the most regulation: kitchen exhaust and fire suppression, grease traps sized and approved under Dubai Municipality's rules, food safety layouts, gas safety and ventilation. Power Zone's kitchen exhaust and grease trap guide explains the municipality's grease trap and hood cleaning rules, which are easiest to meet when the fit-out designs access for cleaning from day one.

Homes and villas

As guidance, home fit-outs and renovations focus on kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, ceilings, lighting and joinery. Bedrooms and living rooms need at least 10.5 m² and 3 m width, and 2.7 m clear height for living and bedroom spaces under the code. Tenants need the landlord's permission and licences, and owners in jointly owned buildings need approvals for substantial alterations. Wet areas need waterproofing before tiling, as Power Zone's waterproofing guide explains, and families with children should plan safety glass, window restrictors and balustrades to the code.

Handover and snagging

As guidance, a good handover includes a snag list walked jointly with the client, corrections signed off, test certificates for electrical, fire and AC systems, the indoor air test report where required, as-built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, product data and warranties, and keys and access cards. Dubai Municipality's indoor air quality guideline also recommends higher outside air ventilation for a period after occupancy.

Common fit-out mistakes

Mistake	Result
Starting without approvals	Stop-work, fines or forced reinstatement; Article 39 of Law 6 of 2019 makes the occupant pay to remedy damage
Ceilings designed before services	Clear height below the code minimum, or services that do not fit
Partitions blocking sprinkler or detector coverage	Fire safety compromised until redesigned
Uncertified high-VOC materials	Strong smells, failed air test, non-compliance with H.4.10.3
No AC rebalancing after layout changes	Hot and cold rooms and stuffy meeting rooms
Security changes not notified	Non-compliance with SIRA's manual where it applies
Closing walls before inspections	Opening finished work to fix hidden defects

What affects the cost

As guidance, fit-out cost depends on area, the scope of services changes, finish specification, joinery, the extent of fire and AC redesign, access and working-hour restrictions, approval requirements, and programme. Shell-and-core spaces need more than refurbishments, and restaurants and clinics can cost more than offices because of their services. Power Zone quotes fit-outs after a survey with an itemised quotation.

Questions to ask a fit-out contractor

Which approvals will this fit-out need, and who obtains them?
How does the design meet the code's room sizes, clear heights, acoustics and fire requirements?
Which materials will be used, and are they certified with VOC data?
How will services, including AC balancing, fire systems and security notifications, be handled and tested?
How will the site be kept safe and separated from occupied areas?
What documents, test certificates and warranties will be handed over?

Fit-out with Power Zone

Power Zone provides complete interior fit-out in Dubai, part of all seven emirates, 20 in-house teams, coordinating partitions and ceilings, finishes, joinery, glazing, lighting and power, AC, plumbing and handover. See also painting, glass and aluminium and Power Zone Dubai, or request a site survey.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Dubai Building Code apply to fit-outs?

Yes. The code defines a fit-out as a modification, and the Dubai Building Code and UAE Fire and Life Safety Code apply to the fit-out or change.

Do I need approval to alter my apartment in Dubai?

Substantial alterations to structure or external appearance need approval from the master developer, DLD and competent authority under Article 39 of Law No. 6 of 2019.

Can a tenant do a fit-out in Dubai?

Only with the landlord's permission and required licences under Article 19 of Law No. 26 of 2007; the landlord must provide approvals for decoration works that do not affect the structure.

What is the minimum ceiling height in Dubai?

2.7 m for living and bedroom spaces, 2.5 m for offices and shops, and 2.3 m for corridors, toilets and storage, under Table B.4.

What is the minimum bedroom size in Dubai?

Residential living spaces such as bedrooms must be at least 10.5 m² with a minimum 3 m length and width, under Table B.3.

What is the minimum size of a studio in Dubai?

21 m² including bathroom and kitchen, with a minimum 3 m dimension.

Can ducts and beams hang below the minimum ceiling height?

In no more than 50% of the ceiling area, provided 2.03 m headroom from the floor is kept.

Must indoor air be tested after a fit-out?

For buildings covered by H.4.10.3, indoor air testing is required before occupancy with formaldehyde below 0.08 ppm and TVOC below 300 µg/m³.

What happens if I alter my unit without approval?

Under Article 39 of Law No. 6 of 2019 the occupant must remedy the damage at their own expense, or RERA or the master developer may do it and charge them.

Do I need to tell SIRA about a fit-out?

Where SIRA's manual applies, changes to security design, coverage, entrances, lighting or activities must be recorded and notified.

What acoustic standards apply to offices in Dubai?

BS 8233 and the British Council for Offices' guide, under Table H.17 of the Dubai Building Code.

Can carpets be used in schools in Dubai?

No. The code prohibits carpets in educational facilities and labour accommodation.

What is the minimum office size?

Enclosed offices must have at least a 2.4 m minimum dimension, with 2.5 m clear height.

What is the minimum corridor width in a Dubai office?

1.5 m for single-loaded and 1.8 m for double-loaded corridors under Table B.5, alongside the fire code's exit widths.

What is the minimum door width in Dubai?

915 mm for general entry doors and 815 mm for bathrooms and toilets, under Table B.7; exit doors may need more.

How much window area does an office need?

Office workstation areas need window glazing of at least 10% of room area under Table B.8.

Do fit-outs need accessible toilets?

Buildings, public facilities and public spaces must provide accessible toilets in the numbers set by the code's accessibility part.

What occupant load is used for Dubai offices?

9.3 m² per person of gross area for enclosed offices under Table B.2; exits use the fire code's own factors.

How many drinking fountains does an office need?

One per 100 occupants under Table B.24, not in public restrooms.

Is certified timber required in Dubai fit-outs?

At least 25% of permanently installed timber and timber-based products by volume must come from certified sources under B.10.6.6.

Is converting an office into a clinic a change of use?

Under Table A.1, a change of use or occupancy brings the change and impacted areas, such as exits and sanitary provisions, under both codes.

What clear height do classrooms need in Dubai?

At least 2.7 m in school, nursery and kindergarten classrooms under Table B.4.

What acoustic standard applies to hotel rooms?

Operator brand standards, or in their absence Approved Document E for rooms for residential purposes, under H.10.4.4.

Which rules govern clinic fit-outs?

The Dubai Building Code refers healthcare room sizes, heights and acoustics to Dubai Health Authority regulations and guidelines.

What is the minimum distance between two doors?

The clear distance between two door openings must be at least 1.2 m under B.6.5.1.

What is the minimum kitchen size in Dubai homes?

An enclosed kitchen must be at least 5.4 m² with a 1.8 m minimum dimension, and counters need 1.2 m manoeuvring space.

Do malls need feeding rooms?

Yes. Malls and amusement parks over 1,000 m² or designed for more than 250 occupants need feeding rooms of at least 4.5 m².

Must renovated areas be isolated in occupied buildings?

Yes. Dubai Municipality's indoor air guideline asks for effective isolation of renovated spaces from occupied zones, with supply air separated if necessary.

Should air distribution be rebalanced after a fit-out?

Yes. The indoor air guideline requires rebalancing after major renovation that affects the HVAC system, such as new partitions.

What corridor width is needed inside an apartment?

Internal corridors inside residential and hotel apartment units need at least 1.0 m clear width under Table B.5.

Which code wins if standards conflict?

The Dubai Building Code says the most restrictive or highest-performance requirement must be met; specific requirements override general ones.

Is a fit-out needed for a change from office to school?

That is a change of use under Table A.1, bringing classrooms to 2.7 m clear height, 2.1 to 3 m corridors, BB93 acoustics and no carpets.

What is the minimum housekeeper room size?

4.5 m² for single occupancy, excluding the toilet, with a 2.1 m minimum dimension, under Table B.3.

What headroom is needed on stairs?

2.03 m above the stair treads and 2.3 m above stair landings under Table B.4.

What is the minimum clear height in car parks?

2.3 m for light vehicle parking under Table B.4.

Who pays to fix unapproved alterations?

The occupant, under Article 39 of Law No. 6 of 2019, in the manner the master developer or RERA prescribes.

Does Power Zone do complete fit-outs in Dubai?

Yes. Power Zone coordinates partitions, ceilings, finishes, joinery, glazing, lighting, AC, plumbing and handover for complete fit-outs.

Interior fit-out in Dubai: rules, approvals, standards and the process step by step