Cultivating Compliance: Guidelines for Warehouse Approval in Dubai

In order to obtain approval for the establishment of warehouses and subsequent modifications, it is necessary to comply with certain building regulations and design guidelines. Approval for warehouses in Al Quoz, Dubai Investment Parks, and Ras Al Khor falls under the jurisdiction of the “Dubai Municipality and Civil Defense,” while a Trakhees license is required for warehouses in Jebel Ali Free Economic Zone (JAFZA).

Here are the general guidelines that need to be followed

Warehouses should be in specific areas designated for industrial purposes, as per the Land Use and Classification Regulations in the Emirates.
Unless otherwise specified by the authority, skylight openings of at least 5% of floor area should be provided to ensure natural ventilation and lighting.
The net internal height of any storage area, such as a depot or workshop, must be between 4 and 9 meters, unless authorized otherwise.
A maximum of 20% of the industrial area can be used for commercial activity, with no commercial activity or goods display for trading allowed outside of this area.
Employees must be provided with canteen, pantry, and changing room facilities with lockers. Special provisions must be made for employees with disabilities.
Kitchens and related cooking activities are not permitted on site.

Sanitary Provisions

Male and female staff should have access to wash closets and basins at the rate of 1 per 25 staff. If the number of staff exceeds 100, then wash closets and basins should be provided at the rate of 1 per 40 urinals.
Toilet corridors should have a minimum width of 1.2 meters, with stall dimensions of 0.9 x 1.25 meters.
Vending equipment, waste receptacles, and dispensers should be 1 meter above the floor level, with waste receptacles embedded into the walls.
Common toilets for both sexes are prohibited, and male and female washrooms should be separated with self-closing doors provided wherever possible.

Parking provisions

One parking space per 50 square meters of office space should be provided. Parking provision for buses and visitors depends on the number of workers and operations carried out.
Perimeter fencing should not exceed a height of 2.4 meters and should be constructed on the property.
All warehouse doors should have a minimum width of 3 meters.

Mezzanine Floor Constraints

Mezzanine floors are intermediate floor spaces provided above the warehouse floor and can be used for car parking or as an extension of the building's usage purpose.
Balconies or terraces are not permitted on mezzanine floors, and second mezzanines are not allowed when the first one is detached and used independently.
The internal height of the ground floor must be a minimum of 3 meters. With the addition of a half mezzanine floor, it should be between 2.4 - 4 meters. Finally, with the addition of a full mezzanine, the permitted internal height is between 2.6 - 3 meters.
Mezzanine floors must be installed without disturbing the existing warehouse structures.

Fire safety provisions

Smoke detectors are required to be fitted in every partitioned area within the building and tested by an EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety)-approved fire contractor.
Fire extinguishers of 9-pound water type and 5-pound capacity carbon dioxide type must be provided at strategic locations on-site.
Sprinkler systems must be provided where there is storage of fire hazardous material, and the sprinkler piping system is to be tested and approved by the concerned fire department.
Accomplished

Any fit-out/modifications made to existing warehouse structures require inspection by the Trakhees authorities to obtain a Fit-out/Modification completion certificate. We can help you in getting a Trakhees approval as well, apart from the Warehouse Approval.