Ask for “a fire hose” in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and the right answer starts with questions: for a hose reel or a hose rack, for occupants or for Civil Defence, and listed by whom? The UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice answers most of them. This guide summarises what it says about hose, based on the published text as we read it in October 2026. The code is amended from time to time and the authority’s reading is the one that counts, so confirm with your fire consultant or approved contractor before ordering.
/01The code and who enforces it.
The UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice is issued by UAE Civil Defence. The current edition took effect in September 2018, and Abu Dhabi Civil Defence has since issued amendments to it. Its fire protection systems chapter covers standpipes, hose reels, hose cabinets and landing valves. Two principles run through it: equipment must be listed, approved and registered by Civil Defence, and installation is carried out by Civil Defence-approved fire protection contractors. A hose that meets a foreign standard but is not registered for the UAE market will not pass inspection.
/02What the code asks for.
| Equipment | Hose | Who uses it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hose reel | 25 mm × 30 m reinforced rubber hose on a rotating drum | Occupants (Class II) | Semi-rigid hose that can be used without unrolling fully |
| Hose rackHighlighted | 40 mm × 30 m fire hose, folded vertically | Occupants (Class II) | Lay flat hose in the cabinet |
| Landing valve | 65 mm instantaneous outlet; 65 mm × 30 m hose on dry risers | Civil Defence and trained firefighters (Class I) | Near the stair; mounted 900–1200 mm above floor |
| Class III | Both of the above | Both | Combined occupant and fire service system |
The code also sets coverage and placement: every part of a floor should be within 30 m of a fire hose cabinet, and cabinets sit within a short distance of the exit stair door. Cabinets carry signage in Arabic and English. Class I and dry-riser hose is double-jacket, synthetic-fibre reinforced — see single vs double jacket fire hose — and hose is specified at 30 m lengths.
/03Saudi Arabia and Qatar compared.
Saudi Arabia regulates fire protection through the Saudi Building Code, SBC 801. Its standpipe section requires installation to NFPA 14, Class III standpipes in taller and deeper buildings, and — for Class II systems — every part of the building within 9 m of a nozzle on 30 m of hose; 25 mm hose is permitted in light-hazard occupancies if it is listed and approved. Hose cabinets must not be blocked or obscured and must be signed. Product conformity falls under SASO’s technical regulation for fire control materials and equipment.
Qatar Civil Defence (QCDD) requires regulated fire safety products to be listed, labelled or approved to international or local standards by certification bodies it recognises — the published list includes scopes for fire hose, non-percolating lay flat hose, lay flat hose systems, hose reels and landing valves — and treats certificates as valid only if the product is designed, installed, tested and maintained to accepted standards.
/04What to send a supplier.
- The equipment — hose rack, landing valve or dry riser — and the class of system.
- Bore and length: 40 mm or 65 mm, usually 30 m.
- Jacket and liner: single or double jacket; see fire hose liner materials.
- Couplings to match the landing valves and branch pipes on site.
- The approval required: UAE Civil Defence registration, QCDD-accepted certification, or the listing your consultant specifies.
- The emirate or country, because amendments and authorities differ.
Common questions
- What size fire hose is used in UAE hose cabinets?
- The code describes 40 mm × 30 m lay flat hose on hose racks and 25 mm × 30 m reinforced rubber hose on hose reels, with 65 mm outlets and hose for the fire service.
- How long is a fire hose in a UAE building?
- 30 m for reel, rack and landing valve hose, as described in the code.
- Who can install fire hose cabinets in the UAE?
- Civil Defence-approved fire protection contractors.
- Which standard does Saudi Arabia use for standpipes?
- SBC 801 requires standpipes to be installed to NFPA 14, with its own requirements for classes, coverage and cabinets.
- Are your fire hoses Civil Defence approved?
- No approval is published for these lines. Tell us the approval you need and we will confirm what can be supplied against it before quoting.
Lay flat fire hose and couplings
IH-LF-FRURack and Cabinet Fire Hose, Polyurethane LinerIndus Hydraulics
IH-LF-FDNDouble-Jacket Fire Hose, Natural Rubber LinerIndus Hydraulics
IH-LF-FDEDouble-Jacket Fire Hose, EPDM LinerIndus Hydraulics
IH-LF-FSUSingle-Jacket Fire Hose, Polyurethane LinerIndus Hydraulics
IH-LF-FSNSingle-Jacket Fire Hose, Natural Rubber LinerIndus Hydraulics
IH-LF-CERExpansion Ring Fire Hose Coupling, 1" to 2-1/2"Indus Hydraulics
