Fire-Boards and the Saudi Building Code (SBC): A Compliance Guide
- murtaza
- November 9, 2025
- Uncategorized
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In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Building Code (SBC), particularly SBC 201 (Fire Protection), is the law governing building safety. A core principle of the SBC is “compartmentation”—the division of a building into fire-resistant compartments. Fire-Boards are the primary material used to build these compartments, but simply using a board with a “fire-rated” sticker is not enough to be compliant.
The SBC and the Saudi Civil Defense require proof that the *entire assembly* (the wall, ceiling, or steel encasement) will perform as a system. This proof comes from independent, third-party testing, and it is the most critical part of the specification and submittal process.
In This Article:
The SBC Mandate: Tested Assemblies, Not Just Products
The Saudi Building Code states that fire-resistance-rated assemblies (like a 1-hour wall) must be tested in accordance with specific standards. This means you cannot “design” a 1-hour wall by guessing. You must *build* a system that has already been tested in a furnace by a recognized laboratory and has a certification to prove it.
This certification, or “listed system,” is the “recipe” we must follow. It dictates the exact Fire-Board, stud, and fixing. Any deviation voids the compliance.
The Role of UL, ASTM, and EN Standards
These are the standards the SBC refers to. As a specialist contractor, our services are based on these international “best practices”:
- UL (Underwriters Laboratories): The most common standard used in KSA. A UL-listed system (e.g., “UL Design U 419”) is a detailed drawing and “recipe” for a specific 1-hour or 2-hour wall.
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials): ASTM E119 is the furnace test method that UL systems are tested against.
- EN (European Norms) / BS (British Standards): Also widely accepted in KSA. These standards (e.g., BS 476) are another set of rigorous tests used to certify fire-rated systems.
The Submittal: How We Prove Compliance
Before installation, we must prove to the consultant and authorities that our proposed system is compliant. We do this by submitting a technical package that includes:
- The manufacturer’s data sheet for the specific Fire-Board.
- The third-party test certification (e.g., the UL Design or BS 476 certificate) for the *entire assembly*.
- A “Method Statement” explaining how our certified team will install the system in accordance with the test.
This documentation, a key part of our work shown in past projects, is what gives the client and Civil Defense the confidence that the installation is fully compliant with the SBC.
Common SBC Compliance Failures
Inspectors will fail a project for these common mistakes:
| Failure | Why It’s Non-Compliant | SBC Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing Brands | Using a board from one brand with a tested system from another. | The system must be built using the exact components *as tested*. |
| No Test Certificate | The contractor “claims” the wall is 1-hour but has no third-party proof. | The assembly must be a listed, tested system. |
| Incorrect Installation | Using the wrong screws, or not staggering joints. | The installation must exactly match the method used in the fire test. |
“In Saudi Arabia, compliance is not optional. The Saudi Building Code and Civil Defense require proof. A tested, certified system installed by a specialist is the only way to provide it.”
Conclusion: Building to a Tested Standard
Full compliance with the SBC is the foundation of all our Fire-Board installations. It’s not just about building a wall; it’s about building a certified life-safety system that is fully documented, correctly installed, and guaranteed to pass all authority inspections. This commitment to compliance is the only way to operate responsibly in the KSA construction market.
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