PLANS PREPARATION &

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

FOR
\ ARCHITECTS - ENGINEERS - BUILDING OWNERS
POlICE'RINTlNG""ESS ' D E V E L O P E R S - MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
Plans preparation and submission procedures
1st edition

Published on 20 Mar 2006

All information is correct as at date of printing
Produced by
Civil Defence Department
Ministry of interior, Qatar
 PREFACE
This handbook is produced by the Civil Defence Department (COD), Ministry
of Interior, to explain the plans preparation and submission procedures relating
to fire safety works. It is meant to provide an easy reference for the users such
as consultants, owners and developers to understand what is required of them in
preparing plans for submission to COD and the new submission procedure.

CDD endeavours to improve its services to the building industry over time. It will
formulate new policies and procedures or introduce improvements to existing
systems and these changes will be made known to the building industry.

It is important that the various stakeholders understand their roles and

responsibilities. CDD is confident that the joint efforts of the various
stakeholders, including CDD itself, being the regulatory body, will raise the fire
safety standards in the buildings in Qatar.

Civil Defence Department

Ministry of Interior
State of Qatar

2 3
 CONTENTS
Page

Under what situation must plans of fire safety works be approved by COO? 7

What are fire safety works? 7

What are the different types of plans involved? 7

What are the accepted codes of practice? 8

Who are qualified to prepare the plans? 8

What if consultant cannot comply with specific fire safety requirement? 8

How to go about submitting plans? 9

What are the plans/documents to be submitted? 12

Can the details of fire protection works or air-conditioning & mechanical ventilation
12
works be incorporated in the building plan submission?
Is Building Pian submission required for a change of use of the building
13
premises?

What are the details to be shown on the different types of plans? I 13

What are the endorsements to be shown on the plan? 19

Annex A & A2 22

Annex B 24

4 5
 FIRE SAFETY WORKS
Under what situation must plans of fire safety works be approved by
the Civil Defence Department (COD)?
Plans of fire safety works must be submitted and approved by the CDD prior to the
commencement or carrying out of any fire safety works in any new buildings or existing
buildings.

What are fire safety works?

Fire safety works generally refer to the provision, extension or alteration of any fire
safety measures, air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation system or fire protection
system in connection with a building to be used for the purposes of giving warning
of fire, extinguishing or limiting a fire and controlling the spread of smoke resulting
from the fire, providing means of escape and providing access to any premises for
the purpose of fire fighting. Examples of building works that may affect fire safety
provisions are internal partition works, alteration and extension to existing building,
removal of existing structures or building elements, alteration to exterior of building
such as converting driveway to landscape, etc.

What are the different types of plans involved?

There are 3 types of plans of fire safety works as follows:
Building Plans or Architectural Plans (BP) e.g. site planning, means of escape,
structural fire protection, etc.
• Air-conditioning & Mechanical Ventilation Plans (ACMV) e.g. smoke purging
system, engineered smoke control system, etc.
Fire Protection Plans (FP) e.g. sprinkler system, automatic alarm system, fire
hose reels, wet and dty rising mains, etc.

6 7
 CODES OF PRACTICE
What are the accepted codes of practice?
The NFPA 101 is the accepted code of practice. Should other codes be used,
prior approval must be obtained from the COD stating the areas of application
and reasons. Approval for their use shall only be for that particular application or
project.
CONSULTANTS
Who are qualified to prepare the plans?
Only consultants with the relevant qualification can prepare the plans of fire safety
works. The owner/developer/management committee therefore has to engage an
appropriate consultant to prepare the plans for submission to COD. Depending on
the type of fire safety works involved, the appropriate consultant who undertakes
the fire safety design must be registered with the Engineers and Consulting Offices
Accrediting Committee in Qatar. Annex A shows the qualification of consultants for
Building Plans, Air-conditioning & Mechanical Ventilation Plans & Fire Protection
Plans to be submitted to the COD. If in doubt, the owner/developer/management
committee should seek the advice of the project consultant, who is overall in charge of
the building project or COD.
WAIVER MECHANISM
What if consultant cannot comply with specific fire safety requirement?
In instances where specific fire safety requirement cannot be complied with due to
some constraints, consultant may write in to the COD to waive the requirement. In this
regard, the waiver mechanism provides the consultant an avenue to waive specific fire
safety requirements.
B 9
However, the consultant is required to provide strongjustification to the COD to support
his waiver application. In addition to the justification, the consultant is also expected
to propose alternative fire safety measure to make up for the shortfall in fire safety.
Therefore, in submitting waiver application to the COD, the consultant is required to
state the particular provision in the Fire Code to be waived, the reasons for the waiver
and propose alternative fire safety measures to overcome the shortfall. Unless there are
very good reasons for a particular fire safety requirement to be waived, the COD will
not accede to such request.
PLANS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
How to go about submitting waiver application and application for plan
approval?
Submission procedures for waiver application and application for approval of BP,
ACMV and FP Plans are as follow:
For BP application, there are 2 stages of submission i.e. Design Fire Safety Control I
(DFCI) or preliminary stage and DFC2 stage. At the DFCI stage, the consultant shall
submit the approved preliminary project design (i.e. by Planning Dept. at DC I stage)
for comments by the COD. Subsequently, if there is a need for waiver application,
consultant shall follow up with a waiver application at the COD for approval. At the
DFC2 stage, consultant shall submit the Building Plan at the COD for approval. The
Building Plan shall contain the details of the design project. The following flowchart
illustrates this. Please note that the construction offire safety works can only commence
after obtaining approval from COD at DFC2 stage.
 For ACMV and FP Plans application, the consultant shall submit at the COO for approval
at DFC2 stage. Submission at OFC j stage is not required, unlike BP application. If
there is a need for waiver application, consultant shall submit the application at the
(2art CDO prior to plan application. The following flowchart illustrates this.

_ l Start
. Consultant shall submit the approved preliminary project design (by Planning
Department at DC 1 stage) for comments by the COD
,--
r
___+, • Consultant to decide if there is need to
submit waiver application to COO
°Note: Waiver application,
if any, shall be submitted
• Consultant to decide if there is need before plan application

1
'Note: Waiver application.
to submit waiver application to COD if any, shall be submitted al DFC2 slage.
before plan application
at DFC2 stage.
Yes Waive(
Yes submission
required?
Consultant submits waiver
application at COD for approval No Consultant submits waiver
application at COD
No
'------+1 Consultant submits the Building Plan
application at COD for approval at 1+-----,
DFC2 stage.
'---t~-----' L-_~.Consultant submits ACMV/FP Plan application 1+- --,
at the COD at DFC2 slage for approval
Registration counter checks if
plans and documents are in order ~
Regislration counter checks if
plans and documents are in order

No Registration counter
rejects plan application No {Regislration counter
;:;----'-''''---..;, rejects plans application

Yes
Yes
Registration counter registers plans
Registration counter registers plans

End
I
End

10 11
 What are the plans / documents to be submitted?
The following are required for the different types of plan submission: CHANGE OF USE OF PREMISES
Is Building Plan submission required for a change of use of the building premises?
Types of plan submission
If the change of use of the premises results in addition and alteration works to be
Air-conditioning & carried out to the premises or causes the occupant load calculation to be increased
Building Plan Fire Protection Plan Mechanical Ventilation or exit capacity calculation to be reduced, building plan submission is required. The
Plan consultant is required to specify clearly the proposed intention of the change of use in
• 2 sets of plans; • 2 sets of plans; • 2 sets of plans; the project title of the Building Plan.
• Practicing certificate of • Practicing certificate of • Practicing certificate of
consultant; consultant; consultant;
·• Application form;
Occupancy load and exit
• Application form;
• Sprinkler hydraulic
• Application form;
• Pressurization staircase
DETAILS TO BE SHOWN ON PLANS
capacity calculations; calculation where calculation where
• Unprotected opening applicable; and applicable; What are the details to be shown on the different types of plans?
calculation; and • Other supporting • Smoke control The details to be shown on the Bnilding Plan are as follows:
• Other supporting documents, if any. calculation where
documents, if any. applicable; and
• Other supporting (a) Location plan with ratio of at least I: 1000. The location plan shall indicate the
documents, if any. following:
(i) the coloured location of the lot relative to the neighbouring lots; and
(ii) the various roads constituting the access layout of the lot.
All plans, calculations, consultant's reports and application form shall be signed
by the consultant. All plans shall be submitted on standard metric A I or AO size only.
(b) Site plan with ratio of at least I:500. The site plan shall indicate the
following:
INCORPORATION OF FIRE PROTECTION WORKS & AIR- (i) means of access to the site and to the perimeter of each building for
CONDITIONING & MECHANICAL VENTILATION WORKS INTO fire fighting vehicles and equipment;
(ii) the Fire Engine hardstanding of dimension 6m x 15m, with the longer
BUILDING PLAN
side parallel to the fayade of the building and shall withstand the load
of a 40-ton fire appliance.
Can the details of fire protection works or air-conditioning & mechanical ventilation
(iii) location of existing public fire hydrants. Should there be no fire
works be incorporated in the building plan submission?
hydrant or inadequate fire. hydrants on site, provision of adequate.
No. Separate submissions are required for the different scope of fire safety works. As
internal private fire hydrants is required and indicated on plan;
such, Building Plan or Architectural Plan, Fire Protection Plan and Air-Conditioning
& Mechanical Ventilation Plan shall be submitted separately.

12 13
 (iv) distances between each building or fire safety works and the relevant (x) the type and extent of provision of hydraulic hosereels, sprinkler
lot boundaries, other proposed or existing buildings or installations systems, wet and dry rising mains and other fire extinguishing systems;
on the site; and and
(v) any other feature on or in the vicinity of the site which is likely to be (xi) the type and extent of provision of smoke control and ventilation
a fire hazard or is likely to cause obstruction to fire fighting vehicles systems and their related air or smoke shafts
and equipment and rescue operations.
(d) Cross-sectional drawings with ratio of I: 100 or I:200, which are necessary to
(c) Every floor plan and roof plan with ratio of I: I00 or I :200. The plans shall fully describe all details and configurations of the proposed building or part
indicate the following: thereof and of the proposed fire safety works and shall include the following:
(i) the proposed or existing use of every part; (i) full height of each storey and the depth of ceiling space;
(ii) the details of all openings and voids penetrating floors including their (ii) details of all openings and voids penetrating floors including their
usage, dimensions and the nature and aITangement of enclosing walls dimensions, usage and height of enclosing walls and barricades;
and barricades; (iii) details of the junction between the roof and any compartment walls;
(iii) the design occupant load for that storey or roof for which means of (iv) the dimensions of treads and risers of staircases;
escape have been provided in accordance with NFPA 101 in case of (v) the dimensions of openings in external walls;
fire; (vi) the clear height of all structures or projections directly above the access
(iv) the fire resistance ratings of all elements of structure, fire doors, shutters, for fire fighting vehicles and equipment;
dampers and any other such fire safety measures; (vii) the clear distance of the external wall from the fire fighting vehicles
(v) the details of all means of escape to the external at ground level from and equipment access, lot boundary, adjacent buildings and other
every part of the floor such as exit doors, corridors, passageways, aisles, structures;
gangways, balconies, lobbies, ramps, exit passageways, escape and fire (viii) the types of materials used in and the thickness of all walls, floors,
fighting staircases and areas of refuge. roofs, ceilings, beams and other related parts of the building; and
(vi) the locations of all existing and proposed fire lifts, fire lift lobbies, Fire (ix) enlarged details of curtain walling at the junction with the typical floor
Command Centre, fire pumps, water tank rooms and generator rooms; slab to show the provision offire stopping or fire cavity barriers.
(vi i) the locations of all areas designated for the storage of flammable liquids (e) Elevational drawings with ratio of at least I:200. The elevational drawings
or gases, boiler rooms, transformer rooms any other area of special shall indicate the following:
risk; (i) the provisions of firemen access panels on the external walls and
(viii) the types and extent of provision of fire detection and alarm systems c1addings; and
and voice communication systems; (ii) the clear distance of the external wall from the fire fighting vehicles and
(ix) the type and ratings of all proposed and existing portable fire equipment access, lot boundary, adjacent buildings and other structures.
extinguishers and their locations;

14 15
The details to be shown on the Air-conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation Plan
and Fire Protection plan are as follows:
(a) key features of the building in which the system is to be installed, including the
details as listed in the Building Plan;
(b) a schematic diagram of the overall system showing clearly the key features and
their functions, relative locations in the building, sizes, capacities and other
essential information including the air distribution design arrangement in the
case of air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems;
(c) the layout of the system on every floor plan showing the various parts and
their functions, location, arrangements, sizes, capacities and other essential
information;
(d) necessary cross-sectional views as superimposed on the building or part thereof
to fully describe the details and configurations of the system;
(e) a colour scheme to clearly distinguish the various distinct parts of the system
and the different systems f,:oin.QI:e another;
(f) for air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems such additional details
as -
(i) the volumetric rate of Aow of air at each point of inlet and outlet of each
system including those serving protected staircases, exit passageways,
lobbies, areas of refuge, the Fire Command Centre, fire pump rooms,
generator rooms, rooms used for the storage of flammable liquids or gas or
other areas of special risk;
(ii) the location offire compartment walls, Aoors and air shafts;
(iii) the location offire dampers;
16
(iv) the location of smoke detectors; and
(v) the location and function of other fire precautionary features.
(g) for fire alarm system such additional details as-
(i) plan layout of each Aoor with proper labeling of devices along with conduit
layout showing the starting and ending points;
(ii) schematic diagram with proper labeling/addresses of devices or detectors
& battery capacity of the fire alarm panel; and
(iii) general layout offire alarm system with wiring diagram.
(h) for fire sprinkler system / fire hose cabinet / rising mains / fire hydrant such
additional details as-
(i) sprinkler layout of each Aoor with proper legend (as per NFPA 170 only),
including pipe size & sprinkler heads spacing.
(ii) schematic diagram (riser diagram) of sprinkler, fire hose cabinet, rising
mains with proper annotation.
(iii) general layout of the systems, depicting all pipes and their materials,
hanger support details & fire cable specification.
(iv) hydraulic calculation to verify fire pump capacity & water requirement of
system.
(v) isometric drawing of the most critical group of sprinklers to support
hydraulic calculation with proper node number & pipe number.
(vi) where applicable, endorsement on plan that the design and installation of
the above system is in accordance with the relevant NFPA e.g. NFPA 10,
13 (or 13R), 14,20 & 22.
Where necessary, such plans shall be accompanied by a report identifying and
describing each system installed in the building and its design, features and operational
arrangements and design calculations.
17
The details to be shown on all plans i.e. Building Plan, Air-conditioning and ENDORSEMENTS ON PLANS
Mechanical Ventilation Plan and Fire Protection plan are as follows:
What are the endorsements to be shown on the plans?
(a) Have on every sheet an outlined rectangular space measuring 150mm x
100mm provided at its top right hand corner for CDD official stamps and Building Plan
endorsement (See Annex B for illustration).
(b) Title blocks showing the project title, full names, addresses and signatures The following shall be endorsed on every sheet of the Building Plan by the
of the project consultant and the Building Owner/Developer/Management appropriate consultant who prepared the plan:
Corporation (See Annex B for illustration).
(c) All symbols to be in accordance with NFPA 170 and correctly reflected in the 1) " I Identification Card No.
legend. Only show the relevant symbols in the legend, which is to be reflected / Passport No. being a consultant hereby certify that the fire
on every sheet of drawing. safety works as shown on these plans have been designed in accordance with
(d) All proposed works shall be shown coloured on plan (except for works in the provisions of the *NFPA 101 / (other relevant codes and
new buildings) and these shall be differentiated from deletion works, if any standards), subject to waivers granted by the Managing Director of Qatar Civil
(existing approved works and fire protection system not to be coloured). Defence.
(e) All scales, grid references, dimensions and page numberings shall be shown
on every sheet of plan. Name and signature of consultant
(f) Type of standard used for fire-related materials / equipments e.g. UL listed/
FM approved. Address of consultant
(g) Drawings on plans shall be arranged in the following sequential manner:
o Location plan and site plan (on the front page) Date
o Lowest level floor plan * Delete where applicable"
o Ground floor plan
o Higher floors (each floor plan or typical floor plan) The above i.e. consultant endorsement of fire safety compliance, shall be
o Roofplan on the right hand side of the plan (See Annex B for illustration).
o Sectional and elevational drawings
o Miscellaneous drawings. 2) Where applicable, all three plans, i.e. Building Plan, Fire Protection
Plan, Air-conditioning & Mechanical Ventilation Plan are to be submitted
These plans are to be stapled in a set. together to CDD. In this instance, the consultant shall endorse on the Building
Plan either of the following:

18 19
 'The fire safety works shown on this building plan do not
FP/ACMV Plans
affect the fire protection system and mechanical ventilation system in the
building. '
The following shall be endorsed on every sheet of the FP/ACMV Plan by
Or
the appropriate consultant who prepared the plan:
'The fire safety works shown on this building plan affect the
"fire protection system / "mechanical ventilation system in the building
and the *FP Plan / *ACMV Plan "is / "are submitted together with the
" I - - - - - - - - - - - - Identifieation Card No.
Bnilding Plan.
/ Passport No. being a consultant hereby certify that
the proposed system has been designed in
"Delete where applicable'
aecordance with the provisions of (please state the
code used).
However, ifal13 plans cannot be submitted together, consultant will submit
Building Plan first and endorse on the Building Plan either of the following:

Name and signature of consultant

'The fire safety works shown on this Bnilding Plan do not
affect the fire protection system / mechanical ventilation system in the
Address of consultant
building.'
Or
Date
'The fire safety works shown on this Bnilding Plan affect the
*fire protection system / *mechanical ventilation system in the building
*Delete where applicable"
and the *FP Plan / *ACMV Plan will be snbmitted separately within 45
days from the date of submission of the Building Plan.

*Delete where applicable'

The above i.e. whether fire safety works on building plan affects fire
protection system/mechanical ventilation system shall be endorsed on the right
hand side of the plan (See Annex B for illustration)

20 21
 ANNEXA2
Description of Building Type

ANNEXA
Qualification ofConsultants for Building Plans, Air-Conditioning & Mechanical Building Purpose for which building or part of the
Type building is IIsed 01" intended to be used
Ventilation Plans & Fire Protection Plans to be submitted to the Civil Defence
Department. Accommodation for residential purposes to include villas, flats,
Residential maisonettes, apartments etc.

SIN *Building Type Description

Discipline of
Type of Project Establishments used for treatment, care or maintenance of
consultant
persons suffering from disabilities, or educational purposes and
a. New building, accommodations, including hospitals, clinics, polyclinics student
reconstruction / Architect Institutional hostels, dormitories, old folks homes, orphanages, children>s
Residential,
Insl itul iOllaI, extension of building homes, day-care centres, kindergartens, army camps, detention!
I Office, Shop, Place Building Plans correction centres, schools, colleges, commercial schools,
of public resort. vocational institutions, polytechnics and universities.
Architect or
b. Addition & Alteration Professional
& Change of usc
to building. Engineer
(Civi l/Structural) Office or premises used for office purposes meaning the purposes
of administration, clerical work (including book-keeping,
a. New building, Office accounting, drawing and editorial work etc) telephone and
reconstruction I
telegraph operating and banking or as premises occupied with an
extension of building Architect or office for the purposes of the activities therein carried on.
2
Factory & Storage Building Plans Professional
Engineer
b. Addition & Alteration (CiviIIStTuctura I) Shop or shopping centre including departmental stores, shopping
& Change of usc arcades, supermarkets, drugstores, showrooms for sale of goods,
Shop hairdressing and beauty salons, ticketing agencies, pawnshops,
to building.
laundries andlor any other similar trades or businesses.
Air-Conditioning
All
3 & Mechanical Professional Engineer (Mechanical) Factory As defined in FactOlY Act.
Ventilation Plans
Premises used for social, recreational or business purposes to include
All Automatic fire Professional Engineer (Mechanical or hotels, holiday resorts, boarding houses, convention centres, private
4 clubs, community centres, museums, public art galleries, exhibition
alarm system plans Electrical)
Place of centres, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, public libraries, religious
Automatic public resort buildings, public sports complex, stadium, public swimming
All sprinkler & fixed complex, recreational buildings, amusement centres, eating houses,
5 Professional Engineer (Mechanical) restaurants, fast food outlets, bus terminals, train stations, airport
water spray I foam
svstem'olans and ferry terminals.

All Rising mains & fire

6 hosereels systems Professional Engineer (Mechanical or Civil)
plans Place of storage (including godowns, warehouses, stores etc),
Storage deposit or parking of goods, materials andlor vehicles.
*N.B. See Annex A2 for definition of building type.

22 23
 ANNEXB
Illustration showing Format of Plan of Fire Safety Work

150mm

Space for COO approval stamp lQOmm

Consultant's main endorsement of fire safety

compliance 100mm

.'" Name I Address & Signature of Building Owner I

Developer I Management Corporation
Scale of plan and legend to be indicted 100mm
on every sheet 01 plan.

Name I Address & Signature of Consultant

100mm

Project Title 100mm

Consultanfs endorsement whether Fire .

Protection/Mechanical Ventilation systems
are affected MISCELLANEOUS