Emirati Journal of Civil Engineering and Applications

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Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): Emirati Journal of Civil Engineering and Applications

Fire Safety and Resilience in UAE High-Rise Buildings (Integrating Materials, Codes, and Management Systems under Extreme Climatic Conditions)

  • Mohamed Abdalla Lootah
  • In Ju Kim
  • Zafar Said
Submitted
January 23, 2026
Published
2026-02-27

Abstract

In 2025, there were more than 180 fires in tall buildings in the UAE. This study investigates the influence of fire protection systems, regulatory compliance, and emergency readiness on occupant safety. A mixed-methods approach combined a survey of 250 stakeholders with 15 interviews performed across ten towers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The dependability was quite high (Cronbach's α = 0.93). The regression analysis confirmed substantial effects: emergency preparation (β = 0.44), compliance (β = 0.27), and system functionality (β = 0.23). Mediation studies demonstrated that fire-safety management systems (FSMS) influence compliance (β = 0.84, p < 0.01). Case studies indicated that it is easier to keep and maintain modern towers. But alarms and drills don't operate well with older materials. The results suggest that redundancy, gradual failure, and swift recovery are all critical features of resilience engineering. The results support quarterly drills, risk-based façade inspections, targeted retrofits, and digital integration with civil defense. All of these will help you design a fire policy that works in dry cities.

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