MEP design for a retail shop in a Dubai mall
MEP design for a retail shop in a Dubai mall covers HVAC, power and lighting, fire alarm, sprinklers and plumbing, with calculations, stamped for the mall and Civil Defence.
The short answer
Every shop fit-out in a Dubai mall needs MEP drawings and calculations that follow the mall tenant guide and connect to the services the mall provides: chilled water or AC, power, fire alarm, sprinklers and drainage. Structural Solutions prepares the MEP design and calculations, stamps them as consultant, submits them to the mall and to Dubai Civil Defence (DCD), and to DDA or Trakhees where the mall needs an authority permit. We do not prepare BOQs or run tenders; your fit-out contractor prices the works from our drawings.
Official sites: Dubai Civil Defence · DEWA · Dubai Development Authority
MEP design for a retail shop: what you need to know
- Mall tenant guide: Each mall sets its own design criteria and connection points.
- DCD in every case: Fire alarm, sprinklers and exits are approved by Civil Defence.
- DEWA: Usually not needed for a mall shop, except in some cases such as a load increase.
- Contractor pricing: The fit-out contractor prices the works from the drawings and specifications.
What to send us
- Mall unit drawings and the tenant fit-out guide
- Interior design layout and reflected ceiling plan
- Lease, offer letter or tenancy contract
- Trade licence of the tenant or brand
- Mall fit-out application forms, if already issued
Who does what
From design to opening
We confirm the exact route for your mall.
| Step | Approval route | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| Brief and mall rules You and us | The unit drawings, the mall tenant fit-out guide and the services the mall provides to the unit. | Documents for mall fit-out approval |
| MEP design and calculations Structural Solutions | HVAC, power and lighting, fire alarm, sprinklers, plumbing and drainage, with the design calculations. | MEP drawings for malls |
| Mall approval Consultant → mall | Stamped drawings submitted to the mall fit-out team for review. | Consultant stamp |
| Authority permit, where the mall needs one Consultant → DDA or Trakhees | For example Dubai Hills Mall goes to DDA; Nakheel malls and Atlantis go to Trakhees. | Authority permit |
| Civil Defence (DCD) Structural Solutions → DCD | Fire and life safety approval, needed for every mall shop fit-out, especially when the layout or partitions change. | DCD approval |
| Final inspection Mall, authority and DCD | DCD final inspection and completion before the shop opens. | Shop fit-out sign-off |
Questions
More questions about MEP design for a retail shop
Do you prepare a BOQ?
No. We prepare the MEP design, drawings and calculations; the fit-out contractor or a quantity surveyor prices the works.
Does a mall shop need DCD approval?
Yes, every mall shop fit-out needs DCD approval, especially when the layout or partitions change.
Does the shop need DEWA approval?
In most cases no; it depends on the mall, the area and whether the load increases.
Can you also stamp the architectural drawings?
Yes, we can stamp the fit-out drawings for the mall submission.
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