The government of the UAE has introduced a regulation requiring the installation of advanced fire suppression systems in all school buses to enhance safety during transport. This regulation, effective from April 15, mandates that the buses be outfitted with systems designed for prompt engine fire detection and automatic extinguishing.
This initiative aims to protect approximately 500,000 children during their daily travels. David Campbell, General Manager at Dubai Civil Defence’s Emirates Safety Laboratory, confirmed to Khaleej Times, “The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has officially mandated that all school buses in the UAE must incorporate certified fire suppression systems.”
Starting from April 15, 2025, authorities in charge of Emirates Road Transport will not issue or renew permits for school buses that lack a MoIAT-certified system.
Although the primary focus of this regulation is school buses, it is crucial to recognize that it also applies to all new and existing buses with a passenger capacity exceeding 22 individuals, including the driver. This includes various types of vehicles such as single-deck and double-deck buses, rigid and articulated buses, operating across the nation.
David Campbell pointed out, “While enhancing safety for school buses is our main aim, this regulation is intended to extend to a broader range of public transport. It serves as a proactive measure to ensure passenger safety across all buses in the UAE.”
When discussing potential future regulations, Campbell indicated, “At this time, there are no formal announcements regarding new regulations. However, there could be future phases that may require fire suppression systems in various public, commercial, and private vehicles in the UAE, including cranes, freight vehicles, heavy machinery, lifting equipment, military vehicles, and trains.”
Regarding compliance, he reassured, “We will conduct annual audits of both manufacturers and installers, while local transport authorities will ensure all systems conform to MoIAT standards.”
Reacton Fire Suppression, a UK manufacturer operating in the UAE, is poised to implement these systems in partnership with TABRA, a vehicle safety product provider. CEO Sam Malins elaborated on the technology, stating, “Our automated fire suppression systems rapidly detect and extinguish fires, especially in high-risk areas such as the engine compartment. They use heat-sensitive tubing and fire suppression agents to quickly snuff out flames, ensuring the safety of both children and drivers.”
Malins also highlighted their proactive strategy to meet demand ahead of the forthcoming regulation, stating, “We are increasing our production capacity to fulfill the anticipated requirements before the law takes effect. By working closely with TABRA, we aim to ensure that all 17,000 school buses are outfitted with these essential systems within the next year.” This cooperation is geared toward enhancing safety for children during their commutes.
He praised the UAE’s progressive safety initiatives, asserting that these systems are vital for saving lives. “To date, we have installed over 2,500 systems and have already witnessed incidents where these systems have effectively prevented serious accidents. This underscores the critical nature of our efforts,” he added.
Hassan Hijazi, the General Manager of TABRA, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety. He noted that TABRA collaborates closely with transport operators to ensure installations are performed with precision. “Our well-trained team carries out thorough installations and routine checks to minimize vehicle downtime and ensure safety is always prioritized,” he stated.
Hijazi remarked, “We exclusively utilize certified products, and our stringent quality control measures guarantee that every installation adheres to regulatory specifications. This meticulous approach is crucial to uphold the effectiveness of our safety systems.”
He also noted that school buses are just the first phase of this initiative, saying, “It’s significant to understand that school buses are the initial focus. In the coming years, we anticipate more vehicle types will be required to have automatic fire suppression, and we are well-prepared to support these future developments.