Administrative Resolution No. (217) of 2023

Prescribing the Requirements, Conditions, and Specifications for Using

Three-dimensional Printing in Construction Works in the Emirate of Dubai[1]

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The Director General of the Dubai Municipality,

After perusal of:

Decree No. (45) of 2021 Concerning the Dubai Building Code;

Decree No. (34) of 2022 Establishing the Agencies Affiliated to the Dubai Municipality and Determining their Functions;

The Order of 1961 Establishing the Dubai Municipality;

Local Order No. (89) of 1994 Regulating the Engineering Consultancy Profession in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments;

Local Order No. (3) of 1999 Regulating Construction Works in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments;

Administrative Resolution No. (32) of 2006 Forming the Committee for Registration and Licensing of Engineering Consultants and Contractors in the Emirate of Dubai and its amendments; and

Administrative Resolution No. (308) of 2021 Approving the Dubai Building Code,

Does hereby issue this Resolution.

Definitions

Article (1)

The words and expressions mentioned in this Resolution will have the same meaning assigned to them in the above-mentioned Decree No. (24) of 2021. The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Resolution, will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

Decree:

Decree No. (24) of 2021 Regulating the Use of Three-dimensional Printing in Construction Works in the Emirate of Dubai.

Competent Department:

The Building Permits Department of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency of the DM.

Laboratory:

The Dubai Central Laboratory Department of the Environment, Health, and Safety Agency of the DM.

Construction Site:

Any site in the Emirate in which Construction Works using 3D Printing Technology are implemented.

Specialised Work:

This includes:

1.    designing a Building to be constructed using 3D Printing Technology;

2.    supervising the implementation of Construction Works using 3D Printing Technology; and

3.    implementing Construction Works using 3D Printing Technology.

Permit:

A document issued by the Competent Department authorising an Engineer or Contractor to conduct Specialised Work, or authorising a Factory to produce and manufacture Mixtures, upon satisfaction of the conditions and requirements prescribed by the Decree, this Resolution, and other legislation in force in the Emirate.

Manual:

The document approved by the DM and published on its official website, which includes the technical and administrative requirements and conditions that a Factory must fulfil to be granted a Conformity Certificate and a Conformity Mark.

Structural Design:

The process of designing a Building model using specialised software, examining this model to ensure that it is error-free, and sending the same to a 3D Printer for implementation using the 3D Printing Technology.

3D-Printed Building:

A Building or part of a Building that is constructed using the 3D Printing Technology.

Factory:

An establishment licensed in the Emirate to manufacture and produce the Mixtures used for 3D Printers.

Conformity Certificate:

A document issued by the Laboratory certifying that a Factory has fulfilled the requirements and conditions stipulated in the Manual.

Conformity Mark:

An approved mark granted by the Laboratory to a Factory that has fulfilled the requirements prescribed by the Manual.

Committee:

The Committee for Registration and Licensing of Engineering Consultants and Contractors in the Emirate of Dubai formed pursuant to the above-mentioned Administrative Resolution No. (32) of 2006.

Electronic System:

The electronic platform developed by the DM, through which Engineers and Contractors in the Emirate are pre-qualified, licensed, classified, and registered on the Roll.

Requirements and Conditions

Article (2)

In addition to the requirements and conditions stipulated in the Decree, an Engineer or a Contractor, as the case may be, must, prior to and throughout the operation of a 3D Printer at a Construction Site, comply with the following:

1.    the environmental, health, and safety requirements prescribed by the DM;

2.    the legislation regulating Construction Works, applicable by the Competent Authority, to the extent that such legislation does not contradict the provisions of the Decree and this Resolution;

3.    the planning and construction standards and requirements prescribed by the Competent Authority;

4.    the requirement to ensure that the Factory supplying the Mixtures to the Construction Site has obtained a Conformity Certificate and a Conformity Mark;

5.    the Contractor's obligation to conduct the necessary tests on the Building load-bearing structural elements constructed using 3D Printing Technology, and to have the relevant results approved by the Engineer as per the design adopted by the Competent Authority; and

6.    the requirement to provide warranty, for no less than ten (10) years, in respect of the quality of the Building constructed using 3D Printing Technology, in accordance with the legislation in force.

Requirements for Issuing Permits

Article (3)

a.    An Engineer will be issued with a Permit subject to the following:

1.    holding a valid licence issued by the concerned commercial licensing authority in the Emirate;

2.    providing the technical staff of Engineers as stipulated in Schedule (1) attached hereto;

3.    ensuring that his technical staff successfully passes the professional competence examination conducted by the DM; and

4.    obtaining the required approvals of Concerned Entities.

b.    A Contractor will be issued with a Permit subject to:

1.    holding a valid licence issued by the concerned commercial licensing authority in the Emirate;

2.    providing the technical staff of Engineers as stipulated in Schedule (2) attached hereto; and

3.    obtaining the required approvals of Concerned Entities.

c.     A Factory will be issued with a Permit subject to:

1.    holding a valid licence issued by the concerned commercial licensing authority in the Emirate;

2.    providing the technical staff of Engineers as stipulated in Schedule (3) attached hereto; and

3.    obtaining the required approvals of Concerned Entities.

Procedures for Issuing Permits

Article (4)

In issuing a Permit, the following procedures will be followed:

1.    A Permit application will be submitted to the Competent Department through the Electronic System on the form prescribed by the Competent Department for this purpose, supported by the required documents.

2.    The Competent Department will consider the Permit application to verify that it meets all relevant conditions and requirements, and that it is accompanied by all required documents. The Competent Department may require any other documents, data, or information it deems necessary to consider the application.

3.    The Competent Department will issue its decision on the Permit application within five (5) working days from the date of completing all the data and documents required for the application.

4.    Where the Permit application is approved, the Competent Department will require the applicant to pay the relevant prescribed fees, whereupon the Competent Department will issue the Permit.

5.    Where the Permit application is rejected, the Competent Department will notify the applicant of the reasons for rejection. An applicant whose application is rejected may submit another Permit application, provided that he addresses the reasons for rejection.

Validity of Permits

Article (5)

A Permit will be valid for a period of one (1) year, renewable for the same period. An application for renewal of a Permit must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days from the date of its expiry. The Permit will be renewed in accordance with the conditions and procedures stipulated in Articles (3) and (4) hereof.

Classification of Engineers and Contractors

Article (6)

Engineers and Contractors will be classified based on their authorised Specialised Work, in accordance with the requirements, rules, and standards prescribed under the relevant resolution of the Committee.

Using Mixtures

Article (7)

No Contractor may use Mixtures in a 3D Printer, unless these Mixtures are prepared by a Factory holding a Conformity Certificate and a Conformity Mark.

Functions of the Laboratory

Article (8)

For the purposes of implementing the Decree and this Resolution, the Laboratory will have the duties and powers to:

1.    regularly review, in coordination with the Competent Department, the Manual; update it where required; have these updates approved pursuant to a resolution of the Laboratory director; and publish the same on the DM website;

2.    grant Conformity Certificates and Conformity Marks in accordance with the Manual;

3.    conduct periodic assessment and inspection of the Factories; and

4.    conduct the tests required for granting Conformity Certificates in accordance with the Manual.

Structural Design Requirements

Article (9)

In preparing the Structural Design of a Building constructed using the 3D Printing Technology, the following will apply:

1.    The Structural Design must be prepared by a structural Engineer authorised to conduct Specialised Work in the Emirate, in accordance with the provisions of the Decree, this Resolution, and other legislation in force in the Emirate. The structural Engineer must be classified by the Committee under the relevant category of Specialised Work.

2.    The Structural Design must be prepared in compliance with the Dubai Building Code approved under the above-mentioned Decree No. (45) of 2021 and Administrative Resolution No. (308) of 2021, and with the relevant requirements adopted by the DM.

3.    The Structural Design of the Building to be constructed using the 3D Printing Technology must be verified as error-free and implementable using 3D Printing Technology.

Obligations of Factories

Article (10)

A Factory must:

1.    obtain a Conformity Certificate and a Conformity Mark from the Laboratory as prescribed by the Manual;

2.    use the permitted Raw Materials for preparing the Mixtures; and present the testing documents and certificates proving the safety of these materials;

3.    use local Raw Materials where available in the market;

4.    manufacture Mixtures as per the mandatory ratios and standards applicable to printing the Building and its elements;

5.    ensure that the Mixtures produced by the Factory meet the specifications that guarantee thermal insulation performance which is compliant with the engineering standards, bylaws, and specifications adopted in the Emirate;

6.    provide quality documentation that meet the standards adopted by the Laboratory and the requirements stipulated in the Manual;

7.    conduct the necessary tests on Mixtures as prescribed by the Manual; and

8.    archive the results of all laboratory tests conducted on Mixtures as per the quality control plan adopted by the Factory.

Mixtures Imported from Outside of the Emirate

Article (11)

a.    A Contractor may not use, at a Construction Site, any Mixtures that are imported from outside of the Emirate unless:

1.    the unavailability or insufficiency of Mixtures in market in Emirate is established;

2.    the Competent Authority’s approval is obtained prior to delivering the imported Mixtures at the Construction Site; and

3.    tests are conducted and they prove that the Mixtures are produced as per the mandatory ratios and standards for printing the Building and its elements, and that their specifications guarantee thermal insulation performance which is compliant with the engineering standards, bylaws, and specifications adopted in the Emirate.

b.    A Contractor must prove to the Competent Authority that the requirements stipulated in paragraph (a) of this Article are satisfied, by providing the relevant documents and reports prior to using the Mixtures imported from outside of the Emirate.

Issuing Implementing Instructions and Manuals

Article (12)

The Chief Executive Officer of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency of the DM will issue the instructions required for the implementation of this Resolution. In addition, he will issue the manuals required for ensuring that the use of 3D Printing Technology in the Emirate is compliant with the adopted engineering standards and specifications, including the public safety and structural safety guidelines for using 3D Printing Technology.

Repeals

Article (13)

Any provision in any other administrative resolution is hereby repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Resolution.

Publication and Commencement

Article (14)

This Resolution will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published.

Dawood Abdul Rahman Al Hajiri

Director General

Dubai Municipality

Issued in Dubai on 12 July 2023

Corresponding to 24 Thu al-Hijjah 1444 A.H.


 

Schedule (1)

Technical Engineering Staff to Be Provided by Engineers

 

Minimum Number of Staff

Minimum Qualification

Minimum Experience

One (1) Engineer

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Five (5) years

One (1) Engineer

Bachelor’s degree in architecture

Five (5) years

Schedule (2)

Technical Engineering Staff to Be Provided by Contractors

 

Minimum Number of Staff

Minimum Qualification

Minimum Experience

One (1) Engineer

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Five (5) years

Schedule (3)

Technical Engineering Staff to Be Provided by Factories

 

Minimum Number of Staff

Minimum Qualification

Minimum Experience

One (1) Engineer

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Three (3) years

 



©2024 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.