Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, July 30, 2026 – The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is supporting a landmark initiative launched by the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA), in collaboration with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). The initiative establishes the UAE’s first regulatory framework requiring professionals at engineering consultancy offices involved in the design of fire protection systems and the submission of preliminary engineering plans for Civil Defence approval, to obtain the NFPA Certified Fire Plan Examiner (CFPE) credential.
Under the framework, engineering professionals will undergo over 47 hours of learning path including codes training programs, practical scenarios and test practices delivered by NFPA, enabling them to obtain the CFPE certification. The certification will become a mandatory requirement for engineering consultancy offices seeking to submit fire protection system designs in Abu Dhabi beginning September 2026.
“Professional competency is one of the most important pillars of effective fire and life safety,” said Mike Brunzell, NFPA vice president of Global Business Development. “The CFPE programme provides engineers with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to review fire and life safety protection systems in line with internationally recognized NFPA standards. Through this initiative, Abu Dhabi is reinforcing the role of qualified professionals in protecting people, property, and critical infrastructure, while setting a new benchmark for excellence in fire protection engineering across the region.”
Professionals who meet the ADCDA mandate receive a certificate, an NFPA digital badge through Credly, and are listed in NFPA’s online certification directory.
More than a regulatory milestone, the initiative represents a significant investment in technical capability, engineering excellence, and the long-term resilience of the UAE’s built environment. By creating a formal pathway for internationally recognized fire protection qualifications, Abu Dhabi is strengthening the expertise of professionals responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure, commercial developments, and residential communities.
The framework aligns closely with the principles of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™, which highlights the importance of a skilled workforce, strong regulatory frameworks, code implementation and enforcement, education, and investment in safety as interconnected elements required to reduce risk and prevent loss. ADCDA’s continued commitment to advancing these principles has positioned Abu Dhabi among the leading jurisdictions globally in adopting a holistic approach to fire and life safety.
This commitment was recognized internationally in 2025 when ADCDA received the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award, presented during the NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. The award recognized ADCDA’s leadership in safety innovation, workforce development, risk reduction, and its comprehensive approach to implementing the Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem framework.
The new certification requirement further advances these efforts by enhancing the competency of specialized engineering professionals and improving the quality, consistency and compliance of fire protection system review processes across the emirate.
As Abu Dhabi continues to invest in world-class infrastructure and urban development, the initiative demonstrates how strong partnerships between regulators and technical organizations can accelerate the adoption of international best practices while further strengthening local expertise. For NFPA, the framework serves as a model for how communities can support fire and life safety through education, competency development, and professional certification thus helping to create a safer and more resilient future.
