UAE School Buses Get Mandatory Fire Safety Boost

Mandatory Automated Fire Systems for All UAE School Buses

From April 15, 2025, all school buses in the UAE will only be eligible for new or renewed operating permits if they are equipped with an automated fire system certified by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). The aim of this new regulation is to enhance road safety, with a particular focus on protecting children.

A Step Forward for Child Safety

Approximately half a million children use school buses in the UAE daily, making this large-scale safety regulation directly impactful on their daily lives. Automated fire systems can rapidly detect and extinguish engine compartment fires without the need for human intervention, which is crucial in emergency situations where seconds count.

Not Only for School Buses

Though the initial focus is on school buses, the regulation extends beyond them. It applies to all new and existing buses with a passenger capacity exceeding 22 people, including single or double-decker and articulated buses. This means the entire public and private bus fleet across the country is affected by the order.

Annual Audits and Official Inspections

To ensure compliance, manufacturers and installers will undergo annual audits, while local transport authorities will oversee that all vehicles are equipped with MoIAT-approved systems. The goal is to establish a uniform, high-level safety standard.

Technology Serving Safety

The operating principle of the fire systems is based on heat-sensitive tubes and an automatically activated extinguishing agent. These can quickly react at critical points — such as the engine compartment — preventing fire from spreading. Experienced companies responsible for developing and installing these systems have completed thousands of successful installations nationwide.

Equipping Over 17,000 School Buses

One of the project's most ambitious goals is to equip all 17,000 school buses with the necessary fire systems in the next 12 months. This requires close cooperation with safety technology suppliers and vehicle operators. Experts are continuously working on increasing production capacity and executing field installations promptly to minimize bus downtime.

Further Vehicle Categories May Be Included

While there is no official announcement yet about extending the regulation, authorities do not rule out the possibility of including other vehicle types — such as trucks, cranes, lift platforms, and potentially even military vehicles or rail trains — in the mandatory fire safety requirements in the future.

A Forward-Thinking and Life-Saving Measure

With this measure, the UAE once again sets an example in traffic safety. Installing fire systems is not just a technical innovation but a real life-saving solution. Documented cases already show where these systems have prevented serious accidents, making the regulation not just a legal obligation but a vital investment.

Summary

Mandating automated fire systems on all school buses and buses with over 22 passengers in the UAE is a significant milestone for the safety of children and the traveling public. The strictness of the regulation and the technology's advancement together ensure that fewer emergencies will occur along roadways in the future.

(Source: The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) press release.)