Reviewing MEP Drawings Against Applicable Saudi Building Code Requirements

The Saudi Building Code (SBC) should be treated as a project-specific compliance framework, not a single checklist copied between buildings. An MEP review works best when the team connects design decisions to the current provisions and the conditions of the relevant authority.

1. Confirm what applies to this project

Start with the project location, building use, occupancy, height, scope and the authorities involved. Identify the currently applicable code editions, project specifications and relevant approval requirements. Document assumptions that still need confirmation rather than presenting them as settled rules.

This article does not give fixed numerical requirements: those must be taken from the adopted editions, governing authority and project-specific engineering calculations.

2. Create a discipline-by-discipline compliance matrix

For each applicable requirement, record the subject, reference, responsible designer, related drawing, evidence and current status. Typical subjects include ventilation, energy performance, electrical distribution, plumbing, drainage and fire/life safety.

The matrix should point to actual calculations or drawing details. A note stating that a code was considered is not evidence that the corresponding design check was completed.

3. Review interfaces between disciplines

Many problems appear at system boundaries: plant-room access, openings, ceiling coordination, fire-control interfaces, equipment loads and shared shafts. Agree on who owns each interface, and record the review result before issue.

• Match HVAC equipment loads with electrical schedules.
• Check plumbing routes with architectural and structural levels.
• Align life-safety interfaces with the fire strategy.
• Verify that updated drawings preserve earlier decisions.

4. Manage revisions and authority comments

Keep a clear record of the drawing revision, associated calculation and reviewer comment. When a comment changes a system, identify every dependent drawing that needs an update. Distinguish internal approval from formal authority acceptance.

5. Complete a pre-submission quality check

Confirm that the drawing list is complete, titles and legends are consistent, assumptions have owners, unresolved issues are visible and required evidence is included. Recheck the current code and authority requirements immediately before formal submission.

Practical takeaway

Compliance management is a traceable review process. The matrix helps teams organize the evidence, but only project-specific calculations, approved standards and competent professional review can establish whether a design meets the applicable requirements.