Saudi Building Code and Electrical Safety

Official Reference Download

Download Saudi Electrical Code SBC 401-CR-2024 Official PDF

Saudi Building Code and Electrical Safety

Maya Waterproofing coordinates waterproofing works with electrical, AC and plumbing installations to help protect building envelopes, roof penetrations and service areas.

Saudi Building Code Reference

Our work is coordinated with the applicable Saudi Building Code requirements, including SBC 401 Saudi Electrical Code. Final electrical design, testing and certification remain the responsibility of the licensed electrical contractor and approved engineer.

Waterproofing and Electrical Safety Requirements

  • All roof, wall and slab penetrations for conduits, cables and service pipes shall be properly detailed and sealed with compatible waterproofing materials.
  • Exposed service conduits in waterproofed roof areas should be rigid, weather-resistant and mechanically protected. Flexible conduits are not recommended where movement can damage the waterproofing layer.
  • Gaps around conduits and pipe sleeves shall be repaired using approved non-shrink grout or compatible concrete-repair material before waterproofing begins.
  • Electrical enclosures and equipment exposed to weather or water shall use a suitable IP protection rating for the actual site condition.
  • Waterproofing seals must accommodate safe thermal movement and remain compatible with the conduit, cable system and surrounding construction.
  • Electrical, AC condensate and drainage lines must be connected, tested for leakage and securely fixed before screed, insulation, geotextile, backfilling sand or tiles are installed.

Roof Waterproofing Coordination

Before final roof protection, Maya Waterproofing checks penetration locations, drainage falls, AC pipe supports and sleeves. We then coordinate the waterproofing build-up: slope layer, 5 x 5 cm cant strip where required, selected membrane or hot-applied polyurea system, thermal insulation where applicable, geotextile protection and final finishes.

Important Note

This page is a practical waterproofing and coordination guide. It does not replace project drawings, authority approvals, electrical design documents or inspection requirements.

Thermal Insulation Requirements — SBC and Saudi Electricity (SEC)

Applicable Saudi Building Code: Thermal insulation and envelope energy performance are governed by the Saudi Energy Conservation Codes: SBC 601 for non-residential buildings and SBC 602 for low-rise residential buildings. The edition applicable to the permit and the project occupancy must be confirmed by the project’s licensed designer and supervising engineering office.

  • Performance basis: SBC compliance is assessed using the thermal performance of the complete roof or wall assembly (U-value / thermal transmittance), not by applying one fixed insulation thickness to every building.
  • Roof build-up: The designer must account for the structural slab, screed or slope layer, waterproofing, insulation type and declared thermal conductivity, protection layers, finishes and thermal bridges at parapets, penetrations and equipment supports.
  • Moisture and heat: Roofs must be detailed to protect the insulation from moisture, preserve drainage falls and avoid puncturing the waterproofing layer. Mechanical protection and compatible separation / geotextile layers are selected according to the waterproofing system.
  • Verification: The final material thickness, density, compressive strength, fire performance and U-value calculation must be approved against the project drawings and applicable SBC climate-zone requirements before installation.

Saudi Electricity (SEC) Project Standard

For SEC underground-distribution-network roof and door-canopy works, SDCS-02-13 Rev.0 — Roof and Door Canopy Waterproofing System shows a project-specific roof build-up that includes 100 mm rigid polystyrene thermal insulation, 1.5 mm PVC waterproofing membrane, a geotextile protection layer, a 200-micron separation layer and a 50 mm gravel layer. This SEC construction standard applies to that defined SEC system; it is not a universal thickness requirement for all buildings or for every electricity service connection.

Download SEC SDCS-02-13 — Roof and Door Canopy Waterproofing System

Practical Installation Notes

  • Use a documented, approved insulation product with declared thermal conductivity and suitable compressive strength for the roof loading and finish.
  • Keep insulation boards continuous and tightly butted; minimise gaps and protect vulnerable edges, penetrations and parapet upstands.
  • Complete waterproofing and approved flood / leakage testing before placing protection layers, backfilling sand, tiles or other finishes.
  • Do not substitute an insulation thickness or material without the designer’s revised U-value calculation and approval.

Reference note: This section is an installation and coordination guide. It does not replace the approved SBC energy calculation, SEC contract documents, authority approvals or the licensed engineer’s design responsibility.