L-R Hassan Hijazi (General Manager at TABRA), Sam Malins (CEO at Reacton), Khalid Rashid Al-Mazrouei (Managing Partner at TABRA)

New UAE regulation mandates fire suppression systems on school buses

Reacton Fire Suppression has reported that a new regulation issued by the United Arab Emirates government requires all school buses to be fitted with automatic fire suppression systems from 15 April 2025.

The regulation, UAE.S 5041:2021, is designed to improve safety for approximately 500,000 children travelling on 17,000 school buses daily.

The systems rapidly detect and extinguish engine fires, which is essential given limited evacuation time on school buses.

The regulation requires education providers to install the systems through an approved supplier as part of their annual vehicle check and registration process.

Reacton certified as first approved provider in the UAE

Reacton is the first company to be approved by the Emirates Safety Laboratory to supply fire suppression systems for school buses under the new standard.

Sam Malins, CEO of Reacton Fire Suppression, said: “Every parent across the UAE should be delighted that the UAE government has taken such a positive approach to fire safety on school buses.

“Fires can spread quickly on school buses without the right suppression equipment.

“With the implementation of these new rules, parents can send their children off to school with peace of mind that the vehicles they are travelling in are even safer than before.”

Installations advance through partnership with TABRA

Reacton systems are being installed in partnership with UAE-based transport safety company TABRA.

Khalid Rashid Al-Mazrouei, Managing Partner of TABRA, said: “The UAE government isn’t just raising the bar, it’s redefining international standards on fire safety and the protection of school children.

“Together, with our partners at Reacton, we’re proud to be on the front lines of this mission, rapidly deploying cutting-edge fire suppression systems across schools, associations and fleet operators.

“Within just a few hours, we can safeguard a school bus and every child who travels in it.”

To date, more than 2,500 systems have been installed by Reacton and TABRA, including in a project with Emirates Transport.

Reacton expands presence in UAE and regional fire safety sector

Reacton opened its UAE office in 2019, extending its operations from the UK.

From its base in Dubai, the company delivers customer support, technical training and system installation assistance to its regional partners.

TABRA provides professional installation services and has more than 27 years of experience in transport safety within the UAE.

Reacton backs UAE law requiring school bus fire suppression: Summary

Reacton Fire Suppression has reported that UAE regulation UAE.S 5041:2021 took effect on 15 April 2025.

The rule mandates that all school buses in the UAE be fitted with automatic fire suppression systems.

The change affects approximately 17,000 buses and up to 500,000 children.

Reacton is the first supplier approved by the Emirates Safety Laboratory to provide these systems.

Education providers are required to use an approved installer during their annual vehicle checks.

Reacton and its UAE partner TABRA have already installed over 2,500 fire suppression systems, including with Emirates Transport.

Reacton established its Dubai office in 2019 to support local operations.

TABRA has 27 years of transport safety experience in the UAE and leads the installation of Reacton systems in school and public transport fleets.