Pass DEC Spray‑Booth Rules: Middle East Coatings Playbook

spray booth compliance Dubai is non-negotiable at the Middle East Coatings Show (DEC, 14–16 Apr 2026). With ~250–300 exhibitors and 5,000+ trade visitors, Dubai Exhibition Centre (North Halls, Expo City Dubai) enforces DM‑HSD‑GU42‑PSB2 and strict DG/waste rules — failure to pre-certify can cancel demos, attract fines or confiscation.

Why the Middle East Coatings Show matters for coatings brands — scale, demo value and enforcement

The show is the region’s primary launch platform for architectural and industrial coatings. Live spray demos drive leads and media coverage, but organisers and Dubai Municipality are applying tighter enforcement: documented demo approvals, fire-rated partitions, and approved exhaust/venting are checked at build and during operation. For high-visibility product launches, non-compliance converts marketing spend into reputational and financial risk.

spray booth compliance Dubai: The regulator checklist you cannot ignore

Below are the practical items pulled from DM‑HSD‑GU42‑PSB2 and DEC exhibitor rules. Start these 30–60 days out.

Spray‑booth structural & ventilation requirements

• Use independent, non‑recirculating exhaust or certified capture filtration systems; venue sign‑off required for any roof‑termination/stack.
• Booths must be separated by fire‑resistant partitions and meet venue structural approvals.
• Maintain the minimum face velocity and capture performance specified in DM‑HSD‑GU42‑PSB2 — our engineers produce performance curves for sign‑off.

Dangerous goods (DG), MSDS & hazardous materials

• Submit Hazardous Materials Declaration and full MSDS in English and Arabic 30–60 days before the event.
• No on‑stand bulk storage of paints/solvents — official freight forwarder and approved storage only.
• Flammable liquids must be stored in metal fire‑cabinets rated for DEC operations.

Waste and environmental controls

• No discharge to drains; Dubai Municipality‑approved hazardous‑waste collection is mandatory.
• Certain filtration media and contaminated consumables require certified disposal records — keep chain‑of‑custody documentation.

Common exhibitor failures at coatings shows — 5 real risks

1. Roof‑termination / venting confusion: Exhibitors assume exhaust can discharge to the hall roof without a DEC/municipality permit; leads to hold or rework.
2. Late DG declarations: Missing the 30–60 day MSDS deadline triggers surcharge or rejection of materials at dock.
3. Improper containment: Poor booth enclosures and filtration cause fumes in neighbouring stands and Dubai Municipality fines.
4. Incorrect waste disposal: Dumping solvents or filter media into general waste — results in fines and wasted demo time.
5. Failed fire‑rating certificates: Using non‑rated joinery or finishes; organisers enforce “Better Stands” policies and will stop builds.

Practical pre‑show plan (30–60 days out) — step‑by‑step checklist

• 30–60 days: Submit MSDS (English/Arabic) and Hazardous Materials Declaration to DEC; confirm DG packing lists.
• 60 days: Book official exhibitor freight forwarder and arrange hazardous goods last‑mile handling.
• 45 days: Complete engineered shop drawings and RAMS; obtain structural sign‑off for any exhaust stacks or heavy equipment.
• 30–45 days: Request mock‑up approval from organiser; schedule a full‑scale pre‑assembly test with your builder.
• 21–14 days: Label staged deliveries; book empty‑case storage at DEC through the official contractor.

Burdak solution breakdown: removing every compliance risk

We combine UAE‑based in‑house fabrication, CNC joinery and guaranteed 3D/full‑scale mock‑ups to pre‑certify spray setups before DEC. Key deliverables:

• Pre‑built enclosed demo booths with certified capture filters or water‑curtain systems, assembled in our factory and performance‑tested.
• Fire‑rated storage cabinets and metal flammable lockers fabricated to Dubai Municipality standards.
• Complete English/Arabic MSDS packs, Hazardous Materials Declaration templates and DG packing lists ready for submission.
• RAMS, engineered shop drawings and structural sign‑off templates for DEC/venue engineering review.
• Custom customs‑ready crates and labelled shipments for authorised freight forwarder handling; we prepare DG paperwork to avoid dock rejection.

By pre‑assembling full‑scale mock‑ups in our factory we replicate roof‑termination, filtration performance and demo ergonomics so organisers can approve the design before it reaches DEC.

Cost & time ROI — practical numbers for decision‑makers

Use these conservative assumptions to evaluate risk vs. Burdak pre‑assembly:

• Typical stand build cost: AED 50,000 (baseline).
• Last‑mile DG handling premium charged by third parties: 10–30% (AED 5,000–15,000).
• Late‑order surcharges and remediation: typically 20–50% of build cost (AED 10,000–25,000) plus lost demo time.
• Burdak pre‑assembly adds 10–25% to the build budget for compliant, reusable systems but reduces on‑site time by ~40–60%.

Example: For a AED 50,000 build, opting for Burdak pre‑assembly at +15% (AED 7,500) can avoid a single late‑remediation event costing AED 15,000–25,000 and a DG last‑mile premium of AED 10,000. Net savings and risk avoidance therefore commonly outweigh the incremental pre‑assembly cost.

Immediate action checklist & timeline for coatings exhibitors

• Order this week: English/Arabic MSDS and Hazardous Materials Declaration; confirm whether your coatings require flammable cabinet storage.
• Brief: Project manager, marketing lead and logistics on DG deadlines and on‑stand demo scope.
• Book: Official freight forwarder referenced in the exhibitor manual and reserve empty‑case storage.
• Contact Burdak: Request a factory full‑scale mock‑up and pre‑assembly offer — we provide a guaranteed sign‑off pack for DEC.

Burdak contact & mock‑up offer: We are offering priority mock‑up slots for DEC exhibitors; reach out to our project team to secure a factory pre‑assembly date and receive our RAMS/shop‑drawing templates to accelerate approval.

FAQ

Q: When must MSDS and Hazardous Materials Declarations be submitted?

A: Submit MSDS in English and Arabic and the Hazardous Materials Declaration 30–60 days before DEC. Late submissions are subject to surcharges or rejection.

Q: Can we vent exhaust into the DEC roof without a permit?

A: No — roof termination often needs venue engineering sign‑off and a Dubai Municipality permit. Plan exhaust design early and use our engineered shop drawings to fast‑track approvals.

Q: Is on‑stand bulk storage of paint allowed?

A: No — DM‑HSD‑GU42‑PSB2 and DEC rules prohibit on‑stand bulk storage. Use approved metal fire‑cabinets and official freight forwarder storage.

Q: What savings does Burdak pre‑assembly deliver?

A: Our project records show factory pre‑assembly and full‑scale mock‑ups typically cut on‑site build time by ~40–60% and avoid costly remediation surcharges and last‑mile DG premiums.

For coatings brands planning live spray demos at DEC, proactive compliance is both a regulatory and commercial imperative. Contact Burdak Technical Services to book a pre‑assembly mock‑up and secure spray booth compliance Dubai for your DEC launch.