Labour Accommodation Portacabins in the UAE: Layout, Capacity and Compliance Guide

For contractors running large projects in the UAE, a well-planned labour camp is about more than compliance. It affects health, productivity and staff retention. Portacabins and prefabricated buildings are the fastest way to set up a camp near your site, and this guide covers what to plan for.

Requirements vary by emirate and are updated over time. Confirm current standards with MOHRE, your local municipality and Civil Defence before finalising your design.

What a Complete Labour Camp Includes

• Accommodation blocks: bedrooms with beds, lockers, AC and adequate ventilation.
• Ablution blocks: toilets, showers and wash basins in proportion to occupancy.
• Kitchens and dining halls: food preparation, storage and seating areas.
• Laundry rooms: washing machines, drying areas and sinks.
• Clinic or first-aid room: often required for larger camps.
• Prayer rooms and recreation areas.
• Admin office and security cabin at the entrance.
• Water storage: usually GRP water tanks.

Planning the Accommodation Blocks

Space per Occupant

Authorities set minimum floor area per worker, maximum occupants per room and minimum ceiling heights. Design to the current standard for your emirate and leave a margin, because inspectors measure.

Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Every room needs adequate fresh air and cooling. Insulated sandwich panels reduce heat gain and AC load. See our insulation guide.

Corridors and Escape Routes

Plan clear corridors, exits at both ends of long blocks, emergency lighting and signage. Double-storey blocks need steel staircases that meet escape requirements.

Sanitary Facilities

The number of WCs, showers and basins is set by occupancy. Locate ablution blocks close to the bedrooms but separate from kitchens. Our mobile toilet and shower units are built with anti-slip floors, ceramic or PVC walls and factory-tested plumbing, ready to connect to the sewer, septic tank or holding tank.

Kitchens and Dining Halls

Kitchens need washable surfaces, proper ventilation and exhaust, fire suppression or extinguishers near cooking areas, and separate food storage. Dining halls are usually large-span prefab buildings with open-plan interiors.

Fire Safety

• Fire alarm and detection systems
• Extinguishers and fire blankets in kitchens
• Emergency lighting and exit signs
• Required separation distances between blocks
• Fire-rated construction where Civil Defence requires it (see fire-rated portacabins)

Portacabins or Prefab Buildings?

For small camps or short durations, portacabins are quick and relocatable. For camps of several hundred workers or longer projects, prefabricated buildings with larger spans, double-storey blocks and better finishes usually give better value per occupant.

Site Preparation Checklist

1. Confirm land use and approvals
2. Level and compact the ground, and prepare foundations or bases
3. Plan power (grid or generator) and the load
4. Plan water supply, storage tanks and drainage
5. Plan access for trucks and cranes
6. Set out the camp layout with fire separation distances

Labour Camps Across the UAE

We build labour accommodation for projects in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and the other emirates, from small site camps to complete phased facilities.