Introduction
Are you planning an office fit-out in the UAE? Many businesses think that they need only to focus on the actual fit-out itself (that is, the furniture, lighting, partitioning, etc.) and they will be ready for business two weeks before the project’s handover date. Then someone asks them, “Who does IT?” That’s where the cost starts to accumulate and everything starts to become a challenge and source of stress.
The fact of the matter is that both IT and ELV infrastructures have to be planned for from day one and not just an afterthought. Whether you are fitting out a 1,000-square-foot start-up office in Dubai Internet City or a 20,000-square-foot head office in Abu Dhabi the fundamentals are essential and the infrastructure needs to be in place early; it is only then that all other aspects can follow suit. It is the intention of this guide to provide you with an understanding of what you need to know as a business owner in 2026.
What is ELV Infrastructure and why should we care?
ELV is “Extra Low Voltage” meaning the systems in your workplace that run on low-voltage electricity (i.e., data cabling and networking, CCTV, access control systems, audio-visual systems, building management systems, etc.).
In a contemporary office in the UAE, ELV and IT infrastructure are significantly intertwined. Your structured cabling system is acting as a primary foundation for every system in your office. If this is not designed and integrated into the backlog of your system architecture correctly, there is the potential for systems to be incompatible, cabling to be improperly installed and you will have an expensive bill for redoing the work.
Dubai Municipality has distinct compliance requirements for commercial ELV installations. If you are not compliant with these guidelines, you’ll face not only financial losses, but you won’t be able to achieve the final occupancy permit for your building fit-out.
1. Consider the Network Prior to Finalizing the Floor Plan
In your design stage, the IT consultant should be included in the planning process as opposed to only once the walls have been installed. The following questions need answers:
- Where will the server room be located?
- How many work stations will be on each floor?
- Will audio-visual equipment be required for any of the meeting rooms?
- Where will the CCTV network reach?
The answers to these questions will determine how much conduit you need, how large your conduit is, and how the racks are going to be set up. If you answer them late, you’ll be paying for rework.
As hybrid working becomes the new norm in UAE offices in 2026, and with more people using the network for video conferencing, access to cloud-based solutions, and connectivity with IoT devices, load planning for your network has taken on even greater importance. You need to design your network to accommodate all users simultaneously without degrading performance.
2.The Foundation for Structured Cabling
Think of structured cabling as highways in your office. All things like the internet or telephone, audio visual equipment and access control devices, all travel along these pathways.
For UAE offices in 2026, Cat6A will be the basic standard for horizontal connections. Fiber backbone should be used for inter-floor connections. BICSI standards, the world-wide standard for cabling infrastructure of all kinds, recommend that structured cabling be installed before a single ELV system is installed.
In the normal office fit out in the UAE there are typically two data points at each workstation and cabling is required to be dedicated to meeting rooms with a centralised utility room on each floor.
3. Don't Leave CCTV and Access Control Until The End
You must have CCTV in all commercial offices in the UAE; in Dubai, your CCTV installation must meet SIRA regulations, and is designed and installed by an Approved SIRA company. CCTV cameras must be placed at entry points to achieve complete view of the office premises, including reception, server room(s) and car park. CCTV can be installed via the structured cabling network if the cabling was done correctly.
Access control, such as swipe cards, biometric readers and mobile access to the premises, must also be planned in advance. Every access point in an office will require the following; power; cabling from your central server (throughout); and connectivity to your central server. If you fail to plan this properly, you will cut into your finished walls after handover.
4. Compliance: Don't Skip This Step
When fitting out any office in the U.A.E with ELV systems a full set of documentation needs to be issued along with approvals. Each free zone (D.I.F.C., T.E.C.O.M., and D.A.F.Z.A.) has a separate submission process to follow and also needs to comply with the municipality of Dubai. Plan for 1-2 weeks for approvals within your timeline.
Ensure that your IT Contractor provides full as-built drawings and tests certificates once completed. Without these documents, you could run into problems during tenancy renewal and for any future fittings. The top infrastructure companies in Dubai will complete this documentation as a matter of course – NOT as an extra.
Let's Build It Right From Day One
The longer you wait to engage with an IT partner on your fit out, the more at risk you are for rework. We work alongside your fit out contractor from first fix cabling through to final commissioning ensuring no detail is missed, nothing is moved, and your office will be ready on time!
If you are planning to fit out your space, now is the ideal time to reach out. Schedule a consultation with one of our IT/ELV pre-fit out specialists and receive a comprehensive infrastructure plan before construction begins.
Book Your Free Pre-Fit-Out Consultation with Powerlink Today !
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does IT need to be fitted out?
From day one of the project, concurrent with the architectural fit-out.
What is the minimum cabling standard for offices in the UAE?
The minimum cabling standard is Cat6A for data cabling by 2026 and glass fibre for backbone runs.
Does a SIRA registered company have to install CCTV?
Yes, all commercial CCTV installations in Dubai must meet SIRA requirements.
How long does it usually take to fit out IT and ELV?
Typically between an 8−10 week time frame for a medium size office from design until commissioning.
What will happen if IT is late in the planning stage?
The IT will have an increased amount of rework (20%−30%), delays and costs.
