Sawsan’s bio

Sawsan Dahham
CEO

Sawsan Founded Siena on the basis of her infinite passion for the Fire and Life Safety industry, to continuously contribute in its growth in the MENA region and to play a vital role in its development and awareness worldwide.
She is a recognized Fire and Life safety expert with a 17 years’ experience in specialist engineering consultancy, FLS design strategy and business management. She is also an Authorized NFPA instructor and an enthusiastic speaker.
She is also well versed in many codes and standards such as NFPA, IBC, Saudi Building Code, UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice, Qatar Civil Defense Department Guidelines, Gulf Countries Code, Jordanian Code, Egyptian Code, Kuwaiti Code, French Codes (Règlement de Sécurité Contre l’Incendie), British Standards, HTM etc.
Sawsan was the Global Head of Fire and Life Safety at Dar Al Hadassah, an International multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, where she has acquired an extensive experience in the design, review and management having worked on all types of major projects such as mixed-use complexes, airports, health care facilities, and prestigious urban developments located in the Arab Gulf region, the Middle East, and Africa.
In 2023, she was shortlisted as an “International Leader” finalist at the Intersec awards.
Sawsan is a conference speaker having participated in many conferences: “Civil Defense leads a decade of progress in Fire and Life Safety in the MENA region.” NFPA 125th anniversary conference series, February 2022.
“Fire and Life Safety Strategies in the MENA region: Case Studies in Growth, NFPA Influence and Mega project.” NFPA 2022 Conference and Expo, Boston,
“The 2020 Beirut Explosion: Lessons learned from and Ecosystem Failure.” NFPA 2022 Conference and Expo, Boston
“Fire and Life Safety design in Airports: Hamad International Airport case study.” NFPA 2023 Conference and Expo, Las Vegas
“Health and Wellbeing in Workplace”, Panel discussion. IFSJ Leaders in Fire and Life Safety Conference 2023. Dubai
“Women in Engineering”, the new Energi Talks podcast series. June, 2023.

She also wrote some articles and contributed in publications related to the FLS industry:
Interview in NFPA Journal winter edition 2021 “City in a Coma”.
NFPA blogs “Fifteen female fire and life safety influencers reflect on what International Women’s
Day means to them”, March 8 2022.
Article for NFPA Journal winter edition 2022 “Arab Style”.
Interview with MEP magazine (Middle East) March 2023 “Shifting the MEP landscape”.

Substantial Experience

In her role as Global Head of Fire and Life Safety at Dar, she led the design, review and management of Fire and Life Safety engineering scope of work for all the projects undertaken by the company.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Airports

King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and obtaining the Authorities approval for a new airport based on a new phased master plan up to the year 2035 (Phase 1 up to 2019), comprising a new passenger terminal complex (810,000 m²) with a capacity of 30 million passengers per annum, 80 millions in ultimate phase, to replace the existing North and South Terminals; facility design to cater for both domestic and international operations, A380 aircrafts and full hub capability with latest systems and equipment; Haramain railway station and an automated passenger mover (APM) system; support buildings and facilities; upgrading of existing terminals; and a major landside commercial zone, complementing the main development.

NEOM Bay Airport Expansion, Saudi Arabia.
King Salman Military Airbase in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
King Khaled International Airport Expansion/Concourse H and Link TL1, Saudi Arabia.
King Khaled International Airport Terminal Expansion and Refurbishment Program – Terminals 3 and 4, Saudi Arabia.

Shopping malls

The Avenues Mall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and obtaining the Authorities approval for a luxury shopping mall with a total built-up area of more than 1,400,000 m².
The mall includes leasable areas allocated for retailers (around 400,000 m2), utility areas and circulation (around 350,000 m²), parking area (around 700,000 m²), and landscape and external works.

Assembly

Al Shamiya Expansion Project
Madinah Convention Centre, Saudi Arabia.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and obtaining the Authorities approval for a 4- storey convention centre (including a basement level) on a site area of 91,000 m².
The project consists of a main convention theatre for 2,500 persons, 2 large exhibition halls, 3 multi-purpose halls, meeting rooms, business centre, economic and media centre, service and landscaped areas, helipad, and all infrastructure systems and networks. Parking spaces for 2,100 cars are provided at both the basement and ground levels. Total built-up area: 40,405 m².

ARAMCO Corporate Academy, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
G20 Building, Saudi Arabia.

Expo 2020 Saudi Arabia Pavilion

Mixed use developments

NEOM Industrial City Village, Saudi Arabia.
NEOM Mountain Base Camp, Saudi Arabia.
Qafila Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and obtaining the Authorities approval for several buildings on adjacent plots forming a central plaza for public activities around a pleasant lake and landscaping features. The buildings include: south retail building of 2,994 m2 BUA (including car service station), gas station and ATM: 1,540 m2; north retail building of 4,068 m2 BUA and a 400 m2 mosque area; office building 01 (7,988 m² BUA); office building 02 (7,988 m² BUA); CUP building (2,488 m²) and LPG with a footprint of 220 m2.

Project, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi ARAMCO Abu Ali Bachelor Camp, Saudi Arabia.

Healthcare

National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA) Specialized Hospitals in Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif and Qassim Regions, Saudi Arabia.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and obtaining the Authorities approval for five LEED-certified hospital complexes as follows: 284 beds Women’s Hospital at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Riyadh built-up area of 70,650 m²; King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital with a capacity of 346 beds, consisting of a 10-storey healthcare building of a built-up area of 100,249 m²; Neuroscience and Trauma Care Centre at the National Guard’s King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah (total built-up area of 46,056 m²) with a capacity of 176 beds; and King Salman Specialized Hospital in Taif and King Abdullah Specialized Hospital in Qassim, each consisting of a 308- bed, 82,650 m² healthcare building in addition to other accommodation and services buildings.

Neuroscience Centre, Saudi Arabia.
Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Saudi Arabia.

Business

Ministry of Transport Headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and obtaining the Authorities approval for a 28-storey/130 m high headquarters tower on a site area of 5,695 m² and of a total built-up area of 58,200 m².

The tower has 5 basements for car-parking (718 stalls) and a rooftop helipad. A 70 m² swimming pool is located on the 14th floor, and hanging garden, restaurants, and cafés are located on the 27th and 28th floors.

Estidamah Project, Saudi Arabia.
EXPEC Advanced Research Centre Laboratory Buildings, Aramco, Saudi Arabia.

Storage and Industrial

NUPCO Logistics Operations Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Support facilities

SPARK Dry Port, Saudi Arabia.

Qatar

Airports

HIA Central Concourse, Qatar.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued IFC FLS documents, construction deign compliance supervision and coordination with Qatar Civil Defense authority and obtaining their approval for Hamad International Airport CC terminal expansion. The concourse comprises contact and remote gates, Luxury shops, Duty free area, food and beverages, gate lounges, VIP lounges and back of house services.

Hamad International Airport Expansion Projects for Concourses D&E, Qatar.
Remote Transfer Baggage Handling Facility, Qatar.
Cargo Terminal 2 at Hamad International Airport, Qatar.
Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents, and coordination with Qatar Civil Defense authority and obtaining their approval for a new cargo handling and warehouse facility for Terminal 2 along with its utility services, expansion of CUP 4, a food testing laboratory for the Ministry of Public Health, access routes (including pedestrian, car, and truck main gates; parking spaces; bus stops; and roads), cargo terminal airside and landside circulation (vehicle and pedestrian), and landscaping and external works. The cargo terminal has a capacity of 3.2 million tons.
Cargo Bridging Facilities & AVI, Qatar.

Assembly

Centralized Customs Area at the New Port Project (NPP), Qatar.
West Bay Central Bus Station & Water Transport Ferry Terminals, Qatar.
Panda Enclosure and Viewing Facility, Qatar.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents, and coordination with Qatar Civil Defense authority and obtaining their approval for a panda enclosure and touristic viewing facility to accommodate two adult pandas at a site location close to Al Khor, within Al Khor Zoo Park. The total BUA is about 7,760 m2. The project also comprises a utility building, electrical substation, and BOH building.

Mixed use developments

Lusail Katara Hotels (Twin Towers) at Marina District, Qatar.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire, Issue FLS documents, construction compliance and coordination with Qatar Civil Defense authority and obtaining their approval for a landmark attraction consisting of two 39- floors twin towers resting on a common podium, and destined to accommodate separate 5-star and 6-star hotels branded apartments with high end finishing in addition to rooftop cigar lounge/restaurant and large ballrooms. Total built-up area: 292,500 m².

Mixed-Use Developments and Related Facilities at Marsa Arabia, The Pearl, Qatar.

Design and design review of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents, construction deign compliance supervision and coordination with Qatar Civil Defense authority and obtaining their approval of a branded luxury St. Regis furnished apartment and 5 stars hotel. Total built-up area: 153,330 m².

The Ned, Doha, Qatar.
Gewan Island, Qatar.

Design and design review of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and coordination with Qatar Civil Defense authority and obtaining their approval for a mixed-use development of a gross floor area of 360,000 m², consisting of 53 villas, 14 residential and retail buildings of which 10 central spine buildings serviced by a common 87,640 m² basement, 2 hotels, 4 standalone retail buildings, several service buildings, mosque, clubhouse.

Yasmeen City, Doha, Qatar.
Consultancy Services for Al Waab City Central District – Phase 1, Qatar.

Residential

Qatar Airways Accommodations at Old Doha International Airport, Qatar.
Doha Marriott Gulf Hotel, Qatar.
Lusail Residential Tower for The Commercial Bank PSQC, Qatar.
Special VIP Residence-Package 2: TJ Palace, Qatar.

Healthcare

Hamad General Hospital Safety Improvement and Risk Mitigation, Qatar.

United Arab of Emirates

Airports

Dubai International Airport

Concourse D at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates.
Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and obtaining the Authorities approval for a LEED-certified airside satellite concourse building (CD) situated on the west side of Dubai International Airport, and linked to Terminal 1 (T1) by an Automated People Mover (APM) system. CD is a fully airside structure developed under a metal shell to accommodate 17 aircraft stands (12 Code E, 4 Code F and one Code C) with contact gates and boarding lounges. It consists of the apron floor that includes most of the technical and support areas as well as a bussing area for remote gates; a first floor dedicated to the departure level, comprising boarding lounges and a main concession area (retail, duty free, food and beverage, and other services); a second-floor housing arrival galleries and different first/business lounges; and a partial third floor for MEP services. Footprint area: 64,460 m².
Gross built-up area: 149,600 m². Capacity: 18 million annual passengers.
Dubai Airport (DXB Plus) – Baggage Handling System, United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Airport (DXB Plus) – Terminal 3 Modifications, United Arab Emirates.
Terminal 1 Modifications at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates.
Concourse C Improvements at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates.
Terminal 1 Upgrade at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Airport (DXB Plus) – Remote Coaching Facilities, United Arab Emirates.
Dubai International Airport Expansion (Phase 2) – Concourse A, United Arab Emirates.
Al Maktoum International (AMI) – West Area Roads and Curbside (2 Packages), United Arab Emirates.
Support Facilities for Southside Al Maktoum International (AMI), United Arab Emirates.
Bombardier MRO Hangar Facility at ADIA, United Arab Emirates.

Shopping malls

Dragon Mart Expansion, United Arab Emirates.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents and obtaining the Authorities approval for the expansion of a large trading hub for Chinese products. The expansion’s site area is of 160,522 m², and its built-up area is 180,000 m² for retail spaces in 2 storeys and 160,000 m² for car-parking (roof of the Mart in addition to a multi-storey facility and surface parking with a total of 3,000 parking spaces). The expansion also comprises a 246-guestroom 2-star hotel (16,614 m²), and central utility complex (CUC).

The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Assembly

Coca-Cola Arena, United Arab Emirates.

Mohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) Football Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Mixed use developments

Consultancy Services for ADNOC New Headquarters – Phase II, United Arab Emirates.
Petroleum Institute Male Students Centre, Auditorium, Car Park and Mosque, Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates.
Airshow Facility at Dubai World Central (DWC) Aviation City, United Arab Emirates.

Residential

Azure Residences, United Arab Emirates.

Kuwait

Mixed use developments

Kuwait International Petroleum Research Center (KIPRC) and other Related Facilities, Kuwait.

Oman

Mixed use developments

Main Consultancy Services for Al-Hafa Mixed-Use Development, Oman.

Iraq

Universities campus

Salahaddin University – Erbil – New Campus (Buildings), Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Jordan

Residential

Ritz Carlton Hotel and Residences, Amman, Jordan.

Egypt

Mixed use developments

Consultancy Services for Emaar Square, Uptown Cairo, Egypt.

Lebanon

Healthcare

American University of Beirut (AUB) Medical Center Expansion, Lebanon.

Rwanda

Airports

New Bugesera International Airport (NBIA) – Main Terminal, Ancillary Buildings, and Infrastructure, Rwanda.

Design of Fire and Life Safety strategy, review all engineering scope related to fire safety, monitoring the preparation of the Issued FLS documents for the New Bugesera International Airport (NBIA) in Rwanda.

The project is located in Rwanda, 25 km from the existing Kigali Airport.

The new airport is proposed to replace the current Kigali International airport (KGL), and act as a regional hub for East Africa. The proposed design of the building will function as a hub for international and domestic airlines.

Angola

Healthcare

Camama Mother and Child Hospital, Luanda, Angola.
Cabinda General Hospital, Angola.

Mixed use developments

Luanda New City Center and Water Front, Angola.