Civil Defense Consultant SOW

The Civil Defense Consultant (CDC) in Saudi Arabia is responsible for ensuring that the fire and
life safety systems comply with Saudi Civil Defense (SCD) regulations and standards during the
design phases of a building or infrastructure project. The consultant will review, advise, design,
and integrate firefighting systems, smoke extraction, ventilation systems, evacuation routes,
and other life safety measures during the Concept Design, Design Development, Permit, and
Technical Design phases.

1. Concept Design Phase

The Concept Design Phase focuses on defining the high-level fire and life safety strategy for the
building and ensuring that it aligns with regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

 Initial Project Review & Site Analysis:

o Review project scope, building type, occupancy, and risk profile.

o Assess site conditions, including access for emergency vehicles and proximity to
fire stations.

 High-Level Fire and Life Safety Strategy:

o Develop a fire protection strategy that addresses fire detection, alarm systems,
fire suppression systems (e.g., sprinklers, extinguishers), and emergency exits.

o Provide a preliminary smoke extraction and ventilation strategy tailored to

building design and occupancy.

o Define evacuation routes, emergency exits, stairwell designs, refuge areas, and
assembly points in compliance with regulations.

 Compliance with Saudi Civil Defense Regulations:

o Review compliance with the Saudi Building Code (SBC) and Saudi Civil Defense
(SCD) requirements.

o Advise on key aspects like fire resistance ratings, compartmentation, fire

separation, and access for firefighting.

 Preliminary Risk Assessment:

o Conduct an initial fire and life safety risk assessment, identifying potential
hazards and recommending preliminary mitigation measures.

 Coordination with Other Disciplines:

 o Collaborate with architects, engineers, and other consultants to ensure fire and
life safety are integrated early in the design.

Deliverables for Concept Design Phase:

 Concept Design Report: High-level strategy for fire and life safety systems.

 Preliminary Fire and Life Safety Drawings: Schematic layout of fire protection systems,
escape routes, and fire separation zones.

 Compliance Checklist: Verification of the initial design compliance with SCD and SBC
standards.

 Risk Assessment Summary: Initial assessment of fire risks and safety measures.

2. Design Development Phase

In the Design Development Phase, the fire and life safety systems are refined, and detailed
design documentation begins to take shape.

Key Responsibilities:

 Detailed Fire Protection Systems Design:

o Fire Fighting Systems:

 Finalize the design for sprinkler systems (wet, dry, or pre-action),

hydrants, hose reels, fire extinguishers, and fire fighting equipment
placement.

 Ensure firefighting systems are appropriately sized and located for

optimal coverage and compliance with SCD requirements.

o Smoke Extraction & Ventilation:

 Design the smoke extraction system, including mechanical ventilation,

smoke vents, and emergency smoke exhaust fans.

 Develop an emergency ventilation strategy for stairwells, elevator

shafts, and public areas to prevent smoke accumulation during
evacuation.

 Evacuation & Egress Planning:

o Finalize evacuation routes and exit stairwells to comply with building height,
occupancy load, and travel distance regulations.

o Provide designs for refuge areas for occupants with disabilities or special needs.

 Fire Compartmentation & Structural Design:

 o Design fire compartments and define fire-rated walls, ceilings, and doors for
fire containment.

o Ensure that the building’s structural components are adequately protected

against fire exposure, including fireproofing of columns, beams, and other load-
bearing elements.

 Coordination with MEP & Structural Systems:

o Ensure that fire protection systems do not interfere with HVAC systems,
electrical systems, and plumbing.

o Collaborate with engineers to integrate systems while maintaining code

compliance.

Deliverables for Design Development Phase:

 Detailed Fire and Life Safety Drawings: Revised layouts for fire protection systems,
escape routes, smoke extraction systems, and emergency ventilation.

 Evacuation Analysis Report: Verification of compliance with evacuation requirements

(e.g., maximum travel distances, exit capacity).

 Fire Protection Systems Specifications: Detailed specifications for sprinklers, hydrants,

fire alarms, and other firefighting equipment.

 Smoke Control & Ventilation Strategy: Final design of smoke extraction and ventilation
systems, including mechanical smoke exhaust, vents, and fans.

 Coordination Report: Summary of coordination efforts with the project team to

integrate fire and life safety systems.

3. Permit Phase

The Permit Phase is where the design is finalized for submission to Saudi Civil Defense for
review and approval. This phase focuses on preparing all documentation required to obtain
construction and occupancy permits.

Key Responsibilities:

 Prepare Permit Submissions:

o Fire and Life Safety Drawings: Finalize and prepare fire protection drawings,
including sprinkler system layouts, firefighting equipment locations, smoke
extraction details, and emergency lighting/exit signs.

o Fire Fighting Systems Documentation: Prepare detailed drawings and

specifications for the firefighting systems.
 o Compliance Documentation: Ensure the design complies with Saudi Civil
Defense (SCD) regulations and Saudi Building Code (SBC) requirements,
submitting all necessary supporting documents.

 Review & Address Civil Defense Comments:

o Submit the designs to SCD for review and respond to any queries or required
revisions.

o Address feedback from SCD and incorporate any necessary adjustments into the
design to meet local regulations and safety standards.

 Final Documentation for Permits:

o Compile and submit all documentation needed for obtaining construction

permits and occupancy permits, including technical reports, system
calculations, and final drawings.

 Consultation with Local Authorities:

o Liaise with local Civil Defense authorities to ensure smooth approval of fire
safety systems and resolve any outstanding issues related to permit approvals.

Deliverables for Permit Phase:

 Permit Submission Package: Complete set of fire and life safety drawings (final version),
including fire protection, smoke control, ventilation, evacuation systems, and firefighting
systems.

 Compliance Report: A final document confirming compliance with SCD regulations and
SBC codes.

 Fire Protection System Calculation Report: Detailed calculations for sprinkler systems,
fire alarms, and fire resistance ratings to justify compliance with SCD regulations.

 Permit Approval Response: Documentation addressing feedback from Civil Defense and
providing clarifications or revisions as needed.

4. Technical Design Phase

The Technical Design Phase focuses on the detailed design, ensuring all fire and life safety
systems are fully specified and ready for implementation during construction. This includes
providing detailed technical drawings and specifications for the fire protection systems.

Key Responsibilities:

 Fire and Life Safety Drawings:

o Finalize firefighting system drawings, including the layout of sprinklers,

hydrants, extinguishers, hose reels, and fire alarms.
 o Complete smoke extraction system drawings, including detailed layout of
smoke vents, exhaust fans, ductwork, and control panels.

o Prepare ventilation system drawings, ensuring integration with fire safety

measures and compliance with smoke control strategies.

 Fire Protection Systems Specifications:

o Provide detailed specifications for firefighting equipment, fire alarms, sprinklers,

smoke control systems, and ventilation systems, including model numbers,
installation details, and performance criteria.

o Confirm the capacity and sizing of firefighting systems based on the building's
size, occupancy, and fire load.

 Construction Details & Implementation:

o Provide detailed construction drawings for the installation of fire protection

systems, including sprinkler pipe layouts, smoke extraction ductwork, and
system controls.

o Ensure the designs align with the project's final architectural and MEP designs,
ensuring seamless integration during construction.

 Coordination with Contractors:

o Coordinate with contractors and construction teams to ensure that fire and life
safety systems are correctly implemented according to the final design.

o Assist in reviewing construction schedules and resolving issues related to fire

safety during construction.

Deliverables for Technical Design Phase:

 Fire Protection System Drawings: Detailed plans showing the design and layout of
sprinklers, hydrants, extinguishers, fire alarms, and other fire protection systems.

 Smoke Control & Ventilation Drawings: Finalized designs and detailed layouts for smoke
extraction systems, ventilation ducts, and fans.

 Fire Protection System Specifications: Final specifications for all fire safety equipment,
including technical details and compliance data.

 Construction Drawings: Detailed technical drawings and construction documents for the
implementation of fire safety systems.

 System Calculation Reports: Final calculation reports for sprinkler coverage, fire
resistance ratings, smoke control, and ventilation.
Summary of Deliverables for Each Phase

Phase Deliverables

Concept Design Phase - Concept Design Report

- Preliminary Fire and Life Safety Drawings
- Compliance Checklist
- Risk Assessment Summary

Design Development - Detailed Fire and Life Safety Drawings

Phase - Evacuation Analysis Report
- Fire Protection Systems Specifications
- Smoke Control & Ventilation Strategy
- Coordination Report

Permit Phase - Permit Submission Package (Fire and Life Safety Drawings, Fire
Protection System Calculations)
- Compliance Report
- Permit Approval Response

Technical Design - Final Fire Protection System Drawings

Phase - Smoke Control and Ventilation Drawings
- Fire Protection System Specifications
- Construction Drawings
- System Calculation Reports