NFPA Journal - Winter 2022 - 51

blocks being connected on most of the levels via
one continuous exit access corridor running along
the entire length of the project. The client decided
to add additional restaurants to this mixed-use
residential complex. The problem was that he
wanted to locate the restaurants above the level
of exit discharge, and the exits and exit accesses
weren't enough, or suitably accessible, for the
additional assembly occupancies. In this case,
the solution was to add external exit stairs that
allowed egress from the restaurants down to the
level of exit discharge, and also provide access to
the nearest apartment building means of egress
where possible.
I've also had cases where I faced two or more
challenges in the same structure, which made it
even more exciting to find a suitable solution that
satisfied all stakeholders. In my experience, airport
projects are examples of huge-scale facilities that are
especially prone to these kinds of challenges-but
airports are worlds unto themselves, and the fire
and life safety challenges they present are topics
for another article.
E
very project I have worked on has taught
me something new. Being a fire and
life safety expert in the MENA region
brings endless learning opportunities
and comes with great responsibilities.
It is very rewarding to be part of a
regional design, engineering, and building effort
that is characterized by some of the most innovative
work happening anywhere in the world.
To maintain this level of design and safety innovation,
GCC countries must remain on an evolving
track to improve their regulatory practices around
building planning and construction and to stay up
to date on important tools, including codes and standards.
GCC nations are moving forward by aligning
with their international counterparts in an array of
building and construction fields, including fire and
life safety. Taking a stricter approach toward fire
protection and prevention and empowering AHJs
can only help GCC nations-and MENA as a whole-
continue to attract the kind of investment that has
generated ambitious economic goals and produced
scores of stunning buildings and other structures.
I often find myself the
only woman in a room
full of men. I entered
the field at a time when
women were still fighting
hard to increase their
role across engineering
sectors and to be
heard and respected
for their intellect.
I should add that fire and life safety is still
known as a man's world, and I often find myself
the only woman in a room full of men-another
type of challenge I have had to overcome throughout
my career. I entered the field at a time when
women were still fighting hard to increase their
role across engineering sectors and to be heard
and respected for their intellect. With this challenge
and many others, I have overcome obstacles
by remaining resilient, enriching my knowledge,
and broadening my analytical perspective, and
today I am proud to be a fire and life safety expert
based in the country where I was born and raised,
working across the MENA region. It has been very
satisfying to see many more women enter the field
and flourish, contributing energy and ideas to critical
areas of fire and life safety. They remind me
how honored I am to work among the dedicated
professionals-women and men-who strive to
make this world a safer place.
SAWSAN DAHHAM is global head of fire and life safety at Dar
Al Handasah in Beirut, Lebanon.
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NFPA Journal - Winter 2022

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