Ubhur Fakeh Hospital

Fakeeh Company is developing a new, state-of-the-art medical facility in the Obhur district of Jeddah to serve the Western Region. The hospital sits on a prime 9,740 m² plot surrounded by four main roads, with direct access to the Corniche Service Road. This strategic location ensures easy accessibility for emergency vehicles and patients. The facility is designed to provide comprehensive healthcare services, acting as a critical medical hub for the growing Obhur community.

The primary challenge in designing for hospitals is that many occupants—such as patients in surgery or intensive care—cannot use stairs to escape during an emergency. Unlike standard buildings where “everyone gets out,” hospitals require a strategy where patients can be protected inside the building. We also had to manage specific high-risk zones, such as laboratories and operating rooms, while ensuring strict compliance with the rigorous Saudi Building Code (SBC 201) and NFPA standards for healthcare facilities.

Red Helmet Engineering implemented a robust “Defend-in-Place” strategy. This involved designing the building with strict fire compartments, allowing staff to move patients horizontally to a safe zone on the same floor rather than evacuating them down the stairs. This approach ensures maximum patient safety without disrupting the critical medical functions of the hospital.