Pre-Construction Risk Assessment for Data Centre Project 

Pre-Construction Risk Assessment for Data Centre Project

Client: Tier-III Data Centre Developer 
Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
Sector: Critical Infrastructure  

Natural hazards and targeted threats are key considerations in designing critical infrastructure such as data centres. This case study outlines how MitKat Advisory conducted a combined Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and Threat Vulnerability Risk Assessment (TVRA) for a site in Riyadh, ensuring secure, compliant, and resilient pre-construction planning for datacentre. 

Client Requirement

The client was preparing for a high-value data centre build in Riyadh, requiring proactive hazard identification and regulatory alignment. Core concerns included: 

  • Flood Exposure: Urban development and topography raised concerns of localised flooding during rare but intense rainfall. 
  • Threat Landscape: The site’s criticality warranted a comprehensive review of physical and human security threats. 
  • Regulatory Compliance: Local authority clearances and design readiness required formal risk assessment documentation. 

Our Approach 

MitKat delivered an integrated assessment covering: 

  • Flood Risk Simulation: Using professional software and topographic inputs to identify probable flood zones and high-impact areas. 
  • Threat Vulnerability Risk Assessment (TVRA): Evaluated threat vectors including sabotage, unauthorised access, and regional risks using ISO 31000 and TIA-942 standards. 
  • Mitigation Recommendations: Provided tailored design, siting, and response suggestions to meet international standards and local authority frameworks. 

Outcome 

  • Flood and threat vulnerabilities mapped across site and infrastructure plans 
  • Actionable design-level guidance incorporated into master planning 
  • Improved compliance with international data centre resilience protocols 
  • Risk-informed tendering and construction readiness 

MitKat’s approach reinforced the client’s ability to meet both regulatory and operational objectives through targeted risk consulting for data centre compliance and resilience.