ABSTRACT
This research work focuses on reducing the incident of fire
outbreak in buildings (a case study of Lagos state). The objectives of this research
were; to identify the causes of fire outbreaks in residential buildings, to
identify the negative effects of fire outbreak in residential buildings and
also to identify the possible fire safety measures to be taken so as to
avoid/minimize fire outbreak. Various literatures were set-out to review the
objectives in extensive forms to proffer deeper understanding. The research
data were collected through questionnaires administered to the occupants of
buildings in the study area, and the data collected were carefully assessed and
analysed through the use of Relative Importance Index (RII) and presented by
the use of tables. From the findings, it was discovered that the causes of fire
outbreak in residential buildings included; smoking beside flammable substances,
re-ignited cigarette not properly extinguished, carelessness, the use of
defective equipments, negligence, faulty wiring, storage of hazardous chemicals
and other flammable materials around the house, the use of mobile phones close
to generators or fuel pumps, pouring kerosene into the kerosene tank of a lamp
while the lamp is lit and falling asleep while cooking. The effects identified
from the outbreak of fire in residential buildings included; loss of life, loss
of property, failure in strength of structure, loss of time due to
reconstruction, loss of money due to reconstruction, total unrest and
environmental hazard due to carbon monoxide. From the study it was also
observed that the possible safety measures to be taken included avoid smoking
in bed and ensure proper dousing of cigarette in water before disposal, never
leave cooking pots and pans unattended, store hazardous materials such as
flammable liquid and gases, paints and other chemicals in safe places, never
leave burning candles unattended and avoid placing them near air vents, plastic
carpets e.t.c, always put off kerosene lamp before refilling its tank, never
forget to turn off and unplug electrical appliances after use, avoid placing
flammable substances near sources of heating like store, fire place or furnace,
keep matches and other fire ignited means out of reach of children, ensure that
certified electrical engineers are employed to supervise house wiring and avoid
cooking when tired to avoid falling asleep. Major Recommendations include; The
owners and property managers should invite fire experts to give talks on fire
safety and practical use of fire fighting and safety equipment to occupants in
their buildings, Owners and property managers should integrate the general
public into the fire risk management strategy to establish and enhance the
state of overall preparedness and Government should enforce laws on fire safety
on building owners and occupants so as to reduce or eradicate fire outbreak in
residential buildings.
CHAPTER
ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background of Study
Fire
is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion
releasing heat, light and various reactive products (Pyne, 1982). Fires start
in three main ways i.e. accidents (misuse of appliances), deliberate ignition
and equipment failure (electrical malfunction) and produce smoke and toxic
gases which could be extremely fatal to those exposed to it hence the need for
prevention and protection from spreading fires by for instance delaying
ignition period to allow people more time to escape and for the fire brigade to
arrive at the incident. Fire can make homes unsafe. It can lead to the collapse
of houses, loss of property or even death (Supermedia, 2011). Nigeria’s
industrial area for instance suffered massive losses due to electric failures
in November, 2012 after a Nigeria power substation caught fire forcing the
company resort to rationing (http://tribuneonline.com/lagos-1638-fire-incidents-79-deaths-why-trends-may-continue-in-206).
Several
cases of fire incidences have previously occurred in Nigeria with most of them having
been fatal. The cases include the febuary 2016 fire incidence In Lagos, which goods worth millions of Naira were
destroyed at the Mammy market behind the Arena Shopping Complex, Oshodi, and
Lagos. The fire outbreak destroyed over 100 shops four years’ ago. Also, in
Sapele, Delta State, The AUTHORITY Correspondent, Theophilus Onojeghen reports
that a strange midnight inferno had destroyed property estimated at
over N100 million, including several buildings at the Sapele Main Market in
Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.
Several fire
occurrences have since been reported in Nigeria such as the Balogun Market on
Lagos Island, Oko baba Sawmill in Ebute Meta, another in Igando area where four
houses were razed recently, another at Ijaniki area where a building comprising
six apartments was completely razed and an eight-month-old baby roasted to
death. From what was perceived slow response from authorities and agencies. It was
observed that urban fire disasters receive a baffling lack of response from aid
agencies whenever it occurs indicating major gaps in urban preparedness (UN
Habitat, 2011). This shows that Nigeria is faced with inadequacy in responding
to fire disasters of high magnitude. Rescue teams have failed in
many of the
occasions to live up to their billing by either arriving late at tragedy
struck scenes or making it on time but half equipped hence failing to counter the
tragedy. In most cases failure to have a comprehensive disaster policy had made
responses to high risk events such as fire, floods, drought, epidemics and
accidents slow or poorly
co-ordinated and unnecessarily
expensive that even
at some point leading to more problems (Kigunda,
2012).
1.2 Statement of the
Problem
Fires
are known to be crucial in peoples’ lives and have been used mainly for
cooking, lighting and heating. Fires have also been known to be dangerous in
man’s life. Several properties in Nigeria worth millions of naira have been
destroyed to irrecoverable states and lives lost due to outbreak of fires.
Since it is difficult to predict fire outbreaks, mitigation is essential to
reducing the loss of homes, property and resources especially in the urban
interface. Communication, planning processes, tactics and materials development
is critical in dealing with incidences of fire occurrences. Frameworks
for mitigation should
be put in
place in order
to reduce hazard exposure. Fire
prevention is also important in fire management and it requires identification
of fire hazards, regular inspections, appropriate signage, education and
training as well as assigned roles and qualifications. Every building owners
need to put in place
fire prevention plan measures
to guard against
any future eventuality(Pyne, 1982).
A fire
disaster preparedness plan
ranges from a
broad mitigation and
preparedness strategy to a detailed contingency plan for responding to
the fire hazard. In most plans, the
operational priorities need to save human life,
meet people’s emergency needs (principally medical care,
food, shelter and clothing) and restore facilities that are essential for
health, safety and welfare (e.g. hospitals, water and sanitation, power and
transport). Rehabilitation and reconstruction are also likely to be included in
more strategic plans, although in practice they tend to be poorly integrated
with emergency response (UN Habitat, 2002).
The World Bank and US
Geological Survey estimated that economic losses worldwide from natural
disasters in the 1990s could be reduced by $280bn if $40bn were invested in preparedness,
mitigation and prevention strategies (Dilley and Heyman, 1995). On the Nigerian
case most buildings have been lacking fire prevention and mitigation plans.
Occupants of building have also fallen victims to fires due to perceived lack
of preparedness. This has increased exposure to frequent fire disasters which
have led to loss of lives and properties.
It’s against this background that this study sought
to examine whether
past occurrences of
fire disaster had
elicited establishment of prevention and mitigation measures in business
premises in Lagos.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
The
aim of this study was to determine how to reduce frequent fire occurrences in
buildings.
Specific
objectives include;
i.
To identify the causes of fire outbreak
in residential buildings.
ii.
To identify the negative effects of fire
outbreak in residential buildings.
iii.
To identify the possible fire safety
measures to be taken so to avoid/minimize fire outbreak.
1.4 Research Questions
i. What are the causes of fire outbreak in
residential buildings?
ii. What are the effects of fire outbreak in
residential buildings?
iii. What
are the possible fire safety measures to be taken so to avoid/minimize fire outbreak?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The problem that this
research sought to address was assessing the level of causes, prevention and
preparedness in residential buildings against fire risk as envisaged in
different government policy instruments with a view to recommending appropriate
measures. Issues addressed in this research study include assessing measures adopted by owners of
buildings, level of preparedness among the occupants, owners
and managers of residential buildings and recommending
strategies to improve on mitigation and
preparedness in the
occupancy of those premises.
1.6 Scope and
Delimitation
This study covered fire
safety and preparedness in residential buildings in Nigeria. The study was
narrowed down to cover residential buildings in Lagos. Factor identification
was done on prior knowledge upon which emphasis was on preparedness measures
adopted by building owners, managers and occupants as well as preparedness of
the local authorities.
1.7
Justification/Significance of the Study
This
study was undertaken after several rampant cases of fires had been reported in
different parts of the country hence raising fears on the issue of fire
preparedness and safety measures in place. The findings and recommendations of
this study can give policy makers in the City of Lagos, owners of
buildings as well
as occupiers the
information useful in
making and redefining fire safety
in their premises hence enhancing awareness.
1.8 Study Area
Lagos, sometimes referred
to as Lagos State to
distinguish it from Lagos Metropolitan Area, is a state located in the southwestern geopolitical
zone of Nigeria. The smallest in
area of Nigeria's 36 states, Lagos
State is arguably the most economically important state of the country, containing Lagos, the nation's
largest urban area. The actual
population total is disputed between the official Nigerian Census of 2006, and
a much higher figure claimed by the Lagos State Government. Lagos State is
located in the south-western part of the Nigerian Federation. On the North and
East it is bounded by Ogun State. In the West it
shares boundaries with the Republic of Benin. Behind its southern
borders lies the Atlantic Ocean. 22% of its
3,577 km2 are lagoons and creeks. ================================================================
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