Assessing urban fire risk in the central business district of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Buildings as infrastructure along with people’s lives need protection against fire outbreaks. Knowledge on the use of installed facilities is essential in tackling There emergencies, otherwise their installation becomes meaningless. Lack of such knowledge could hamper escape from There hazards and thwart attempts to contain there outbreaks at their preliminary stage. THis study, carried out in the Central Business District of Dar es Salaam City, assessed urban there risk with respect to public awareness on the use of #re #ghting facilities and preparedness in the event of #re outbreaks. Public buildings with at least four storeys or 2000m2 floor space were surveyed. According to the Fire and Rescue Act of 2007, such buildings have to be provided with adequate means of escape and #re #ghting facilities. Data was collected through observation and interviews with building managers, users and key informants. The study revealed high there disaster risk in most buildings of the study area, as 60% of the buildings’ users do not know how to operate the facilities, and 41% are not aware of the available escape means in case of there outbreak. Worse still, only 29% had received training within the past five years, and 68% had never been trained

A Study on the Awareness of Fire Safety Measures for Users and Staff of Shopping Malls: The Case of Mlimani City and Quality Centre in Dar es Salaam

“…Rahim et al [14] revealed that involvement in related fire safety programmes was the most effective method of educating building occupants on fire safety. Kachenje et al [6] disclosed that only 29% respondents of the surveyed buildings had received training within the past five years. Makushita [8] established that trainings for steps to be taken in case of fire, first aid, search and rescue trainings have never been organized for all residents living in studied high-rise buildings.…”

“…Rahim et al [14] pointed out that respondents' levels of awareness were rather low as most of assessed parameters indicated moderately effective. Kachenje et al [6] disclosed that 60% of building users do not know how to operate the facilities and 41% are not aware of available escape means in case of fire outbreak. Hayward [12] disclosed that, in one study, respondents were presented with six different signs and everyone understood the "NO SMOKING"…”

“…Makushita [8] studied on awareness regarding fire safety measures among 20 residents living in high-rise buildings of Anand City. Kachenje et al [6] disclosed the awareness and ability of using fire safety provisions in a building by users.…”

“…Rubaratuka [7] revealed that fire safety measures in investigated buildings are inadequately provided and that in case of fire serious damages are likely to occur. Kachenje et al [6] [8] found that majority of studied high-rise buildings did not have escape signs, fire hydrant, fire safety system, fire extinguishers or fire alarms. Mydin et al [9] disclosed that the fire protection systems in ancestral temples in Georgetown were very limited, very simple and of basic level where only fire extinguishers were provided.…”

“…Kachenje et al [6] assessed urban fire risks in the central business district of Dar es Salaam. Similarly, Rubaratuka [7] investigated provisions of fire safety measures in buildings in Dar es Salaam.…”