Preliminary Investigation on Possible Fire Causation in Multistorey Buildings in Selangor

Abstract

The development of high and complex multistorey buildings has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, leading to new and updated approaches to the provision of appropriate fire safety rules. Multistorey buildings record the highest number of fire incidents compared to other types of buildings in Malaysia. Hence, this study aims to investigate possible causes of fire incident in multistorey buildings. A comprehensive literature review along with interviews were conducted to explore the factors causing multistorey building fires. These exercises were conducted to identify the fire scenario (characteristics of fire, building and occupant), possible causes of multistorey building fire, and means to reduce the possibilities and causes of multistorey building fire incidents. Preliminary interviews with three (3) respondents who are involved in the construction and maintenance of multistorey buildings in Selangor were first conducted. The respondents have either designer, maintenance personnel or local authority backgrounds. Based on the data obtained, the top possible causes of multistorey building fires are electrical failure, cooking, smoking, sparks, and poor maintenance of building’s fire safety. Some means that can be employed to reduce the possible causes of multistorey building fires involve increased fire safety awareness and human behavior among building occupants, good building layout and materials, improved and regular maintenance of buildings, active and passive firefighting equipment and knowledge, and reduced usage of unsafe and defect electrical equipment. This study may help add new information to the existing body of knowledge on the risk of fire cases, fire injuries and fire fatalities in multistorey buildings in Malaysia. Besides, it may also be used by building occupants, designers, developers, property managers, staff working on/in community house, maintenance personnel, and local authorities. It can also serve as a requirement enforced by the government and help improve current research on the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of building design and construction. Lastly, it can also provide a higher overall quality of life for people who live and work in multistorey buildings.