Fire risk assessment of Kashan's commercial and shopping centers using fire risk assessment method for engineering (FRAME)

Commercial buildings are considered as high-risk units in fire due to the existence of expensive equipment and large presence of people with different ages. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the fire risk of commercial and shopping centers in Kashan using the fire risk assessment method for engineering (FRAME). This cross-sectional study was conducted using FRAME in 15 commercial and shopping centers in Kashan, Iran. The risk assessment data and FRAME checklist were collected by observation and interviews. Data analysis was conducted using Excel and Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The results of 46 checklists showed that the mean score of fire risk R for property was equal to 3.12, for people 3.81 and for activities 1.86. Also, the lowest risk for the property, people and activities belongs to Golestan Center with a score of 1.40, Valiasr with a score of 1.25 and Ataee with a score of 1.15, and the highest risk for the property, people and activities belongs to Mir Seyfi Center with a score of 5.80, Shafagh with a score of 9.96 and Sabz was 2.62, respectively. The present study showed the lack of proper ventilation system, lack of emergency exits, and lack of automatic fire alarm and extinguishing system were the factors affecting fire risk. Therefore, in order to prevent disasters and uncontrollable critical conditions, it is necessary to review the equipment of these buildings and to design and implement fire detection and alarm equipment and different ways of fire control in these centers.