Fire Safety Management in High Rise Buildings of Lahore, Pakistan

Basic objective of this study was to assess the degree to which the high rise buildings situated in Lahore are in compliance with the fire safety standards and SOPs regarding evacuation plans. Quantitative approach was adopted to meet the objective of the study. Ten high rise buildings situated in Lahore city were taken as sample. The buildings were selected on the basis of their size, height, and area. The selected buildings included new and old buildings, commercial and residential buildings so that the variations regarding fire safety standards could be measured. A comprehensive survey questionnaire was developed. Results of the study show that besides various critical incidents, no proper measures are taken on scientific grounds to ensure prevention or at least taking rapid response to minimize losses. There exist no fire safety risk assessments, zero ongoing monitoring, no ongoing fire safety training or awareness program, inadequate or dysfunctional fire extinguishing instruments, no building fire safety control, no automatic fire detection and alarm system, no ongoing fire evacuation drills, and the access of fire brigade to the fire sight is inadequate. Recommendations of the study may prove highly productive in constructing safe buildings from safety point of view.