Operational gap analysis of fire safety applications in Sri Lankan high-rise buildings

Abstract

Life style confined with working and living in high-risers is a new concept to the Sri Lankan context. Scarcity of lands and urban development with the economic growth has accelerated the growth and popularity of tall and complex buildings in Sri Lanka. As such, in the conceivable future too, the progress of construction industry is likely to be dominated by high rise buildings. Fire safety is the most critical component within any type of building. High-rise buildings involve high-risk in fire emergencies due to the combination of three risk factors, which are high population density and various levels of mobility, design configuration of high-rise buildings, and excessive amounts of fuel load. The consequences of high-rise fires include the fatal and serious injuries to occupants, damage or loss of property and severe interruption to normal business activities. Hence, it is clear that significance attention on the fire safety is necessary to continue the operations of a building. Accordingly, this study aims to analyse the operational gaps in the fire safety applications in Sri Lankan high-rise buildings. Case study method was selected as the most suitable research method for this study as it can be applied to explain presumed casual links in real life interventions. Furthermore, the primary source of data was collected through semi-structured interviews among professionals who involved with the fire safety management in Sri Lankan high-rise buildings. Data were analysed adopting content analysis. The research findings revealed that, in Sri Lankan context organisations were endeavouring within the bounds of possibility to fulfil the minimum requirements. Nevertheless, there is no considerable attention has given to achieve the acceptable standard for fire safety. Those differences were identified as operational fire safety gaps in high-rise buildings. Key reasons for the malpractices are inefficient fire safety systems, lack of knowledge and commitment of the management, design failures and lack of government’s commitment. Therefore, organisations need to adopt a measured approach to minimise the gap and to achieve the acceptable standard.