ABSTRACT
Shopping malls are fundamentally large complex buildings occupied by considerable numbers of the general public and shop staff. These buildings must be planned to be safe and in the event of an emergency or fire outbreak, allow for fast and safe evacuation from the building by all its occupants. In designs, fire safety is one of the most .important and Complex considerations. Fire safety requirements will be more onerous for enclosed and covered shopping malls than for open street based schemes. Shopping malls are approached by people from different walk of life. These buildings are marked by their diversity in activities. The aim of this research. is to assess fire safety measures in case of emergency in shopping malls with the view to secure lives and properties. Interview and a checklist survey were used for data collection in this research. The findings from the checklist of assessment of case studies carried out shows that fire safety measures is insufficient and among of these present safety features, some of them are adequate for the purpose they were provided while others were not. The facilities were assessed were passive and active fire safety features, the analysis shows that 75% of the passive features assessed were present at the shopping mall below average. It also shows in that half of the active for safety features were present above 50%. For the purpose of this research, Ten case studies were carried out both locally and internationally which are; Silverbird Galleria, Abuja, Ceddi Plaza, Abuja, Jabbi lake mall jabi, area 1 shopping mall, Shoprite lugbe/lugbe mall, Hebron plaza, gudu district, Shagari Plaza, Bannex Plaza, zone 2, Willow shopping mall, Townsville, Autralia, and Bullring shopping mall, Birmingham. The findings from the case studies carried out shows that fire safety is prerequisite for any shopping mall design. The finding also shows that both passive and active fire safety measures should be employed in shopping mall design. The interview reveals that regular routine check of fire safety element is paramount. Some of the recommendations include; building in compliance with national building code (NBC) and providing a simple evacuation plan in each floor of the building,
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Shopping malls are approached by people who have different Jobs or position in the society. These buildings are marked by their diversity in activities and vast flow of employees and customer alike. For that reason, the provision of satisfactory or acceptable safety measures demands great attention. Fire incidence in a public building post a threat or endangers humans and their properties. They have been determined attempt to solve fire risk in public buildings. (Alexander, 2002) has identified and managed potential issues or problems for fire incidence in huge store in Nigeria. Daily, the demand for arrange shopping mall is becoming essential in the society. These buildings must be protected and in the case of unforeseen event or fire disaster, take into account quick and secure relocation from the building by the people who lives or work there (Peter, 2006).
In the architectural design or pattern of the public buildings such as shopping malls, fire safety is very essential with serious concern. Shopping malls; like any retail centre, confront with damages cost for a whole host of hazard, from tragedy to fire death bow. Shopping malls are commonly the most complicated of retail structures, requiring a fire alarm system needed without being in excess to give messages or signal for the active system (David, 2006).
In Nigeria, factors such as location, administrative and economic having added towards a substantial increase in shopping activities. Climbing on the rear of population, prompt urbanization, changing the shopping ways of life and an increasing middle class. The growth passing through the open based schemes in Nigeria.
Advancement in the Nigerian market is an indication of the growth in the middle class whose shopping importance has improved from the primitive shopping in an open based scheme to a more arranged and comfortable shopping experience proffered by retail mall (Odinaka, 2014). In order to achieve a convenient shopping experience, there is need for the shoppers to feel safe in case of fire accident. This can be achieved only by providing both preventive and control safety measures in the event of fire outbreak in shopping malls and commercial centre.
1.2 Problem Statement
Inspite of the fact that acceptable safety are important for enjoying a threat free shopping surrounding, it has been observed that they do not accommodate even the basic practice of design principles (Martin & Andrew, 2005). As public facility, every shopping mall needs to be safe for human use. Fire safety measures must be considered right from the preliminary shopping mall design stage to finish. In Nigeria, shopping malls rely on fire fighters to extinguish fire rather than extinguishing from the fire safety instruments in the shopping mall. This trend has been a problem to the society and as such, the need for providing system that require some amount of action to work and system that compartmentalize a building through the use of resistant rated walls and floors (Odinaka, 2014).
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.3.1 Aim
The aim of this research is to assess the fire safety measures in case of emergency with the view to secure lives and properties.
1.3.2 Objectives
i. To identify fire safety measures in the existing shopping malls in Abuja
ii. To determine the fundamental fire safety features.
iii. To design a shopping mall building where the safety of its users is enhanced through the incorporation of fire safety design features.
1.4 Justification of the Study
The study we go in search of locating the key issues that can be used in laying out a secured shopping background through the application of fire safety measures. This will act as steers towards accomplishing or attaining a pleasurable and danger free shopping surrounding in the North central part of Nigeria. This research will also aid in increasing the shopping activities in shopping malls than in open air market because of adequate safety that will be achieved.
1.5 Scope of Study
The research is restricted to findings of fire safety measures in shopping malls, especially in Abuja. There by assisting architects and other designers in providing the best passive and active fire safety measures that could be used in protecting lives and properties.
1.6 Limitation of the Study
A major limitation capable of affecting the success and execution of this research work is identifying the application of fire safety measures in the design of the available facilities as they are not duly incorporated in their initial designs.
1.7 Study Area
Abuja is Nigerian Headquarter sited at the middle of the nation. It is designed and constructed to take over the position of Lagos in the 80s. It is enclosed in the eastern part by Nasarawa State, northern area by Kaduna State, western part by Niger State and Southern area by Kogi. These Locations were selected due to their constant exposure to the modern trend of architectural form aided by the resultant effect of urbanization and industrialization engulfing the globe.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
ASSESSMENT OF FIRE SAFETY MEASURES IN THE DESIGN OF CONFLUENCE SHOPPING MALL LOKOJA, KOGI STATE
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