Abstract:

A detailed building survey was conducted to assess the fire hazard vulnerability of highrises in the Banani area of Dhaka. Assessments were done by interviewing building management and experts. The buildings were assessed rated based on thirty-three indicators. The study reveals that around 47% of the surveyed buildings are in a high level of vulnerability. The remaining 37% are medium, and around 16% are less vulnerable. All the buildings constructed before 1993 (before the drafting of the BNBC - Bangladesh National Building Code and any act and regulation of fire protection and prevention) are highly vulnerable. The buildings constructed between 1993 and 2006 (the Fire Prevention and Fighting Act - 2003 came into force), before the enactment of the BNBC, 62% were in medium, and the rest (38%) were in high vulnerability level. Those were constructed after the enactment of the Dhaka Building Construction Rules 2008 also enforced); only 12.5% are high, 50% medium, and 37% less vulnerable. We found that safety regulations (BNBC, building construction rules) and properly implementing the fire safety acts/rules can drastically enhance safety standards. Policymakers and other stakeholders can find this research outcome helpful regarding fire safety enforcement.