An investigation into the level of fire safety preparedness in selected commercial buildings in Nabweru division, Nansana municipality.

Abstract

Introduction and Background: Fire safety preparedness is one of the four steps of fire emergency management. Occupational Safety and Health Act Part X of 2006 of the Laws of Uganda dictates that every workplace should promote safety and health of the workers and any other occupants in the premises. Objective: The main objective of the study was to investigate the level of fire safety preparedness in selected commercial buildings in Nabweru division, Nansana Municipality. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative methods. The study was assessing the status of fire safety preparedness in selected commercial buildings in Nabweru division, using interviewer-administered questionnaires and observational checklists. Data collection was done from June to August, 2022.The study targeted respondents working and visiting in the selected buildings. The respondents were stratified into Estate managers, Tenants / Staff and Visitors whereby, 125 participants were proportionately selected to participate in the study. Results: Knowledge of respondents on fire safety preparedness against OSHA, 2006 guidelines was generally adequate. 74.17% of the respondents had adequate knowledge on fire safety preparedness. Electrical faults were the most perceived fire hazard by 90.8% of the respondents. Majority (75.83%) of the respondents expressed the need for a basic training on fire safety preparedness. About 65.83% of the respondents rated their fire safety preparedness level as below average. Most (75%) of the documentary items were missing across the buildings surveyed (i.e. fire safety preparedness policy document, evacuation plan, annual fire audit reports and fire drill reports). Most (90%) of the respondents had never been trained on fire safety preparedness. Fire safety point personnel were also absent across the buildings studied. None of the buildings had ever performed fire safety drills. Majority (68.88%) of the buildings did comply with the OSHA, 2006 building requirements on means of escape. Conclusion: In regard to the study findings, most of the respondents had a positive attitude towards the need for a basic training on fire safety preparedness and there was perceived low level of fire safety preparedness among the respondents (65.83%). Non- compliance to OSHA, 2006 guidelines on fire safety preparedness was attributed to failure to have fire safety point personnel in place, inadequate respondents’ training on fire safety preparedness, unavailability of fire safety policy documents and failure to undertake annual fire audits and fire drills. The selected buildings were non- compliant with fire warning and detection systems, and 31.12% of the buildings were non- compliant with route of escape requirements.