Assessing the level of Fire Disaster preparedness of Commercial Buildings in Kampala.

Abstract

This study assesses the level of fire disaster preparedness in commercial buildings in Kampala, focusing on hotels, office blocks, retail spaces, and restaurants within the Central Division. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through questionnaires, observation checklists, and document reviews from 60 buildings, stratified across the four categories. Findings reveal significant gaps in fire safety awareness and preparedness, with hotels demonstrating the highest awareness and preparedness, while restaurants the lowest. Key weaknesses include low participation in fire drills, limited knowledge of emergency contacts, and inadequate active fire containment systems like sprinklers and smoke control. Office blocks excelled in prevention and occupant protection, while retail spaces and restaurants lagged in detection and extinguishment measures. The study highlights a disconnect between awareness and practical implementation, particularly in resource-constrained settings. To address these gaps, a tailored fire safety framework was developed, emphasizing prevention, detection, occupant protection, containment, and extinguishment across design, in-use, and change-in-use stages. This framework aims to align Kampala’s commercial buildings with global safety standards, supporting Sustainable Development Goal 11, Target 11.5, to reduce disaster-related impacts by 2030. Recommendations include adopting the proposed framework and conducting further research on active versus passive fire safety measures to enhance urban resilience and safety.