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.