Risk Factors in a High Rise Building at Abu Dhabi - Case Study Example

Name Assessment (Management) 23 June 2008 Risk Factors in a High Rise Building at Abu Dhabi Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 1.0 Introduction 4 2.0 Main Features of the Building Chosen for Analysis 5 3.0 Risk Factors Detected in the Building Under Consideration 6 3.1 Number of Floors 6 3.2 Location 9 3.3 Travel Distance 9 3.4 Telephone and Electrical Lines 9 3.5 Stairways 10 3.6 Storage 10 3.7 Electrical Equipment 10 3.8 Falling Objects 10 4.0 Conclusion 10 5.0 Recommendations 11 Works Cited 13 1.0 Introduction Risk detection, identification and elimination are really important constituents of the urban planning and organization in the 21st century (nfpa, 2001). A number of reports, surveys and studies predominantly of Western origin have revealed beyond doubt that threats that threaten and jeopardize the safety of the inhabitants residing in a high rise building are mostly embedded within the designing, planning, organization and administrative aspects of that building. The irony is that the loses incurred due to fires in high rise buildings often prove to be much costlier then the investments required to identify and replace the factors and reasons that cause such fires in the first place. Thus a timely detection of these risk factors and their removal ensure the safety and well being of any high rise building or complex. This exercise gains an enhanced importance in the countries and cities like Abu Dhabi where the fire and rescue services are bereft of the proper training and provisions required to deal with the fires in the high rise and mid rise buildings. For the purpose of compiling this report, a typical 54 storey building housing a five star hotel, located in the downtown Abu Dhabi was selected to assess the potential threats that could prove to be debilitating in the event of a fire. The objective of this report is to unravel the factors that are inherent in the design and fabrication of most of the high rise buildings at Abu Dhabi. This will not only ensure a timely neutralization of these risk factors, but will redefine the design and organization of the high rise buildings to be built in Abu Dhabi in the future. A serious risk analysis has been achieved using the relevant quantitative and qualitative factors to estimate the extent of risk due to a fire during the day time and the night time. 2.0 Main Features of the Building Chosen for Analysis Tulip Arcade is a typical 54 storey high rise building located at the end of the bustling dead end street, Shabnam Avenue in the downtown Abu Dhabi. On the right of this well known five star hotel is situated the sprawling Shaheen Mall. The entrance to this building faces the much frequented Mandarin Food Court. Tulip Arcade is infact located in a burgeoning part of Abu Dhabi that is famous for its high density of high rise and mid rise buildings. This particular high rise building has five underground levels and 51 above ground stories. The impressive kitchen of this hotel is located on the ground floor that is adjacent to an expansive storage area that is used to store provisions for the kitchen including inflammable animal and vegetable fats and assortment of liquors and edible oils. On every floor is present a storage room under the stairway that is used to store provisions like wax polishes, bleaches and a variety of cleaners and complementary stuff and old newspapers. This building is served by three elevators and two Stairways. The construction for this building began in early 1995. Most of the procedures and aspects of construction were inspected and analyzed by the concerned licensing authorities. The framework of this building is made of construction quality steel that supports the concrete floors. The outer façade of this building is covered with the Italian marble that is susceptible to high temperatures and carries a number of openings at all the floors fitted with large, outwardly projecting glass panels. The emergency supply to this high rise building is ensured by using a diesel run generator placed in a large room on the 42nd floor. As any typical five star hotel in the United Arab Emirates, this building is marked with a criss cross of HVAC supply shafts, telephone and electrical wires and bathroom utility fittings. 3.0 Risk Factors Detected in the Building Under Consideration A thorough inspection of this building conducted by fire safety professionals from the British Fire Services identified a number of safety risks interspersed in the design and framework of this building. These risks not only pose a potent threat to the staff and guests housed in this hotel but could also severely mar the efforts of the fire fighters in the event of a fire. Some of the salient risk factors present in this building are: 3.1 Number of Floors Considering the poor fire proofing features of this building, the number of floors sanctioned to this hotel is a major risk factor that could jeopardize the fire fighting and rescue operations in the event of any major conflagration (abc News, 2008). Guests and fire fighters trapped on the upper floors could find it impossible to escape or find out their way through the flames or smoke accompanying any major fire. A carefully conducted risk analysis revealed many startling facts pertaining to this risk factor. As is evident from the graph (i), the potential risk to the safety of the guests and the staff housed in this five star hotel successively aggravates with the increase in the number of the floors. The guests staying on the upper floors are more prone to getting trapped and not being in a position of being safely rescued by the fire fighters (9/11 Research, 2008). High Risk Low 10 20 25 30 40 50 60 Floors (i) The graph (ii) reveals that the risk to the life of the staff members and the guests is potentially higher at the nigh time as compared to the day time. At night, most of the rooms being occupied, the risk expected is markedly elevated. Also in the event of a fire breaking out at night, most of the guests being asleep would not be in a position to respond aptly and appropriately. The failure of emergency lighting could further elevate the risk. High Night Risk Day Low 10 20 30 40 50 55 60 Floors (ii) As is evident from the graph (iii), the risk to the lives of the fire and rescue personnel is also aggravated with an increase in the number of floors. Considering the fact that the fire and rescue personnel stationed at Abu Dhabi are not properly trained and equipped, this risk is manifold multiplied on the higher floors. High Risk Low 10 20 30 40 50 55 70 Floors (iii) 3.2 Location One major risk factor that could worsen a fire situation is that this high rise building is placed at the end of a dead end street. In the event of a fire, safety and rescue operations could be seriously hampered owing to the restricted access to this building. Being situated adjacent to a shopping mall, the losses to human life and assets could be worsened in case of any major fire incident. 3.3 Travel Distance The nearest fire station being located 30 Km away from this high rise building, the fire and rescue services would not be able to respond timely in the case of a fire disaster in this hotel. 3.4 Telephone and Electrical Lines The telephone and electrical wires in this building have many joints and are not well insulated with a fire proof covering (Strathclydefire, 2008). Any short circuit could initiate a fire tragedy that would be worsened by the accompanying risk factors. 3.5 Stairways This massive high rise building has only two stairways. During inspection it was found that one of the stairways opening in the backyard of this hotel was blocked by provisions, discarded machinery and cardboard boxes. Also both the stairways were lined with telephone and electrical wires. During a fire, these stairways could become trapdoors and can aid the vertical and horizontal spread of fumes and flames. 3.6 Storage The storage area adjacent to the kitchen and the storage rooms on the respective floors are loaded with potentially inflammable substance. This would only add fuel to a fire. 3.7 Electrical Equipment The emergency generator placed on the 42nd floor is most of the times full of diesel. In the event of a fire, this generator would not be a viable source of electricity and will only act as a fuel that could worsen the situation. 3.8 Falling Objects The marble and glass panes covering the outer façade of this high rise building are not resistant to fire. Thus falling debris during a fire could be a major threat to the safety of the guests and the fire fighters (Wrack, 2006). 4.0 Conclusion Based on the results derived from this inspection, there is no denying the fact that there exist potent risk factors in this high rise building that could start a fire or could aggravate a fire disaster. Such risks are a potent threat to the lives and safety of the guests and fire fighters. Thus relevant measures need to be taken to chalk out an effective Integrated Risk Management Plan to deal with any fire in this high rise building (Essex Fire Service, 2008). 5.0 Recommendations Effective escape and rescue roots should be designed to deal with the problem of this hotel being situated in a dead end street. Fire stations should be placed in the vicinity of this high risk neighbourhood to ensure a timely response in the event of a fire. All the telephone and electrical wires aught to be without any joints and must be covered with fire proof material. Telephone and electrical wires should be removed from the stairways. The exists to the stairways should be uncluttered and cleared. Effective fire exists should be provided at all the floors and all the floors should be fitted with fire extinguishers and automatic sprinklers of high quality. Inflammable substances should be removed from the storage areas. The diesel generator should be removed and battery based emergency electricity devices should be installed. The marble exteriors and glass panes should be replaced with fire proof materials and laminated glass. The hotel should employ trained personnel to monitor and assess the fire risks on a regular basis. Works Cited Fire Fighters Extinguish Fire in City Centre Hotel. 24 March 2008. Strathclyde Fire and Rescue. 14 June 2008. Fire and Resilience. 16 May 2008. Communities and Local Government. 14 June 2008 Fir Fighters Tackle Factory Fire. 6 June 2008. Fire Brigades Union. 14 June 2008 Other Skyscraper Fires. 23 February 2008. Essex Fire Service. 14 June 2008 Read More