Assessment of Fire Safety Measures in the Design of Shopping Malls, Abuja

Abstract

A shopping mall is a large retail complex managed as a single property, which includes stores and restaurants in nearby buildings or one large building in which growth tends to be most rapid. The rapid growth in the population of Nigeria has led to the incidence of many disasters and emergencies that involve fires caused by combustible materials. Free safety remains a critical concern in shopping malls, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Abuja, Nigeria. The study examines the potential hazards and vulnerabilities that contribute to fire incidents in shopping malls and how mitigation measures can be taken to prevent such occurrences It also seeks to discover the appropriate measures currently implemented to address these issues and to develop effective fire safety and evacuation plans. A closed-end structured questionnaire was employed to gather data from the research is a case study that adopted quantitative research approach. Data was gathered from 237 participants with the use of a closed-end structured questionnaire that was analysed. The findings indicate that significant fire hazards in shopping malls include electrical failures, improper storage of combustible materials, and overcrowding The study also identifies existing fire safety measures and gaps in emergency preparedness. To improve safety outcomes, the research recommends comprehensive strategies, such as advanced fire suppression technologies and clearly defined evacuation routes.