Pim-Wusu, M; Simpeh, E K and Simberi, J N N (2025) Ascertaining adequacy of fire suppression systems: The perspective of Accra central of Ghana. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 23(3), pp. 917-934. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: Fire is the fundamental element of most people's lives, and when not controlled, the same fire can lead to several catastrophes in homes, offices, schools, lives and other public places with severe repercussions. Hence, this study aims to examine the adequacy and extent of the application of fire suppression systems in residential and commercial property in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a sequential mixed-mode design comprising quantitative and qualitative research strategies to analyse factors to produce findings. The target population for this study includes shop occupiers, end users of office buildings, and residents in the Accra Central of Ghana. Systematic random sampling was used for the quantitative research, and a sample size of 385 was obtained using a multi-stage and cluster sampling method. A structured survey and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the primary data. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, whereas the qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Findings: From an empirical literature review and the analysis, the three main factors contributing to fire breakouts are equipment malfunction, improper use of heat sources and human mistakes. According to the respondents, fire suppression systems were also inadequate, as most of the suppression systems prescribed in the building code were unavailable. Regarding the ability to manually operate fire suppression systems, most property occupiers stated that they are generally unaware of these suppression systems. Practical implications: This study will aid policymakers in developing interventions for fire safety enforcement by ensuring that fire safety regulations are consistently followed by design team members and property developers, resulting in a positive effect on public building structures performing their required functions. It is also critical to provide end users with education and training on how to operate the fire suppression system as well as effective handling of firefighting installations in the event of a fire. Originality/value: The findings of this investigation contribute to knowledge and comprehension of the effect of fire suppression systems on building users and may serve as a precursor to the development of a "As Built" certification system for ascertaining the adequacy of fire suppression systems for new and existing residential and commercial property.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | buildings; fire outbreaks; fire safety; suppression systems; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | quantitative research, outbreak, survey, sample size, education and training, regulation, interview, enforcement, methodology, qualitative research, certification, literature review, office building, Ghana, sampling, end user, design team, content analysis, questionnaire, building code, strategy, fire safety, commercial property, investigation, population, statistics, Accra, public building |
| Subjects: | stakeholder, professional practice, construction type, administrative processes, political science, research design and methodology, data analysis and analytics, demography, health risk and incident analysis, professional education, Geography, research methods, mathematical modelling, health safety and environment, regulatory law, management, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Contract Administration, Roles and Professions, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Education, Governance, Urban Studies, Construction Technology, Legal Issues, Research Practice, Design Practice, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here