ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPEDIMENTS TO ACHIEVING EFFECTIVE AND OPTIMUM FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN MAJOR KANO MARKETS, KANO STATE

Abstract

Markets are complex entities comprising of multiple units ranging from economic, socio cultural,infrastructural, technological and environmental viewpoints. Therefore, its designs especiallywith regards to fire prevention and control goes beyond active and passive fire prevention andcontrol measures. There are non-salient issues that are usually given less attention but has greatimpact on the causes as well as hinder the control of market fires. Through qualitative approachinvolving observation, this study explored three major markets in Kano city using purposivesampling with a view to identifying the challenges of those markets in achieving the optimumfire prevention and control required for such commercial enterprise. The study found alterations,congestion, clearance, extension, indiscriminate parking, squatter trading, hawking/peddling andpoor circulation as a challenge to optimum fire prevention and control in the markets.Negligence to the fire prevention and control strategies observed in the markets are believed tohave high tendency exacerbating fire disasters with little or no chances of control and evacuation.It is thus imperative to have proactive measures that will enforce the existing developmentcontrol regulations, fire prevention and control act and ensure orderliness in the market. Inaddition there is dire need for customized design framework that is conscious of the peculiaritiesof market settings and operations of such study areas and alike.Keywords: Fire Prevention, Markets, Fire control, Impediments.