Initial fire safety analysis of shelters in Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps

Abstract

More than a decade had passed since the initiation of the Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. Many gray literature documents and some academic research had been produced around Zaatari and Azraq camps. However, none of the existing research has tackled the issue of fire safety in the camps extensively, despite the noticeable fire events that occur in them.In this research, two methods are used to discuss the fire risk in the Jordanian Syrian camps of Zaatari and Azraq. The first is field assessment through visual analysis supported by observatory tours and field notes on five aspects of fire risk; ignition, fire development, fire spread within a structure, fire risk between structures, and accessibility of shelters. The second is through fire experiments on shelter materials using a cone calorimeter which aimed at seeing how the original shelter materials and the amendments that the residents make to these materials, react to fire. The results are recommendations and best practices to improve fire safety in these camps and at the same time help camp planners and shelter designers in taking more fire-conscious decisions in the future.