Abstract
Urbanisation leads to house densification, a phenomenon experienced in both planned and unplanned settlements in cities in developing countries. Such densification limits fire brigade access into settlements, thereby aggravating fire disaster risks. In this article, we assess the fire exposure and risks in residences in informal areas of Mchikichini ward, in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania. We rely on interviews of residents and government officials to obtain background on the occurrence and causes of fire accidents, policy provisions and regulations, and experiences with fire outbreaks and coping strategies, as well as on observations and measurements of house transformations, spatial quality and indoor real life. Our findings suggest that fire risks arise from both inappropriate structural characteristics and unsound behavioural practices. This includes unsafe electric practices by residents, poor capacity of residents to fight fires once started, limited access to structures by firefighting equipment because of flouting of planning regulations and inadequate awareness of local government leaders of the magnitude of fire risks. Potential changes to reduce fire risks in the settlement include the installation of firefighting systems, restriction of cooking to designated spaces, use of safer cooking energy sources and lighting means, improvements of vehicle access routes to neighbourhoods, capacity building at the grass root level and the establishment of community-based fire risk management.
Highlights
A disaster results from an extreme event that exceeds the capacity of the affected area to respond with measures to save lives, preserve properties and/or maintain its social, ecological and economic stability (Pearce 2000)
Frequent fire disasters are often common in crowded central business districts (CBDs) and markets (Navitas 2014; Oladokun & Emmanuel 2014; Voogd 2004) and are one of the major concerns for urban planners
Kihila (2017) and Kachenje, Kihila and Nguluma (2010) noted numerous reasons for high fire risks in buildings in Tanzania, including non-functioning firefighting facilities installed in buildings, lack of familiarity with firefighting equipment operations, unawareness of fire escape routes, inaccessibility to residences by the firefighting equipment, poor communication links that delay fire brigade assistance, inadequate means and facilities for firefighting, insufficient water to run firefighting equipment and a lack of community knowledge and awareness on the extent of fire risks
Summary
A disaster results from an extreme event that exceeds the capacity of the affected area to respond with measures to save lives, preserve properties and/or maintain its social, ecological and economic stability (Pearce 2000). The impacts of natural disasters have risen over recent decades, affecting social development and economic and political activities in developed and developing countries alike (Munasinghe 2014). These impacts include a range of direct, indirect and secondary effects, and can be both tangible and intangible. Hazards comprise events that result in harmful potential consequences such as injury, loss of life and damage to property or environment (Cambridge English Dictionary 2017). They include both man-made and technological events (EU 2016). The estimated impact on property because of possible fire outbreaks ranks high (URT 2012). Kihila (2017) and Kachenje, Kihila and Nguluma (2010) noted numerous reasons for high fire risks in buildings in Tanzania, including non-functioning firefighting facilities installed in buildings, lack of familiarity with firefighting equipment operations, unawareness of fire escape routes, inaccessibility to residences by the firefighting equipment, poor communication links that delay fire brigade assistance, inadequate means and facilities for firefighting, insufficient water to run firefighting equipment and a lack of community knowledge and awareness on the extent of fire risks
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
