Strategy to Reduce the Number of Fatalities in an Overpopulated High-Rise Temporary Housing - Case Study Example

Community Safety Strategy to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing i. INTRODUCTION Responding to fires in high-rise building is difficult and as discussed in this report, fire fighting in tall buildings is much different than a low level structure such as homes and medium sized building. Moreover, because of the significant height of the building, fire and smoke behaviour is also different as it is being affected by several factors such as strong winds and layout of the building. Because of limited space, workers living in an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing are in great danger considering the high possibility of ignition and fire while cooking outside the kitchen near flammable materials such as carpet, furniture, and so on. Since the building is under construction, the few available live electrical wiring is being tampered, frayed, and being used more than their designated load capacity. Similarly, gas supply lines are being tampered and diverted to other areas for cooking. In the following report, the problems and risks regarding misuse of facility, equipment, and alterations of electrical and gas supply will be discussed including the danger of cooking outside the kitchen. Moreover, the report will discussed the strategy required to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in relation to the risks of having migrant workers live in an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing. ii. RISKS IN AN OVERPOPULATED HIGH-RISE TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR MIGRANT WORKERS Fire safety generally requires an understanding of the risks involved in a particular place or area and in an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing the risks is as follows. Smoking materials, frayed or damaged electrical cords, abuse of electrical equipment, overloading of electrical plugs, careless cooking, and significantly large volume of combustible waste products produced by the large number of migrant workers (Alvare et al. 2005, p.177). These potential fire sources undoubtedly are a threat to human lives and property that must be eliminated to ensure the safety of people living in the building. For instance, the building is still under construction and smoking materials that accidentally thrown to combustible waste product can start a fire that would rapidly spread because there is no fire detection and fire suppression facilities yet. Similarly, cooking near combustible materials is dangerous along with alteration of electrical and gas supply lines for the purpose of cooking. People living in an overpopulated building tend to use whatever available area for their personal needs. For instance, if there is no more room in the kitchen because of too many people cooking at the same time, others would simply cook inside their bedroom and make use of altered electrical power and gas supply lines. Although there may be some workers that are aware of the hazards of cooking and altering electrical/gas supply, they have no choice but to make the most of what they have. In other words, they are victims of circumstances which the employer or the building management created apparently to save money and space. Careless cooking or accidental oil burning particularly in areas outside the designated kitchen such as the living and bedroom can ignite highly combustible materials resulting to a major fire. In the United Kingdom for instance, fire statistics report in 2007 reveals that one of the major cause of fire in dwellings is careless handling of fire and hot substances (Communities and Local Government 2007, p.28). Similarly, overloading of electrical plugs can start a small fire that would rapidly grow because there is no detection and fire suppression devices available such as fire extinguishers and automatic sprinklers. Accidental fires in the United Kingdom that resulted in 976 injuries in 2007 were caused by overheating electrical appliances (Communities and Local Government 2007, p.30). According to the United States Fire Administration (2004, p.35) report, careless smoking, cooking and heating practices are major causes of fire leading to a large number of deaths. Some of the reasons given for such behaviour are low literacy levels that inhibit the ability to listen and understand instructions, warning messages, and safe cooking advices (US Fire Administration 1998, p.191). In an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing, aside from the small possibility of arson motivated by suicidal feelings (Canter & Fritzon 1998, p.3), there may be another reason for having such insensitive behaviour such as fire safety culture and the need to improvise because of overpopulation. In the United Kingdom for instance, safety culture is one that has a core ethic of being safe as reasonably practicable or ‘best practice as possible’ (Beard & Carvel 2005, p.408) which is generally acceptable in terms of fire safety. However, migrant workers have different or no well-defined fire safety culture which they can apply while at work and living in temporary housing in the United Kingdom. This variation in cultural fire safety standard can lead to problems particularly when cooking near combustible materials is a common practice in one culture. Similarly, it will be a problem when altering electrical supply is reasonable in another culture. The risk of living in an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing not only come from potential fire sources but the height of the building itself because any major fire occurring at this level can be very complex and problematical for the fire and rescue service and other emergency services. For instance, in the event of fire in tall buildings according to Mittendorf (1998, p.206), smoke and exposure to products of combustion can greatly affect the safety of the occupants. Similarly, rescue operations will not be possible because of thick and toxic smoke accumulating in the elevator shafts, stairwells, air conditioning and ventilation systems. Moreover, the stack effect and the impact of winds on fire in this type of building are greater because of its height (Craighead 2009, p.31). High-rise buildings fires often challenge fire fighters as many floors are higher than the common access ladder. Consequently, fires in the upper floors are difficult to suppress and rescue from outside the building is nearly impossible (Scott 1997, p.101). Considering the above risks and difficulties that may be encountered in a high-rise building, migrant workers are clearly in danger of severe injuries and probably death when a fire occurs. Therefore, there must be an effective and robust strategy to minimize the chances of fire and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. iii. REDUCING THE NUMBER OF INJURIES AND FATALITIES There are a number of ways in which fire can be avoided but preventing fire occurrence in an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing requires a unique approach. For instance, in dwellings such as one or two storey residential homes, the number of occupants is less compared to the high-rise temporary housing. Therefore, the possibility of fire occurring while cooking is much less and alteration of electrical/gas supply will probably never occur. Moreover, overpopulation brings a number of disadvantages because cooking is being done outside the kitchen area and most probably in places like the living room where a large number of combustible materials can ignite instantly. Considering the severity of the fire safety problem in an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing, the strategy that will be created must address the fire safety culture of the individual living in the building. This may include the building management or owner that is supposed to safeguard the well-being of their employees. Fire safety is generally about reducing the incident of fire and minimise the impact of such fire to life, property, and the environment (Department of Health 2006, p.31). Similarly, a fire prevention programme commonly attempt to encourage cooperation of local fire and rescue service, citizens group, and other emergency services in conducting community fire prevention, education, and protection programmes (Diamantes 2004, p.250). However, the issue behind an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing is different as it involves a certain group of migrant workers with a different view of fire safety thus a more focus approach is required. The strategy in mind will take advantage of fire safety awareness and educate the migrant workers on safe practices. These include a coordinated awareness campaign between the fire and rescue service, the local authorities, community groups, other emergency services, and the media. The fire and rescue service will be the lead agency and provider of fire safety details and the possible mitigating actions that can be taken in order to reduce the possibility of fire in the high-rise temporary housing. These include providing a list of hazards and behavioural concerns about workers attitude towards safety. The mitigating actions that must be taken such as installation of safe cooking facilities and corresponding electrical and gas supply. The local authorities on the other hand will take care of the regulations that must be imposed to the building owner and the necessary steps that should be taken to ensure compliance. These may include evaluating the current condition of the building and its occupants, the additional safety features that are required, and monitoring compliance. The fire and rescue service, in cooperation with the local authorities may encourage community groups to participate and jointly conduct an awareness programme focus on migrant workers. Together, these various groups can conduct actual fire safety orientation activities in the temporary housing and teach workers fire safe practices. These may include a video presentation showing the consequences of carelessness or disregard to fire safety. Leaflets containing fire safe procedures such as proper cooking locations, appliance use, and safe electrical connections. Since fire safety concerns in high-rise temporary housing is not only limited to prevention but safe escape during a fire, the awareness programme may include teaching workers about basic fire suppression using portable fire extinguishers, identifying the right escape routes, and familiarisation with evacuation procedures. An added feature of the strategy, this post-fire awareness programme if followed correctly can actually reduce the number of injuries and fatalities during a fire. Educating workers fully can increase their chances of survival in case of fire. For instance, if workers are aware of the escape route and the necessary actions they must take in order to survive, they will likely go the safest area in the building where smoke and fire cannot reach them. Moreover, knowing basic fire suppression and being familiar with emergency numbers, further spread of fire can be prevented sooner. Knowledge of fires safety can bring a number of benefits not only to the workers but the fire and rescue and other emergency services. This is because the earlier the fire is detected and notified, the faster the responders can respond and suppress the fire at its earliest stage. In addition, workers knowledgeable of basic fire suppression can even kill the fire before any responder arrived. Clearly, awareness can greatly improve workers reaction to fire and increase their chances of survival. According to Sullivan (2003, p.5), awareness leads to self-risk management and therefore effective in changing individual perception of safety. Nilsen (1996, p.34) explains that safety awareness can positively enhance workers attitude and make them check their own rank for safe practices. Awareness therefore can enhance fire safety concerns and in the near future can change improve workers attitude towards safe cooking and proper use of electrical/gas supplies, equipment, and appliances. The media plays a very important role in this strategy as the fire and rescue service, the local authorities, community groups, and other emergency services needs to remind workers constantly about the programme. The media through television, radio, tabloids, magazines, and so on can continually infuse to the mind of the workers and the public as well the risk of overcrowding and living in high-rise building. For instance, through a brief television ad, the media can repeatedly remind workers of fire safety practices twenty four hours a day and seven days a week. Similarly, radio and newspapers can repeatedly tell the workers and the public the importance of fire prevention and techniques that can be use to ensure a fire safe accommodation. More importantly, building owners and management can be reminded of their responsibility under law and would likely comply if they know that the community expect them to be good citizens that are concern with the safety of every human being. Implementing the strategy is just part of the idea because it is also critically important to monitor and measure the effectiveness of the fire safety education programme. This is because the strategy’s level of performance will serve as a motivation for further improvement or adjustment of some elements whenever necessary. For instance, the success of the U.S. initiative “Learn not to Burn” was measured by the total number of lives saved, increasing number of smoke detectors installed, and the reduced number of home fire in the country (Stellman 1998, p. 15). Similarly, the UK “Fire Kills” programme is measured by the number decreasing number of fire occurrence and fatalities (Communities and Local Government 2007, p.28). In this strategy, performance and effectiveness will be measured by the reduction of the number of migrant workers living in the overpopulated high-rise temporary housing- an indication of the building owner’s compliance to occupancy and fire safety regulations, the decreasing number of workers cooking and altering electrical/gas supply carelessly, and the decreasing number of fire occurrence, injuries, and fatalities in general. iv. CONCLUSION High-rise fire is very different in low level residential homes in terms of fire growth/spread, rescue, and evacuation. The limited space and overpopulation greatly contributed to the problems in high-rise temporary housing along with workers carelessness and ignorance with fire safety. Cooking near highly combustible materials increases the possibility of ignition and subsequent fire. Similarly, the overpopulation and limited electrical and gas supply facility are forcing workers to alter critical installations for their individual needs. Moreover, workers tend to use these facilities more than the capacity they were designed to operate resulting to overloading and overheating of wires and equipments. Aside from these hazardous activities, overloading of electrical equipment, smoking materials, and large volume of waste products generated by a large number of people in one building, can greatly increase the possibility of fire occurrence. Since the building is under construction, fire can start and spread rapidly due to lack of fire detection and suppression devices. A fire occurring may not be detected early and spread rapidly throughout the building, trapping and killing a large of number of workers. In addition, the height and the layout of the building can make early fire suppression and rescue almost impossible thus the possibility of large number of injuries and deaths is high. Migrant workers are clearly in danger and there must be an effective and immediate solution to the problem. Fire safety education can be a very effective tool in reducing the number of injuries and casualties in an overpopulated high-rise temporary housing for migrant workers because awareness can positively change workers attitude towards fire safe practices. More importantly, building management or owners will be more responsible if they are aware that the community, media, local authorities, and the fire and rescue service are expecting them to comply and practice fire prevention. It is not enough to implement the strategy as the level of its performance or success must be constantly monitored and evaluated to enable further improvement. v. REFERENCE LIST Alvare S., Dugan D., & Fuzy J. 2005, Nursing Assistant Care, Hartman Publishing Inc, US Beard A. & Carvel R., 2005, The handbook of tunnel fire safety, Thomas Telford, UK Canter D. and Fritzon K, 1998, Differentiating Arsonists. A model of fire setting and characteristics, Journal of Legal and Criminal Psychology, 3, 73-96, 1998. 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