An assessment of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Ebekozien ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa ◽  
Solomon Oisasoje Ayo-Odifiri ◽  
Nuzaihan Aras Agus Salim
Keyword(s):  
Fire Safety ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Electrical Faults ◽  
Fire Accidents ◽  
Safety Rules

PurposeThe occurrence of fire accidents in hospital buildings has become a serious challenge and more serious in developing nations. The purpose of this paper intends to assess fire safety measures in Nigerian hospital facilities. The significance of this study is to ensure that the design and construction of hospital facilities enhance the safety of users and properties.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected via a case study and questionnaire survey and administered to the facility users. The study survey is to assess the respondents' perception of fire safety measures in hospital facilities and suggest possible policy measures that will be employed to enhance safety.FindingsThis paper found that 91% of the respondents have awareness of fire safety measures in hospital facilities. Electrical faults and combustible materials were identified as the frequent causes of fire occurrences in hospital facilities. This can be averted where flammable materials and electrical appliances are correctly installed, and safety rules enforced. Findings show that safety rules are lax in public than standard private hospitals.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to fire safety measures in Nigerian healthcare facilities. Future research is needed to evaluate the level of compliance from design, construction and post-construction of precautionary fire safety measures in hospital facilities in Nigeria.Practical implicationsThis paper recommended that designers and hospital administrators should improve on fire safety measures via the development of fire safety management plan and education. Thus, enforcement of fire safety measures in hospital facilities as specified in building codes should be implemented and monitored during and after the design of the hospital buildings. Findings provide valuable lessons on how to improve the fire safety measures in healthcare facilities across the states and other developing countries with similar healthcare situations.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates that the stakeholders, especially government agencies concern with approval and enforcement of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities need to reawaken to her responsibility because of the lax implementation across the states.

Developing a framework for fire safety management plan: the case of Malaysia's public hospital buildings

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mastura Jaafar ◽  
Nuzaihan Aras Agus Salim ◽  
Naziah Muhamad Salleh ◽  
Mohd Zailan Sulieman ◽  
Norhidayah Md Ulang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fire Safety ◽  
Public Hospital ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities

PurposeGlobally, several studies have shown that hospital building is charged with multiple inherent risks because a large number of users are vulnerable in tragic events. Thus, the need for the fire safety management plan (FSMP) has been proved as an instrument to mitigate fire and related risks in healthcare facilities. In Malaysia, FSMP regarding public healthcare building is yet to be explored in-depth. Therefore, this paper explores the information necessary to develop the FSMP framework for public hospital buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe paper’s objectives were accomplished via a combination of five face-to-face interviews and observations of five selected public hospitals in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The five key participants were across the five public hospitals and collated data analysed through thematic analysis with the assistance of MAXQDA 2018.FindingsFindings show that fire safety stakeholders practice system, fire safety action plan and fire risk management were the three main variables that promote fire safety programme and will improve FSMP for Malaysia’s public hospital buildings.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper’s data collection is limited to Penang, Malaysia, and a qualitative research approach was used, but this does not deteriorate the strength of the findings. Future studies are needed to consider validating findings from this paper via a quantitative approach.Practical implicationsThe suggested framework can be employed by Malaysia’s public hospital authorities as a guideline to mitigate fire hazards in the country’s healthcare facilities.Originality/valueThis paper is encouraging hospital operators and other key stakeholders to improve on their FSMP for healthcare buildings across Malaysia as part of the study implications.

Fire safety management of public buildings: a systematic review of hospital buildings in Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naziah Muhamad Salleh ◽  
Nuzaihan Aras Agus Salim ◽  
Mastura Jaafar ◽  
Mohd Zailan Sulieman ◽  
Andrew Ebekozien
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Technical Management ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThere is increasing recognition amongst healthcare providers on the necessity to improve fire safety management in healthcare facilities. This is possibly not yet satisfactory because of recent fire incidents in Asia. This paper set out to analyse the literature because of the paucity of systematic reviews on fire safety management of public healthcare facilities and proffer preventive measures.Design/methodology/approachThirty related studies were identified with the support of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses via Scopus and Web of Science databases.FindingsInfluencing factors, hindrances to fire safety management and preventive measures for fire-related occurrence in Asian hospital buildings were the three themes that emerged from the reviewed. The factors that influence fire in Asian hospital buildings were categorised into technical, management and legislation factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe recommendations of this paper were based on literature that was systematically reviewed but does not compromise the robustness concerning fire safety management in hospital buildings across Asian countries. Much is needed to be known regarding fire safety in healthcare buildings across Asian countries. This paper recommended exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach as part of the implications for further studies. This will allow in-depth face-to-face interviews and increase the generalisability of future findings concerning fire safety management in hospital buildings across Asian countries to a larger population.Practical implicationsAs part of the practical implications, this paper recommends fire safety management plan as one of the practical possible measures for addressing technical, management and legislation factors. Also recommended is training and fire safety education of healthcare staff in collaboration with safety firefighters to address major issues that may arise from management factors. The government should upgrade the safety technology equipment in healthcare facilities as part of measures to mitigate issues concerning technical and legislation factors. Also, the identified factors are part of the theoretical contributions to the advancement of knowledge and this brings to the front burners new opening.Originality/valueThis is probably the first systematic review paper on fire safety hospital buildings in Asia.

Fire safety management in public health-care buildings: issues and possible solutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuzaihan Aras Agus Salim ◽  
Naziah Muhamad Salleh ◽  
Mastura Jaafar ◽  
Mohd Zailan Sulieman ◽  
Norhidayah Md Ulang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Facilities

Purpose Frequent fire incidences in various hospitals across the globe with devastating effects on humans and other resources have multiplied. Stakeholders in the health-care sector are worried because of the yearly fire outbreak increase. However, fire safety management has been proved as a successful platform to mitigate fire in health-care facilities. How far regarding public health-care facilities is yet to receive in-depth studies in Malaysia. This paper aims to investigate the issues associated with fire safety management and proffers possible solutions to improve safety in public health-care facilities from the operators’ perception. Design/methodology/approach The objectives were achieved through a combination of case studies of five selected Malaysia’s public hospitals and a qualitative approach. Thematic analysis with the assistance of MAXQDA (software program designed for computer-assisted qualitative and mixed methods data) 2018, a type of qualitative data analysis software was used to analyse the collated data which emerged from the knowledgeable participants. Findings Lax implementation of safety policy, inadequate water pressure, poor maintenance, inadequate communication system, amongst others, emerged as the issues. Findings proffer five main measures to possibly improve fire safety management in public health-care buildings. This includes a feasible institutional framework, improve the emergency response team, improve the occupational health and safety system and others. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to exploring the issues associated with fire safety management and proffer possible solutions to improve safety in public health-care facilities from the operators’ perception. Future research is needed to engage useful information in advancing fire safety management in public hospital buildings and possibly developing a qualitative model using a generic fire response model. Also, to investigate the level of compliance with the requirements of a fire safety management plan and possibly develop a well-detailed fire safety plan in Malaysia’s public health-care buildings. Practical implications As part of the paper implications, the paper concludes that improved fire protection systems via modern technologies and training of key staff members in accident response and recovery during fire emergencies should be encouraged. This can be achieved through the enforcement and implementation of a fire safety management plan. Thus, this study is encouraging the implementation and sustainability of a fire safety management plan for health-care buildings across Malaysia. Originality/value To the best of this paper’s knowledge, this is possibly the first comprehensive paper on fire safety management in public health-care facilities that engaged operators in Malaysia. Moreover, this paper proffers feasible policy solutions to improve the fire safety management plan in public health-care buildings.

Fire risk of apparel manufacturing buildings in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M.D.I.M. Rathnayake ◽  
P. Sridarran ◽  
M.D.T.E. Abeynayake
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Fire Safety ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Apparel Manufacturing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Indirect Impacts

Purpose The total essence of apparel manufacturing buildings (AMBs) is highly influenced by fire incidents which are caused direct or indirect impacts to the present building structure or even in old age. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted to explore the local and international fire incidents in AMBs and identify 24 factors that contribute to fire risk of AMBs. A questionnaire survey with professionals who have the knowledge and experience related to past fire incidents and 18 interviews with professionals of fire safety management were carried out. Content analysis was involved to evaluate interviewees’ opinions and relative importance index was involved to rank identified factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs. Findings The results revealed that due to the business nature of AMBs hold a high risk for fire incidents. The study discovered 83.4% of high fire risk prevailing in AMBs in Sri Lanka. Faulty wiring, welding work with electrical sparks and accumulation of waste fabric, paper and other garbage recognized as the top three factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Finally, the strategies proposed to eliminate identified all 41 factors that contribute to the fire risk of AMBs in Sri Lanka. Originality/value The paper helps to guide facility owners regarding the fire safety of AMBs in Sri Lanka.

scholarly journals Measuring hotel employee perceived job risk: dimensions and scale development

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 730-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaowu Xie ◽  
Jiangchi Zhang ◽  
Yanying Chen ◽  
Alastair M. Morrison ◽  
Zhibin Lin
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hotel Employees ◽  
Risk Dimensions

Purpose The main purpose of this study is to identify the dimensions of hotel employees’ job risk perceptions and develop a measurement scale for this construct. Design/methodology/approach Four studies using a mixed-method design were conducted to develop and validate the scale of hotel employees’ perceived job risk (HEPJR). Study 1 identified the dimensions and initial items of HEPJR through a literature review and in-depth interviews. In Study 2, an explanatory factor analysis was perform to refine the preliminary items. Study 3 further refined the HEPJR scale through a confirmatory factor analysis. Study 4 confirmed that HEPJR is a 19-item scale through a cross-validation analysis. Findings A reliable and valid scale was developed to measure the following five dimensions of HEPJR: perceived human, equipment, internal environment, external environment and management risks. HEPJR and its dimensions significantly predict negative safety consequences and negative job satisfaction. Research limitations/implications Employees in medium- and high-star-rated hotels in China were surveyed. Future research should test the HEPJR scale in other types of lodging formats (e.g. budget hotels, homestays and cruise ships) and different countries or regions. Practical implications Given the increasingly serious job risks faced by hotel employees, the HEPJR scale can become a benchmark for job risk identification, accident prevention and safety management. Originality/value This scale provides a clear conceptualization and an appropriate measurement tool of HEPJR from a risk-source perspective.

Safety climate and injury occurrence of repair, maintenance, minor alteration and addition works

Facilities ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 188-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol K.H. Hon ◽  
Jimmie Hinze ◽  
Albert P.C. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Safety Climate ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minor Alteration ◽  
Injury Occurrence ◽  
Management Commitment ◽  
Safety Attitude ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The repair, maintenance, minor alteration and addition (RMAA) sector has been expanding in many developed cities. Safety problems of the RMAA sector have attracted the attention of many governments. This study has the objectives of comparing the level of safety climate of workers, supervisors and managers in the RMAA sector; and explaining/predicting the impact of safety climate on injury occurrence of workers, supervisors and managers. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was administered to RMAA contracting companies in Hong Kong. Findings – When comparing the safety climate perception of workers, supervisors and managers in the RMAA sector, the supervisors group had the lowest mean safety climate score. Results showed that a positive workforce safety attitude and acceptance of safety rules and regulations reduced the workers' likelihood of having injuries. A reasonable production schedule led to a lower probability of supervisors being injured. Management commitment and effective safety management reduced the probability of managers being injured. Originality/value – This study revealed variations of safety climate at the different levels in the organizational hierarchy and their varying influence on safety performance of the RMAA sector. Safety of RMAA works could be improved by promulgating specific safety measures at the different hierarchy levels.

Healthcare facilities maintenance management: a literature review

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Yousefli ◽  
Fuzhan Nasiri ◽  
Osama Moselhi
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Facility Management ◽  
Maintenance Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Management Functions ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The complexity and criticality of healthcare services highlight the importance of maintenance management function in healthcare facilities. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on maintenance management of healthcare facilities and hospital buildings to provide an organized literature review and identify gaps from the perspective of research and practice. Design/methodology/approach The paper categorizes the literature and adopts a review hierarchy according to maintenance management functions in hospital buildings. It explores the impact of those functions on the performance of maintenance activities in hospitals. Furthermore, it examines the role of information technology and automated decision support systems in facilitating hospital maintenance management functions and performance. Findings Literature on maintenance management in healthcare facilities and hospital buildings has so far been very limited. Recently published literature focusing on healthcare facilities management and its maintenance management functions is classified into various areas and sub-areas. The paper highlights gaps in the literature and suggests avenues for future research and improvements. Originality/value The paper contains a comprehensive listing of publications and their classifications according to various attributes. It will be useful for researchers, maintenance managers, practitioners and stakeholders concerned with facility management of hospital buildings.

Exploring a comprehensive knowledge map for promoting safety management research in the construction industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Wang ◽  
Yiming Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Scientometric Analysis ◽  
Knowledge Map ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comprehensive Knowledge

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to map the safety management research of construction industry by scientometric analysis, which can predict important highlights and future research directions of safety management research in the construction industry. As an important issue in the construction industry, safety management issues have been researched from different perspectives. Although previous studies make knowledge contributions to the safety management research of construction industry, there are still huge obstacles to distinguish the comprehensive knowledge map of safety management research in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies three scientometric analysis methods, collaboration network analysis, co-occurrence network analysis and cocitation network analysis, to the safety management research of construction industry. 5,406 articles were retrieved from the core collection database of the Web of Science. CiteSpace was used for constructing a comprehensive analysis framework to analyze and visualize the safety management research of construction industry. According to integrating the analysis results, a knowledge map for the safety management research of construction industry can be constructed.FindingsThe analysis results revealed the academic communities, key research topics and knowledge body of safety management research in the construction industry. The evolution paths of safety management research in the construction industry were divided into three development stages: “construction safety management”, “multi-objective safety management” and “comprehensive safety management”. Five research directions were predicted on the future safety management research of construction industry, including (1) comprehensive assessment indicators system; (2) intelligent safety management; (3) cross-organization collaboration of safety management; (4) multilevel safety behavior perception and (5) comparative analysis of safety climate.Originality/valueThe findings can reveal the overall status of safety management research in the construction industry and represent a high-quality knowledge body of safety management research in the construction industry that accurately reflects the comprehensive knowledge map on the safety management research of construction industry. The findings also predict important highlights and future research directions of safety management research in the construction industry, which will help researchers in the safety management research of construction industry for future collaboration and work.

A systematic literature review of food safety management system implementation in global supply chains

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tram Thi Bich Nguyen ◽  
Dong Li
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Management System ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Safety Management System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Food

PurposeThe study sets to summarise managerial requirements, analyse practices and tools to measure food safety management system (FSMS) implementation. Also, underpinned by critical success factors (CSFs) theory, the authors explore when food firms manage FSMS and which factors are critical to their implementation to identify promising research directions for researchers and suggestions for practitioners through a comprehensive analytical lens.Design/methodology/approachIt is difficult to ensure food safety from farm to fork worldwide. The paper addresses this challenge from the angle of how firms measure and improve the implementation of the FSMS in global food supply chains by a systematic review combined with biological mapping analysis (VOS viewer) on 81 peer-reviewed papers published from 2005 to 2020.FindingsMandatory and voluntary regulations and standards are the most critical part of international requirements to assure integrated, proactive, risk-based approaches as well as continuous improvement in the FSMS in global food chains. To measure the FSMS, only a limited number of measurement tools for the FSMS have been identified. External and internal factors, and technology adoption that significantly impact the management of the FSMS implementation still require more future works.Research limitations/implicationsSeveral FSMS research gaps observed during the content analysis of selected papers within 15 years are presented along with ten future research questions.Practical implicationsA systematised list of published papers that have been studied and reported in this research could be a useful reference point for practitioners in the food industry.Originality/valueThis study set out to summarise managerial requirements for the FSMS from the existing research, analyse practices and tools to measure FSMS implementation, explore when food firms manage the FSMS, which factors are critical to their implementation, and identify promising research directions for researchers and useful suggestions for practitioners.

An integrated fire safety assessment of a student housing facility

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 354-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muizz O. Sanni-Anibire ◽  
Mohammad A. Hassanain
Keyword(s):  
Fire Safety ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Safety Assessment ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Student Housing ◽  
Simulation Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Housing Facility

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated approach to fire safety assessment, through combining the outcomes of a checklist tailored to the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC), and an evacuation simulation tool (EVACNET4), applied to a student housing facility as case study. Design/methodology/approach – The authors reviewed relevant literature and previous studies pertaining to fire safety assessment and management. An assessment checklist was developed according to the requirements of the IBC. EVACNET4 simulation tool was utilized to model the evacuation of the facility under review. The results derived from the aforementioned steps were correlated to identify potential corroborating or conflicting issues pertaining to the safe evacuation of building occupants in the occurrence of a fire incident. Findings – Fire safety provisions were found to be adequate, and the building can be evacuated safely in about 190 seconds, should a fire occur. The architectural design aspects of the exit doors which might cause potential bottlenecks were identified. Originality/value – A completely fire safe building does not exist, and thus more integrative approaches to fire safety assessment and management will reduce to the least extent possible fire risks. A holistic fire safety management of campus housing is of paramount interest to the campus community, and the building industry at large.

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