Fire hazard vulnerability assessment of shopping centers: Empirical insight from Rangpur City Corporation, Bangladesh

Abstract

Fire hazard is now a global problem, particularly in densely populated areas in developing countries like Bangladesh. Fire hazards frequently happen in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. Fires at several shopping malls prove that the safety measures in the shopping center are not at standard level. This study aimed to assess the fire hazard vulnerability of shopping centers in Rangpur City Corporation, Bangladesh. The study area was surveyed and analyzed with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing along with primary field data regarding existing planning rules and regulations of the Government of Bangladesh. All the structures of the study area were assessed and categorized into four class ranges from very high to low, according to some vulnerability criteria defined by safety codes. The study found that about 30% of the structures fall under very high, 50% fall under high vulnerability and 20% fall under moderate vulnerability class. The most significant issue was the low vulnerable structures of the shopping centers to face fire hazards. Most of the structures fall under the danger classes that can be improved by the direct intervention of the state agency.