Fire Safety Optimization in UAE High-Rise Buildings (A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Fire Protection Systems)

Authors: Mohamed Lootah, Kim In Ju, Said Zafar,
Journal:  Emirati Journal of Civil Engineering and Applications
Volume: Vol 4 Issue 1
Keywords: Fire safety optimization, Commercial high-rise structures, UAE Fire and Life Safety Code, Climatic resilience in fire protection, Mixed methods study, Mediation analysis (response time)

Abstract:

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is exceptionally hard to keep high-rise buildings safe from fire because of the extreme weather, like heat, UV radiation, and sand in the air, which speeds up the wear and tear on façades and fire-resistant coatings. These stressors make materials less reliable and illustrate how crucial it is to develop standards that are appropriate to dry Gulf conditions. Grenfell Tower and Address Downtown are two big international occurrences that highlight how problems with suppression, compartmentalization, and coordination can make hazards worse. The rapid proliferation of high-rises in the UAE has led to the building of new buildings in a variety of forms and ways of life. The UAE Fire and Life Safety Code require stringent compliance, yet there is a lack of empirical research concerning the relationship between technological systems, regulatory enforcement, and organizational preparation in affecting safety results.

This research utilizes sequential mixed methods designed to rectify inadequacy. A stakeholder survey (N = 200) evaluates the roles of fire-resistant materials, construction regulations, and fire safety management systems (FSMS). We learn about maintenance discipline, evacuation performance, and system reliability via case studies and interviews that go together. The study enhances the existing knowledge by (i) evaluating the interplay of system functionality, compliance, and preparedness in enhancing safety, and (ii) providing recommendations for retrofitting, testing, and policy enhancement that consider climate change. The outcomes expand socio-technical perspectives on fire safety and establish a region-specific framework for resilience in UAE high-rises