The Ikeja Cell of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has called for the implementation of the National Building Code (NBC), which makes it mandatory for property owners to include fire ratings in buildings across the country.
The Coordinator, Dr Gbolahan Oyelakin, who made the call during a forum organised by the Cell in Lagos, said there is a need to domesticate the code in states and adopt fire safety standards, which specify fire-rating doors and other essential specifications/designs in buildings.
Oyelakin said stakeholders must see the need to promote local contents in the building materials market, by partnering, patronising local manufacturers that specialise in the production of such components, as well as ensuring the government provides incentives to manufacturers.
“There is the need to have a conversation with the government on policies around fire safety as many professionals are not aware of it, and not complying with fire safety regulations in buildings, designs, and implementation. We have realised that fire incidents are one of the causes of building collapse and want to address the issue by sensitising professionals, as well as promote strict compliance to fire safety regulations,” he said.
Sales and Marketing Manager, Mul-T-Lock Nigeria Limited, Patricia Iloba, who spoke on ‘Fire incidents in Nigeria: A Growing Concern’, argued that fire-rated components such as doors with panic bars and door closers, walls, ceilings are important in buildings as they help contain fires and prevent them from spreading quickly.
She noted that such components provide a safe escape route for occupants and allow firefighters to access buildings easily, protect the structural integrity of the building, prevent the spread of fire to neighbouring buildings and reduce the risk of building collapse.
Iloba implored Nigerians to deploy fire-rated components such as fire-resistant doors and frames, fire-rated walls and partitions, fire-resistant roofing materials and fire-resistant electrical and plumbing components as they play a crucial role in buildings.
“By incorporating fire-rated components into building design and construction, we can reduce the risk of fire incidents, prevent building collapse, and save lives. Builders, architects, and building owners must prioritise fire safety and take proactive measures to protect lives and properties, ” she said.
BCPG President, Sulaimon Yusuf, encouraged professionals to adhere strictly to the existence of extant building laws and regulations, follow the necessary steps and collaborate with the government in implementing such regulations to avert fire incidents and building collapse.
On his part, Assistant Chief Fire Officer/Head of Public Education, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Shakiru Amodu, explained that there are standards required to ensure fire safety, and prevent building collapse in relation to construction, engineering and safety.
He said there was a need to adhere to town planning laws, quality in terms of building materials, design of structure, training and retraining of professionals to end building-related disasters.
