Professionals tasked on high-rise safety

To mitigate structural failures, professional facility manager in the built-up sector have been urged to develop general understanding of risk assessment in high-rise buildings to prevent unforeseen accidents relating to air conditioning and ventilation.

The Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, led the charge at a workshop for facility management firms in Lagos. He urged them to be conscious of issues relating to ventilation and air conditioning, particularly, during hot climate conditions, which could cause distress to occupants as well as issues of electrical fault testing, and water safety.

Mojola said: “According to Section 202 of the International Building Code, which is recognised globally, any building from 75 feet (22,860 metres) and above is regarded as a tall building. Tall buildings are unique because they have their distinct ways of management from a regular building and this is due to the hazards that are embedded within them. It is important that facility managers have a general understanding of risk assessment of tall buildings.”

He enjoined the practitioners to value lives, take responsibility and imbibe positive safety culture.

The DG, who spoke on, “Risk Management in High Rise Buildings,” said high structures are unique because they have distinct ways of management different from regular buildings due to the hazards associated with height.

The President, International Facility Management Association, (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter, Segun Adebayo, advised facility managers to prioritise risk management in their services.

He said practitioners must learn to deliver quality, sustainable and professional services to employers of labour, adding that data shows more attention needs to be focused on high-rise buildings.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Sesan Ogundeko, said the government would continue to sensitise and engage the public on awareness programmes before it moves to enforce compliance across the state.