Evaluation of Fire Safety Compliance in Highrise Commercial Buildings in Lagos State

Highrise commercial buildings in Lagos State, South West Nigeria, present complex fire safety challenges, and professional evaluation of their compliance with fire safety regulations is critical for occupant protection in the event of fire emergencies. This study evaluated fire safety compliance in 25 highrise commercial buildings (above 10 storeys) in Lagos Island, Victoria Island, and Ikeja, using a structured fire safety audit checklist based on the Nigerian Fire Prevention Standard and BS 9999:2017. Audit items covered fire detection and alarm systems, automatic sprinkler provision, emergency lighting, means of escape, fire doors, fire compartmentation, fire signage, fire fighting equipment, and building fire safety management. Fire safety compliance scores were calculated for each building, and buildings were classified as fully compliant, partially compliant, or non-compliant. Results showed that no building achieved full compliance. Mean compliance score was 58 out of 100. Emergency lighting was non-compliant in 60% of buildings. Fire compartmentation was breached in 68% of buildings through unsealed service penetrations. Automatic sprinkler systems were absent in 72% of inspected highrise buildings. Fire safety management records (evacuation plans, fire drills, and warden training) were inadequate in 80% of buildings. The study concludes that fire safety compliance in Lagos highrise commercial buildings is critically deficient and recommends mandatory annual fire safety audits with public disclosure of compliance scores under the Lagos State Fire Service.

Keywords: fire safety, highrise buildings, fire compliance audit, Lagos State, means of escape