VIABILITY OF FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES IN THE STUDENT HOSTELS AT SELECTED KATSINA STATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Most of the windows in tertiary institution hostels are usually provided with security bars which may help to keep the hostels safe from intruders, but they can also trap students in case of fire outbreak. The tertiary institutions’ administration should make windows and doors with security bars have quick release devices for easy opening in an emergency. This study addressed the problem of the devastating effect of fire which results in loss of lives and properties due to the fact that many tertiary institutions in Nigeria have given less attention to the fire safety programme. To address this problem, the study set out to assess the cost of provision of escape routes in the hostels of tertiary institutions in Katsina State in case of fire occurrence. Data were collected from the archive of the Works Department of four selected tertiary institutions in Katsina State and from direct measurement of floor areas, area of escape routes and number of escape routes (i.e. doors, corridors and staircases) from three hostels from each of the four selected institutions. Analysis of data was done with the use of regression analyses. Major findings from the study showed that there exists significant relationship between: i. the cost of providing escape routes and cost of construction; ii. population of hostel occupants and number of escape routes; and iii. floor area of hostel and area of escape routes. It was concluded that population of hostel occupants, hostel floor area, number of escape routes and area of escape routes have significant influence on the cost of providing escape routes in tertiary institution buildings. It was recommended that the projected number of hostel occupants and hostel floor area should be considered in estimating the cost and number of escape routes when designing for escape routes in the hostel buildings.