ENHANCING FIRE SAFETY IN HOSTEL DESIGNS

Housing is one of the basic human needs, apart from food and clothing. The increasing number of postgraduate students in tertiary institutions, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in particular, has raised accommodation problems. Establishment of off-campus private hostels was initially perceived as a solution but property owners have taken advantage of the high demand to increase rents. Students and parents are reeling under this financial burden. This has equally become a University management concern. Subsequently, the current trend of fire in hostel buildings has become a concern in our society today. There has been a lot of incidence of fire in hostels, where student has lost their lives and valuable properties. These issues need to be reconciled with the building codes, fire safety design and cost constraints of the project. Consequently, this dissertation tends to identify the problems and attitudes associated with fire in hostel buildings and proffer solution through design approach that will help to prevent ignition of fire, limit spread, minimize damage and maximize life safety of the occupants and for the firefighters.