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Introduction
Background
A Building’s design is partly a product of people’s hopes and expectations. Indeed, as technology advances and people’s views of life change, their comprehension of lived spaces adopt the same shift (Tamari 2017; Holleran 2015). For example, urbanization and population growth have seen developers increasingly adopt vertical living solutions to economize on space (Wood et al. 2014). This kind of construction has made it possible for people and offices to be housed in one building and is unlike traditional construction options of bungalow living where buildings would not go higher than two storeys.
The first types of high-rise buildings were primarily designed to meet the rising demand for urban commercial spaces in major cities around the world (Park & The Images Publishing Group 2014). They were also primarily amenity-packed housing structures for the wealthy (Al-Kodmany 2018). However, over time, the trend changed, and many cities started developing high-rise buildings for middle and low-income dwellers. Changing lifestyle patterns have also added to the vertical living trend because people are starting families later in life.
Therefore, the need to have a garden and compound to support families, as was the case in the past, does not arise until later in life. This lifestyle change means that many people prefer to live in high-rise buildings to save on rental costs, transport expenses, and to be near their places of work. As countries continue to develop, the vertical living trend is set to become more popular in both construction and architectural industries (Sayigh 2016). Indeed, according to Al-Kodmany (2018), high-rise buildings are becoming the most common type of dwelling in many cities around the world.
Similar to many wealthy nations, high-rise buildings are also popular in Asia because many of its cities are experiencing transformational growth through rapid economic development. For example, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo are classic examples of cities that house most of their populations in high-rise buildings (Tamari 2017). In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Burj Khalifa building, which is the tallest in the world, is more than 160 storeys high (Visit Dubai 2019). The Shanghai Tower in China is another tall building, which is more than 120 storeys high (Council of Tall Buildings and Habitats 2019).
In Qatar, many high-rise buildings are located in the country’s major capital – Doha. The tallest building in the city is the Aspire Tower and it is about 300 meters tall. There are many types of high-rise buildings in Qatar but among the first major structures was the Umm Al Abdilli residential building, which was completed in 1993.
The building was 50 storeys high and since its construction, there have been taller buildings developed in the country. The construction of tall buildings in Qatar is necessary because of the desire for contractors to maximize space use and exploit economies of scale in construction (Sayigh 2016). Land use limitations have also contributed to the emergence and proliferation of these buildings in many countries around the world.
Although the growth of high-rise buildings has helped to address housing problems, it poses a challenge to the management of fires because of their complex designs and structures. Records show that in the past three decades, fires and earthquakes have been the primary causes of structural faults in high-rise buildings (Bromann 2016). Within the same period, studies have shown that fire has caused the collapse of most of these buildings (Diamantes 2014). Part of the problem is the failure of contractors to follow the rules and regulations of construction (Stollard 2014).
Some of these structural failures have caused human and financial loss, as was seen through the 2003 Cook County building fire in Chicago (University of Illinois Board of Trustees 2019). The fire razed down an entire building because the smoke detectors failed to work (University of Illinois Board of Trustees 2019). This structural failure allowed the fire to spread across 44 floors in only 15 minutes (University of Illinois Board of Trustees 2019).
A similar calamity happened in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2009 with the Camberwell fire (London Fire Commissioner 2019). The incident was attributed to the contractor’s failure to observe building regulations pertaining to fire management (London Fire Commissioner 2019). Some of these fires have also been caused by systemic failures.
For example, the 2002 Santana Row Fire in the US was attributed to an incomplete firefighting system installed in a high-rise building (USFA 2018). More recently, the Greenfell Tower fire captured the world’s attention when it engulfed a 24-storey building in London, causing more than 70 deaths (Stec et al. 2019). The fire was attributed to a faulty refrigerator (Stec et al. 2019).
The fires highlighted above underscore the complexity of managing fires in tall buildings because it is difficult to evacuate people from such structures, as there could be a high human cost associated with the lack of proper evacuation routes. For example, 27 people died in a fire incident at a textile factory in Alexandria because they could not escape due to the complex design of the high-rise building (Bowden 2014). The World Trade Centrefire that claimed more than 2,700 people was also attributed to poor escape routes (Bowden 2014).
High-rise buildings also pose a challenge to firefighters because external firefighting methods are often not feasible or practical to use in such buildings. At the same time, tall buildings pose a challenge to firefighters because of the difficulty in locating the exact floor where the fire started. For instance, firefighters have died when they inadvertently traveled to floors that are engulfed in flames (Klaene 2015). High-rise buildings also pose a challenge due to the availability of water to put out fires because it is difficult to maintain high flow and pressure on high floors (Klaene 2015).
Similarly, there is a limit to the amount of water that can be usefully transported to high floors for purposes of extinguishing a fire. Relative to this assertion, high-rise buildings pose a challenge to firefighters who usually have trouble providing firefighting equipment in high-rise buildings, while trying to maintain compatibility with the flow and pressure of water that comes from fixed installations, such as water hydrants.
High-rise buildings are also associated with intense physiological demands on firefighters who struggle to put out fires because of poor ventilation and the elevation of both materials and personnel to high floors (Tamari 2017). Furthermore, access to high floors may only be through one access point, thereby limiting the movement of firefighters and their equipment across different building levels.
Firefighting efforts in high-rise buildings are also a dangerous activity based on the risks posed to the lives of firefighters. Particularly, the risk of falling objects and burning debris harming firefighters who work in such buildings is high (Goldfeder 2014). The complex design of tall buildings and their sophisticated security features (especially in high-value installations) also inhibit firefighters from carrying out their work effectively.
For example, the complex security systems, which are associated with most modern tall buildings, could limit access to firefighters who want to move from one floor to another. Relative to this assertion, card access points and code entry systems that secure access to different building floors have impeded firefighting efforts in the past (Goldfeder 2014). The complexity of the internal layout of high-rise buildings also poses the same problem because they affect how crews access floors. This problem is also associated with the disorientation of firefighting personnel (Goldfeder 2014).
The challenge of managing fires in high-rise buildings has increased the incidence of fires in Qatar. According to figure 1 below, there has been a steady rise in the number of fire incidences in the Middle East nation from 2014 to 2017.
The above statistics relate to general fires in Qatar because there is scanty information relating to fires that affect high-rise buildings only. However, there is little doubt that fires affecting high-rise structures have the biggest risk of casualties because of the high number of people who use them. For example, a report authored by Adil (2016) shows that a mall, which was under construction in Al Rayyan municipality caught fire when more than 14,000 workers were present on site.
Also, in 2016, several incidences of fire were also reported in Qatar. For example, there was a fire at the Caravan restaurant complex in Doha, which affected the building’s upper floors (Gulf Times 2018). Some sources claimed that the complex design of the building and the heavy smoke billowing from the flames made it difficult for hundreds of workers trapped in the building to evacuate (Gulf Times 2018). This challenge stemmed from the complexity of the high-rise structure (Gulf Times 2018).
In 2017, there was another fire incident at Corniche, which caused losses of millions of dollars (Gulf Times 2018). Lastly, in 2018, there was another fire incident at Doha Metro station, which was contained before it affected other parts of the building (Gulf Times 2018).
The Qatar Statistics Authority claims that the causes of most fires in the country are undetermined (DNT 2014). For example, experts did not determine the causes of 906 fires out of a possible 1,092, which occurred in 2014 (DNT 2014). In previous years, Qatar also reported that authorities could not establish the causes of most fires. For example, in 2010, they could not identify the causes of 734 fires out of a possible 819 that occurred in the year (DNT 2014).
The previous year (2009) was also no different because authorities could not establish the causes of 636 fires out of a possible 848 that occurred within the year (DNT 2014). This problem has forced observers and experts alike to question the rationale for improving fire safety standards in the country if the causes remain largely undetermined.
Nonetheless, some independent reports suggest that some of the recent fires reported in Qatar were caused by electrical faults. For example, a report authored by Toumi (2014) showed that the 2012 fire at a city mall in Qatar was caused by this issue. In a different incident, fire razed down Valliago mall and killed 19 people. An electrical fault was established as the main cause of the fire (DNT 2014).
Arson has also been reported as another cause of fire in Qatar and it has been linked with a poor response by authorities and security teams (Reuters 2014). For example, the mall fire highlighted above was characterized by a poor response from fire firefighters (Reuters 2014). Reports also suggest that relevant agencies undertook their work in a chaotic fashion, thereby undermining their ability to properly manage the blaze (Reuters 2014).
One of the main peculiarities of Qatar-based fires is the frequent tendency of authorities to seek legal redress to manage them. For example, in a report published by Reuters (2014), a fire that affected an aviation college and killed 19 foreigners were attributed to a lack of safety standards, and legislative redress was sought. Independent reports also suggest that there is a poor adherence to fire safety standards in Qatar (Ulrichsen 2014).
Another peculiarity of fires that happen in the country is their common occurrence during the summer (about 140 fires are reported in one month during the summer) (DNT 2014). Lastly, another distinguishing feature of fires in Qatar is the uncoordinated response of authorities tasked with the duty of fire management (Reuters 2014). Particularly, the poor coordination between different government agencies is a cause of concern in fire management services in Qatar (Reuters 2014).
Problem Statement
Several research studies have identified different firefighting methods and technology for use in high-rise buildings. However, their investigations have only focused on western countries, such as Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) despite the differences in the application of firefighting techniques across different jurisdictions and borders (Goldfeder 2014; Morse 2015).
Therefore, little information is available in the existing literature about firefighting technology and methods in the Middle East. Differences in legal policies and standard operating procedures of fire-fighting technologies between Middle Eastern and western countries inform this problem. For example, the installation of fire hydrants on the side of a street is a common practice in many western cities but it is not widely adopted in many Middle Eastern countries (Morse 2015).
Additionally, the availability of firefighting resources, such as water, also affects fire management strategies in different countries. For example, water (as a firefighting resource) is scarce in many Middle Eastern countries. Therefore, it may be impractical to adopt western-based firefighting methods in a country that does not have an abundance of this resource.
The differences between how western-based and non-western countries employ fire-fighting strategies highlight the need to conduct a context-specific review. For example, many wealthy countries have the financial resources needed to buy and integrate new firefighting technology in high-rise buildings better than developing countries do (Morse 2015). Differences in capacities to absorb similar technologies between western and Middle Eastern countries also play a role in influencing how different nations employ available firefighting strategies (Tamari 2017). Therefore, those that have a high capacity for adopting new technology are likely to do so better than those that do not have a similar capacity (Morse 2015; Tamari 2017).
Different perceptions concerning resource utilization between western and Middle Eastern countries also affect the adoption of firefighting techniques in both sets of nations (Morse 2015; Tamari 2017). Such beliefs and norms may influence how contractors set up fire prevention installations and how governments respond to this problem (Tamari 2017; Holleran 2015). Differences in management techniques also affect firefighting methodologies adopted by western and Middle Eastern countries (Tamari 2017; Holleran 2015). These differences influence how both sets of countries adopt firefighting methods.
Qatar uses several types of traditional firefighting technologies, such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, standpipes, and alarm systems to manage fires in high-rise buildings (Ministry of Interior Qatar Civil Defense Fire Prevention Department 2019). The automatic sprinkler system is perhaps the most common fire extinguishing method in the country because it is installed in many modern high-rise buildings (Ministry of Interior Qatar Civil Defense Fire Prevention Department 2019). However, these technologies have failed to work because of inefficiencies in the implementation of fire safety laws and poor maintenance (Tamari 2017).
The use of smart firefighting technology is an underexplored area of fire management in Qatar. Smart firefighting technology refers to the use of fire-fighting strategies that involve saving lives, minimizing injuries, improving the occupational health and safety of firefighters, enhancing the overall efficiency of firefighting services, and minimizing property loss from fire (Ministry of Interior Qatar Civil Defense Fire Prevention Department 2019). In other words, new opportunities in technology development are not being effectively utilized in Qatar.
For example, new and smart technologies, such as cyber-physical systems, sensor-assisted fire-fighting methods, and remote-controlled aerial monitored fire-fighting techniques are not being effectively explored for use in the country (Lee, Jung & Lee 2014). Therefore, this study presents it as the missing link for proactive firefighting management in the country. Additionally, technologies that will be proposed in the current study will be related to fire management in high-rise buildings.
Aim of Project. To review fire-fighting methods and technology available for high-rise buildings in Qatar
Study Objectives:
- To identify the causes of fires in high-rise buildings in Qatar
- To find out if there are peculiarities regarding the causes of fire in high-rise buildings in Qatar
- To identify “smart” firefighting technology applicable to high-rise buildings in Qatar
- To understand the main challenges affecting Qatari firefighters in the adoption of smart technologies for managing fires in high-rise buildings
- To suggest how smart technologies can be adopted in both old and future high-rise buildings
Data will be gathered and analyzed using descriptive statistics methods, such as means, frequencies, graphs and histograms (Donnelly& Arora 2015). This technique is appropriate for this study because the study is descriptive in nature. Furthermore, the study objectives are descriptive because they strive to identify the causes of fires in high-rise buildings in Qatar, find out the peculiarities of fires in the country, identify commonly used firefighting technology, and understand the main challenges affecting Qatari firefighters in the adoption of new technologies in fire management. Therefore, the descriptive analysis method was used to visualize raw data and evaluate their relationship with the study questions.
Importance of Study
Understanding firefighting methods for high-rise buildings in Qatar and the availability of new technology to manage them would help in reducing the damage they cause to tall buildings. Such information would also be instrumental in expanding the volume of literature regarding the use of firefighting methods. This study also provides a platform for future researchers to understand how Middle Eastern countries manage fires.
Authorities could use this information to improve fire training curricula in Qatar using different strategies, such as employing advancements in new technology in their fire risk assessment processes and boosting fire prevention strategies. These recommendations align with the views of Diamantes (2014) who says that the best firefighting strategy is prevention.
The outcomes of this study would add to the existing body of literature regarding fire responses in tall buildings. More importantly, they would improve workplace safety in organizations that are housed in high-rise buildings. Therefore, by understanding the availability of “smart” firefighting methods and technology in Qatar, local organizations would better understand what they need to do when a fire incident happens and how best to evacuate people out of tall buildings.
In this regard, information that would be generated from the study would help to improve fire safety practices in Qatar (Klaene 2015). Such a development would improve the country’s capacity to handle fire incidences because it would make Qatar more responsive to the need to do proper risk assessments or to take precautionary actions in preventing fire incidents. A culture of safety, if properly inculcated in the Qatar construction industry, would also minimize laxity in enforcing fire safety policies. At the same time, it would lead to improved enforcement of firefighting initiatives and enhance the overall commitment of stakeholders to minimize fire risks.
Literature Review
Firefighting Methods in High-Rise Buildings
Most pieces of literature that have explored firefighting technology in high-rise buildings consider water as a premium resource in managing fires (Hu, Milke&Merci 2017; Hadžikadić& Avdaković 2016). However, this resource can only be a useful one if there is enough pressure to put out fires that occur on high floors. Different countries have unique laws that govern how water piping systems in high-rise buildings will maintain high pressure. For example, in the UK, buildings that are over 60 meters tall require a WET RISER installation as part of the piping infrastructure for tall buildings (Interesting Engineering 2017).
Such equipment requires a fixed water supply pressure that firefighters can use to maintain adequate water output. Most buildings that were constructed before the year 2006 in the UK have this type of installation (Interesting Engineering 2017). Other types of buildings have DRY RISER installation to maintain steady water pressure. The availability of water supply has also been mentioned as another resource of fire management in high-rise buildings. For example, Hadžikadić and Avdaković (2016) say the flow rate of water is important in managing fires that occur in high-rise buildings.
Availability of Fire-Fighting Technology for High-Rise Buildings
Several types of technology are used in preventing and managing fires that occur in high-rise buildings. For example, the installation of smoke alarms, gas monitors, sprinkler systems, and automatic shut-off valves are readily available technologies used in many jurisdictions around the world to prevent fires. Most of these technologies are based on the use of new materials in construction (Evegren& Hertzberg 2017).
Notably, most developed countries have adopted highly advanced production techniques, such as fire insulating materials, to reduce the risk of fire spread (Evegren& Hertzberg 2017). Some of the materials used include polystyrene and polyurethane (Evegren& Hertzberg 2017). These items have also been used in high-rise buildings as energy-saving resources.
There is little doubt among experts that different technologies are available to manage fires in high-rise buildings (Watts 2018). More importantly, current research in fire management shows that new equipment and methods are under development and set to revolutionize firefighting methods in the future (Lee, Jung & Lee 2014).
For example, sensor-assisted fire-fighting methods are being developed to enable firefighters to correctly model the growth and spread of fires (Lee, Jung & Lee 2014). These sensors work by feeding data about fire spread into computer models to allow fire-fighting personnel to improve their response plans (Evegren& Hertzberg 2017). Other new technologies, such as the electrical wave blaster are also in the development phase (Watts 2018). They are designed to bend fires and extinguish flames without using large amounts of water (Watts 2018).
Only a handful of countries are using new firefighting technology, such as remote-controlled aerial monitored techniques. For example, Australia is using the technology to gather data, detect hotspots and send real-time information to an incident center where data is processed to improve firefighting responses (Watts 2018).
Similar technology is partly being used in the US with aerial supervision and intelligence gathering set to provide tactical support to firefighters that want to extinguish fires in high-rise buildings (Alkhatib 2014). For example, the US Forest fire department is testing this technology (Alkhatib 2014). Lastly, the use of better materials for fire safety and management, such as the use of corrugated cardboard, which supports upward (as opposed to sideways) spread of flames, is used by a few countries. Such technology is instrumental in predicting how fire spreads (Alkhatib 2014).
Main Components of Fire Fighting Systems in High-Rise Buildings
Eight major components of firefighting are necessary for high-rise buildings (Goldfeder 2014). The first one is an incident command center, which acts as an operational or command center for making strategic decisions in fire management (Goldfeder 2014; Morse 2015). This center is important for high-rise buildings because, unlike smaller buildings, they have complex structures that could affect firefighting operations (Morse 2015).
From the incident command center, one person usually makes important decisions about fire management, such as identifying affected floors, knowing how to access them, understanding how to use the building layout to evacuate people, identifying the location of the stairway and equipment needed to mitigate the emergency (Malesińska et al. 2018).
The next major component of firefighting in high-rise buildings is the establishment of a water supply network. Some researchers suggest that most buildings, regardless of the jurisdiction involved, have a stand-pipe system in place to provide water supply (Malesińska et al. 2018; Goldfeder 2014; Morse 2015). Again, as highlighted in this chapter, these standpipe systems are either wet or dry. Studies published by a professional organization called Interesting Engineering (2017) suggest that it is imperative for firefighters to have a pre-fire management plan.
They also propose that these pre-fire management plans need to define the kind of water supply system needed to put out fires in high-rise buildings, subject to the legislative framework of the country as well as the complexity of the building structure involved (Goldfeder 2014). The standpipe system is a key feature in most high-rise buildings and is among the most important feature of fire management in many Middle Eastern countries (Malesińska et al. 2018).
The third major component of the firefighting system in high-rise buildings is the ability to access floors. Relative to this assertion, Stollard (2014) suggests that the only way to access fires that occur above eight floors is to use a stairwell or elevator. Studies also suggest that an incident commander can set up a report center one floor below the fire (only if the building has an elevator) (Stollard 2014). The justification for setting up this center is to improve the effectiveness of firefighting efforts. However, gaining access to buildings that have many floors could slow down the speed of transporting equipment or people across these floors. In such situations, firefighters are encouraged to use the stairway (Morse 2015).
The fourth component of firefighting in high-rise buildings is the operations plan, which outlines the modalities that firefighters should use in undertaking their operations. The fifth major component of firefighting in high-rise buildings is ventilation. This tenet of fire management is essential because it is difficult to achieve proper ventilation in tall buildings because of complex floor arrangements and limited access points. Indeed, as Klaene (2015) points out, firefighting practices in tall buildings are problematic because proper ventilation cannot be achieved by simply opening the roofs and windows, as would be the case in smaller buildings.
Although task-oriented, using the stairway for ventilation is a commonly agreed practice. Fans have also been used to improve ventilation in tall buildings, but the practice is not openly adopted because of limited effectiveness (Morse 2015). However, the inability of firefighters to be conversant with the nuances of ventilation systems in high-rise buildings has posed a problem to the adoption of sophisticated ventilation methods (Klaene 2015).
The sixth component of firefighting methods adopted in high-rise buildings is “evacuation.” As mentioned in earlier sections of this study, researchers have pointed out that evacuating people from high-rise buildings is a difficult process. The common practice adopted by firefighting departments is to use stairways that are not affected by fire or smoke to evacuate people (Morse 2015).
Although such plans aim to create orderly evacuations, in many cases, many people flee buildings in panic. Selected pieces of literature deem this type of escape as “self-evacuation” (Goldfeder 2014; Morse 2015). A more organized plan is the controlled selective evacuation model, which ordinarily happens when professionals influence the evacuation process (Goldfeder 2014; Morse 2015).
The seventh component of firefighting processes reported in high-rise buildings is fire spread. It is aimed at controlling the spread of fire. It is also an important part of fire management because the time used to reach the scene of an emergency and assemble water supply systems often leaves enough room for a fire to spread (Klaene 2015). Lastly, firefighting management in tall buildings should also include the pre-fire planning process (Malesińska et al. 2018).
In other words, all building contractors are encouraged to have a fire plan, which typically includes several aspects of a building’s operations and structure, such as the floor layout, elevator location, stairways, and standpipe locations, just to mention a few. Although a fire plan may not be used in a building’s life if there is no emergency, there is a need to update them (Malesińska et al. 2018). Broadly, figure 2 below summarises the main components of firefighting systems in tall buildings.
Main Challenges Affecting Firefighters in the Adoption of New technologies to put out Fires in High-Rise Buildings
According to Paton (2018), it is imperative for firefighters to understand technological advancements in their line of work. They are also supposed to be acquainted with fire behavior and the need to shape their own attitudes to align with future trends in the adoption of new technology. One of the biggest problems associated with the integration of new technology in firefighting systems for high-rise buildings is the capability of fire departments to integrate new technology with existing systems or data.
In this regard, studies suggest the need to undertake automation in phases to increase the overall acceptance level for new technology (Malesińska et al. 2018; Goldfeder 2014; Morse 2015). At the same time, researchers suggest the need to adopt new technologies at the initial stages of the pre-fire planning stage to minimize disruptions in workflow processes (Paton 2018).
The lack of proper training among some firefighters has also been highlighted as another challenge affecting the adoption of new technology (Paton 2018). Here, competent individuals are encouraged to embrace new technology in fire management (Malesińska et al. 2018; Goldfeder 2014). Often, most personnel are not conversant with these developments, thereby rejecting or not using them because of the “fear of the unknown” (Malesińska et al. 2018; Goldfeder 2014). Relative to this assertion, Klaene (2015) adds that, despite the need to understand new technology, it is always important for firefighters to make sure they receive proper training.
Failing to implement the right systems and procedures in the adoption of new technology is also another challenge associated with the adoption of new technology (Malesińska et al. 2018; Goldfeder 2014; Morse 2015). Particularly, proper implementation and integration of such technology into the national systems are important steps in managing fires involving tall buildings because doing so provides the mechanism for executing the technological integration plan.
Cost issues and difficulties in integrating technology into older buildings are also other challenges highlighted by researchers as impediments to the adoption of new technology in firefighting. Cost issues have been cited more times than the challenge of integrating new technology into buildings as an impediment to the adoption of new technology in high-rise buildings. For example, it has been mentioned by Bromann (2016), Evegren and Hertzberg (2017), Bennet and Kolleck (2017), while the difficulty of integrating new technology into old buildings has only been mentioned by Goldfeder (2014) andHadžikadić and Avdaković (2016).
Summary
This chapter has highlighted existing evidence involving available firefighting technology, the reasons some firefighters are hesitant to use new technology in their work, the main components of firefighting in high-rise buildings, and the most commonly used fire-fighting methods in high-rise buildings. The analysis reveals that most works of literature sampled are western-based.
In other words, few studies have explored how existing technology is being adopted in the Middle East and Qatar in particular. Additionally, no studies have explored the challenges that firefighters in Qatar, or the wider Middle East, experience in the adoption of new technology to quell fires in high-rise buildings. This gap informs the current study. The methods used in answering the research questions will be explored in the subsequent chapter.
Methodology
Research Methods
According to Hair (2015), there are two main types of research methods: qualitative and quantitative. Researchers often use the qualitative technique to gather subjective data, while the quantitative approach is generally used to collect quantifiable information (usually in numbers) (Veal 2017). The current study used both methods (qualitative and quantitative) in a larger framework of the mixed methods approach. The justification for using this research method is the complexity of answering the research questions, which have both qualitative and quantitative elements of analysis.
For example, the challenges affecting firefighters in Qatar were qualitative because they focused on their attitudinal, cultural, and value systems, which affected the adoption of new firefighting technology in their work. At the same time, the study topic contained quantitative aspects of analysis, such as a listing of the main components of firefighting systems in Qatar. Therefore, the complexity of the research topic informed the use of the mixed methods approach.
Research Design
According to the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching (2018), there are six main types of research designs used in mixed methods. They include sequential explanatory, sequential exploratory, sequential transformative, concurrent triangulation, concurrent nested (embedded), and concurrent transformative designs (Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching 2018).
Subject to varying characteristics of the six research designs mentioned above, the concurrent transformative design was used in this study because interviews were used to corroborate the findings of the surveys. For example, interviews were used to answer exploratory questions, such as identifying new types of technology for managing fires in high-rise buildings.
Data Collection
Data was collected from two main sources: interviews and surveys. Both data collection techniques were primary sources of data and were used to provide qualitative and quantitative information. Quantitative information was sourced from surveys, while qualitative data was obtained from the interviews. For the interview part, the researcher talked to nine respondents who worked as consultants in three Qatari firefighting departments. Hagaman and Wutich (2017) say a sample of nine respondents is acceptable for interviews because reliable data can be collected with less than 16 respondents.
The interviewers were recruited using the snowball method, which is operationalized when an initial contact (usually known to the researcher) introduces other people to the study (Fielding, Lee & Blank 2016). The respondents were interviewed via telephone because of the geographical limitations of face-to-face contacts. Comparatively, the questions posed to the respondents were open-ended and designed to extract as much information as possible. Examples of questions asked are listed below.
- What are the major causes of fire in high-rise buildings in Qatar?
- What are the main peculiarities regarding the causes of fire in high-rise buildings in Qatar?
- What is the status of the development of “smart” firefighting technology and to what extent has Qatar embraced them?
- How can smart technologies be effectively adopted in both old and future high-rise buildings in Qatar
- What is the role of legislation in improving the adoption of smart technologies for high-rise buildings in Qatar?
- What types of smart” firefighting technologies are applicable to high-rise buildings in Qatar
Comparatively, for the quantitative part, surveys were done on 112 firefighters who were recruited from five companies based in Doha, Qatar. The respondents who took part in the survey were sampled randomly to minimize the possibility of bias, as suggested by Tan (2017). The informants received the questionnaires virtually and sent them back to the researcher via the same platform.
The responses measured using the five-point Likert scale, which evaluates people’s views based on whether they “strongly agreed,” “agreed,” “neither agreed nor disagreed,” “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” with the statements provided. The statements were as follows:
- Smart firefighting technology is effectively used to manage fires in high-rise buildings in Qatar.
- The high cost of installation is the main impediment to the adoption of new firefighting technology for managing fires in high-rise buildings in Qatar.
- Managing fires in high-rise buildings is fundamentally different from smaller buildings.
- Poor workplace culture affects how well I adopt new technologies in fire management.
- We are aware of smart technology for managing firs in high-rise buildings.
- We are effectively trained to use new technology in managing fires in Qatar.
- We are motivated to use smart technologies for fire management in Qatar.
- It is difficult to integrate smart technologies for managing fires in old high-rise buildings.
- Future high-rise buildings should be equipped with smart technologies for managing fires.
- There is a need to review workplace culture to integrate new technology for managing fires that occur in high-rise buildings.
- Smart technologies would fundamentally change how we manage fires in high-rise buildings.
Data Analysis
Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) technique – descriptive statistics. The researcher used this technique because of its advanced statistical data analysis capabilities that allowed him to draw inferences from the survey data, using statistical data assessment techniques, such as tables, frequencies, means, and standard of deviation.
Comparatively, the findings of the interview section were analyzed using the thematic and coding method, which has six different stages of assessment, including familiarisation with the data, generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining them, and producing the report (Maxfield 2015).
Study Limitations
One of the limitations of the current study was time. In other words, the research project was limited by the university’s academic calendar because the project had to be completed within the confines of the academic program. Another limitation of the study was the inability to interview or sample a large population of firefighters in Qatar because of resource constraints. Therefore, the findings had to be generalized using the small sample of respondents available.
Ethical Considerations
According to Hoque et al. (2017), the use of human subjects in research requires ethical sensitivity. Based on this assertion, the ethical considerations observed in this study are highlighted below.
- Privacy and Confidentiality: The identity of the participants who took part in the study was protected by presenting their views anonymously. Therefore, the researcher did not mention the names or job categories of the participants.
- Informed Consent: The researcher did not coerce the respondents to take part in the study. Similarly, the informants did not receive financial incentives to give their views on the study topic. Instead, the researcher informed them about the purpose of the investigation prior to participating in the study.
- Treatment of Data: The information generated in this study was stored in a computer and protected with a password. The researcher was the only person privy to the password. Upon completion of the study, the researcher destroyed the data.
Findings and Discussion
Survey Findings
The research participants were asked to respond to 11 statements, which sampled their views regarding their awareness of new technology and their integration into fire management practices in Qatar. The research variables were firefighter’s attitudes (independent variable), awareness of new technology regarding fire fighting methods (dependent variable), and adoption of new technology (dependent variable).
A multiple regression analysis was undertaken to investigate whether the attitudes of firefighters could predict the awareness of new technology to manage fires and their adoption of the new equipment. The results showed that about 56.7% of the respondents were aware of new technologies in fire fighting and conversant with how to integrate them into their work. In other words, in 56.7% of the cases sampled, the respondents felt that new technologies could be used to manage fires by effectively integrating them into their work processes.
Alternatively, this finding meant that most of the respondents were aware of the availability of the new technologies regarding fire-fighting methods in Qatar. In this regard, it was possible to develop a model that would predict the awareness of firefighters regarding the new methods for managing fires in Qatar. The model appears below.
F(2,26) = 9.34, p =.001.
Table 1 below supports the above findings.
Table 1. ANOVA findings
A model summary of the findings are highlighted in table 2 below.
Table 2. Model Summary
Table 2 above affirms the above-mentioned equation because the R-square points to the extent that the attitudes of firefighters could be used to predict their awareness of new technology to manage fires in Qatar. The “R” value highlighted above (.647) reveals that there was a strong correlation between the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variables (DVs). Based on this analysis, the R-value (0.65) suggests that the model developed could strongly predict the extent that Qatari firefighters are aware of new technology and, by extension, how they should be integrated in their work.
According to table 3 below, statement 4, which says, “Poor workplace culture affects how well I adopt new technologies in fire management” had the strongest correlation with awareness of firefighting methods (B =.668, p<.05). Comparatively, statement 2, which says, “The high cost of installation is the main impediment to the adoption of new firefighting technology for managing fires in high-rise buildings in Qatar” had the weakest correlation (B =.271, p<.05). The final predictive model is highlighted below.
Awareness of new technology score = 30.657 + (.668* statement 4) + (.293*statement 5) + (.611* statement 7) + (.339* statement 9) + (.298* statement 8) + (.293* statement 5) + (.293* statement 1) + (.271* statement 2) + (.295* statement 3) + (.432* statement 6) + (.339* statement 9)
Table 3. Coefficients
The above-mentioned findings are further analyzed in table 4 below.
Table 4. Descriptive Statistics
Table 4 above shows that most participants largely agreed or held neutral views regarding the research statements. This finding means that the respondents were either aware of new technologies or held neutral views about them. For example, most of them held neutral views regarding the first research question, which stated, “Smart firefighting technology is effectively used to manage fires in high-rise buildings in Qatar.” Stated differently, they neither agreed nor disagreed with this statement.
Comparatively, they largely held favorable views regarding the second statement, which suggested that high costs impeded the implementation of smart firefighting technology of high-rise buildings in Qatar. There was also a high level of positive responses for statements 4, 2, 8, 9, 7, and 11 because they broadly had a mean of between 1.00 to 1.99, meaning that the respondents either “strongly agreed” or “agreed” with the assertions made in the questionnaire.
Most of the respondents also believed that high installation costs were the main impediments to the adoption of new firefighting technology for high-rise buildings in Qatar. They also contended that poor workplace culture influenced how professionals adopted new technologies in fire management and that there was difficulty in integrating smart technologies for managing fires in old high-rise buildings.
Comparatively, the respondents supported the view that future high-rise buildings should be equipped with smart technologies for managing fires and contended that they are motivated to use them in fire management. In this regard, they agreed with the view that smart technologies would fundamentally change how Qatar manages fires in high-rise buildings.
Interview Findings
As highlighted in the third chapter, nine consultants were interviewed via telephone and their views were analyzed using the thematic and coding method. Five key themes emerged from the study and they are highlighted below.
Causes of Fires in Qatari High-Rise Buildings
Most of the respondents sampled in the study claimed that electrical faults were the most common causes of fires in Qatari high-rise buildings. This view was supported by eight of the respondents. One of them said,
Most of the wires used in constructing tall buildings in Qatar are of reasonable quality but contractors often fail to adhere to regulations that govern wiring procedures and more importantly those that guide the installation of electrical connectors in high-rise buildings.
Another interviewee argued that heat was the main cause of fires in Qatar. In this regard, she contended that most fires in the country were reported during the summer period. This view is consistent with the findings of the literature review chapter because most fires in Qatar occurred during summer. Another respondent drew attention to the use of plastic connectors in some old high-rise buildings as one of the causes of fires, which is linked to an electrical fault. He said that these connectors are vulnerable to catching fire.
Peculiarities Regarding the Causes of Fire in High-Rise Buildings in Qatar
Five of the respondents who took part in the study mentioned that fires, which occur in high-rise buildings in Qatar, stem from construction practices in the country. In other words, they believed that poor construction policies and the failure by contractors to observe fire safety policies were the main cause of fires in high-rise buildings.
Smart Firefighting Technology Applicable To High-Rise Buildings in Qatar
All the respondents who took part in the study were familiar with smart firefighting technologies. Three of them insinuated that these types of technology were useful in generating new information and creating a wider pool of data for use in planning. The respondents also said that one of the smart firefighting technology that Qatar could use is the dry powder missile technology, which is characterized by the installation of dry powder pipes on a truck. The powder is thereafter launched to high-rise floors engulfed by fires. To explain its design, one of the respondents said,
The technology basically integrates military and civil technologies to help firefighters extinguish flames that affect floors which are above 60 meters. Now, you may wonder how such technology is able to accurately launch the dry powder on the right floor and the answer is simple…It uses infrared and visible light technologies to determine where to launch the dry powder. The strategy mirrors how the military uses advanced technology to pinpoint its targets. I am sure you now understand how military technology is integrated into the plan.
Three respondents mentioned the Internet Protocol (IP)-based fire alarm system as another new and innovative technique that Qatar could use to manage fires in high-rise buildings. They explained that this method relies on boosting the digital infrastructure needed to manage fires in complex structures. They also claim that this problem stems from the backdrop of cases where firefighters have been unable to carry out their duties because of the lack of a proper fire detection method for managing fires in high-rise buildings.
Broadly, the respondents said this technology works by integrating different aspects of fire management equipment, such as sprinklers, video surveillance, and access controls in tall buildings. One of them said this technology has been successfully adopted in Poland. This statement aligns with the literature review findings, which suggested that most smart fire fighting technologies were designed to promote data management efficiency. Therefore, most smart technologies are applicable to the planning stage of fire management.
Challenges in the Adoption of Smart Technologies for Managing Fires in High-Rise Buildings in Qatar
The varying levels of experience across different fire departments in Qatar were highlighted as one of the major challenges in the adoption of smart technologies for managing fires in high-rise buildings. Three of the respondents claimed that, while it may be easy for one department to embrace new technologies, another one may experience difficulties in updating their fire fighting techniques because of the lack of experience.
The interviewees also posited that organisational structure of fire departments and their resource capabilities also affected how well firefighters embraced new technologies. Relative to this assertion, one of the respondents claimed that although the adoption of new fire fighting methods in Qatar may be informed by scientific advancements, tradition and experience also played a pivotal role in influencing how new technologies are embraced.
How Smart Technologies Can Be Adopted In both Old and Future High-Rise Buildings
All the respondents agreed that smart technologies could be used to improve fire safety standards in high-rise buildings. One of them argued that recent advancements in science and technology (regarding fire management in Qatar) have addressed some of the issues affecting traditional firefighting approaches. Referring to this issue, one of the respondents said,
Traditional developments in fire management disciplines have focused on how to manage fires in one compartment and not a series of them. New technologies have helped to address some of these issues because they provide a broad overview of fire management processes, based on research that is not confined within one compartment.
The above-mentioned respondent also drew attention to the important role played by new firefighting management techniques in better predicting the outcome of fire management strategies.
Another respondent argued that new and smart technologies in fire management could be integrated into old buildings by standardising the laws governing fire management and safety. In line with this argument, the respondent said,
You see, the problem is inconsistent legal policies regarding fire management and safety because old buildings were subjected to a different fire safety standard compared to new ones. Therefore, you may find a case where the law stipulates strict fire safety standards for certain buildings, while others are exempted from the same standards because they were constructed earlier.
Another respondent said,
It is also important to recognise that most old high-rise buildings had considerably fewer storeys compared to new ones. Indeed, you would agree that new buildings are considerably taller. As new knowledge regarding fire safety is generated, governments feel the need to introduce new legislation to govern how buildings are designed and constructed. Therefore, there is variation in the legal frameworks for fire management in the same country. However, I believe this problem could be solved by streamlining the legal framework governing the construction of high-rise buildings in Qatar.
Broadly, the qualitative and quantitative findings highlighted in this study are consistent with the data highlighted in the literature review section of this study. Except for the new technologies proposed in this chapter, the consensus is that there are few context-specific factors that separate fire fighting methods in Qatar and other countries.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion
From the onset of this study, the gap in the literature was premised on providing a non-western view of fire management. Qatar was used in this review as a case study to understand fire management techniques in a non-western country. Pieces of evidence gathered in the study pointed out that the Middle East country still relies on old technology, such as the use of water, to manage fires.
However, the findings highlighted in this study suggest that new fire-fighting resources, such as dry powder, could be used to improve the effectiveness of fire fighting methods in the country. Dry powder was mentioned by the research respondents as part of a missile launching technology installed on modern trucks to launch fire extinguishing materials to affected floors. This technology is appropriate for high-rise buildings because of the difficulty of spraying water from immovable sources into high floors.
The research findings also showed that most smart fire management technologies were still in their developmental stages and the ones that are available for use largely focus on improving the planning phase of fire management. For example, the IP-based fire alarm system that is proposed in chapter four was mostly instrumental in enhancing the coordination of fire management tasks in high-rise buildings. These technologies are beneficial to fire management technologies in high-rise buildings because they simplify task management in complex buildings.
Based on the findings highlighted in this study, it is important to understand that smart firefighting technology affects all aspects of fire prevention plans by influencing strategies developed before, during and after fires occur. New firefighting technology would help to improve the flow of information during the process of fire management through enhanced data gathering and processing techniques.
In other words, these new technologies would help to create a broader network of sensors and databases that would improve decision-making processes for managing fires in high-rise buildings. The importance of the sophisticated data analysis methods proposed in this study is pivotal to the management of fires in high-rise buildings because such structures have complex designs that similarly require sophisticated data analysis methods.
Recommendations
Although there is evidence that new technologies could be applied to improve fire management tasks in Qatar, it is essential to train firefighters about the importance of embracing new technology. It is also essential to make them aware of the existence of these technologies in the first place. Although the physical requirements of fire fighting can be easily addressed by streamlining legal policies or marshalling resources to buy new equipment, the hard task of implementing this technology is realising employee buy-in.
This finding is supported by the survey findings, which suggest that most firefighters are motivated to embrace new technologies in managing fires. Therefore, there is potential that fire management services in Qatar could improve the efficacy of existing operations if they embrace a holistic approach to fire management.
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