Spate of Joburg fires calls for proactive fire-safety planning

February 2024 Fire & Safety

The most recent incident of a fire breaking out in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) in the early hours of Saturday morning on 3 February highlights the importance of the rational design of performance-based fire-safety systems for residential buildings in particular, according to ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk.

The latest fire broke out in a building at the intersection of Kerk and Goud streets. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported. Emergency Management Services (EMS) responded swiftly, with preliminary investigations underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.

The incident follows the tragic fire in Nugget Street two weeks prior, which resulted in two fatalities and four injuries. In August 2023, the Usindiso building in Marshalltown was engulfed in a fire that claimed 76 lives.

“It is crucial to address fire safety measures and support those affected during such challenging times,” comments van Niekerk. “Proactive planning, education, and collaboration are essential to prevent building fires and enhance overall safety in urban areas.”

It is crucial to ensure fire safety in high-density urban areas like the Johannesburg CBD. Mitigation measures include adhering to stringent building codes and inspections. Regular building inspections must be carried out to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. Strict enforcement of building codes, including the use of fire-resistant materials, correct electrical wiring, and emergency exits, is equally vital.

Public awareness campaigns can educate residents, business owners, and building occupants about fire safety best practices. It will promote awareness of fire hazards, evacuation procedures, and the importance of basic interventions such as smoke detectors and the presence of fire extinguishers.

It is vital that building managers, security personnel, and emergency responders receive adequate training in fire prevention and response. “Conduct regular fire drills so occupants are familiarised with evacuation routes,” adds van Niekerk.

It is also important for the city to upgrade ageing infrastructure, including electrical systems, to prevent electrical fires. Fire hydrants, water supply systems, and firefighting equipment need to be maintained and inspected on a regular proactive basis.

Prioritise fire safety during design

In terms of the importance of rational building design in fire safety, van Niekerk urges architects and engineers to prioritise fire safety during building design. Rational design accounts for the behaviour of a building during a fire. It means the structure must be designed to minimise any potentially devastating impact.

“A rational design is the performance-based design of fire safety and prevention mechanisms and strategies in a building in order to provide the same or better fire safety levels as prescribed in the National Building Regulations,” explains van Niekerk.

The process commences with a fire-risk consultant, such as ASP Fire, visiting the premises or reviewing a set of new building plans to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of all areas of the property to inspect fire safety and risk in detail.

Correct and proper fire-engineering principles are applied to ensure that the design complies with the life, building, fire behavioural and environmental fire-safety objectives as required by law. All buildings in South Africa need to comply with the requirements of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act No. 103 of 1977), Fire Protection, as set out in SANS 10400 Part T: 2011.

Upon completion of the fire risk assessment and drafting of the rational design report, ASP Fire provides the client with practical actions to implement. The report comprises a detailed and documented objective fire-risk assessment, as well as fire-engineering calculations and analysis where required, covering all aspects of fire risk and safety.

Other measures include compartmentalisation and adequate escape routes. Fire suppression systems should focus on automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and smoke detectors. High-rise buildings should have pressurised stairwells for safe evacuation.

Collaboration with EMS can mean the difference between lives lost or saved. This calls for bolstered coordination between the fire department, police, and other emergency services. “A swift response during emergencies can minimise damage and save lives,” concludes van Niekerk.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Standards for fire detection
SAQCC (Fire) Fire & Safety
In the second article from SAQCC, Nick Collins focuses on SANS 10139, which is generally regarded as the “Book of Knowledge” for any fire detection installer, commissioner and designer.

Read more...
Rational design is not just a tick-box exercise
Fire & Safety
Rational design is about achieving performance-driven fire safety measures through sound engineering principles. It is not just a tick-box exercise, but involves a deep understanding of fire risks and behaviour, and developing customised fire protection strategies.

Read more...
Fire detection and gas suppression systems
Masc Solutions Products & Solutions Fire & Safety
Masc Solutions is an official Fike distributor and installer in South Africa, providing comprehensive design, supply, and installation services for specialised gas fire suppression systems.

Read more...
New fire blanket for lithium-ion battery fires
Fire & Safety Products & Solutions
SafeQuip launched its newly developed range of high-performance, multi-use lithium-ion battery fire blankets, specifically designed to address fires involving devices with lithium-ion batteries, providing a crucial tool for safety in environments where these batteries are in use.

Read more...
SafeQuip launches lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers
Fire & Safety Products & Solutions
[Sponsored] SafeQuip has launched the SANS 1910-2022 approved Lith-Ex fire extinguisher range, which carries NTA 8133:2021 (KIWA/POOO55865) test approval, which proves its lithium-ion battery fire extinguishing capability.

Read more...
Partnership addresses fire hazard mitigation
Brigit Fire (a Division of Hudaco Trading) Elvey Security Technologies Fire & Safety Security Services & Risk Management
Brigit Fire has partnered with the Elvey Group. The collaboration will see Brigit Fire distributing both the advanced C-TEC addressable fire detection systems (CAST Technology) and GreenMist lithium extinguishers.

Read more...
Addressable smoke detector
Dahua Technology South Africa Products & Solutions Fire & Safety
Dahua’s addressable smoke detector connects to the addressable fire alarm control panel and analyses ambient smoke concentration through an intelligent algorithm to trigger alarms.

Read more...
Fire alarm control panel with printer
Dahua Technology South Africa Products & Solutions Fire & Safety
Dahua’s fire alarm control panel with a printer is designed to provide early warning fire detection, display fire information and offer flexibility in design and operation to meet the demands of various projects.

Read more...
Standalone smoke alarm
Dahua Technology South Africa Products & Solutions Fire & Safety
The Dahua DHI-HY-SA40A is a standalone smoke alarm that continuously monitors smoke concentration. This device works without a panel and is cost-effective and suitable for home use.

Read more...
Watermist suppression in mining
FS Systems Fire & Safety Mining (Industry) Products & Solutions
Watermist suppression systems are highly effective in suppressing flames and controlling heat spread, especially in confined spaces commonly found in mining environments, by generating fine droplets with an increased surface area, enabling rapid heat absorption and cooling during fire incidents.

Read more...