Comparative Assessment of Fire Resistivity of the Construction Materials for Shelves and Bases at Lagos Markets in Nigeria

Abstract

Reoccurring fire outbreaks in markets is a problem in Nigeria; especially in Lagos. To minimise this problem, a research was conducted on the three major markets in Lagos with the aim of comparatively assessing the fire resistivity of the construction materials for their shelves and bases for keeping goods, in order to provide guidelines for designing shelves and bases of market buildings in Nigeria. The research data were gathered through desktop study; the data were analysed and checked by using contents analyses technique, in order to validate the results. The research findings showed that non-fire resistant wood was used for the construction of shelves and bases such as tables, stools and benches for keeping goods in the markets. Among the recommended guidelines for the design of shelves and bases in Nigerian markets are: design specifications for shelves in markets should be non-combustible metal plates, in order to curtail the rate at which fire spreads from them to other interior building materials, goods and properties in the event of outbreaks of fire. Alternatively, they should be non-fire resistant treated wood, so as to minimise the spread of fire in markets.