Fire Safety Management Model of High–Rise Residential Buildings in Bangkok Metropolis

Abstract

                The objectives of this study were fourfold: (1) to examine the general condition of the administrative practices with regard to the fire safety of the residential high–rise buildings in Bangkok Metropolis; (2) to ascertain the type of leaders who were capable of using administrative tactics to maintain the fire safety of the residential high–rise buildings in Bangkok Metropolis; (3) to determine the administrative practices regarding the fire safety based on the principle of good governance; and (4) to offer administrative patterns deemed appropriate for the maintenance of the fire safety of the residential high–rise buildings in the Bangkok Metropolitan areas according to the participatory principle. The study was qualitative in nature. 15 key informants comprised the sample of the study. The key informants included the following persons: fire safety specialists from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, specialists and topflight persons outside the BMA, some residents living in the residential high–rise buildings, and real estate managers. All of these key informants had a deep understanding of the administration of residential high–rise buildings as well as a lot of experience checking the safety standard of residential high–rise buildings. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive analysis in a systematic way. The data analysis has brought to light the following facts: The research found that
                1. The BMA had the superb organizational structure deemed highly appropriate for the maintenance of the fire safety of residential high–rise buildings; clarity of roles of the authorities responsible for the maintenance of fire safety of high–rise buildings; authorities concerned strictly abide by the rules and regulations; only the Governor of the BMA had the right to command and worked with all 50 directors of district offices in a collaborative fashion. Due to the fact that the decision–making processes were impeded and impaired by the red tape of the bureaucratic system to the degree that timely responses to the people’s needs and help was an impossibility, the BMA was determined to hire private organizations to provide assistance to the fire victims and to check the quality of residential high–rise buildings.
                2. The administrators of the BMA had attributes deemed suitable for the management of fire safety of residential high–rise buildings. They set appropriate targets, plans, and procedures with respect to the fire protection and preparedness for urgent action in case of fire. However, the checking of the residential high–rise buildings and the evaluation of the quality of the residential high–rise buildings were far from complete. Moreover, the violators were not severely punished; and the fire prevention practice was not effectual.
                3. The BMA administered the fire safety of residential high–rise buildings by resorting to the principle of good governance largely because the BMA authorities realized that the fire safety matter was of vital importance in that fire disaster could cause a lot of damage of lives and properties of the people living in Bangkok Metropolitan areas. Therefore, the BMA administrators had a policy regarding the fire protection and strictly implemented the policy. All policies relevant to the fire protection focused on the safety of the people.
                4. The governmental agencies responsible for the fire safety of residential high–rise buildings used the principle of participatory leadership only to some extent. For this reason, attempts should be made to encourage the people to take greater part in expressing their opinions and evaluating the operational plan or activities pertaining to the fire safety for the sake of their safety in life and property.

Article history : Received 20 February 2019
                             Revised 11 July 2019
                             Accepted 18 July 2019
                             SIMILARITY INDEX = 0.00 %