By Kingsley Adegboye

Worried by the increasing rate of fire disasters in the country, the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has canvassed the involvement of the regulatory agencies t in the assessment of suitability for purpose and functionality rating for buildings being used for public functions or events. The Institute which reacted to the recent razing of Balmoral Hall, a popular events place in Lagos, suggested that agencies like the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Authority ( LASPPHYDA), Fire Services, Ministry of the Environment, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) should be involved in such assessments.

The Architects posited that any premises that is presented for public use should comply with certain requirements at various stages within the life of the premises. Balmoral Hall fire incident occurred during City People Annual Award for this year.

In a position paper signed by NIA’s image maker, Arc Bisi Olumide and made available to Vanguard Homes & Property, the architects stated that functionality refers not only to design, space provision and spatial flow but also to materials and methods of construction and other parameters which can significantly alter both the immediate environment and the surroundings. According to them provision for access by physically challenged visitors, toilet and sanitation facilities, access and ingress for services and emergency operatives are some of the critical elements often overlooked in our local environment.

The architects observed that the trend nowadays is the use of permanently positioned and immovable tents and membrane structures of various sizes, shapes and orientation in the provision of places for hire such as Balmoral and worship places by religious bodies. The concern arising from this is borne out of the fact that the nature of these structures makes them prone to easy destruction by fire. The NIA suggested that the qualities of these temporary structures should be assessed with particular care taken on the analysis of membrane material, fire rating, safety provisions, ventilation, secure or fireproof areas and fire protection devices. Facilities that cannot meet safety requirements should not be permitted to operate.

apparently referring to the factors which could have aggravated the inferno, the architects said:

“On the day of the fire, a catastrophe was narrowly averted. Balmoral is located on a very busy dual-carriage highway in cosmopolitan Lagos, at Oregun. There is provision for cars to be parked on three sides of the rectangular site, essentially within the set back. However, there is a fuel station on the east of the property. Cars on the premises had to be hurriedly moved out and fire services were alerted to the possibility of the fire spreading to the petrol station. This brings to relevance the planning permissions required for a facility of this nature”.

According to the Institute “locating a multi-occupancy venue for hire beside a depot for inflammable products does not seem the result of a good policy decision. This indicates the need to revisit the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report policy for thoroughness, completeness and ability to consider /actual intent to consider the impact of any installation on the immediate environment. The reports are usually tailored to favour the client, who has paid for it and expects a positive statement.

The Architects also canvassed more stringent monitoring of change-of-use applications. The existing situation appears to address the category of change-of-use as it applies to the land on which a structure is to be erected, and not on the actual building to be situated on the property.