Fire Risk Analysis Using Geospatial Approach and Mitigation Measures for South-West Delhi

Abstract

One of the major challenge from unplanned growth in the cities is the fire incidents posing a serious threat to life and property. Delhi, the capital city of India, has seen unplanned growth of colonies resulting in a serious concern for the relevant agencies. This paper investigates the relation between potential causes of fire incidents during 2013-2016 in South-West Delhi Division of Delhi Fire Services as part of risk analysis using the data about fire stations & their jurisdictions, incidents of fire, water reservoirs available, landuse and population data along with the divisional & sub-divisional boundaries of South-West Delhi division under Delhi Fire Service. Statistical and Geospatial tools have been used together to perform the risk analysis. The analysis reveals that difference in actual occupancy and defined landuse as a part of unplanned growth of settlements is found to be the main reason behind the major fire incidents. The suggested mitigation measures focus on legal, policy, physical & technological aspects and highlight the need to bring the systemic changes with changing scenario of demographics and infrastructure to accommodate more aspects of ground reality.

Fire safety assessment for older adults in high-rise residential buildings in India: a comprehensive study

“…Tomar et al. attempted to study South-West Delhi based on fire events to understand reasons for fire and specifying regions with low, moderate and high-risk areas, but there is no study of high-rise buildings concerned with fire considering older adults as major users (Tomar et al. , 2018).…”

“…Only few studies have addressed and have looked at survival and evacuation modes based on convenience survey reports for evacuation of older adults (Runefors et al, 2021;Zhang et al, 2006). Tomar et al attempted to study South-West Delhi based on fire events to understand reasons for fire and specifying regions with low, moderate and high-risk areas, but there is no study of high-rise buildings concerned with fire considering older adults as major users (Tomar et al, 2018).…”

“…By combining geospatial data and fire risk maps, planners can make more informed decisions concerning urban infrastructure and highrise projects (Masoumi et al, 2019). In another study, Tomar et al (2018) employed geospatial technology to map Delhi's South-West Division fire events. In addition to statistics from fire incidences, the maps include the number of people killed or injured by fires.…”

“…The fire risk map identified almost 70% of the research region as low, moderate or high risk. However, their study found that low-rise (less than 15 metres) apartment complexes had the maximum injuries and deaths due to fire (Tomar et al, 2018). In a similar study, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to build the mathematical model to evaluate fire risk.…”

“…, 2019). In another study, Tomar et al. (2018) employed geospatial technology to map Delhi's South-West Division fire events.…”