Risk-Based Evaluation of Fire Hazard Prevention and Handling Systems in a High-Rise Building

Abstract

Fire incidents in high-rise office buildings continue to occur despite formal compliance with fire safety regulations, indicating a gap between regulatory requirements and effective fire risk control in practice. High-rise buildings concentrate occupants, assets, and operational activities within vertically complex environments, making fire events a significant managerial and organizational risk. This study aims to evaluate fire hazard prevention and handling systems in a high-rise office building using a risk-based management approach to identify priority fire risks and underlying systemic causes. A mixed qualitative–quantitative case study design was applied, with emphasis on quantitative fire risk assessment. Fire hazards were identified through field observations, structured interviews, and document review. Risks were assessed using a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRARC) framework adapted from the UNSW Health and Safety risk matrix based on likelihood and consequence scoring. Risk distribution and a fire risk pyramid were used to visualize the overall risk profile, while root cause analysis was conducted using a fishbone diagram. The results identified 15 fire-related hazards, with 66.7% classified as medium risk, 26.6% as high risk, and 6.7% as extreme risk, and no hazards categorized as low risk. These findings indicate systemic operational and managerial vulnerabilities. The study concludes that effective fire safety requires an integrated, risk-based management approach that prioritizes risk reduction over regulatory compliance alone.