Conceptualizing Resilience, Sustainability and Smartness for Building Fire Risk Management

Abstract

Resilience, sustainability, and smartness (ReSuSm) within the building construction sector impact, or are impacted by building fires in one way or another. Hence, consideration of ReSuSm for building fire risk management (BFRM) is imperative to enhance safety and mitigate adverse impacts. This study aims to understand the ReSuSm concepts for BFRM, encompassing their conceptualization and interconnectedness. For this purpose, relevant articles were systematically selected and comprehensively reviewed. Based on this review, ReSuSm in the context of building fires is defined as the capacity to enhance building fire safety through pre-fire improvements, during-fire responses and damage reduction, and post-fire recovery. Collectively they aim to safeguard lives, protect structures and assets, ensure environmental preservation, and mitigate economic impacts from building fires. They can be achieved through effective BFRM, ensuring technology integration, human and social resource mobilization, and collaboration among relevant stakeholders. Despite the synergies and opportunities of considering ReSuSm together for BFRM, several contradictions and challenges persist. Resilient and smart BFRM measures do not always ensure sustainability. Conversely, sustainable measures and smart technologies may inadvertently increase building fire risks, contradicting resilience. Furthermore, smart technologies have their own challenges. Notwithstanding these conflicts and challenges, ReSuSm for BFRM facilitates the achievement of building fire safety. The findings of this study hold significant value for policymakers and practitioners in the building construction and building fire safety sectors. They can contribute to enhancing relevant policies and practices by incorporating ReSuSm into BFRM, striking a balance among them. Such initiatives can further strengthen building fire safety.