AN EVALUATION OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

(A CASE STUDY OF KANO METROPOLIS)

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
The frequent occurrence of disaster in industrial buildings, commercial buildings, shopping malls, and markets in Nigeria has become a serious threat to the nation‘s fragile economy. This research evaluates the Disaster preparedness of Industrial buildings of Kano Metropolis. It was effected by means of literature review and field survey in which perceptions of various industrial representative (Human resource Managers and Safety Officers) of the three categories (Small, Medium and Large Scale) of Industries encompassing both the indigenous and foreign industries within the area; were analyzed along with secondary data obtained from relevant institutions in Nigeria.A total of one hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were distributed with one hundred and nine (109) returned well filled giving a percentage response of 91.0%.The result of the analysis revealed that: environmental pollution( Mean=3.99) as most common hazard in the area of study, thus endangering the lives of people within that area. Similarly the hazard with the most severe effect on lives and property arranged in their order of severity are: fire outbreak with 2.78 mean; Radiological Accidents with 2.62 mean ; and False majoure with 2.52 mean .Some of the viable strategies that can be adopted as a Disaster Response Strategy arranged in their order of efficiency include: ?Activation of Special Installation such as Mobile Hospital facilities?; Activation of Emergencies programme for transports within the industries‘ and ?preparation for emergency reception centers and shelters within the industrial building. Thus, the following are recommended: Industry should develop disaster preparedness plan that are more encompassing, stating and taking into cognizance the various possible hazards that it is prone to; The provision of adequate disaster evacuation facilities.