Vulnerability of Urban Primary and Secondary Schools to Fire Hazards: A Qualitative Study in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

In recent years, lives and property worth millions of dollarshave been destroyed in fire disasters in secondary schools around the world. Cases of fire disasters in Nigeriansecondary schools have been experienced in the last decade with increasing frequency and severity. It istherefore necessary to assess the level of vulnerability to fire hazards among urban schools (primaryand secondary) in Ibadan, Nigeria. The objectivesof this studyareto identify direct vulnerability factors to fire hazardsin selected schools in Ibidan, determine preparedness levels against fire hazards, compare fire hazard vulnerability levelsbetween public and private schools in the study area,determine risk recovery strategies, and examine the likelychallenges of ensuring fire safety among school managers and administrators.