The Improvisation Strategy of Escape Route Design in High Rise Residential Buildings in Malaysia

Unexpected fires may occur at any moment and in any location. There is a chance that a fire may break out in a high-rise residential building. Studies on fire safety in Malaysia is very recent, especially research on escape route in high-rise residential buildings. When compared to other building types, the number of fire incidents involving residential buildings is much higher. The main objective of this paper is to suggest the strategy to improvised escape route design for future development of high-rise residential buildings in Malaysia. The quantitative method of a self-completion questionnaire online survey was conducted among 992 residents of high-rise residential buildings in Gombak, Selangor who experienced with the existing escape routes in their building. The findings provide a basis for design team to improve the design of escape route in high residential building. Thus, this research can provide as implications related to social and proposed the guidelines to the enhance the fire safety escape route in design and specification for tenants or residents or developers to achieve the conducive, safety and good environment in the high-rise residential building. As a result, escape routes in high-rise residential buildings should be designed and constructed to allow occupants to escape the building as soon as a fire is spotted.