Integration of Proactive Building Fire Risk Management in the Building Construction Sector: A Conceptual Framework to Understand the Existing Condition

In recent decades, the frequency and severity of building fires have increased with rapid urbanization, particularly in high-rise buildings and high-building-density areas. Although proactive building fire risk management (PBFRM) can address this issue, significant research gaps exist. This research aims to propose a conceptual framework for understanding the existing condition of integrating proactive building fire risk management in the building construction sector, and the effect on improving building fire safety. It has been performed through a comprehensive review of the relevant literature. This framework identifies five components by answering the following questions: what? (building fire safety), of what? (buildings), to what? (integrate PBFRM in the building construction sector), for what? (ensuring resilience, sustainability and smartness), and how? (through building construction sector governance). According to the proposed conceptual framework, building fire safety can be achieved by integrating the PBFRM measures in different building attributes throughout the building life cycle. At the same time, resilience, sustainability and smartness must be ensured. These can be achieved through governance in the building construction sector. The proposed conceptual framework will contribute to policy and practice by facilitating policymakers and stakeholders in assessing the existing conditions and the efficacy of building fire safety measures, and thereby in devising strategies to further reinforce them.