Contemporary Landscape of Fire Safety Monitoring and Control Practices in Buildings

This study explores the existing gaps, limitations, and key drivers in building fire safety, with a particular focus on identifying the underlying causes of fire incidents. Employing a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with industry experts from diverse backgrounds, including mechanical engineering, architecture, building engineering, and fire protection, to capture a comprehensive range of perspectives. A carefully developed interview guide, informed by a rigorous literature review and expert feedback, ensured consistent yet flexible data collection. Purposive sampling was used to target professionals with specialized backgrounds in construction and fire safety; the subsequent analysis employed both deductive and inductive coding methods. The findings reveal persistent problems across three dimensions: (1) Human factors (negligence and error), (2) Technical failures (electrical systems), and (3) Organizational deficiencies (maintenance practices). Economic considerations, such as asset protection and investment, also emerged as influential drivers alongside safety imperatives. Inconsistencies in stakeholder awareness and uneven technology adoption further complicate the fire safety landscape.