1.1 Background
Fire can be a useful tool, but it can also be a deadly nightmare. As the old proverb states, it is a good servant but a bad master. Fire has always fascinated and frightened us. Without fire, civilization would be radically different. In fact, it might not even exist. However, the cost of fires which get out of control is high.

Human interest in fire safety probably dated back from the discovery and employment of fire. Primitive man used heat for cooking, warming and lighting his dwelling with the inherent risk that misuse or accident in his control of fuel might precipitate disaster. The obvious benefits of numerous friendly uses of heat energy are often overshadowed by the enormous destructive power of fires. Today, as in primitive society, that risk has not been eliminated despite the apparent sophistication of modern living. With the development of habitations, attitudes towards fire safety have also developed. There is continuous interest in understanding the causes of such perils and in devising means of their elimination or reduction. Fire and the effects of fire on escape possibilities constitute the type of danger involved in response in the event of fire. (Drysdale, 1985).
The total property loss of fire incident in 2009 and 2010 was 305,89,72,104 tk and 532,11,18,531 tk accordingly; where injured were 156 persons and 78 persons; death were 167 persons and 189 persons accordingly. This furious scenario represents the vulnerability of fire danger and our helplessness. In 2009 the fire hazard caused total property loss of 56,47,37,394 tk, injury of 20 persons and death of 17 persons, where in 2010 the fire hazard caused total property loss of 110,66,37,145 tk, injury of 42 persons and death of 60 persons in high rise commercial buildings. (GoB, 2010)

Legitimate concerns have been expressed regarding the use of dangerous flame retardants. Often fire safety is weighed against chemical. It seems necessary to address these concerns by taking measures to improve fire safety and to eliminate dangerous substances simultaneously. Numbers of fatalities, accidents and property damage must be objectively assessed. The need for regulatory measures must be justified and well explained. The damage of property and loss of human life are intensified by different factors. Major cities in Bangladesh which have dense and unplanned urbanization suffer the wrath of fire from time to time. (Alam and Baroi, 2003).

Even though the majority of high rise fires occur in residential high rise structures (nearly three-quarters), only a little money loss is incurred on these residential properties. In part, this is because commercial high rise fires tend to be bigger—they are more likely to cause damage outside of the room of fire origin than residential high rise fires. More than 95% of residential high rise structure fires are contained to the room of origin. By contrast, only about 75% of fires in manufacturing, industrial, and storage high rises are contained to the room of origin.
With the movement away from prescriptive building codes, building fire safety management can become more efficient and effective. This should ultimately result in equivalent or better fire safety for occupants, and economical savings with respect to the building codes. (Gormsen et al., 1984)
Though existing building codes require hardwired smoke alarms, emergency exit in high rises. This significantly increases the chance that an alarm will activate during a fire. As a result, people in commercial high rise buildings would be more likely to escape a fire and, although they may be injured, they are far less likely to die than those in other structures generally. As such, the injury rate increases while the death rate decreases. Here is the significance of the thesis which will try to find out the root cause of fire accident in commercial high rises, safety measures taken by the authority, management and monitoring procedure, requirements or lacking, existing rules and other related issues.
1.2 Problem Statement
Uncontrolled urbanization and population growth consequently creates unplanned urban setting. For this reason, serious damage happens while affected by any manmade or natural disaster. In Bangladesh most of the fire hazard occurs in garments factory, industry, high rise buildings, slum & congested unplanned area. It creates serious exploitation to property and life within a minute. Most of fire hazard bring ferocious sufferings due to unplanned construction of houses, ignorance of people, poor service facility, lack of preparedness, violation of planning rules. (Halder, 2009)

In recent years the furious bother of fire made fearful each and every city dwellers from all classes and levels of life. Fire hazard is becoming bad dreams for all, due to its catastrophic jeopardy as well as the pattern of devastation. It causes the loss of lives, property and long time suffering for injury. The loss of lives is more pathetic for the family, relatives and the relevant persons. From the fire incident of WASA Bhaban, Garib and Garib Garments, BSEC Bhaban, Japan Garden City, Bashundhara City and the very recent accident of Ha-mim Garments, we couldn’t take any lesson. The worst ever fire incident in our country in Nimtoli remind our mismanagement for the fire hazard again and again. Everybody should reflect on the old Dhaka as the worst unsafe zone for fire hazard because of its unplanned and congested nature. But it is a matter of anxiety that, our so called planned new Dhaka is not safe enough from the fire susceptibility. Especially the high rise commercial building in Dhaka city is the worst victim for of fire catastrophe.

Commercial high rise fires tend to be larger than those in other high rises, but they are particularly injurious and devastating, more so than fires in other structures generally. In part, this may be due to the higher population density found in a high rise. Also, commercial high rise fires cause more property losses per fire than fires in other high rises. Specialization associated with commercial properties drives up the cost of replacing or renovating such structures after a fire.(GoB, 2010) Lastly, the design of high rises tends to allow toxic smoke and byproducts of fire to spread throughout a building and injure occupants who may be many floors away from the fire itself. (IFSTA, 1976)
Khulna is the third largest city of Bangladesh. The development trend of Khulna city is shifting vertical direction to cope with the extensive population pressure. Nowadays, high rise buildings are being constructed in different parts of the cityBut in most cases the buildings are being constructed without maintaining the planning rules and regulations (e.g. fire rules and regulation).
1.3 Goal and Objective
The goal of this study is to reduce the loss of life and property caused by fire hazard in multi-storied commercial buildings. To achieve this goal, two objectives have been delineated as follows:

* To identify the existing system of fire safety management and problems associated with selected multi-storied commercial building * To prepare an effective management system for reducing fire hazard risk on multi-storied commercial building

The present study tries to explore the fire hazard risk of multi-storied commercial buildings in Khulna City considering the pertinent aspects of Fire Safety Management in high-rise buildings and evaluating fire safety method. The study also focuses on preparing fire hazard management scenario of multi-storied commercial buildings from the point of Bangladesh National Building Code and occupier and authority perception of the building. Furthermore, the study analyzes the legal aspects regarding fire safety in Bangladesh.
1.4 Research Question
The following questions were asked in order to make it easier to lay down the general outlines for the fire safety management process and to put the efforts on the relevant problems. Objective wise research question is given as follows.

OBJECTIVE | RESEARCH QUESTION | 1. To identify the existing system of fire safety management and problems associated with selected multi-storied commercial building | * What are the parameters Influencing Risk Of Fire Hazard? * What is condition of fire safety equipments in buildings? * What are lacking in safety management? | 2. To prepare an effective management system for reducing fire hazard risk on multi-storied commercial building | * Who are responsible for safety management system and what is their responsibility? * What are the potentialities of buildings? * What are the legislations in terms of building construction and fire safety? |

1.5 Scope of Study
Study on fire safety management is needed to document the provision of fire protection and life safety features in the commercial buildings. This thesis would serve as a useful reference to fire safety managers, building owners, registered inspectors, relevant authority and to qualified persons appointed to carry out the fire safety management in high rise buildings.

The scope of this study has to focus to simplify the process of information gathering in order to conduct the analysis within an appropriate frame. The scope of the study goes to: * Commercial multi-storied buildings owners and occupiers * Decision makers and the concerned authority for fire safety * The aspects of Fire Safety Management in multi-storied buildings
1.6 Rationale of the Study
The fire safety issue in the urban areas like Khulna is not highly emphasized from the city planning perspective in Bangladesh. In most cases, immediately after any large scale fire destruction, the issue of urban safety is highly discussed by local newspapers but with the progress of time, the issue ultimately fades away from people’s memory. As a result, the government shows an attitude of reluctance in taking further steps for strengthening firefighting scenario. At present, the authority of this metropolitan city has no contingency plan and sufficient preparation to avoid large scale fire disorders. Moreover, the city authority has no proper equipment and adequate trained manpower to combat fire hazard particularly in multi-storied buildings. Unfortunately, very few researches have been conducted addressing the issue of urban fire safety in Bangladesh. It may be debatable whether the prevention or mitigation of fire is more feasible for Khulna City, but, there is no doubt that issue should be considered in the planning of Khulna City.
The objective of this thesis is to discuss the primary issues concerning commercial high rise buildings and to provide guidance for the fire safety management for them that comprehensively integrates all aspects of fire safety.
1.7 Limitation of Study
The study includes only those multi-storied buildings that are used for commercial purpose. The study does not consider other type of use such as residential, industrial, institutional, recreational etc. Buildings have been selected according to mentioned occupancy type by Bangladesh National Building Code, 1993. Each type of occupancy is not applicable considering the purpose of this study. That is why this study does not include all type of occupancy mentioned by Bangladesh National Building Code, 1993. Location of buildings is also considered in selection procedure and thus instead of having a number of building in a particular location only one of them has been considered. Highest number of storey is considered in this study and thus some applicable buildings in Khulna city have been excluded as to conduct a precise research on fire protection.
Steps of Delphi method takes long time to accomplish consensus as Delphi members (fire expert) are selected from different organization. For making convenience in this lengthy process Delphi members are selected from same organization.