Architectural Design and Fire Safety: An Assessment of Engineering in Commercial Buildings

Fire safety in commercial buildings is a critical aspect of urban risk management, particularly in rapidly growing cities where public spaces serve diverse populations. Despite existing regulations, many facilities in Kenya exhibit gaps in compliance and preparedness, increasing vulnerability to fire disasters. This paper investigated architectural design conformity and statistical relationships between fire design variables and preparedness within T-Mall, Nairobi. A case study design was employed, integrating observation, evacuation plan analysis, and observational data, guided by the Kenya Fire Safety Code (KS 04-107:2008), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (2007), and Fire Risk Reduction Rules (2007). Architectural assessment revealed partial compliance in escape routes and equipment placement. Regression analysis showed that fire response time, containment duration, and fire intensity significantly predicted preparedness (F(1,34) = 2.66, p = .002, R² = 0.58). The study underscores the importance of enforcing safety standards and offers insights for policy, practice, and scholarly discourse.