THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE AND SURVIVAL SKILLS IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE AMONG CONDOMINIUM RESIDENTS

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the body of knowledge and survival skills of residents  living in condominiums in the event of a fire. The study focuses on a sample size of 400 residents  living in condominiums located within 500 meters of the Second Phase of Metropolitan Rapid  Transit (MRT) Pink Line (between Station PK01 (Nonthaburi Government Center) and Station PK13  (National Telecommunications)). Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The results  revealed two types of fire evacuation experiences: 1) direct experience, defined as those who  have participated in fire drills and evacuations, and 2) indirect experience, defined as those  who have studied fire evacuation manuals. The respondents were divided into four main  categories, ranked from the highest to the lowest level of knowledge and survival skills regarding  fire incidents as follows: 1) those with both direct and indirect experience, 2) those with only  direct experience, 3) those with only indirect experience, and 4) those with neither direct nor  indirect experience, respectively. Residents who were spouses, children, relatives, or friends of  the co-owners, aged 20-25 years, female, with a bachelor’s degree, and who had stayed for 1-5  years and had both types of experience tended to show the highest level of knowledge and  survival skills. Residents who have never participated in fire drills or evacuations and have never  reviewed fire evacuation manuals tend to exhibit the lowest levels of knowledge and survival  skills in the event of a fire. Therefore, both public and private sectors should collaborate to  actively promote fire safety education and provide practical learning experiences. This could  be included as part of an academic curriculum, as well as the revision of relevant legislation  to enforce greater resident participation in fire drills and evacuation exercises.