Analysis of the fire hazard posed by petrol stations in Stellenbosch and the extent to which planning acknowledges risk

Date
2019-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study aimed to investigate the extent to which land-use planning in Stellenbosch, South Africa, considers the fire-risk posed by petrol stations, and the implications for public safety, as well as preparedness for large fires or explosions. In order to achieve this, the study first identified the land-use types around petrol stations in Stellenbosch, and determined the extent to which their locations comply with the international and national planning regulations. Petrol stations within a six-kilometre radius from Stellenbosch’s centre were used as study sites. Second, the study examined the risk of fires/explosions at petrol stations. Third, the study investigated Stellenbosch Municipality’s institutional preparedness to respond in an event of a fire/explosion at a petrol station. These results suggest that the siting of petrol stations does not comply with the international and national good practices, thus exposing the surrounding developments to fires and explosions. The results also suggests that land-use planning does not consider hazards created by petrol stations. In addition, while observation at petrol stations suggest the potential for major fires, Stellenbosch Municipality’s preparedness to respond to petrol station fires appears low, due to the prioritisation of more frequent events.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie beoog om ondersoek in te stel tot watter lands gebruik beplanning in Stellenbosch, Suid Afrika die vuur risiko wat petrol (vulstasies) moontlik kan inhou, en die implikasies daarvan vir publieke vuiligheid. Die studie het land rondom die vulstasies geïdentifiseer en sodoende vas gestel tot watter matter hul voldoen in Stellenbosch met internasionale en nasionale beplanning regulasies. Vulstasies binne ʼn radius van ses kilometers vanaf die Stellenbosch sentrum’s was gebruik as studie areas. Tweedens, is die risiko van vuur verhoeding meganismes by vulstasies ondersoek. Derdens, het die studie ondersoek ingestel na Stellenbosch Munisipaliteit se institusionele voorbereidheid om te reageer in die geval van ʼn brand/vuur by ʼn vulstasie. Die resultate dui ook aan dat die gebruik van land beplanning nie gevare oorweeg nie , asook die risiko geassosieerd met vulstasies aangesien daar geen riglyne oorweeg ten opsigte van lokasies uitsluitend sonering skemas. Sluitend is gevind dat die Stellenbosch Munisipaliteit se voorbereidheid om te reageer in geval van ʼn brand by ʼn vulstasie, baie laag is. Dit is as gevolg van prioriteitheid van meer dikwels gevalle.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.
Keywords
Fire risk assessment, UCTD, Service stations -- Fires and fire prevention, Petrol stations -- Fires and fire prevention -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, City planning -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, Public safety -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch
Citation