Evaluation of the Libraries of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Terms of Fire Based on the Selection of the National Building Regulations (2019)

Library buildings are prone to fire due to the type of the stored materials. Evaluation of safety systems in these places is essential to the prevention of possible detriment educational research resources. The present study aimed to assess the status of the libraries of Tehran city Universities of Medical Sciences in the case of fire based on the National Building Regulation selection in 2019.

This practical, descriptive survey was conducted on 36 faculty libraries of TUMS in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected using a checklist and via observations and interviews. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 23 using descriptive statistics and tables.

The general status of the building structures in 44.5% and the fire detection, alarm, and extinguishing equipment in 68% of the studied libraries was unsuitable in the case of fire based on the National Building Regulations.  On the other hand, 85% of the libraries had unfit safety signs.

According to the results, the building structure of some of the libraries was dilapidated, and lack of proper fire alarm and extinguishing equipment increases the risk of fire in these libraries.