Development of an Electrical Fire Risk Assessment Framework for Residential Buildings in Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

This study developed a comprehensive electrical fire risk assessment framework tailored for
residential buildings in the Sultanate of Oman, aiming to identify and calculate fire risks
while addressing gaps in existing fire safety legislation. The framework systematically moves
through six stages: fire event identification, scenario development, quantitative risk analysis,
evaluation, response, and monitoring. It integrates statistical fire data and forensic
laboratory findings, applying engineering methods for estimating initiating event
frequencies and scenario risk calculations. Based on engineering principles of risk
assessment, the framework employs Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), encompassing the
identification of hazards, calculation of initiating event frequencies, evaluation of protection
layers, and risk categorization. A practical application was conducted using a sample of
lighting systems, where the most frequent failure causes such as overheating, arcing, and
overload were analyzed. The probability of fire occurrence was then calculated and found to
fall within a medium-risk range. Accordingly, the framework was applied to formulate
appropriate control strategies for this specific fire type, supporting the creation of new fire
safety regulations and improving residential fire risk management in Oman.