ASSESSMENT OF PASSIVE SECURITY MEASURES IN THE DESIGN OF A HOTEL IN MINNA, NIGER STATE

ABSTRACT

Security and safety are important factors to be considered in every design. This has in recent times become an issue of concern especially in Northern Nigeria. This research sought to assess the effectiveness of the security measures employed in hotel designs by identifying  available  passive  security  features  within  existing  hotel  layouts  and proposing a design that employs these measures in addition to others discovered in literature. The study adopts the principles of crime prevention strategies through environmental design (CPTED), physical security design and layered approach to security for its assessment. A descriptive survey method was adopted for the research and data was collected by observation guided by a well-structured observation schedule as well as a questionnaire administered to determine the nature of security threats faced in hotel facilities. Data obtained was documented and analysed using Microsoft excel package. The results revealed that there was a heavy reliance on active means to secure hotel  premises  within  the study area.  Architectural  design  elements  were not  fully utilized as a means to deter offenders and potential threats from the hotel facilities, this makes the building susceptible to security risks. Recommendations were made suggesting techniques through which the understudied passive security elements can be implemented in design while stressing the need for passive security considerations in the design phase of every construction work.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0         INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to Study

The hospitality industry plays a vital role in the development and growth of any economy. It provides services which are necessary in sustaining this growth and include (but not limited to) restaurant and hotel accommodation. Often regarded as a “home away from home” (Chauchan et al., 2018), a hotel is a commercial establishment which provides paid lodging usually on a short term basis. It offers facilities ranging from a small room with shared bathrooms to large ensuite rooms sometimes with a lounge and dressing area and some cases, a kitchen or kitchenette.

Safety and security are crucial in selecting a location for temporary lodging (Achumba et al., 2013). It is human nature to place security above all else especially when such a service is paid for. Security itself is coined from the Latin word ‘securus’ meaning ‘safe’. It refers to measures taken in protecting a place and ensuring only authorized personnel gain access to it. Although a building’s aesthetic appeal plays an important role in attracting tourist and the public to it, security concerns come second only to food and shelter in the scale of man’s basic needs (Aynifar, 2002). Passive security comprises measures which prevent the loss of lives and property (Zarepoor et al., 2011). These measures when correctly and adequately employed enhance the safety of the users of the facility and a corresponding boost in the productivity of the staff.

1.2       Statement of Research Problem

Public buildings have been observed to come under a lot of attack recently. Buildings whose functions range from administrative to commercial, institutional to religious have been known to have experienced one form of attack or another across Nigeria.   The nature of hotel establishments makes them susceptible to various forms of threats as visitors are allowed access to its vicinity at all times. Active security fixtures which are in most cases mechanical, are not always reliable and most often incur extra cost as they are only procured and installed upon completion of all construction works. Passive security measures provide cheaper and more dependable solutions to these issues. It is for this reason that this study focuses on the provision of passive security measures in hotel designs.

1.3       Aim and Objectives

1.3.1    Aim

The research seeks to assess passive security measures in the design of hotels with a view to propose a design that ensures the safety and security of hotel users.

1.3.2    Objectives

The objectives of this research work is to:

I.      Examine the security challenges within hotel facilities in Minna.

II.      Identify passive design considerations that can be adopted in hotel layouts to reduce security challenges.

III.      Assess the application of these passive security design considerations in hotel layouts.

IV.      Propose a design for a hotel in Minna that employs passive security elements.

1.4       Scope and Limitation

Passive security can be further categorized into two that is passive security features within the structure and on-site passive security features. This thesis will cover the use of passive design measures to provide maximum security within the site and within the structure. This will be achieved by ensuring the number of perimeter and building openings are minimized, Planning perimeter protection at the design stage, avoiding the use of low sill heights for windows on lower floors, Providing protection for points of possible access or escape that breach the exterior of the building.

The security situation across the nation will be a limitation to this work. People have grown to be conscious of their safety at all times. As such, getting feedback on security related issues and gaining access to study certain areas of hotel facilities might be a herculean task

1.5       Justification

In recent times, security has become an issue of concern within the country. Attacks have been observed to occur in facilities with functions ranging from administrative to religious as well as commercial establishments. Explosions at the famous Banex shopping plaza in the commercial axis of Wuse in Abuja, suicide bomb attacks at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla in Niger State and most recently, terrorist attacks in schools within the North eastern region are a few of such acts of terrorism within the country (Human Rights Watch, 2019). A common feature in buildings that have been attacked in the past is the fact that they attract a lot of traffic; a hotel facility is no exception. Hence the need to design putting the security and safety of users into consideration.

1.6       Contribution to knowledge

It is hoped that findings from this research work and the design to be developed will serve as a prototype and guide for designers and other professionals in the built environment on measures which can be taken through design to ensure the safety and security of the staff and users of a facility.

1.7       Study Area

Located in the north central area of Nigeria, Minna, the capital city of Niger state is home to the Nupe and Gbagyi ethnic groups. With an estimated population of 304,113 (National Population Commission, 2007), the city boasts of educational institutions, privately owned establishments, banking institutions and government agencies. Tourist attractions within the state include the kainji national park, Kainji Lake, borgu game reserve, zugurma game reserve, gurara waterfalls and lord lugard colonial ruins. It is bounded by kebbi and Zamfara states to the north, Kaduna to the north and north east, Kogi to the southeast, Kwara to the south and the Abuja to the east. These and more sees people troop into the state on a daily basis.

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