Building codes in Albania do not guarantee effective fire protection

Euronews Albania has reported that Albania’s current building codes do not guarantee adequate fire protection, despite legal obligations introduced in 2020.

The law requires designers to implement safety measures, but there are no provisions for installing external stairs or thermal protection.

As a result, fires that occur in buildings can quickly spiral out of control due to urban infrastructure limitations and delays in firefighting efforts.

This has raised concerns that the rescue of residents may depend on chance, as many public buildings do not meet basic evacuation criteria.

The report noted that many of these buildings have only a single internal corridor and elevator, leaving no alternative emergency exit.

The only exceptions to this rule are buildings constructed by international institutions.

Albania’s lack of a fireproof material mandate in construction stands in stark contrast to European Union countries, which require fire-resistant building materials, thermal insulation, fire-resistant electrical cables, and other critical safety features.

Lack of fire safety measures in Albanian buildings

Albania’s 2020 “Control and Discipline of Construction Works” law places the responsibility for fire safety on designers and developers.

However, with existing codes, the necessary measures to protect residents, such as external stairs, fire-resistant doors, and proper evacuation routes, are not required.

This gap in fire safety measures could prove dangerous in the event of a fire.

Inadequate safety standards are evident, as many Albanian buildings only feature a single internal corridor and no alternative exit routes.

Moreover, buildings do not include thermal protection or fire-resistant materials, unlike those in European Union countries, which mandate these protections.

Without these safeguards, Albanian buildings are particularly vulnerable in the event of a fire, which can spread quickly and without containment.

Comparison of Albanian building codes with European standards

Albanian building codes are significantly less stringent than European standards in terms of fire safety.

Unlike Albania, many European Union countries have established regulations that require the use of fire-resistant materials in construction to prevent the rapid spread of fire.

Additionally, fire-resistant doors and windows that can withstand fire for up to 90 minutes are mandatory in these countries.

Albanian buildings, however, are not required to comply with these safety standards, leaving them exposed to greater fire risks.

These differences highlight the need for reform in Albania’s fire safety regulations to match those of other European nations.

Implications of inadequate fire safety measures in Albania

The lack of sufficient fire safety measures in Albania has serious implications for both residents and property owners.

Buildings constructed under current codes are more susceptible to fire spread due to inadequate evacuation routes and the absence of fire-resistant materials.

As fire safety measures are limited, the responsibility for rescue operations falls solely on emergency forces.

The financial burden of fire damage is also a significant concern.

According to Shkruar nga Pamfleti, the cost of fire-related damage could become unaffordable for many families, as the number of property insurance holders in Albania remains low.

Albania’s building codes lack provisions for effective fire safety measures: Summary

Albania’s building codes are reported to be failing to provide effective fire protection.

While the 2020 law mandates certain safety measures, it does not require key safety features such as external stairs or thermal protection.

Fires in buildings may become uncontrollable due to the lack of proper evacuation routes and delayed firefighting responses.

Many buildings only feature a single internal corridor and elevator, with no external emergency exits, except for those built by international institutions.

Albania’s failure to mandate fire-resistant materials or the use of other critical fire safety measures, such as fire-resistant doors and cables, makes its buildings vulnerable in a fire.

The law places responsibility for fire safety on designers and developers, but current codes leave much to be desired in ensuring the safety of residents.