The Impact of Architectural Design on Fire Risk in Hotel Buildings: A Design Error Taxonomy for Turkey

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of architectural design decisions on fire risk in hotel
buildings in Türkiye. While fire safety is often addressed through active systems and regulatory
compliance, the role of spatial configuration such as plan typologies, atrium design, corridor
depths, and means of egress in exacerbating fire and smoke spread is frequently overlooked.
This research employs a multi stage method including literature review, analysis of the Turkish
Fire Safety Regulation (BYKHY), and spatial analysis of case studies. Using FMEA and L
Matrix methods, the study aims to systematically identify and classify recurring architectural
design errors that elevate fire risk. The primary outcome is the development of a novel design
error taxonomy for hotels, providing an analytical framework to integrate fire safety into the
early stages of architectural design, thereby bridging a critical gap in national literature and
practice.