Classification and Fire Safety of Informal Settlements in China

Approximately 1 billion people in the world still live in informal settlements with comparatively low living standards and outdated firefighting equipment. In recent years, informal settlement fires have occurred frequently and globally, however, research into informal settlement fires in the Far East remains underdeveloped. This work briefly summarizes informal settlement types and discusses their fire safety characteristics in China. It is shown that informal settlements in China include non-compliant buildings, non-standard altered buildings, non-permanent buildings, and traditional ethnic minority buildings. More relevant research is needed to promote equity of fire safety outcomes for all.