Challenges and Coping Strategies in Fire Protection Acceptance for Super High-Rise Projects: A Case Study of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Headquarters Building Project

Abstract

This study examines the challenges and coping strategies in achieving fire protection acceptance for super high-rise buildings (200 meters and above) through a case study of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Headquarters project in Addis Ababa. An embedded single-case study design was employed, utilizing mixed methods to investigate the critical barriers affecting compliance in international contexts. Primary data were collected from 18 key stakeholders, through semi-structured interviews, complemented by project document analysis. Data triangulation was conducted to address three objectives: identify systemic barriers in cross-border fire safety compliance; evaluate the effectiveness of coping strategies implemented in the CBE project; and develop a standardized framework to improve inspection outcomes in overseas super high-rise projects. The findings indicate that regulatory misalignment between international standards, specifically the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and evolving Ethiopian standards accounted for 68% of approval delays. Additionally, technical conflicts contributed to an average critical path delay of 8.2 months, highlighting the complexities of coordinating fire safety compliance across multiple stakeholder groups and jurisdictions. This study contributes to institutional and stakeholder theory by demonstrating how isomorphic pressures influence acceptance outcomes in complex construction projects. Practically, it proposes an integrated framework comprising a decision matrix, a standardized checklist, and a coordination model. Retrospective application of this framework to the CBE project suggests potential reductions in approval timelines by 30–40% and cost savings of $5–8 million per project. These findings offer actionable guidance for practitioners, regulators, and policymakers seeking to improve fire protection compliance efficiency and risk management in super high-rise developments, particularly in emerging economies.