Simulations of mass evacuations of buildings are inadequate, according to two European researchers, and resulting designs put occupants at risk.
Modern safety engineering aims to make it so occupants can exit a structure during a fire or other disaster before it collapses. But variables complicate egress simulations that influence codes and designs. “It depends on the building and the escape routes, but crucially also on how people behave,” the researchers write.
“The problem is that the simulations aren't good enough – that's what we have learned from detailed behavioral studies based on recent fires and terrorist attacks including 9/11 and the Mont Blanc tunnel fire of 1999 in which 41 people died,” they say.
Evacuees decide whether and when to start moving, in which direction, whether to respond to other evacuees, and which exit to use. “Each choice also depends on how various factors interact with one another. Is the decision maker bold or risk-averse? Is there smoke in the room? How far away are the exits? And of most interest for our research purposes, what are the other evacuees doing?”
“Herding” behavior, when large groups follow the crowd, is typically discouraged in designs; but safer alternatives may derive from understanding and possibly exploiting this tendency.
Related Stories
| Oct 9, 2014
Cities get creative with stormwater management
Cities around the world are crafting stormwater management policies that include natural and manmade methods to store and absorb runoff to reduce flooding.
| Oct 2, 2014
Fannie Mae study says affordable rental units more energy efficient than market-rate units
Fannie Mae’s new report on energy usage in the multifamily sector found that affordable properties use 28% less energy per unit and are 29% smaller than market-rate properties.
| Oct 2, 2014
California Energy Commission launches code upgrade process
The California Energy Commission launched the upgrade process to Title 24, the state energy code, last month.
| Oct 2, 2014
Canals to mitigate flooding could be in Boston’s future
The Urban Land Institute held brainstorming sessions over the last several months involving more than 70 engineers, architects, and development and insurance specialists to examine how rising sea levels would affect four representative areas in and around Boston.
| Oct 2, 2014
Los Angeles reverses ban on high-rise slanted roofs and spires
Los Angeles reversed course last month on a regulation that had barred skyscrapers from having slanted roofs or spires.
| Sep 29, 2014
10 common deficiencies in aging healthcare facilities
VOA's Douglas King pinpoints the top issues that arise during healthcare facilities assessments, including missing fire/smoke dampers, out-of-place fire alarms, and poorly constructed doorways.
| Sep 29, 2014
Report finds links between office design, health and productivity
A new report from the World Green Building Council finds “overwhelming evidence” to support office design as a significant influencer of the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff.
| Sep 29, 2014
San Francisco office tower is first U.S. building to earn LEED Platinum v4 certification
One Sansome Street, San Francisco is the first building in the U.S. to achieve LEED Platinum v4 certification. The building is also only the second property worldwide to be awarded with v4 certification.
| Sep 29, 2014
Navy to begin BIM phased implementation in October
The U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command will begin its Building Information Management and Modeling (BIM) Phased Implementation Plan in October.
| Sep 18, 2014
GBCI to administer PEER certification for power grids and building projects
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) will administer certification for the Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal (PEER) program.