Phased evacuation: Is it suitable for multi-purpose residential buildings?
(2024) In LUTVDG/TVBB VBRM05 20241Division of Fire Safety Engineering
- Abstract
- This research investigates global adoption and suitability of phased evacuation strategies in multi-purpose residential buildings, blending a review of 33 codes and standards in 11 nations with simulation-based analysis of 30 phased evacuation scenarios. Findings from the review reveal a varied level of importance of phased evacuation worldwide, with Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, showing heightened emphasis. In the modelling and simulation study, all scenarios are set up with 4 different occupant types, including 10% of occupants with functional limitations, which enhances the inclusivity and realism of the research. The Multifactor Variance Assessment (MVA) is employed to address the inherent uncertainties of evacuation... (More)
- This research investigates global adoption and suitability of phased evacuation strategies in multi-purpose residential buildings, blending a review of 33 codes and standards in 11 nations with simulation-based analysis of 30 phased evacuation scenarios. Findings from the review reveal a varied level of importance of phased evacuation worldwide, with Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, showing heightened emphasis. In the modelling and simulation study, all scenarios are set up with 4 different occupant types, including 10% of occupants with functional limitations, which enhances the inclusivity and realism of the research. The Multifactor Variance Assessment (MVA) is employed to address the inherent uncertainties of evacuation modelling. To choose a suitable evacuation simulator, a comparative analysis between Evacuationz and Pathfinder demonstrates consistency in results, while Evacuationz shows faster simulation times. Phased partial evacuation scenarios consistently show shorter total evacuation times compared to phased total evacuation scenarios. While incorporating evacuation of the most crowded floor in the first evacuation phase reduce total evacuation time but delays fire floor clearance. There is no standardized phased evacuation strategy that can universally apply to all multi-purpose residential buildings. Therefore, project stakeholders who may want to use a phased evacuation strategy should utilize meticulously designed analysis to comprehend evacuation dynamics on a case-by-case basis and justify their decision-making. This can be facilitated by evacuation modelling. However, two identified crucial aspects could be considered: 1) Carefully choose simulation tool and address uncertainties before initiating simulation study, and 2) Avoid evacuating the fire floor with the upper floor or the most crowded floor in the first phase to prevent the most affected fire floor evacuation delays. Furthermore, future research could focus on 1) the exploration of optimal evacuation intervals aligns with real-world practices, 2) introduce new scenarios where redundancy of escape options is tested, e.g. one stair fills with smoke, and 3) study the impact resulting from any amendment and new version to relevant regulatory framework. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- Imagine a bustling multi-purpose residential building where families, professionals, and visitors coexist. What happens when a fire breaks out? How can we ensure everyone's safe and efficient evacuation? Recent research focuses on the current state of phased evacuation strategies worldwide and offers critical insights into their suitability in various phased evacuation based multi-purpose residential building scenarios.
1. The Global Landscape of Phased Evacuation
A comprehensive review of 33 international codes and standards in 11 nations reveals that phased evacuation is not yet a predominant approach in global fire safety design. However, Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, shows a stronger emphasis on this strategy. These... (More) - Imagine a bustling multi-purpose residential building where families, professionals, and visitors coexist. What happens when a fire breaks out? How can we ensure everyone's safe and efficient evacuation? Recent research focuses on the current state of phased evacuation strategies worldwide and offers critical insights into their suitability in various phased evacuation based multi-purpose residential building scenarios.
1. The Global Landscape of Phased Evacuation
A comprehensive review of 33 international codes and standards in 11 nations reveals that phased evacuation is not yet a predominant approach in global fire safety design. However, Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, shows a stronger emphasis on this strategy. These regional variations of importance level placed on phased evacuation highlights the need for justification of phased evacuation's suitability in diverse settings.
2. Simulation-Based Insights
One critical insight from the research is the importance of carefully selecting simulation tools and addressing their uncertainties before starting a study. Using advanced simulation tools like Evacuationz and Pathfinder, he analysed 30 phased evacuation scenarios. These tools demonstrated consistent results, with Evacuationz providing advantages in simulation speed and storage efficiency. The simulations focused on key metrics: total evacuation time and floor clearance time. Findings revealed that there is not a universally suitable phased evacuation strategy for multi-purpose residential buildings, however, avoid evacuating the fire floor with the upper floor or the most crowded floor in the first phase can prevent the most affected fire floor evacuation delays.
3. Future Directions and Practical Applications
The study suggests further exploration of optimal phase intervals, possibly integrating sensor-based or crowd management solutions to better align with real-world practices. Additionally, future research should consider scenarios where one of the staircases is filled with smoke and assess the impact of any amendments and any new version to relevant regulatory frameworks, such as the March 2024 Amendment of Approved Document B from England, and new volume of Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety from Republic of Ireland.
Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of understanding evacuation dynamics. By adopting meticulously designed phased evacuation strategies, fire engineers should justify their design with evacuation modelling, to ensure a smooth, safe, and efficient evacuation process once fire occurs in multi-purpose residential buildings. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9156513
- author
- Xue, Yuyao LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- VBRM05 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Phased Evacuation, Evacuation Modelling, Pathfinder, Evacuationz, Multi-Purpose Residential Building
- publication/series
- LUTVDG/TVBB
- report number
- 5726
- other publication id
- LUTVDG/TVBB—5726--SE
- language
- English
- id
- 9156513
- date added to LUP
- 2024-06-03 15:16:32
- date last changed
- 2024-06-03 15:16:32
@misc{9156513,
abstract = {{This research investigates global adoption and suitability of phased evacuation strategies in multi-purpose residential buildings, blending a review of 33 codes and standards in 11 nations with simulation-based analysis of 30 phased evacuation scenarios. Findings from the review reveal a varied level of importance of phased evacuation worldwide, with Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, showing heightened emphasis. In the modelling and simulation study, all scenarios are set up with 4 different occupant types, including 10% of occupants with functional limitations, which enhances the inclusivity and realism of the research. The Multifactor Variance Assessment (MVA) is employed to address the inherent uncertainties of evacuation modelling. To choose a suitable evacuation simulator, a comparative analysis between Evacuationz and Pathfinder demonstrates consistency in results, while Evacuationz shows faster simulation times. Phased partial evacuation scenarios consistently show shorter total evacuation times compared to phased total evacuation scenarios. While incorporating evacuation of the most crowded floor in the first evacuation phase reduce total evacuation time but delays fire floor clearance. There is no standardized phased evacuation strategy that can universally apply to all multi-purpose residential buildings. Therefore, project stakeholders who may want to use a phased evacuation strategy should utilize meticulously designed analysis to comprehend evacuation dynamics on a case-by-case basis and justify their decision-making. This can be facilitated by evacuation modelling. However, two identified crucial aspects could be considered: 1) Carefully choose simulation tool and address uncertainties before initiating simulation study, and 2) Avoid evacuating the fire floor with the upper floor or the most crowded floor in the first phase to prevent the most affected fire floor evacuation delays. Furthermore, future research could focus on 1) the exploration of optimal evacuation intervals aligns with real-world practices, 2) introduce new scenarios where redundancy of escape options is tested, e.g. one stair fills with smoke, and 3) study the impact resulting from any amendment and new version to relevant regulatory framework.}},
author = {{Xue, Yuyao}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{LUTVDG/TVBB}},
title = {{Phased evacuation: Is it suitable for multi-purpose residential buildings?}},
year = {{2024}},
}