Integrating Physical Systems and Human Behavior Using Codes and Standards Requirements for Building Evacuation.
Integrating Physical Systems and Human Behavior Using
Codes and Standards Requirements for Building
Evacuation.
(70 K)
Groner, N. E.
NIST SP 1032; January 2005.
Workshop on Building Occupant Movement During Fire
Emergencies. Proceedings. Session 2.3. June 10-11,
2004, Gaithersburg, MD, Peacock, R. D.; Kuligowski, E.
D., Editor(s)(s), 8-13 pp, 2005.
Keywords:
occupants; people movement; emergencies; human behavior;
codes; standards; evacuation
Abstract:
Codes need to be based on a fundamentally different
approach to incorporating considerations of human
behavior, especially where they regulate the production
of performance-based designs. Codes have been based on
traditional physical systems engineering approaches
based on assumptions about occupants characteristics.
The approach does not yield effective designs because
(1) satisfactorily conservative assumptions cripple the
design process, and (2) people are not credited for
their abilities to adapt to dynamic scenarios. Instead,
we need to integrate physical systems approaches with
the goal-driven adaptive performance of people.
Code-based designs need to specify realistic performance
objectives for people as well as physical systems. Work
by Groner and Williamson provides one possible approach
towards integrating physical systems and human
goal-directed behavior in a single holistic systems
representation based on the achievement and preservation
of desirable systems states.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899