Performance-Based Egress Analysis of a Hotel Building Using Two Models.
Performance-Based Egress Analysis of a Hotel Building
Using Two Models.
(257 K)
Kuligowski, E. D.; Milke, J. A.
Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, Vol. 15, No. 4,
287-305, November 2005.
Keywords:
hotels; egress; fire models; evacuation; evacuation
time; scenarios; people movement; algorithms; occupants;
stairwells; high rise buildings
Abstract:
This article compares results from similar egress models
that are each based on different documented evacuation
movement data. The models studied are EXIT89 and
Simulex, which are used to calculate evacuation times
for a hotel building. Differences in results from the
models are identified. Evacuation times obtained from
the EXIT89 model are found to be 25 to 40% shorter than
those from the Simulex model for the same design
scenarios, attributed to differences in unimpeded
speeds, movement algorithms, methods of simulating slow
occupants, density in the stairs, and stair
configuration input between the models. A bounding
analysis shows that EXIT89 produces maximum evacuation
times 25 to 40% shorter than those from Simulex.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899