What a User Should Know When Selecting an Evacuation Model.
What a User Should Know When Selecting an Evacuation
Model.
(33180 K)
Kuligowski, E. D.; Gwynne, S. M. V.
Fire Protection Engineering, 30,32-35,38,40, Fall 2005.
Keywords:
evacuation; egress; fire models; planning; evacuation
time
Abstract:
In recent years, evacuation models have been
increasingly applied in an attempt to understand the
outcome of emergency egress scenarios. This has been due
to the increased use of performance-based design and the
availability of cost-effective, high-performance
computer capability. The increase in the use of these
types of evacuation tools requires that the important
factors involved in the selection of an appropriate
evacuation model are better understood. This article
provides evacuation model users with the important
questions and factors to consider for model selection.
Evacuation model users are faced with the choice of
numerous modeling tools available across a variety of
projects, i.e., applications with ships, buildings, and
cities, all of which vary in their requirements. The
models vary in their background, capabilities/
characteristics, and future developmental flexibility,
which are all important issues that a user should take
into consideration before selecting a model for
application to a project or series of projects. With
all of these choices, what help is available to aid
model users in the model-selection process? Currently,
several evacuation model reviews exist that aid in the
categorization of evacuation models developed up until
the time of their publication. However, in most
instances, the user is left to distinguish which
categories are significant for their particular
circumstance and why this is the case. The SFPE Handbook
of Fire Protection engineering provides a basic list of
questions that a user should ask when selecting a model;
however, the questions mainly focus on model
sophistication and do not necessarily provide
explanations as to why those factors are important. This
article attempts to aid in the selection process of an
appropriate evacuation model by identifying key factors
and explanations regarding project requirements, the
background of the model, the current capabilities and
characteristics of the model for comparison with other
models, and the future progress of a model for a
specific application. For many of the key factors,
associated examples* of evacuation models are presented
in the text.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899