Process of Human Behavior in Fires.
Process of Human Behavior in Fires.
(119 K)
Kuligowski, E. D.
NIST TN 1632; NIST Technical Note 1632; 15 p. May
2009.
Keywords:
human behavior; occupants; building fires; evacuation;
human response; evacuation time; human performance
Abstract:
Evacuation models, including engineering hand
calculations and computational tools, are used to
calculate the time it takes to evacuate a building,
which can then be used in an engineering safety
analysis. However, there is a lack of available data and
theory on occupant behavior for use by evacuation models
to estimate evacuation time results and their
uncertainty. In lieu of data and theory, evacuation
models (and users) make assumptions and simplifications
about occupant behavior, which can inappropriately
characterize the time it actually takes to evacuate a
building. In cases where assumptions lead to evacuation
estimates that are either too optimistic or too
conservative, buildings and procedures can be designed
with either insufficient or unnecessary (and costly)
egress routes and fire protection/notification systems.
A solution to this problem is to generate theory on
human behavior during evacuations from building fires
that can be incorporated into evacuation models. Once
this theory is robust, validated and incorporated into
evacuation models, these tools can begin to predict
occupant evacuation behavior rather than relying on the
user to determine behavior before the simulation begins,
as is now the case. In order to develop predictive
theory of human behavior in fires, the factors that
influence an occupant to take certain actions must be
identified. Examples of actions taken during an
evacuation include information seeking, milling,
preparing for evacuation, and informing others. This
paper briefly outlines the factors that influence an
occupant to take actions during his/her evacuation and
identifies future areas of research that are needed to
develop a predictive behavioral (action-based) model of
an evacuation during a building fire.
