Determination of Behavior Response Patterns in Fire Situations, Project People II. Final Report. Health Care.
Determination of Behavior Response Patterns in Fire
Situations, Project People II. Final Report. Health
Care.
(186607 K)
Bryan, J. L.; Milke, J. A.
NBS GCR 81-343; 304 p. October 1981.
Sponsor:
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
Order number: PB82-136771
Keywords:
doors; evacuation; fire alarm systems; fire departments;
fire extinguishers; fire investigations; hospitals;
nursing homes; nursing staff; smoke; smoke detectors;
sprinkler systems
Abstract:
This study involved the detailed investigation of 59
fire incidents in Health Care Facilities located in the
State of Maryland, with one facility in Philadelphia. A
total of 150 staff participants, 9 patients and 53 fire
department personnel were interviewed relative to the
fire and smoke development during the fire incident, and
the human behavior responses of the participants during
the fire incident. The analysis and study of the fire
incident and interview data enabled the examination of
the parameters of the fire incident including: area of
fire origin, ignition and fuel characteristics, and the
fire protection design features of the building. The
human behavior variables of the fire incidents relative
to the means of becoming aware of the fire incident, and
the first three actions of the participants were
compared to the variables of the fire and smoke
development, previous training and fire experience of
the participants, and with their belief in the safety of
the building. Statistical analyses were performed
indicating the relationships among the variables. The
evacuation behavior was studied with the sequences of
the actions adopted by the personnel.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899