Time-Based Capabilities of Occupant to Escape Fires in Public Buildings: A Review of Code Provisions and Technical Literature. Final Report.
Time-Based Capabilities of Occupant to Escape Fires in
Public Buildings: A Review of Code Provisions and
Technical Literature. Final Report.
(221690 K)
Stahl, F. I.; Crosson, J. J.; Margulis, S. T.
NBSIR 82-2480; 168 p. April 1982.
Sponsor:
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB82-212887
Keywords:
egress; fire protection; fire safety; human behavior;
Life Safety Code; building management; occupants
Abstract:
This document reviews available technical literature
pertaining to exit facility design and emergency escape
provisions of the National Fire Protction Association's
Life Safety Code (1976 Edition) in order to determine
the technical support for such provisions. The report
focuses on the time-based capabilities of building
occupants to effect rapid evacuations, in relation to
evacuation time available during fires. A number of
functional critieria are examined in relation to Code
provisions influencing the design of means of egress and
fire protection and protective signalling systems for
places of assembly, residential occupancies, mercantile
occupancies, and business occupancies. Provisions
affecting fire exit drill and building management
practices are also considered. The technical literature
bearing on applicable Code provisions is reviewed, the
validity and generalizeability of findings presented in
the literature are discussed, and the degree of
technical support currently available for egress
provisions of the Code are evaluated. In addition, gaps
in the technical literature are identified, and
recommendations regarding future research are offered.
Finally, preliminary conclusions about the
supportability of Code provisions are presented.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899