Method for Calculation of Elevator Evacuation Time.
Method for Calculation of Elevator Evacuation Time.
(1162 K)
Klote, J. H.
Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, Vol. 5, No. 3,
83-96, 1993.
Keywords:
elevators (lifts); evacuation time; computer programs;
people movement; time; emergencies
Abstract:
A detailed method of analysis of people movement by
elevators during emergency building evacuation is
presented. The time to evacuate a number of people
using one group of elevators includes the sum of all the
round trip times divided by the number of elevators plus
the times needed to start up the elevator evacuation and
to travel from the elevator lobby to the outside or to
another safe location. A trip inefficiency is used to
account for trips to empty floors and trips to pick up a
few stragglers. The method includes detailed analysis
of elevator car travel including constant acceleration,
transitional acceleration, constant velocity,
transitional deceleration, constant deceleration, and
leveling. The time for people to enter and exit the
elevator car is addressed including inefficiencies for
elevator door sizes and types. The impact of elevator
arrangements is addressed, and the difference between
commonly accepted and unusual arrangements is presented.
A computer program, ELVAC, was written to calculate
elevator evacuation time, and an example calculation of
evacuation time is provided using this program.
