A Performance-Based Design of a Hotel Building Using Two Egress Models: A Comparison of the ResultsS

Published

September 3, 2004

Author(s)

Erica D. Kuligowski, James A. Milke

Abstract

With the move toward performance-based design, engineers have been looking to evacuation computer models to assess a building s life safety. Many times, the engineer is tasked with the selection of one evacuation model for a specific project. Currently there is a wide variety of evacuation models for engineers to choose from. However, with each model containing its own unique features and simulation capabilities, confusions may arise as to which model is best for the task at hand. The results gained from this work emphasize the importance for users to choose an egress model for each project with the appropriate input features and simulation capabilities. Current evacuation models have the capability of simulating many of the complex behaviors associated with a hotel building evacuation, however, frequently without sufficient behavioral data as a basis. Because of this, model users may choose models containing less behavioral sophistication for their performance-based design. However, model choice is an important step, even among models with less behavioral sophistication.This report compares results from two similar egress models based on documented evacuation movement data. When EXIT89 and Simulex (both only partial-behavioral models) are used to 1) simulate the same design scenarios and 2) perform a bounding analysis of the hotel building, significant differences in egress times were identified. EXIT89 s evacuation times were found to be 25-40 % lower than Simulex for the design scenarios, attributed to differences in unimpeded speeds, movement algorithms, methods of simulating slow occupants, density in the stairs, and stair configuration input between the models. For the bounding analysis, EXIT89 produced maximum evacuation times 30-40 % lower than Simulex, primarily due to the simulation of slower moving occupants.

Proceedings Title

3rd International Symposium on Human Behaviour in Fire 2004

Conference Dates

September 1-3, 2004

Conference Location

Northern Ireland, UK

Conference Title

International Symposium on Human Behaviour in Fire

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

egress, evacuation, human behavior, human response, model

Citation

Kuligowski, E. and Milke, J. (2004), A Performance-Based Design of a Hotel Building Using Two Egress Models: A Comparison of the ResultsS, 3rd International Symposium on Human Behaviour in Fire 2004, Northern Ireland, UK, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=861299 (Accessed April 25, 2024)