Critical Analysis of Computer-based Evacuation Simulation of an Educational Institution

Abstract

Required safe egress time (RSET) plays a key role in saving lives when imminent emergencies struck to occupants in any confined space. Therefore, critically analyzing and assessing emergency preparedness of crowded places through full-scale drills and evacuations simulations is crucial to safety management. This paper critically analyzes the evacuation process of a public educational and research institution of Aalborg University Esbjerg (AAU Esbjerg), Denmark. The nature of daily curricular and extracurricular activities of the university campus makes it vulnerable to fire incidents. The evacuation process is modeled and simulated in an agent-based computer evacuation simulation Pathfinder. It is evident from the results of simulation that computer based modelling of evacuation process is efficient tool of assessment of critical egress parameters such as velocity of occupants, impact of exit choice leading to muster point, occupant's density and occupancy capacity of floors etc. Moreover, pathfinder simulation identifies the hazards and risks of clogging and trampling of occupants in case of an emergency, thereby, improving the overall emergency management plan of the campus.