Integrated IEW-TOPSIS and Fire Dynamics Simulation for Agent-Based Evacuation Modeling in Industrial Safety

Wattana Chanthakhot,Kasin Ransikarbum

doi:10.3390/safety7020047

Abstract

Emergency events in the industrial sector have been increasingly reported during the past decade. However, studies that focus on emergency evacuation to improve industrial safety are still scarce. Existing evacuation-related studies also lack a perspective of fire assembly point’s analysis. In this research, location of assembly points is analyzed using the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) technique based on the integrated information entropy weight (IEW) and techniques for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to support the fire evacuation plan. Next, we propose a novel simulation model that integrates fire dynamics simulation coupled with agent-based evacuation simulation to evaluate the impact of smoke and visibility from fire on evacuee behavior. Factors related to agent and building characteristics are examined for fire perception of evacuees, evacuees with physical disabilities, escape door width, fire location, and occupancy density. Then, the proposed model is applied to a case study of a home appliance factory in Chachoengsao, Thailand. Finally, results for the total evacuation time and the number of remaining occupants are statistically examined to suggest proper evacuation planning.

Highlights

Fire emergency is considered a major catastrophic event causing loss and injury to human life and property
We present our proposed simulation model using integrated Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and agentbased evacuation modeling for the home appliance factory
The FDS model is developed using the interface of PyroSim program

Summary

Introduction

Fire emergency is considered a major catastrophic event causing loss and injury to human life and property. The Federal Emergency and Management Agency [1] reported more than 1.3 million fires, more than 3600 deaths, more than 15,000 injuries, and an estimated $25.6 billion loss in economic damage in the United States in 2018. The rapid damage and increasing trend from these fires urge the private sector and the government sector around the globe to plan better for managing safety and mitigating these emergencies [2,3]. The first phase is the mitigation phase with an aim to reduce the impact of the emergency occurrence. The second phase is called the preparedness phase, and the aim is to prepare for an emergency response. A number of recent research studies have suggested that studies focusing on post-emergency management are needed [5,6,7]

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Results

Conclusion