Fire Evacuation of Elderly in High-Rise Residential Buildings in India

Abstract

The move towards high-rise buildings in metro cities to accommodate an increasing population has various cons. In high-rise buildings, fire is a huge disaster. According to global statistics on fire accidents in high-rise buildings, elderly persons are the most vulnerable, as they are less likely to respond swiftly and evacuate than other inhabitants. To address this concerns, this research will examine the behaviors of older occupants in high-rise buildings during a fire and their perceptions of egress components. The study also inquired the elderly to come up with disaster solutions based on their knowledge and experience. Environmental-behaviour research methods have been used to detect elderly issues in high-rise residential buildings in India. In this study, it was found that their vulnerability is a big factor in their lack of knowledge and awareness about fire, as well as their limited mobility, low vision, hearing loss, insecurities, and behaviour when there is an emergency. The study also revealed that the behaviour of the elderly is different from that of the rest of the people during fire. This entails taking into account the specific needs of the elderly during fire management. This research can further assist policymakers in upgrading fire safety regulations to make them more effective and inclusive.