Guidance for the Model Developer on Representing Human Behavior in Egress Models

Abstract

Structures are currently designed and typically constructed in accordance with prescriptive and performance-based methodologies to ensure a certain level of safety. The performance-based approach requires the quantification of both available safe egress time (ASET) and required safe egress time (RSET) to determine the degree of safety provided. This article focuses on the RSET side of the equation, for which an engineer would use some type of egress modelling approach to estimate evacuation performance. Often, simple engineering equations are applied to estimate the RSET value; however, over time, more sophisticated computational tools have appeared. Irrespective of the approach adopted, appropriate and accurate representation of human behavior in fire within these approaches is limited, mainly due to the lack of a comprehensive conceptual model of evacuee decision-making and behavior during fire emergencies. This article initially presents a set of behavioral statements that represent the primary elements of current understanding regarding evacuee behavior. Once presented, guidance is provided on how these behavioral statements might be incorporated by the model developer into an egress model. The intent here is to assist in the advancement of current egress models by outlining the model structures required to represent the current understanding of egress behavior.Keywords: Egress models, Evacuee behavior, Model development human behavior in fire BackgroundFor a building to be constructed and occupied, it must first be established that it provides a sufficient level of safety during a fire incident. Structures are typically designed and constructed in accordance with two regulatory approaches to ensure

Applied Artificial Bee Colony Optimization Algorithm in Fire Evacuation Routing System

“…The information gathered from the questionnaire survey was used to form the framework of the case study. Prior to modeling and simulation process, the questionnaire survey was used for a comprehensive conceptualization of the evacuees behavior [33], which was aligned to experienced-based combination of microsociological theories, behavioral statements, and the identification of real-world entities [33] known as simuland (i.e., information materials). The modeling and simulation processes need to be well articulated considering some steps, respectively [34], simuland, referent materials (i.e., observations/theory), conceptualizing the model, implementing the model, and configuring the model.…”

“…Evacuation modeling [32,33] Evacuation simulation models were emerged. However, few of them are based on human evacuation behavior, only focusing on routes and time to interpreting data documented.…”

“…Similar to the foraging behavior of bees, it assumes that the evacuees randomly pick up the nearest routes surrounding them. incorporating BCO algorithm, there is a need for articulation of the information available known as simuland including the number and locations of emergency exits, the travel distances, number of evacuees, grouping of evacuees, parameters of evacuations, and locations of emergency exit guidance signs [33]. To do so, empirical observations of simuland, scientific theories, and isolated behavior statements were incorporated.…”

Guidance for the Model User on Representing Human Behavior in Egress Models

“…In a companion article (14), a preliminary conceptual model of human behavior in fire was presented that encompassed behavioural data and theory from various types of emergencies, including fire incidents. This model takes the form of a set of behavioural statements comprising the primary elements of current understanding of evacuee behavior.…”

Enhancing egress drills: Preparation and assessment of evacuee performance

“…Although a degree of flexibility is warranted, the absence of detail does allow safety managers a great deal of scope within each of the regulatory structures-particularly in the scenario examined, the data collected and how the data are used.Close third party scrutiny might allow for these choices to be checked for consistency and credibility, but it is unlikely that it would address all of the drills performed for all buildings in a jurisdiction.A great deal of research is available regarding the factors that influence evacuee movement and (to a lesser extent) evacuee decision making [61][62][63][64][65]. Firefighters do not need to be alerted.…”