Simulation of fire emergency evacuation in a large-passenger-flow subway station based on the on-site measured data of Shenzhen Metro

Abstract

Because of its large capacity, high efficiency, and energy savings, the subway has gradually become the primary mode of transportation for citizens. A high density of passengers exists within a large-passenger-flow subway station, and the number of casualties and injuries during a fire emergency is substantial. In this paper, Pathfinder software and on-site measured data of Pingzhou station in Shenzhen were utilized to simulate a fire emergency evacuation in a large-passenger-flow subway station. The Required Safe Egress Time (RSET), number of passengers, and flow rates of stairs and escalators were analysed for three fire evacuation scenarios: train fire, platform fire, and hall fire. The evacuation time of the train fire, which was 1173 s, was the longest, and 3621 occupants needed to evacuate when the train was fully loaded. Occupants could not complete the evacuation within 6 mins in all three fire evacuation scenarios, which does not meet the currently standards requirements and codes. By changing the number of passengers and the number of stairs for evacuation, the flow rate capacity and evacuation time were explored, which have reference values for safety management and emergency evacuation plan optimization during peak hours of subway operation.

Numerical Simulation of Passenger Evacuation and Heat Fluxes in the Waiting Hall of an Ultralarge Railway Station Hub

“…Based on Ref. [32], the occupant parameters in Pathfinder are listed in Table 2. Note that for simplicity of simulation, only the body size, ground speed, and stair speed were varied among the four categories.…”

Resilience assessment of metro stations based on AHP-PSO fuzzy combined empowerment method with baggage impact perspective

“…Currently, there are few studies considering passenger baggage (mobile fire loads) in metro stations for risk assessment, and some researchers define them as parcels, baggage, temporary combustibles and carry-on fire loads. Chen et al (2023) defined passenger-carried baggage as temporary combustibles and conducted a field investigation in Chengdu metro station to obtain the changing number of temporary combustibles in the metro station and their distribution pattern on the platform. At the same time, a simulation study on the fire process of metro caused by baggage was carried out, and the relationship between baggage and the fire risk at metro platforms was obtained (H. .…”