Computational modeling of evacuation dynamics in places of assembly

Abstract

This article analyses the parameters related to evacuation in places of assembly and the technical standards associated with emergency exits, seeking to estimate their contemporaneity due to the evolution process of buildings and social changes. To undertake the study, the researchers selected a building classified as a social club, as well as data obtained from architectural plans and inspections at the site that could be used to create a computer model. The evacuation software used was Pathfinder, which provides two simulation models, SFPE and Steering, the former having a methodology similar to the one used by the current standards and the latter, a model that approaches that of the expected movement of people in a real situation. With the simulations, data on evacuation time, specific flow, flow rate, and evacuation dynamics were obtained, with the possibility of identifying congestion points, bottlenecks and obstacles. The conclusions showed that the safety level provided by the emergency exit standards for the building studied and destined for public assembly is not as expected. Even recently updated technical standards are still fruit of a merely prescriptive review, and do not provide conditions for the development of innovative, economic and, above all, safer solutions.

Keywords:
Buildings evacuation; Emergency exits standards; Social clubs