Software evacuation modelling tool for buildings and stadiums

Kurzfassung

A London university-based research group has developed a software evacuation tool targeted at the safety/construction industry. Using this tool, safety engineers can analyse more designs, more effectively and efficiently to reach the optimal evacuation solution, free of the high cost and potential danger associated with human evacuation trials. They are interested in seeking partners able to further develop and license the tool to regional markets, or end-users.

Details

The software tool is more than simply an evacuation tool; it is a computer-based laboratory for evaluating the emergency and non-emergency movement of people within buildings or enclosures.

Based on a highly sophisticated set of sub models and engineering analysis, the simulations produced realistic people-people, people-fire and people-structure interactions. The model tracks the path of each individual as they make their way out of the building/enclosure, or are overcome by fire hazards such as heat, smoke and toxic gases.

The tool comprises five core interacting sub-models, the Occupant, Movement, Behaviour, Toxicity and Hazard sub-models.

Each of these sub-models controls or determines the actions or movements of the individual occupants.

The software, written in C++ using Object Oriented techniques, comprises a set of rules or heuristics, which define the function of each sub-model. Using these rules, the tool tracks the trajectory of all individuals as they make their way out of the enclosure or are overcome by the fire hazards such as heat and toxic gases.

Modes of operation

The tool provides four modes of operation to assist the user in simulating an evacuation. Each mode must be utilised in turn in order to simulate an evacuation. These are:

1. Geometry Mode - allows the user to construct the enclosure
2. Population Mode - used to generate the group of occupants to be used in the evacuation study
3. Scenario Mode - used to control scenario specifics such as exit capabilities, exit potentials, fire hazards etc. Fire hazards can be defined using CFAST (Collaborative Force-Building Analysis, Sustainment and Transportation) generated history files
4. Simulation Mode - allows a simulation to be run either interactively or in batch mode. The user can also use this mode to specify a range of scenario-specific data that can be saved

Innovative Aspects:
The software tool is new technology:
* It is suitable for application to supermarkets, hospitals, industrial premises, rail stations, airport terminals, sports stadium, cinemas, shopping malls, high-rise buildings, etc.
* It is capable of handling 1000s of people
* It incorporates human behaviour specifically tailored for building environments
* It demonstrates compliance with building codes
* It evaluates evacuation capabilities
* The tool can also help in Forensic Fire Analysis

High-profile projects that have used the tools include:
- Düsseldorf Airport redevelopment
- Golden pyramids Plaza - Egypt
- London Millennium Dome
- Sydney Olympic stadium
- San Francisco Subway Through using this tool, design decisions based on meeting the demands of performance-based safety codes are simplified, allowing the design of safer lower-cost buildings.

Existing buildings and structures can also be simulated for evacuation without the need for expensive human evacuation trials.

The tool provides detailed insights into how people interact with building and structures under emergency conditions. This will allow safer building to be designed, and occupants' lives saved.

The tool offers symbolic/realistic views of the heat, smoke, fire and occupants. It may be used also as a training tool for students (engineers) due to its comprehensive, scientific and realistic visualisations and simulations.