Towards the characterization of large retail stores

Abstract

This paper presents the results obtained from an unannounced evacuation of a single storey, Marks & Spencer store. The purpose of the work was to obtain insights with respect to the actual emergency evacuation performance of the store in relation to perceived performance as represented in BSI DD240 Fire Safety Engineering in Buildings Part 1, Guide to the Application of Fire Safety Engineering Principles. The unannounced evacuation was video taped and questionnaires were administered to the evacuees as they left the store. Analysis of the questionnaires yielded data su7cient to characterize the occupancy of the store. Analysis of the video tapes yielded actual pre-movement times and the total evacuation time for the store. The total evacuation time was 2 min 45 s, i.e. the total evacuation time was less than the recognition time for a W3 alarm system suggested in BSI DD240. The results suggest that well trained sta4 in combination with a W3 warning system, i.e. warning bell only, can produce results which might well be associated with a W1 system, i.e. live directives using a voice system, in BSI DD240.

Assessment of fire safety of evacuation routes in industrial premises

“…Presently there is no universal mathematical model to adequately describe τ e.si at any production facility [6]. In the opinion of the researchers, the existing method for determining τ e.si used in the regulatory documents requires significant improvement [2,6] [22][23][24][25][26][27]. However, in order to use them for calculation of τ e.si for personnel of a given organization or institution, special verification is required.…”

How to initiate evacuation movement in public buildings

“…The availability of closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) to broadcast useful and precise (Shields at al., 1998).…”

Effect of Steering and Comfort Distances on Evacuation Time for a College Building – A Case Study

“…[4] Studied the evacuation for a large retail store and it was found that 50.1% choose the nearest exit to evacuate from the building and 19.5% choose a familiar exit to evacuate from the building. [5] Studied behaviour and characteristics of people on unannounced fire drill for large retail stores.…”