FIRESCAP: A computer simulation model of reaction to a fire alarm

We develop a theoretical model and its computer‐simulation translation of evacuation response to a fire alarm, based on past research on fire emergencies and on crowd behavior as well as on our past and continuing investigation of the Beverly Hills fire disaster. The simulation model presents graphically the status of individuals and socially tied pairs in a room as they initiate evacuation—typically in response to ambiguous information—and move toward alternative exits. Individual and pair status—including choice of exit—can change during evacuation in response to changing physical and social cues; statuses include pace of movement and cooperativeness‐competitiveness. We also present some experimental results on the sensitivity of the model's outcomes to variation in several parameters.

Key words:

• Collective behavior
• collective flight
• computer simulation
• fire evacuation
• panic