Using FDS program and an evacuation test to develop hotel fire safety strategy

Abstract

This paper examines the hotel fire with the most serious casualties in Taiwan’s history. The official fire investigation report and NFPA921 related information are used, and the fire hazard and personnel evacuation scenes are reconstructed using the latest fire dynamics simulator (FDS + EVAC) program. The FDS is also used to simulate four improved schemes. Another two possible improved schemes are tested using the full-scale evacuation test. Fifty adults were divided into nine groups to undergo three evacuation tests. It is hoped that these research results can be used as a reference for improving fire safety strategies for future hotel construction.

Keywords:

• hotel fire accident
• personnel evacuation scenes
• fire dynamics simulator program
• improved schemes
• full-scale evacuation test
• fire safety strategies

Acknowledgments

The research budget for this study was provided by the Architecture and Building Research Institute, Ministry of the Interior (MOI) (project number 099301070000G1009). During the study, National Fire Bureau, Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and Fubon Insurance Company provided valuable fire data. Their help is truly appreciated.