Modeling of Fire Egress and Risk

Recommended Prerequisites

2nd cycle.  

Teaching Methods

Teaching methods of theoretical lessons aim at the global learning of the course. Students are called to discuss concepts, key subjects and the ones of more complexity. At the end of each subject, which constitutes the program of the course, a synthesis is made and some problems are proposed.

Students in the semester have to carry out an individual work of risk and evacuation in case of fire modelling of a building applying different methods taught in the classes with the support of existing computational models.

Learning Outcomes

The movement of people in emergency situation is one of utmost importance aspect in fire safety. So the proper design of evacuation roures is extremely important so that people can evacuate safely buildings in emergency situation. Also the risk assessment and consequently the styling are of utmost importance. These situations are typically associated with old buildings, or the new buildings for which the regulation does not reply.

In this curricular unit, attending for students wishing to carry out the PhD thesis in the area of evacuation and/or fire risk in buildings modelling, will be transmitted the knowledge necessary for the modelling of the evacuation and fire risk. They will be presented some simulation models for the evacuation of buildings and fire risk with particular emphasis to the FDS+EVAC. Students should be able to use these models.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction

2. Modelling of the fire risk
 
2.1. Risk management concepts
2.2. Qualitative risk assessment
2.3. Quantitative risk assessment
2.4. Support decision systems
2.5. The theory of utility on risk modelling
2.6. Risk thresholds
2.7. The uncertainty in risk modelling
2.8. Cost/benefit analysis in risk modelling
2.9. Partial models of risk assessment
2.10. Global models of risk assessment
 
3. Modeling of the fire risk
 
3.1. Introduction to Modeling Egress in Buildings
3.2. The Significance of Data Collection for Modeling
3.3. Fundamental Aspects to Consider in Modeling
3.4. Geometric and Physical Modeling of Buildings
3.5. Modeling of the Preceding Stage to the Beginning of Egress
3.6. Modeling of People’s Behavior
3.7. Modeling the Choice of Routes
3.8. Modeling Movement of People
3.9. Validation of Simulation Models
 
4. Analysis of some known models (FDS + EVAC)

Head Lecturer(s)

João Paulo Correia Rodrigues

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 100.0%

Bibliography

• Brannigan, V. M.; Dardis, R. – Legal and Economic Criteria for Test-Based Fire Risk Assessment. Fire Risk Assessment. Castino/Harmathy, Editors, p. 59-73, 1980.
• Ling, W. C. T.; Williamson, R. B. – Using Fire Tests for Quantitative Risk Analysis. Fire Risk Assessment, Castino/Marmathy, Editors, p. 38-58, 1980.
• Lundin, J. – Model Uncertainty in Fire Safety Engineering. Universidade de Lund, Report 1020, Lund 1999.
• Ramachandran, G. – Utility Theory Fire Protection Handbook, 16.ª ed., FPA, Boston. Section 21, Chapter 5, p. 21-31 a 21-35, 1980.
• Ramachandran, G. – Value of Human Life. Fire Protection Handbook, 16.ª ed., FPA, Boston. Section 4, Chapter 8, p. 4-53 a 4-63, 1980.
• Bogart, A. F. Van. – Fire and Evacuation Times. E. Story-Scientia, Antuérpia, 1978.
• Canter, D. – Fires and Human Behavior. Wiley, London, 1980.
• Sime, Jonathan D. – Escape Behaviour in Fires and Evacuations. Design Against Fire: An introduction to Fire Safety. P. Stoollard e L. Johnston, ed., 1994.