Time-Based Capabilities of Occupants to Escape Fires in Public Buildings: A Review of Code Provisions and Technical Literature

摘要

This document reviews available technical literature pertaining to exit facility design and emergency escape provisions of the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code (1976 Edition) in order to determine the technical support for such provisions. The report focuses on the time-based capabilities of building occupants to effect rapid evacuations, in relation to evacuation time available during fires. A number of functional criteria are examined in relation to Code provisions influencing the design of means of egress and fire protection and protective signalling systems for places of assembly, residential occupancies, mercantile occupancies, and business occupancies. Provisions affecting fire exit drill and building management practices are also considered.