Simulating building evacuations with a model

A computer-model is used to simulate the evacuation of the occupants in a building. The aim of the simulations is to establish an equal level of fire safety in accordance of the building regulations. Simulations can also be used to optimise the design of the escape routes (numbers of exits, dimensions of staircases). Most of the simulations are applied with more complex buildings (for instance “High rise buildings” (approximately more than 15 stories), cinema’s, discotheques, shopping centres). Comparing the results from an evacuation-simulation with the results from a smoke model calculation provides an excellent insight to the safety of the designed escaping possibilities.