Enhancing the level of confidence in the safe fire evacuation operation employing a combination of BIM and fuzzy TOPSIS method

PurposeThis research aims to provide optimization and route safety planning employing the fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique.Design/methodology/approachThis research combines the use of graphical, communication tools and simulated models based on building information modeling (BIM) technology and agent-based modeling (ABM) to identify a safe evacuation route. Adopting the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, the proposed rescue plan can reduce potential hazards along the evacuation route by selecting a safe route for evacuating residents and entering firefighters to the scene of the incident.FindingsThe results show that the use of simulated models along with MCDM methods in the selection of safe routes improves the performance of safe evacuation operations for both relief groups and residents.Practical implicationsThe introduced model can improve the performance management of different groups at the time of the incident and reduce casualties and property losses using the information received from sensors at the scene. Moreover, the proposed rescue plan prevents group and individual reactivation at the time of the incident.Originality/valueDespite many advances in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, the number of victims of fire incidents in buildings is increasing compared to other natural disasters. Improving decision management based on effective parameters at the time of incident reduces casualties of residents and rescue workers.