Research on occupant evacuation in a high-rise dormitory building based on buildingEXODUS

The simulation model of buildingEXODUS is applied to simulate occupant evacuation in a high-rise dormitory building. Three cases are simulated to analyze the influence of the route selection on evacuation efficiency. The result of buildingEXODUS is compared with those of Japan's empirical formula and Pauls' empirical formula. The evacuation time calculated by Pauls' formula is the shortest because route selection and different use ratio of each staircase are not taken into account. The result simulated by buildingEXODUS is the longest because the details of human behavior, occupant property, building structure, and environment are all taken into account. Shorter evacuation time can be obtained by assigning some occupants to less occupied areas instead of taking the shortest routes and balancing the use ratio of each staircase and exit.