P-447 Simulation and Characterization of Fire Emergency Evacuation in a Medical Center

Abstract Introduction Fire is a perilous phenomenon that causes significant human and financial losses. Hospitals and medical centers are particularly prone to fires, with many occurring each year, making timely evacuation of patients, disabled individuals, and staff a critical measure. The purpose of this study was to simulate and analyze the emergency evacuation of individuals in a hospital in Shiraz. Methods and Materials The study was conducted in a hospital’s treatment building, which lacked emergency exits. Evacuation simulations were carried out in both fire and non-fire scenarios to examine the impact of smoke and combustion products on the time it took for individuals to evacuate. Version 6.5 of FDS + Evac software was utilized to simulate fire and evacuation. Results The emergency evacuation simulations revealed that under normal conditions (no fire), it took an average of 815 seconds to evacuate, and 295 individuals were evacuated during this period. During a fire, with the ventilation system on or off, 10 and 32 people, respectively, were unable to leave the building after 900 seconds. Conclusion In conclusion, the results of this study underscore the importance of ventilation systems in preventing smoke from reaching the floors, as well as the significance of having accessible emergency exits.