The Effects of Spatial Layout on Efficiency of Safe Evacuation After Conversion of an Exhibition Building to a Fangcang Shelter Hospital

When a building normally used for exhibitions is converted into a Fangcang shelter hospital in emergency situations, its original space combination, functional flow line, and safety exits are significantly changed. When the building becomes densely populated, if an accident such as a fire, explosion, or earthquake occurs, then safe evacuation will be a serious challenge. This study systematically considers the characteristics of the building space and functional flow line after the conversion of an exhibition building to a Fangcang shelter hospital. Pathfinder software was used to simulate representative scenarios of a Fangcang shelter hospital and to analyze the main spatial factors affecting evacuation efficiency in terms of evacuation time, spatial congestion characteristics, and the exits used by personnel. Then, a targeted design optimization strategy was proposed based on the accessibility of safety exits and the internal space layout of the building. Finally, a simulation was used to verify the effectiveness of the design strategy. The results of this study provide solid theoretical support and methodological guidance for the spatial arrangement of exhibition buildings converted into Fangcang shelter hospitals so as to effectively improve the efficiency of safe evacuation and promote the resilience and safety of exhibition buildings.