MODELLING EVACUATION FROM A PUBLIC BUILDING REGARDING THE SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES IN AN EMERGENCY

Abstract

This study aims to verify, which of the selected variables affects efficient evacuation by modellingthe evacuation of people from an existing building, using Pathfinder computer software. Thevariables include both the organization of workstations (work spaces for people with disabilities,their placement, and evacuation assistants) and the evacuation supporting equipment (ramps,elevators, wheelchairs, chairs, mattresses).The following were used to achieve the objective of the work: a simulation using Pathfindercomputer software was carried out with a model of actual building built in 2008. This buildingincorporates lecture halls, faculty rooms, computer labs, administrative staff rooms and sanitaryand technical rooms. The building has been adapted for people with disabilities.Summarizing the results of the simulation, evacuation time increases when people with disabilitiesare on higher floors. The greater the number of assistants helping people with disabilities, theshorter the evacuation time.