Human Behavior and Evacuation Movement in Smoke

Codes and standards are developed on the premise that occupants of a building that meets relevant requirements should not have to evacuate through smoke during a fire. Investigations of actual fires demonstrate, however, that occupants often move through smoke during a fire evacuation. This paper will review common behaviors observed during fire emergencies, particularly those that have been observed in the premovement phase of the evacuation. Three case studies are presented to illustrate occupant movement through smoke in fires in office and apartment buildings. Two new technologies that can support occupants' evacuation through smoke are described: directional alarm sounders and photoluminescent way guidance systems.