Exploring the potential effectiveness of dynamic and static emergency exit signage in complex spaces through simulation

• Published in: Fire safety journal 2021-10, Vol.125, p.103404, Article 103404
• Main Authors: Filippidis, Lazaros, Xie, Hui, Galea, Edwin R., Lawrence, Peter J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dynamic signage; Egress; Emergency exit signage; Emergency exits; Entrances; Evacuation; Navigation behavior; Signs; Simulation; Wayfinding
• ISSN: 0379-7112; 1873-7226
• DOI: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2021.103404

Emergency exit signs used in buildings aid occupant wayfinding during an emergency. However, research suggests that conventional signs lack the ability to attract people's attention in an emergency. This can result in the underuse of emergency exits and the overuse of main entrances with potentially fatal consequences. The effectiveness of signage depends on their ability to draw occupants' attention. A novel dynamic signage design, Active Dynamic Signage System (ADSS), was proposed to address this issue through incorporating flashing green LEDs into the arrow of conventional exit signs. Its effectiveness was tested in a series of experiments achieving a detection rate of up to 77% as opposed to 38% for conventional exit signs. In this paper, the signage model within the buildingEXODUS software was adapted to represent the ADSS and a series of simulations were run to investigate the potential effectiveness of the ADSS compared to conventional signs. The scenarios examined involved a supermarket geometry, 900 agents and three levels of signage configuration. The modelling results suggest that the ADSS can reduce total egress times for this structure by 18%, congestion by 36%, travel distances by 12%, resulting in a more efficient evacuation compared with that produced by conventional signage. •Strategic positioning of exit signs is essential to reduce evacuation times.•Advantage of dynamic over conventional signs in evacuation is quantified.•Modelling methodology is presented to optimally place signs in complex spaces.