Application of NFPA 130 for emergency evacuation in a mass transit station

This paper presents an analysis of an emergency evacuation during a mid-platform train fire in a mass transit station. A time-based scenario is first developed, taking into account the inaccessibility of the stairs due to smoke obscuration. The exiting calculation approach in NFPS 130 is then applie...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kang, Kai
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Emergency management
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Evacuation of civilians
Exact sciences and technology
Heating, air conditioning and ventilation
New York
Railroads
Safety and security measures
Stations
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Summary:This paper presents an analysis of an emergency evacuation during a mid-platform train fire in a mass transit station. A time-based scenario is first developed, taking into account the inaccessibility of the stairs due to smoke obscuration. The exiting calculation approach in NFPS 130 is then applied to a parametric study including this time-based scenario, and the results are compared to a micro-simulation model. Both methods give consistent predictions of the exiting times. The results demonstrate that without the division of the station into two zones, the exiting time meets the code requirements; however, with the division, it could not meet the required exiting time. Such division is due to smoke blockage, which creates an uneven occupancy load between the zones. Therefore, appropriate consideration of the fire and smoke effects is important for emergency evacuation study. While the objective of station smoke management is to protect the evacuation routes at both ends of the station, future study would have to reconcile the available time and the required time of tenability.
ISSN:0001-2505