- Author
- Bryan, J. L. | Milke, J. A.
- Title
- Determination of Behavior Response Patterns in Fire Situations, Project People II. Final Report. Health Care.
- Coporate
- Maryland Univ., College Park
- Sponsor
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NBS GCR 81-343, October 1981, 304 p.
- Contract
- GRANT-NA80NADA1067
- Keywords
- doors | evacuation | fire alarm systems | fire departments | fire extinguishers | fire investigations | hospitals | nursing homes | nursing staff | smoke | smoke detectors | sprinkler systems
- Abstract
- This study involved the detailed investigation of 59 fire incidents in Health Care Facilities located in the State of Maryland, with one facility in Philadelphia. A total of 150 staff participants, 9 patients and 53 fire department personnel were interviewed relative to the fire and smoke development during the fire incident, and the human behavior responses of the participants during the fire incident. The analysis and study of the fire incident and interview data enabled the examination of the parameters of the fire incident including: area of fire origin, ignition and fuel characteristics, and the fire protection design features of the building. The human behavior variables of the fire incidents relative to the means of becoming aware of the fire incident, and the first three actions of the participants were compared to the variables of the fire and smoke development, previous training and fire experience of the participants, and with their belief in the safety of the building. Statistical analyses were performed indicating the relationships among the variables. The evacuation behavior was studied with the sequences of the actions adopted by the personnel.