- Author
- Stapelfeldt, J. P.
- Title
- Fear and Panic Conditions in the Sight of Fire Protection. (Angst- und Panikzustande aus der Sicht des Brandschutzes.)
- Coporate
- Brandoberamtsrat, Hamburg, West Germany
- Journal
- VFDB, Vol. 35, No. 2, 41-48, May 1986
- Keywords
- fire hazards
- Abstract
- Fire hazards which required human life will demand from the safety authorities to start an investigation about the reasons why protective measures did not prevent the casualities. In certain cases, however, it seems to be advisable to think about the fundamental safety philosophy. The attitude and reaction of persons under the influence of fear and panic remain hereby mostly out of consideration as a kind of rather inevitable risk. Therefore, also in the future we shall find badly arranged exits, with corner angle and contracting escape ways leading to small doors, provided with a step on the floor bad enough to tumble, with shapr wall corners and other obstacles hindering the flow of persons. This is made allegedly because the experiences from previous similar events are not being considered important enough due to the relatively seldom fire hazards and therefore not included in the relevant rules. In addition to this it may provide to be necessary after the official constructional check up of the new building that further protection measures must be arranged which then will affect the escape ways or even make them useless. This includes such changes as the erection of blockings for reason of data and operation protection, also for protective measures against terrorism, burglary and theft. The general consideration of escape ways, therefore, must include also the investigation of all circumstances which will allow the use of escape ways also under extremely adverse condtions. Especially two key-events sensitize the knowledge of the influence in case of fear and panic.