- Author
- Gwynne, S. M. V. | Kuligowski, E. D. | Kratchman, J. | Milke, J. A.
- Title
- Questioning the Linear Relationship Between Doorway Width and Achievable Flow Rate.
- Coporate
- Hughes Associates, Inc., Boulder, CO National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD Maryland Univ., College Park
- Journal
- Fire Safety Journal, Vol. 44, No. 1, 80-87, January 2009
- Keywords
- doors | doorways | egress | flow rate | simulation | fire protection engineering | data analysis | people movement | computation | evacuation time | evacuation | codes | regulations | impact | design applications
- Identifiers
- effective width; engineering analysis; recommended engineering approach; maximum achievable specific flow rates; discussion of data collection process; flow rates collected from the arena; flow rates produced by Fruin according to doorway type; demonstrating the potential impact on calculations; dynamic doorway width observed during the pedestrian movement from the arena; evacuation times produced during egress analysis; EVACNET4; linear relationship between doorway width and flow rate
- Abstract
- This paper challenges the currently assumed linear relationship between doorway width and achievable flow. The current view is seen as a simplification that may lead to an overly optimistic view of the achievable flow rates. Analyzed data are presented in order to demonstrate the impact that the actual use of the doorway and its design can have upon the flow rate generated. These data are then supported by the use of numerical simulations to demonstrate the impact that this overestimation can have upon the design process. It is contended that the specific flow rate assumed for a doorway should take into consideration not only its width, but also the design of the doorway (i.e., the opening and closing mechanism) and how evacuees behave in response to it. The issues raised have implications for the governing codes/regulations, engineering guidance and on the development of future computational egress models.