Effect of Exit Route Characteristics on Hospital Evacuation Time: A case study of Azarshahr Shahid Madani Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Rapid and safe evacuation of hospitals during emergencies is a critical issue. This study aimed to analyze the evacuation of a three-story hospital and to evaluate the effects of evacuation routes on total evacuation time.

Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study uses agent-based computer modeling to simulate the evacuation process of a hospital with an area of 8762 square meters and 217 staff. The effects of the variables of the width of horizontal exit routes, the dimensions of exit doors, and the obstacles in common exit routes on the time for complete evacuation of people were examined and compared in ten different scenarios.

Results: Findings indicated that increasing the width of horizontal routes and the dimensions of emergency exits, along with the removal of obstacles, significantly reduced maximum evacuation time.

Conclusion: Optimizing the geometric characteristics of emergency evacuation routes, particulary increasing exit sizes and removing obstacles, plays a key role in minimizing total evacuation time during hospital emergencies. Such improvements can enhance the safety of occupants in critical situations.