The master's thesis examines the impact of spatial barriers and the number of able-bodied persons of different age groups present on evacuation time in the event of accidents in a health center. Healthcare buildings represent a particularly challenging evacuation environment due to high occupancy levels, diverse user profiles, the presence of mobility-impaired persons, and numerous spatial obstacles such as furniture and medical equipment. The primary objective of this study was to analyse how these factors influence evacuation efficiency and to identify critical conditions that may significantly prolong evacuation time.
The analysis is based on computer evacuation simulations performed using the Pathfinder software, while a detailed floor plan of the healthcare facility was developed in AutoCAD. A total of nine evacuation scenarios were analysed, differing in the number of occupants and in the number and spatial arrangement of obstacles. Special emphasis was placed on comparing scenarios without obstacles, scenarios with obstacles located outside exit zones, and scenarios with obstacles positioned directly in front of evacuation exits.
The results indicate that evacuation time increases with the number of occupants, and that this relationship is non-linear. The most significant factor affecting evacuation time is the placement of obstacles directly in front of evacuation exits, whereas the mere number of obstacles outside critical exit areas has a comparatively minor effect. The findings highlight the importance of proper spatial organisation, unobstructed exits, and occupancy control. Furthermore, the study confirms that computer-based evacuation simulations represent a valuable tool for supporting evacuation planning and improving safety in healthcare facilities.
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