Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

This paper presents a series of trial evacuations from several university campus lecture theatres. The results from the trial evacuations are compared against simulations using a Monte Carlo network evacuation model. Data from a number of literature sources from lecture theatre type rooms is then used to further compare the predictions from the model. Results show that the model gives reasonable predictions when the constrictions provided by either the exit doors or the aisle widths are accounted for. The inclusion in the model of a reduction in maximum movement speed due to the rows of seats is found to give a general over-prediction.