Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

In making a plan for safe evacuation under smoke in fire, visibility of evacuation signs is of crucial significance. However, there have been very few studies on the calculation method for the luminous stimuli in fire smoke, thereby leaving effective evacuation methodology unattained. In fire situation, we have to consider factors affecting sign’s visibility such as power failure, obscuration by smokes and smoke adhesion to the sign surface or light sources. In order for emergency signs to function properly for evacuation, we need to assure the sufficient visibility in every situation. Therefore it is necessary to establish a calculation method of luminous stimuli in fire smoke to evaluate evacuee’s visibility quantitatively. This paper proposes a calculation model of target luminance in fire-smoke taking into account of smoke adhesion. Practical application is also presented.