JAUE2024-085: Analysis and Evaluation of Evacuation Time Using Drop-Down Fire Escape Ladder in High-Rise Apartments

Abstract

This study aims to analyze and evaluate the evacuation time required when using descending escape ladders in high-rise apartment buildings. Recently, two primary types of descending escape ladders—sliding and folding—have been implemented in domestic residential buildings. The research involved simulating real evacuation scenarios and quantitatively measuring the time taken for each stage of evacuation: (1) opening the door, (2) lowering the ladder, (3) taking the first step onto the ladder, and (4) descending to the evacuation floor. The experiments were conducted in a high-rise apartment in Busan, South Korea, with participants of varying age and gender. The results showed a noticeable reduction in evacuation time between the first and second trials, suggesting that familiarity and training can significantly enhance evacuation efficiency. Additionally, age differences were particularly prominent, with participants aged 60 and above taking significantly longer to evacuate. The findings provide crucial baseline data for formulating evacuation plans and performance-based designs involving descending escape ladders.