| Title |
A Study on the Architectural Design Characteristics Reflecting Evacuation Behaviors in the USA Hospitals |
| Keywords |
General Hospitals ; Ward ; Evacuation ; Behavior ; Architectural Design |
| Abstract |
The aims of this study are to propose architectural and managemental guidelines through reviewing the characteristics of general hospital ward in USA. To achieve these purposes, the fire safety codes and architectural characteristics of general hospitals in USA have been investigated, and the evacuation guidelines in hospital of NFPA were reviewed. The results of this study are as follows ; (1) The building codes and guidelines on general hospitals in USA reflect the occupational load and egress capacity factor of patients and recommend each floor be sub-divided at least two smoke fire/smoke barrier for easy egress to the other fire/smoke compartments. (2) The prototypes of ward design have been changed by the efficiencies of nurse station reflecting distance-to-bed factor, and the efficiencies of evacuation travel distance in prototypes show similar trends with them. (3) The proper evacuation manual and education on techniques for moving patients are important and can reduce the egress time in emergency situation. |