| Keywords |
evacuation ; simulex ; maximum travel distance |
| Abstract |
In this study, we investigated the optimum classroom size appropriate for composite school buildings whichcomprise both elementary and middle schools in their compounds. We also carried out our analysis on the evacuationtime of the students that will be spent when a fire would break out in these buildings. This research was based onthe data of a composite building with nine floors. When we attempted to determine the optimum classroom size ofthe composite building with nine floors, we compared both the number of students in the building and its total areawith those of other buildings in Seoul. We used the data on the number of emergency stairs, the class time table, andthe pre-planned actions of the buildings when we studied the evacuation time required in the event of a fire. Weobtained the following results. First, the average number of the classes per school in the Seoul area was 35.1, whilethat number of our target school reached 87. Thus, compared with the average number of students in Seoul (1,180),the number reached 3,045. The average school area occupied by a student of the composite building was 1.33 squaremeters per person, compared to 10.76 square meters per person in other schools. Second, we have confirmed that theALT 2 plan, which improved the original ALT 1 plan, could reduce walking distance in the event of an emergency.Thus, for faster evacuation purposes, we suggest that the school authorities allow students to use specially-designedclassrooms more often rather than just to stay in ordinary classrooms when they study. Third, simulations results showthat if the number of class size is reduced to 50% of the current level, the evacuation time can be reduced more than50%. |