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Examination and interaction of the individual with the fire-created environment. Behaviour of building occupants. How human behaviour issues are incorporated in building design.
The aim of the course is that students shall be able to understand and apply theories relatedto human behaviour in fire. Students shall also recognize the importance of demographicfactors for evacuation. Furthermore, students shall understand and apply different egressmodelling approaches, both computer models and hand calculation models, and understandtheir limitations.
Knowledge and Understandingexplain and exemplify the main theories of human behaviour in fire (e.g. Role-Rulemodel, Affiliation Theory, Theory of Affordances, Help in Emergencies, and SocialInfluence)state typical walking speeds for evacuation and explain how movement of people isinfluenced by demographic factors (e.g. age and mobility)explain theories relating to pedestrian movement and pedestrian dynamics (e.g. mergingflows and crowd movement)explain the basic assumptions behind egress models, both computer models (coursenetwork, fine network and continuous models) and hand calculation modelsexplain how toxic species, heat and radiation influences the human bodyexplain models that are commonly used in guidelines and regulations (RSET models)explain how Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be used in fire engineering andpedestrian movement/evacuation planningSkills and Abilitiesanalyse fire accidents and relate the behaviour of evacuees to different theories/modelsanalyse exit design based on the Theory of Affordancesselect appropriate occupant scenarios for fire safety engineering designapply different egress modelling approaches, both computer models (fine network andcontinuous models) and hand calculation models (Predtechenskii & Milinskii), tosimulate crowd movementanalyse results from egress models, both computer models (course network, finenetwork and continuous models) and hand calculation models, and relate the results tothe assumptions of the modelsestimate the effects of toxic species, heat and radiation on evacuees (FED/FECconcept)independently seek information (articles, reports, manuals, etc) about human behaviourin firecommunicate theories of human behaviour in fire and egress modelling results tolaymen and expertsapply models to estimate the Required Safe Escape Time (RSET)apply Building Information Modelling (BIM) for pedestrian movement/evacuationplanningValues and Attitudesadequately consider relevant ethical aspects relating to experiments with humanparticipants (evacuation experiments)adequately consider relevant ethical aspects relating to egress modelling
ENGR403 or approval of Head of Department
Students must attend one activity from each section.
There is a total of three lab exercises in the course, namely three computer labs. The three lab exercises are:i) Lab 1 – Test of a continuous egress model (Simulex)ii) Lab 2 – Test of a fine network egress model (STEPS)iii) Lab 3 – Advanced egress modellingTwo of the lab exercises (Lab 1 and Lab 2) will be performed during the second block seminar of the course, i.e., in the computer labs at University of Canterbury. You will do the third lab exercise (Lab 3) on your own using your own computer. The first laboratory exercise (Lab 1) focuses on modelling of evacuation with a a continuous model, e.g., Simulex. In the second laboratory exercise (Lab 2), a fine network model, e.g. STEPS, will be used. A very simple report is handed in for Lab 1 and Lab 2 respectively. In the third laboratory (Lab 3), you will perform more advanced egress modelling using a model of your choice. However, we will only be able to give you support if you choose one of the models included in Lab 1 or Lab 2. An extensive written report is required for Lab 3. In this report, you will not only need to explain your modelling assumptions, but also your selection of occupant scenarios.
Daniel Nilsson
Peter Thompson
In the course, there are a number of activities that are compulsory and need to be completed in order to pass. Not all activities contribute to your final grade, but you still need to complete them all in order to pass the course. Table 2 shows the activities contributing to your final grade. Table 3 shows the activities that do not contribute to your grade, but that you still need to complete in order to pass. In the sections below, you can find more information about the different activities. The on-line test, which is given in the 11th course week, will consist mainly of theoretical questions, but simple calculation questions may also be included. Before the test, there will be an opportunity to ask questions, i.e., a consultation.There are five individual assignments in the course. All assignments must be completed for a passing grade. The five assignments are:1) Assignment 1 – Initial investigation of the ‘panic’ concept2) Assignment 2 – Exit Design and the Theory of Affordances3) Assignment 3 – Analysis of a Fire Incident4) Assignment 4 – Crowd Calculation Exercise5) Assignment 5 – Toxicity assessment Late submissions will lose 20% of the total mark per day or part of day A student must achieve a minimum of 10% on the on-line test to pass the course, i.e., 50/100 A student must achieve a minimum of 15% on Lab 3 to pass the course, i.e., 50/100 A student must achieve a minimum of 15% on Assignment 3 to pass the course, i.e., 50/100
The literature in the course consists mainly of papers and book chapters. Some of the literaturewill be published in LEARN, but you need to download some of the publications yourselfusing the University of Canterbury library resources. The number of publications per lecturevaries, but approximately between 1 and 3 publications are treated per lecture. Literature forthe seminar can also be found in LEARN.The egress models used in Lab 1 and Lab 2 will be installed in the computer rooms at theUniversity of Canterbury. You will be provided with copies of the egress models used in Lab 1and Lab 2 for installation on your own computer if you choose to use them for Lab 4. If youuse another egress model for Lab 4, you will need to make your own arrangements.
Domestic fee $1,197.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Civil and Natural Resources Engineering .