Implications for improving evacuation safety in primary school corridors: a video-based analysis on evacuees’ speed and density

Purpose This study aims to enhance evacuation safety and efficiency measures in primary school corridors by considering the impact of adult guidance and evacuation graphical signs on evacuation speed and density by considering different visibility conditions and corridor design. Design/methodology/approach The experiment setup involved ten carefully designed drills exploring the evacuation behavior of 6–7-year-old students in a primary school, varying factors such as adult guidance, smoke conditions and graphical evacuation signs. Kinovea software was employed for data extraction to transform video footage into frames, facilitating meticulous manual tallies of children’s movements in designated sub-areas during the drills. The research utilized statistical tests, a generalized linear model and curve-fitting techniques to analyze the extracted data. Findings The findings highlight the vital role of adult guidance in expediting evacuations, emphasizing the importance of trained personnel during emergencies. Additionally, graphical evacuation signs were identified as powerful tools for enhancing evacuation speed during low visibility, as they provide clear visual cues to guide evacuees effectively. Signage and adult guidance are beneficial when the classrooms’ gates opening to the passage are far from each other. In contrast, in areas with close and multiple exits, guidance strategies, especially those involving adults, are more effective in reducing population density during evacuations. Originality/value These findings have practical implications for improving emergency preparedness, guiding the design of primary school corridors and informing evacuation protocols. School administrators, architects and emergency planners can utilize these findings to inform the development of safety protocols, enhance evacuation guidance strategies and improve the design of primary school corridors. Further research can expand on these findings by exploring their applicability in diverse educational settings and evaluating the real-world implementation of evacuation measures.