Evacuation Strategies During Fire In Case Of Auditorium

Fire safety in auditoriums is a critical concern due to the high occupancy and unique spatial configurations that canhinder efficient evacuation during emergencies. This dissertation, titled Evacuation Strategies in Case of Fire in Auditoriums,aims to address the gap in understanding fire behavior and evacuation performance by integrating advanced simulation tools,PyroSim and Pathfinder, to analyze and improve evacuation strategies. A case study of an auditorium in New Delhi wasconducted, focusing on four fire scenarios (circulation area, seating area, wall, and stage) under two material conditions:existing materials and code-compliant materials. The study revealed that existing materials, such as polyester curtains,untreated foam seating, and nylon carpets, significantly contribute to fire spread, smoke generation, and reduced visibility,thereby increasing evacuation times. Code-compliant materials, including fire-treated fabrics, non-combustible paneling, andfire-resistant carpets, demonstrated substantial improvements, reducing evacuation times by up to 30% and delaying smokevisibility loss by over 100 seconds in most scenarios. The stage area emerged as the most critical zone due to its highlyflammable materials, requiring urgent intervention through material upgrades and enhanced suppression systems. Theresearch highlights the importance of material selection, compliance with fire safety codes, and simulation-driven designimprovements in mitigating fire risks. While limitations such as reliance on hypothetical data and the exclusion of behavioralfactors were acknowledged, the findings provide actionable recommendations for policy reforms, material upgrades, andegress design enhancements. This study contributes to the evolving discourse on fire safety, emphasizing the need for acomprehensive, proactive approach to ensure occupant protection in public assembly spaces.