A methodology for the determination of code equivalency with respect to the provision of means of escape

Abstract The escape potential of occupants in a building and the effectiveness of existing escape strategies can be described as a function of the time required for escape and the time available for escape. The formalisation of these two concepts within the contextual framework of equivalency is addressed in this paper. Existing fire simulation and people evacuation models (ASET and EVACNET+, respectively) are used to assess equivalent fire safety provision in public assembly buildings. In each of the examples chosen, a safety index is derived for deemed-to-satisfy designs and used as a benchmark against which other prototype designs may be compared for the purpose of establishing code equivalency. A methodology that is capable of assisting in the determination of code equivalency with respect to escape route provision while accommodating trade-off is postulated.