Posted By Darren J Fraser I have never come across anything with a 'permissible' time for evacuation. I always base my times on achieve-ability. For example, to evacuate a small garage of 5 people should take less time than to evacuate a 3 storey call centre. I would suggest that you time a normal pace walk from the furthest point to the assembly point, if it takes 2.5 minutes, then aim for an evac time of between 4 and 5 minutes, if you are going to include a roll call or similar into your evac time then adjust accordingly. Would also look at how long it will take for the emergency services to arrive, if they are there in 2 minutes you may still be evacuating, possible into their direct approach route, therefore is the assembly point in the right location. Would 2 or 3 assembly points be a better solution, taking into account possible communication issues. May seem to ramble a bit, but hopefully you get the jist.

Posted By Frank Newman This is Merv A single storey building with a couple of hundred people in it can be emptied of people within 3 minutes. Walking (not running) to the control points could take another few minutes. Depends on the distances. Sweeps should be coming out at about the same time the last people get to the control points. There can be no typical target time. I hate to remind people, but think of 9/11 The other point is that in an emergency evacuation I do not want people to rush. If they are out of immediate danger then they stroll. But they don't go back for their handbags or umbrellas. I ran twice-a-year drills for almost twenty years. Never got a 100% perfect. People ! Why do we have to employ them ? Merv

Posted By GT Declan, Shaun is correct in his statement and I believe that there are two other times based on the risk assessment of the building i.e 2 and 3 minutes the lesser the risk (speed of fire development) the longer you have to evacuate. There are some people on the forum suitably qualified to conduct this assessment and do it as a profession, Shaun I think is one such person. Regards GT

Posted By Pugwash I find that people often confuse the time for everyone to reach a protected stairway with the time for everyone to leave the building. As Shaun states, 2.5 mins is a reasonable time for the former, but the time for latter will depend on the height of the building - it could be more than 30 minutes in some cases. You should be concerned if people are queuing to get INTO a protected route after 2.5 mins unless the fire evacuation strategy for the building explicitly permits this (because of compensating fire engineering features in he building).

Posted By Troos Jacobs Hi Declan, I found your discussion very interesting as i am busu with evacuation and disaster management for 28 years. I hope he following points will assist you with a guide to estimate evacuation times. 1. What is the type of occupation? Hospitals will be different that offices. 2. Are their any aditional hazards for instance haxadrous gasses ? 3. Buildings must have emergency escape routes that are fire resistant and smoke free ? Different countries different specifications. Check your local specs. 4. Any evacuation drill will be different with the shortest time and minimum injuries. 5. Panic must be prevented at all times. I have my own explanation to prevent panic. Knowledge will prevent panic. Example: I am a skydiver, experience two cut aways both times i react on my training and the situation and land safely. Evacuation out of buildings or out of a disaster area will depend on the same principal. What is the training of the people involved in that specific situation.

Posted By Merv Newman TBC, I'm not sure about "doors springing closed" A far as I am aware the only requirement is that they should be easily opened. As far as being instructed "do not panic" that is a total joke. In an unknown, unfamiliar, life threatening situation people panic. How many times have we read of bodies being trampled by hundreds trying to get out of a burning building. You can't help it. I just know that I will climb over your head to get my wife and kids out the next time the local disco burns down. The only remedy against panic is regular exercises. So that reaction to the fire bells is routine and totally boring. Merv

Posted By Jason Warren There are some good points made here and I am sure that you have all there answers you need. I believe the 2.5 minute rule came from a document called A Guide to Fire Precautions in Existing Places of Entertainment and Like Premises. It was often called the yellow book. It is now out of print. In this document it classifies buildings into 3 types: Class A - complete noncombustible construction, i.e. elements of structure, floors, and walls. Supporting structure of brick or concrete; Class B - traditional construction, i.e. noncombustible walls with combustible floors; Class C - combustible construction, i.e. timber floors and walls. For each type it gives a suggested escape time: Class 'A' construction - 3 minutes Class 'B' construction - 2.5 minutes Class 'C' construction - 2 minutes These times were meant as a guide. The current Legislation relies upon a risk assessment approach considering your structure, internal layout, processes and activities taking place, numbers of occupants, types of occupants etc. Although this is an out of print document I have always used the times as a reference. The time should be measured from the furthest point to a place of safety. This is generally an external point which leads away from the danger. If the building is large then measure to a place of relative safety ie a different fire compartment, fire escape staircase etc. Hope this was useful. Regards, Jason