Horizontal Movement of Kindergarten Children During a Primary School Fire Evacuation Drill

Hashempour, Javad and Bahrani, Babak and Kinsey, Michael (2025) Horizontal Movement of Kindergarten Children During a Primary School Fire Evacuation Drill. Fire Technology. ISSN 0015-2684

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Abstract

Occupant evacuation is a critical aspect of fire safety in buildings. Most evacuation strategies and design principles are based on data from adults, leaving gaps in understanding the unique evacuation behaviours of children. This study examines the movement characteristics of kindergarten children (ages 4–7) during evacuation drills in a primary school. Speed and flow were analysed in corridors and through exit doors of varying widths using video recordings. The findings reveal distinct behaviours, such as the absence of personal space and group-based movement, which differ significantly from adults. Correlations were observed between exit door width, density, and flow rates, highlighting that density alone does not fully explain evacuation dynamics. These insights emphasize the need for evacuation models tailored to children, addressing their unique behaviours and the effects of escape route design.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1007/s10694-025-01793-z
Dates:	Date Event 4 August 2025 Accepted 26 August 2025 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Evacuation, Children, Egress, Kindergarten, Human factor
Subjects:	CAH10 - engineering and technology > CAH10-01 - engineering > CAH10-01-07 - civil engineering
Divisions:	Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering > Architecture and Built Environment > Built Environment
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2025 08:45
Last Modified:	02 Sep 2025 08:45
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16624

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