Comparative Study of Subway Station Evacuation Design of PR China and USA

Abstract:

Based on a comparative study of the fire emergency evacuation design specified in China’s current “Subway Design Specifications” and “NFPA 130 Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems2007 Edition” by National Fire Proteciton Association,deficiencies of“Subway Design Specifications”are revealed.The escalator capacity is expected to be too large,and walking speed of passengers by means of evacuation facility is not well defined.In addition,the evacuation design is not well specified.Finally,the paper presents some proposals for improving “Subway Design Specifications” of China.

Key words:underground fire; design specification;human evacuating time; capacity; walking speed