Effect of Classroom Arrangement on Fire Evacuation Scenarios in Educational Buildings

Abstract

Fires in educational buildings cause great loss of life and property, but also negatively affect the spiritual and psychological development of students. It is necessary to minimize fire risks and create safe learning environments. For this purpose, national and international fire safety regulations and guidelines play a crucial role. Moreover, with the advance of technological capabilities, buildings should be analyzed using performance-based fire safety precautions and safe evacuation conditions must be thoroughly assessed. This study aims to provide recommendations for a fire-safe educational environment by determining the effectiveness of the relevant classroom arrangements and other precautions in educational buildings. The effects of classroom arrangements on students’ evacuation conditions were investigated using a simulation program (Pathfinder) and the results were evaluated through comparative analyses. Classroom arrangements were investigated using four different formats: Traditional rows and columns arrangement, Cluster arrangement, U-shaped arrangement, and Stadium arrangement. The effects of classroom layout on fire evacuation time are discussed by considering a secondary school building located in Türkiye. In the assessment, the total evacuation time of the class(es), the escape door flow rate (pers/s), and the number of occupants staying in the room depending on the time were evaluated. As a result of the study, it was determined that the fastest evacuation time was the Traditional rows and columns arrangement. In addition, suggestions are presented for the removal of congestion during fire evacuation in different classroom arrangements. Fire safety should be transferred to architectural design and spatial organization as an important component in creating a safe learning environment in educational buildings. © 2025, Faculty of Architecture and Planning Thammasat University. All rights reserved.