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The research findings, , were investigated by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa ������Ƶ lead Professor Ruggiero Lovreglio, the German Fire Protection Association’s Dr Paul Geoerg and University of Canterbury PhD candidate Luke de Schot.

As fire and evacuation modelling tools become essential for fire engineers to assess built environments, the lack of data on hospital-specific evacuation preparation times and speeds has made it difficult to generate accurate simulation results. Hospitals face unique and often underexplored challenges when it comes to fire evacuation, due to the variability in patient dependency, specialised equipment and staff-to-patient ratios.

The study accumulated data from eight evacuation drills conducted across two Aotearoa New Zealand hospitals, covering a range of units including general wards, hyper acute stroke units, high-dependency units (HDU) and post-anaesthesia care units.

Professor Lovreglio says the data revealed significant variability in preparation times, heavily influenced by the specific needs of different units and the evacuation methods used.

“In high-acuity units like the HDU, where patients required extensive medical support, longer active preparation times were noted due to the complexity of disconnecting medical equipment. Additionally, patients being moved horizontally on beds were found to move more slowly compared to those using wheelchairs and walking, highlighting the challenges of assisted evacuations.”

The findings underscore the need to account for these differences, including the characteristics of each hospital unit, when developing evacuation models.

“Tailored evacuation strategies that consider the distinct requirements of specific hospital environments can contribute to more efficient and effective evacuation planning. This is particularly true when accounting for the dependencies on medical personnel and equipment. Evacuees with impairments and bedridden evacuees need more tailored solutions, including better training for staff and the use of effective assistive devices,” Professor Lovreglio explains.

During the data accumulation process, which was carried out in conjunction with an evacuation consultant as part of each hospital’s mandated twice-yearly evacuation drills, learning effects were observed in evacuation drills. Professor Lovreglio notes that with each repetition, the time required to evacuate decreased, suggesting that operational efficiencies can be gained through regular, well-practised evacuation training exercises.

The insights gathered from this research emphasise the importance of hospital management ensuring appropriate staffing and the availability of required portable medical equipment for efficient evacuations. While the research was focused on hospitals, the dataset can be applied to other facilities requiring assisted evacuations, such as care homes and facilities for patients with mobility impairments.

The dataset will aid fire engineers in performing reliable evacuation simulations for hospitals, ensuring that the observed variability of action in pre-evaluation times is accounted for. By combining the new data with existing literature, the insights can be used to generate more reliable hospital evacuation simulations, improving evacuation planning accuracy and enhancing overall hospital safety during emergency scenarios.

Professor Lovreglio shares this research with the aim of providing detailed data to improve evacuation modelling in healthcare settings and create a strong foundation to guide future hospital designs with efficient evacuation in mind.

“My hope is that this data will not only upgrade existing fire evacuation standards here in New Zealand and worldwide, but also provide the vital knowledge needed to design new hospitals worldwide with safety at the forefront. By incorporating these insights into building designs and evacuation strategies, we can ensure that healthcare facilities are better equipped to handle emergencies, especially in high-dependency areas, ultimately saving lives and reducing risks for both patients and staff.”

Professor Lovreglio extends his thanks to the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Royal Society Te Apārangi for funding his research through the Marsden Fast Start and the Rutherford Discovery Fellowship.

Read the journal article here: .