Smoke as a Determinant of Human Behavior in Fire Situations (Project People). Final Report.
Smoke as a Determinant of Human Behavior in Fire
Situations (Project People). Final Report.
(12173 K)
Bryan, J. L.
NBS GCR 77-94; 304 p. June 30, 1977.
Sponsor:
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington,
DC
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB-271755
Keywords:
building fires; egress; fire alarms systems; fire
incidents; fire investigations; fires; human behavior;
project planning; residential buildings; smoke;
statistical analysis; occupants
Abstract:
This study involved the interviewing of 584 occupants of
buildings on fire by fire department officials at the
scene of the fire incident. The analysis and study of
the interview data involved the determination of the
critical variables relative to the fire incident (e.g.
area of fire origin), participant population parameters
(e.g. location at time of awareness there was a fire)
and the first, second and third actions of the
particpants after becoming aware of the fire incident.
Statistical analysis were performed showing the
relationship among the variables. Results were compared
with those of a similar study conducted in England by
Wood. The results of the two studies were in general
agreement, with the differences in larger part
explainable by the larger percentage of residential
fires in this study.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899