Work

The Impact of Spatial Configuration and Functional Layout on Evacuation Efficiency of Kindergarten Activity Units

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The kindergarten activity unit is the main space for children’s daily life and learning, and also represents a special type of densely populated public building. Its layout and evacuation design play an important role in ensuring children’s safety and improving evacuation efficiency in emergency situations. Therefore, our study aims to achieve a paradigm shift in kindergarten evacuation research, from the discrete analysis of evacuation ‘components’ (such as corridors and entrances) to integrated analysis of the ‘activity units’ as a whole system. As a complete evacuation analysis unit, the focus is on exploring the coupling mechanism between its internal spatial configuration and functional block layout, in order to improve evacuation efficiency. The results showed that when the classroom and dormitory of the activity unit are compared, the reasonable location for the exit of the classroom and dormitory can shorten the average evacuation time by 13.84%. When classrooms and dormitories are separated, it is necessary to control the connection exits between the classrooms and dormitories as well as the independent exits of the classrooms. This can significantly reduce the average evacuation time. The results of this study will help improve the survival ability of children in emergency situations, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings15244511

Authors: Xiaohu Jia, Shuaikang Ma, Yongbo Feng, Yunxiao Wang, Lipeng Chang

Institution: Inner Mongolia University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Evacuation and Crowd Dynamics

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137