A Performance-based Egress Analysis of a Hotel Building using Two Models

This article compares results from similar egress models that are each based on different documented evacuation movement data. The models studied are EXIT89 and Simulex, which are used to calculate evacuation times for a hotel building. Differences in results from the models are identified. Evacuation times obtained from the EXIT89 model are found to be 25 to 40% shorter than those from the Simulex model for the same design scenarios, attributed to differences in unimpeded speeds, movement algorithms, methods of simulating slow occupants, density in the stairs, and stair configuration input between the models. A bounding analysis shows that EXIT89 produces maximum evacuation times 25 to 40% shorter than those from Simulex.