The distance from the fire threat and the direction in which the person is moving affects the decision-making process, the closer a person is to the threat, the greater is the speed at which they react to the warning. Instinctively the person wants to get to an exit the furthest away from the fire. This can mean that even if there were a potentially safe exit relatively close to the fire, which remained safe, the person would disregard it and elect to go to an exit further away, despite that fact that this would mean they remained in an increasingly dangerous situation longer. The stress factor of the proximity of the fire and the need to move away from it could cause a person to take a much Spatial Orientation is a person’s ability to mentally represent the physical environment and defines our natural ability to maintain our body orientation and, or posture in relation to the surrounding environment (physical space) at rest and during motion. It is how we determine or position relative to other things in our close environment. Way Finding is the dynamic notion of spatial problem solving, which comprises the cognitive and behavioural processes necessary to reach a destination, it is then how we navigate or find our way by using the information using the elements of spatial orientation. A person attempting to pass through a smoke filled or dark area represents an example of the need to consider spatial problem solving. longer or indeed blind exit route, exposing the person to the effects of smoke. Difficulties of Spatial Orientation and Wayfinding in Large and Complex Situations Because of the conditions of the local environment aspects the normal stimulus for spatial orientation is removed i.e., sensory deprivation (reduced vision) and confusing stimulus is introduced, loud distracting noises, shouting. The reverse of orientation can prevail, the person becomes disorientated. Spatial orientation and way finding are the way we draw and use our own individual mental maps of a room or close environment. They are drawn continuously from experience to allow us to adapt the maps for use in normal situations. A maze attempts to create an abnormal situation in which the maps become less efficient, and we start to guess where we are. I imagine we have all said something like "all these rooms are confusing it's like being in a maze" . So, the fact that spatial orientation and way finding can fail given certain conditions, means that areas or rooms and in particular evacuation routes need to be kept as simple as possible and that unnecessarily complex routes must be avoided at the design stage. It is a point to consider that even a well-designed uncomplicated route can soon be very complex if for example a corridor were to become an unofficial storage area. "Keeping it simple keeps it quick". Patterns of Exit Choice in Fire Emergencies At the design and specification stages for exit and evacuation routes it should already be established how the routes are to be used. It is an established fact that people usually choose to leave a building the same way they came in, even if other more suitable exits are available.
©SHEilds – All rights reserved FCV 4 JUN 2021
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