Abstract
In apartment buildings, casualties, especially fatalities have occurred in balcony areas in fires if residents fail to escape to the main entrance. Potential consequences of a particular infrequent event should be considered. In attempting to design apartment buildings for fire safety, alternative escape methods such as vertical penetration could be considered. The purpose of this study is to investigate present building regulations regarding apartment buildings and examine pros and cons of the current escape method and alternative escape methods. Focus group interview was conducted to discuss problems of fire escape methods. In addition, questionnaires were distributed to field professionals working in architecture, construction and related industries. Among 500 questionnaires distributed, 192 questionnaires were collected. Usable 162 questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS 15. Regarding alternative fire escape methods, several concerns were mentioned. Safety, privacy, security, effectiveness of escape, water proof problems were raised. Based on the opinions, vertical penetration between apartment unit appeared more safe, secure, effective than horizontal penetration. However, both methods have its own pros and cons under specific contexts. Alternative escape methods need be considered for a selective options for residents in case of fire.
