This laboratory is dedicated to exploring fire safety and evacuation performance of buildings under fire and other disaster scenarios. By employing behavioral observation, field surveys, and simulation analysis, the lab establishes a disaster prevention research foundation that integrates both theory and practical application. Research topics include the principles of building fire and evacuation design, safety analysis of evacuation routes and spatial layouts, investigation and simulation of human evacuation behavior characteristics, and analysis of crowd evacuation modes and trends under varying environmental conditions.
In practice, the team conducts long-term surveys and performance evaluations of fire safety and evacuation capabilities across a diverse range of building types—including residences, schools, shopping malls, industrial zones, childcare centers, public markets, heritage sites, and historic districts. By collecting onsite data and developing behavioral databases, and utilizing computer simulation and fire dynamics models, the lab analyzes the interactions among occupant density, spatial configuration, and behavioral responses. These studies inform the development of improved fire safety design and evacuation management strategies.
Beyond fire and evacuation safety, the laboratory also actively engages with issues of environmental sustainability in architecture, such as energy and thermal performance assessment, renovation efficiency analysis, and the application of recycled materials in architectural design. Research directions encompass both safety and environmental considerations, with the goal of establishing a comprehensive architectural research framework—spanning “disaster risk reduction” to “environmental sustainability.”
The long-term mission of this laboratory centers on people, integrating engineering technology, behavioral science, and principles of sustainable design to advance built environments that are resilient to disasters, environmentally sustainable, and socially safe. Scientific findings support building regulatory standards, contribute policy recommendations, and promote safer urban and community development.
Areas of research include the development of fire protection equipment, fire safety and evacuation design, investigation of occupant evacuation behavior, and assessment of evacuation signage systems in buildings.