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2026 Vol.22, Issue 1

Original Article

A Study on the Impact of Stair Height on Evacuation Efficiency during Fires in Daycare Centers

어린이집 화재 시 계단 높이에 따른 피난 영향성 분석연구

이생곤*

Saeng-Gon Lee*

Professor, Department of Fire Safety Management, Dongyang Mirae University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
31 March 2026. pp. 1-14
PDF Citation
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the impact of stair riser height on evacuation time for young children in daycare centers during fire emergencies. Although childcare facilities are frequently used by infants and toddlers with limited self-evacuation capabilities, current building regulations do not specify stair riser height criteria for daycare centers. Method: Evacuation characteristics were analyzed using Pathfinder simulation software under varying stair riser height conditions(140mm, 160mm, and 180mm). Age-specific movement characteristics were applied to children aged 5, 7, and 13 years. To enhance result reliability, each simulation scenario was repeated three times under identical conditions. Result: The results indicated that evacuation time increased as stair riser height increased, particularly for children under five years of age. A maximum evacuation time difference of approximately 3–4 seconds was observed between the 140mm and 180mm riser height conditions. This difference exceeded the observed simulation error range. Conclusion: The findings suggest that stair riser height is a significant architectural factor affecting evacuation efficiency for young children. Lower riser heights were associated with reduced evacuation times, indicating the importance of considering age-specific physical characteristics in stair design for daycare facilities.
Keywords
Daycare Center
Stair Riser Height
Evacuation Time
Pathfinder
Simulation
연구목적: 본 연구는 어린이집 화재 발생 시 계단 단높이가 영·유아의 피난시간에 미치는 영향을 분석하여, 보육시설 피난 안전성 확보를 위한 기초자료를 제시하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 연구방법: 어린이집 설치 현황 및 관련 법·제도를 검토하고, Pathfinder 피난 시뮬레이션을 활용하여 계단 단높이(140 mm, 160mm, 180mm)에 따른 연령별 피난 특성을 비교·분석하였다. 각 시나리오는 동일 조건에서 3회 반복 수행하였다. 연구결과: 분석 결과, 계단 단높이가 증가할수록 피난시간이 증가하는 경향이 확인되었으며, 특히 5세 미만 영·유아 집단에서 약 3~4초 수준의 피난시간 차이가 나타났다. 결론: 계단 단높이는 어린이집 화재 시 영·유아의 피난 효율성에 영향을 미치는 주요 요인으로 확인되었으며, 연령 특성을 고려한 계단 설계의 필요성이 시사된다.
키워드
어린이집
계단 높이
피난시간
패스파인더
시뮬레이션
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
  • Volume : 22
  • No :1
  • Pages :1-14
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2026.3.31.001
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