Emergency Escape Route Review Case Study – Textile Worker Colony (Auro Textile, Baddi)

Project Number: 23-665.49.03-auro-bdi-eer

Emergency Escape Route Review Serial No.: 02

• Project Overview

An Emergency Escape Route Review Study was conducted for the worker colony of Auro Textile Weaving Division located in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. The objective of the study was to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of secondary exits and staircase arrangements to ensure safe evacuation under emergency conditions such as fire or other hazardous events.

The assessment focused on verifying compliance of escape routes with National Building Code (NBC) 2016 – Part 4 (Fire & Life Safety) and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. The study included site inspection, engineering evaluation, and worksheet-based verification to assess egress capacity, travel distance, and staircase design parameters.

• Objective
• To assess adequacy of secondary exits and staircases for safe evacuation
• To verify compliance with NBC 2016 and NFPA 101 requirements
• To evaluate travel distance, occupant load, and exit capacity
• To identify deficiencies in escape routes and evacuation infrastructure
• To recommend improvements for enhancing life safety during emergencies.

• Methodology

Study Preparation

Prior to the assessment, relevant data and documents were reviewed:

• Building layout and colony configuration
• Occupancy details and population distribution
• Existing staircase and exit arrangements
• Applicable codes and standards (NBC 2016, NFPA 101)

A structured checklist and worksheet-based evaluation approach was developed for compliance verification.

Escape Route Review Methodology

The study followed a systematic methodology:

• Site visit and physical verification of exits and staircases
• Identification of all means of egress within the colony
• Calculation of occupant load for each building
• Evaluation of exit capacity and adequacy of escape routes
• Assessment of travel distance to nearest exit
• Verification of staircase design parameters:
• Number of flights
• Tread width
• Riser height
• Comparison with NBC 2016 and NFPA 101 criteria
• Documentation of non-compliances and observations
• Development of recommendations for improvement
• Reporting & documentation

Key distinctive characteristics of Emergency Action Plan:

• Code-Based Compliance Assessment – Detailed comparison with NBC 2016 and NFPA 101 standards
• Worksheet-Driven Evaluation – Structured verification using calculation sheets (occupant load, travel distance, staircase design)
• Residential Safety Focus – Dedicated review of worker colony infrastructure for life safety
• Comprehensive Egress Analysis – Covered exits, staircases, travel paths, and evacuation safety.

• Key Outcomes
• Well-Defined Egress Infrastructure Available – The facility is supported by a structured system of exits and staircases enabling safe evacuation.
• Alignment with Recognized Standards – The escape route design demonstrates general alignment with the principles of NBC 2016 and NFPA 101, with opportunities identified for further optimization
• Opportunities for Enhancing Exit Distribution – Certain areas were identified where optimization of exit locations and distribution can further improve evacuation efficiency
• Capacity Optimization Potential – Review of occupant load versus exit capacity indicates opportunities to enhance evacuation robustness under peak occupancy scenarios
• Enhanced Safety Through Recommendations – Practical, code-aligned recommendations were developed to further strengthen the overall emergency preparedness and life safety performance of the facility.

• Conclusion

The Emergency Escape Route Review Study for Auro Textile Worker Colony highlights the importance of structured evacuation planning and compliance with fire and life safety standards. The assessment confirms that the facility has a foundational egress system in place, supported by defined escape routes and staircases.

The study also identifies opportunities for optimization to further enhance evacuation efficiency, safety, and compliance. Implementation of the recommendations, along with periodic review and emergency preparedness training, will significantly strengthen the facility’s resilience to emergency situations and ensure a safer living environment for occupants.