Emergency Escape Route Review Case Study – Textile Worker Colony (Vardhman Yarns, Bhopal)

Project Number: 23-647.49.02-vy-indb-eer

Emergency Escape Route Review Serial No.: 01

• Project Overview

An Emergency Escape Route Review Study was conducted for the worker and staff residential colony of Vardhman Yarns located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The objective of the study was to assess the adequacy and compliance of secondary exits and staircases to ensure safe evacuation during emergency situations such as fire, explosion, or structural hazards.

The review focused on evaluating means of egress, travel distance, occupant load, and staircase design against applicable fire and life safety standards. The study was carried out in accordance with National Building Code (NBC) of India 2016 – Part 4 (Fire & Life Safety) and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.

The assessment included site inspection, compliance verification through engineering calculations, and identification of gaps in escape route design and accessibility.

• 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 Colony Focus – Unique assessment of worker housing facilities rather than industrial units
• Comprehensive Egress Analysis – Covered exits, staircases, travel paths, and evacuation safety.

• Key Outcomes
• Overall Structured Egress System Available – The facility has established primary and secondary escape routes, providing a foundational framework for safe evacuation during emergencies
• 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 Vardhman Yarns worker colony highlights critical aspects of life safety related to evacuation infrastructure. The assessment revealed gaps in compliance with fire and life safety standards, particularly in exit adequacy, travel distance, and staircase design.

The study emphasizes the importance of properly designed and code-compliant escape routes in residential and industrial facilities. Implementation of the recommended improvements, along with regular audits and emergency preparedness training, will significantly enhance occupant safety and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.