Explaining the Relationship between Demographic Characteristics and Risk Perception (RP) to Reduce the Fire Hazards (Case Study: Office High-rise Buildings in Tehran)

One of the most important points in designing high-rise buildings is considering the issue of evacuating individuals at hazards. The evacuation of individuals is related to their safety and has direct connection with demographic characteristics (Gender, Age, Noticing fire incident, Familiarity with Exit Signs). The present study has been conducted with the main purpose of achieving functional patterns of demographic characteristics in relation to Risk Perception by the individual trapped in fire in high rise office buildings, in order to reduce the hazards of fire and the increase of individual safety.

The method of study is of mixed-methods type, and the coefficient of determination (R2) has been achieved through the analysis SPSS 22 software via independent sample t-test and ANOVA. The scope of the study consists of eight high-rise office buildings, which are exposed to fire during the years 2011-2016 in Tehran, which consists of a population equal to 245 individuals either trapped in the fire or attempted evacuation.

The results show that the demographic characteristics in relation to Risk Perception by the individuals trapped in fire has the p-value [sig ≤ 0.05] and are predictable.

Finally the study presents that women, age 20-30 years, and individuals who are exactly familiar with exit signs, have the most relation to the Risk Perception. Also, in the fire floor and the whole building, the most relation to the Risk Perception belongs to individuals whose corridor noise has informed them of the fire. Educating individuals and recognizing exit signs, such as signage and siren sound, to residents of high-rise buildings can increase the Risk Perception and safety, thereby reducing the fire hazards.