Fire Evacuation Behavior and Bookshelf Layout in Early Open-Shelf Libraries:A Case Study based on the North Library of Shenzhen University

ZHANG Tongtong; MA Chengxu; XIAO Jing; LIU Tao; YIN Jiayue; RAN Bohua

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-0232.2025.12.008

Abstract：Driven by the growing demand both for reading opportunities and for technological advancements,the architectural form of early Chinese libraries underwent a transformation from a closed-stack reading model to a fully open-shelf reading model.However,this new type of space with its high fire load and a continuously open layout brought unprecedented challenges to designing libraries to optimize fire evacuation.Existing fire protection design codes cannot cope with the rapid spreading of hot smoke in such large-scaled spaces;nor can they solve significant constraints posed by the need to balance a complicated shelf layout against route recognition and evacuation efficiency.To address these issues,typical library cases and relevant fire protection design codes in the 1980s were reviewed systematically in this study.An in-depth analysis of human evacuation behavior and design difficulties in fully open-shelf reading spaces was carried out.In addition,evacuation issues and patterns in similar spaces were explored through a case study based on the North Library of Shenzhen University.Bookshelf layout principles that are conducive to improving evacuation efficiency were also explored,with the aim of providing scientific quantitative references and design guidance for safety-based reconstruction of early open-shelf libraries. In this study,the real-person evacuation experiments and fire-caused crowd evacuation simulations were combined.First,participants were recruited to collect real behavioral data under simulated fire conditions(e.g.,limited visibility),including evacuation time,time and speed of response,and congestion characteristics of bookshelf areas.Additionally,psychological and behavioral responses of individuals while being evacuated from smoky environments were also collected.Subsequently,the experimental data were applied to calibrate crowd-evacuation simulation parameters,thereby enabling the construction of a fire-evacuation model with strong similarity to real-world scenarios.On this basis,multiple groups of comparative simulations before and after optimization were conducted to verify the rationality and effectiveness of the evacuation strategy.The research findings indicate that bookshelf spacing and the complexity of evacuation paths are the key factors influencing evacuation efficiency in fully open-shelf reading spaces.Narrow or excessively long corridors tend to cause crowd-flow intersections and local congestion,while frequent turns in evacuation paths will increase hesitation and backtracking of individuals,thus extending the overall evacuation time.Based on the experimental and simulation results,the study proposes three key layout-optimization principles.(1)Establish a hierarchical system of main and secondary corridors to reasonably distribute crowds and reduce counterflow interference.(2)Optimize end-of-aisle walkway configurations to enhance spatial orientation and visual recognition,minimizing hesitation and backtracking at nodes.(3)Install buffer zones in front of evacuation exits to balance local traffic flow and eliminate bottlenecks.Fire simulation results show that after application of this optimization scheme,evacuation flow becomes smoother and the total evacuation time is significantly shortened.Pedestrian efficiency and space-utilization rate are also remarkably improved. The study ultimately develops a highly reliable fire evacuation model.It verifies the rationality and applicability of a spatial-layout strategy centering on hierarchical main and secondary corridors,optimized end-of-aisle walkways,and the creation of buffer zones.Without altering the building structure,this strategy effectively improves the evacuation safety and emergency-response capability of fully open-shelf libraries.The research findings provide a reliable quantitative basis and sustainable design pathway for the safety-based renewal and space reuse of early fully open-shelf libraries in China.The findings are also relevant for the evacuation design of other,similar public buildings with high fire loads.