DIN 18009-2 2022-08 PDF

Full title and description

STB DIN 18009-2 2022-08 — Fire safety engineering — Part 2: Simulation of evacuation and personal safety. This part of the DIN 18009 series specifies a performance‑based framework for planning, running and interpreting evacuation (egress) simulations used to assess personal safety and evacuation performance in buildings and structures. It provides definitions, required documentation, model selection guidance, and recommended evaluation metrics for evacuation analyses.

Abstract

DIN 18009-2:2022-08 standardises the conduct and reporting of microscopic and macroscopic evacuation simulations as an engineering method within fire safety design. It sets out a step‑by‑step approach for defining scenarios and performance criteria, selecting appropriate simulation models, preparing input data (building geometry, occupant characteristics, occupant behaviour, and fire/smoke conditions where relevant), executing sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, and documenting verification, validation and results interpretation. The standard introduces metrics for evacuation performance (e.g., total evacuation time, delay through congestion, congestion duration/extent) and leaves assessment of congestion consequences to the user’s context and risk judgement.

General information

• Status: Current / Active.
• Publication date: August 2022 (2022-08).
• Publisher: Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN).
• ICS / categories: 13.220.01 (Fire safety engineering).
• Edition / version: 2022-08 (first published edition of Part 2).
• Number of pages: 60 pages.

Key bibliographic and status details above are taken from the DIN publication record for DIN 18009-2:2022-08.

Scope

DIN 18009-2 applies to the use of evacuation simulation models as an engineering tool within fire safety design and assessment. It covers the specification of objectives and acceptance criteria for simulation studies, scenario selection (including occupant loads and distributions, alarm and detection conditions), required input data, model selection and calibration, verification and validation of the simulation approach, presentation and interpretation of results, and requirements for sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. The standard is intended to support performance‑based assessments where prescriptive rules do not suffice or where simulation provides added insight. It does not replace national building regulations but provides a harmonised methodology for simulation‑based evaluations.

Key topics and requirements

• Framework for performance‑based evacuation simulation studies (objectives, acceptance criteria, documentation).
• Definitions of evacuation performance metrics (e.g., total evacuation time, ASET/RSET comparisons, congestion metrics such as duration, location, size, density and delay).
• Guidance on scenario specification: occupant types, distributions, mobility restrictions, alarm and pre‑evacuation behaviours.
• Model selection, calibration, verification and validation requirements for pedestrian/evacuation models.
• Requirements for input data quality, geometry modelling and boundary conditions.
• Recommended procedures for sensitivity analysis and treatment of uncertainty in model parameters and results.
• Reporting and documentation: reproducibility, assumptions, limitations and interpretation of results for stakeholders and authorities.
• Emphasis on the modeller’s responsibility to contextualise congestion and other intermediate phenomena when assessing safety implications.

These topics reflect the standard’s intent to create reproducible, transparent, and auditable evacuation simulation studies suitable for engineering practice.

Typical use and users

Common users include fire safety engineers, building services and structural engineers working on performance‑based design, specialist evacuation simulation consultants, model developers, regulatory authorities reviewing simulation evidence, and researchers in pedestrian dynamics and safety engineering. Typical applications: complex building designs (stadiums, airports, large stadia, transport hubs, high‑occupancy public buildings), retrofit safety assessments, major event safety planning, and cases where prescriptive code approaches are insufficient and a simulation‑based verification is requested.

Related standards

DIN 18009-2 forms part of the DIN 18009 series (Part 1: principles and application rules published earlier). It should be used alongside related national and international guidance including ISO/TR 13387-4 (fire‑safety engineering), ISO 20414 (verification and validation protocol for building fire evacuation models), the RiMEA guideline for microscopic evacuation analysis, BSI PD 7974-6, and CFPA‑E guidance on evacuation from buildings. Users will often cross‑reference applicable national building regulations and other DIN standards relevant to fire safety and accessibility.

Keywords

evacuation simulation, egress modelling, pedestrian dynamics, fire safety engineering, verification and validation, ASET, RSET, congestion analysis, performance‑based design, scenario specification, sensitivity analysis.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: DIN 18009-2:2022-08 is a German standard that specifies methods and requirements for carrying out evacuation (egress) simulations and assessing personal safety as part of fire safety engineering. It provides a structured, performance‑based approach to planning, executing and documenting simulation studies.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers scenario definition, required input data, model selection, verification and validation, evaluation metrics (evacuation times, congestion measures, delay estimates), sensitivity/uncertainty analysis, and reporting requirements. It gives engineers guidance for using simulation results in safety assessments but leaves final risk judgement and acceptance decisions to project stakeholders and authorities.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Fire safety engineers, simulation consultants and developers, building designers, regulatory reviewers and researchers use the standard when evacuation simulation is needed to support design, compliance or risk assessment. It is especially relevant for complex or high‑occupancy buildings and special events.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: DIN 18009-2:2022-08 was published in August 2022 and is the current published Part 2 edition. Users should verify whether newer amendments or related parts have been released since that publication date when preparing authoritative documentation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — DIN 18009 is a multi‑part series on fire safety engineering. Part 1 (principles and application rules) was published earlier; Part 2 addresses evacuation simulation; additional parts (e.g., on smoke simulation, safety concepts) exist or are planned within the series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Evacuation simulation, egress modelling, pedestrian dynamics, ASET/RSET, congestion metrics, model validation, performance‑based fire safety.