Safe escape routes
When the new Dutch Building Decree became effective in 2003, assessment of the aspect of safe escape routes became a complex issue. DGMR, with all its knowledge of legislation and its backgrounds, is in a unique position to explain the consequences of the requirements for existing or new buildings. In a number of cases, the Building Decree's performance requirements cannot be met. However, that does not necessarily mean that it will be unsafe. Historic churches with limited exit doors are a salient example of this. By calculating how smoke will develop and spread in the event of fire and by comparing these results with evacuation time calculated by a computer-aided simulation, we can determine whether there is enough time to safely evacuate the building. This type of building is often revealed to be quite safe.