Free tool

Event Evacuation Time Calculator

Estimate how long it takes to evacuate your venue from attendees, exits and corridor widths, and spot layout issues before the event. It does not replace the emergency plan.

Reference width: 1.2 m
More floors reduce the exit flow (-30%)
Total exit width:4.8 m
Reference limit:3 min

Evacuation Time

2.17 min
  • Estimated evacuation time
    2.17 min
  • Reference limit
    3 min
  • Total exit width
    4.8 m
  • Actual flow
    230.4 people/min
  • Result against the reference
    Within the reference, with a good margin

Suggestions

  • Make sure emergency exits are always clear of obstacles and lit, with working emergency signs.

How we read your data for the suggestions: the calculation becomes two risks. Slow evacuation: likelihood and impact of 5 out of 5 if the time exceeds the limit, 3 if it exceeds 80% of the limit, 1 otherwise. Too few exits: likelihood of 4 out of 5 if more exits are needed and 1 otherwise, impact equal to the number of missing exits, from 1 to 5.

How it works

Enter the number of exits, the width of the corridors and the number of attendees to estimate the evacuation time using pedestrian flow models. The tool compares the result with a reference maximum time and flags layout issues to fix before the event. It is an indicative estimate: it does not replace the assessment of a qualified fire safety professional or the approval of the competent authorities.

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate the evacuation time of an event?

Evacuation time depends on the number of people, the number and width of the exits (flow models assume a set number of people per minute for each meter of exit width) and the distance to travel. The maximum time allowed for your venue must be checked with a fire safety professional.

What are the fire safety rules for events in Italy?

Events in places open to the public are subject to fire prevention and public safety rules, which change with the type of venue and the number of people. You usually need the venue's fitness certificate, an emergency plan, trained staff, fire extinguishing equipment and clearly marked escape routes. Which rules apply to your event, and how, must be checked with a qualified professional and the competent authorities.

How many emergency exits does an event need?

It depends on the expected crowd and on the rules in force where the event takes place: Italian fire safety rules set a minimum number of independent exits and a total exit width proportional to the number of people. Distribute the width across several independent escape routes and have the calculation checked by a qualified professional.

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