Imtech Marine & Offshore, P&O Ferries, van der Giessen-de Noord, TNO Bouw and TNO Technische Menskunde have formed a research team to improve safety when evacuating passengers and crew onboard ships. This research project aims to investigate important factors that occur during the evacuation process onboard ships, and to subsequently develop technologies and procedures to make this process more efficient.

The research results will contribute to the development of an advanced Evacuation Decision Support System (EDSS). Research areas include:

• Revision of signalling onboard ships;
• Insight into human factors during evacuations;
• Spreading of fire and smoke;
• Improving design parameters with respect to interiors and accommodation;
• Influencing the spread of fire and smoke using HVAC technology;
• Using new detection and escape route systems;
• Impact of list on the evacuation time;
• Research into the use of human detection systems.

The Royal Dutch Navy, Nederlandse Scheepsvaart Inspectie (Dutch Shipping Inspectorate), Lloyd’s Register and KVNR are also involved in the research.