A BIM-based simulation of evacuation performance in a high-rise residential building: a case study from Saudi Arabia

Purpose – This research examines evacuation performance during fire emergencies in a high-rise residential building in Saudi Arabia. It assesses how selected design variables, such as stair configuration and door width, affect evacuation time, flow patterns and congestion. Design/methodology/approach – Using a building information modeling model derived from as-built drawings and simulated in Pathfinder, the study simulates evacuation in the selected high-rise building under predefined occupant movement assumptions. The simulations evaluate total evacuation time, occupant flow and congestion under different design scenarios while also assessing compliance with selected Saudi Building Code (SBC) egress requirements. Findings – The simulations show that total evacuation time remains relatively high across all scenarios. However, stair placement and wider egress doors improve efficiency, while adding extra stairs in some layouts offers only limited benefit. Research limitations/implications – The study highlights the challenges of achieving substantial improvements through design modifications. It identifies directions for future research on how design decisions influence emergency evacuation efficiency. Practical implications – The research provides fire safety engineers, architects and emergency planners with insights into how selected design decisions influence evacuation efficiency in high-rise residential buildings. The findings support interventions such as optimizing stair location, assessing stair width and widening egress doors to reduce congestion and improve evacuation performance. Originality/value – This study presents a BIM-based case of evacuation performance in a high-rise residential building in Saudi Arabia and assesses its compliance with selected SBC egress requirements. It provides context-specific evidence on how design variables affect evacuation efficiency.