Horizontal evacuation is primarily used in which type of occupancy?

Horizontal evacuation is primarily used in healthcare occupancy due to the unique considerations involved in moving patients who may have limited mobility, require medical support, or rely on medical equipment. In healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, patients are often unable to quickly evacuate stairs or may need assistance during an emergency.

Horizontal evacuation allows for patients to move from dangerous areas to safer areas within the same floor or, in some cases, to adjacent buildings without relying entirely on vertical movement which can be difficult in high-rise buildings or large facilities. This method helps maintain the continued care of vulnerable patients while minimizing the risk of panic and injury during an evacuation.

In contrast, other types of occupancy, such as assembly, high-rise, and multifamily residential, may rely more heavily on vertical evacuation strategies or may not have the same immediacy of care requirements that necessitate the use of horizontal evacuation. Therefore, healthcare occupancy is the primary context in which horizontal evacuation is most effectively utilized.