Study on Acoustical Characteristics and Psychological Impressions of an Escape Guidance Sound

Abstract

This paper describes an escape guidance sound that indicates, accurately and quickly, the escape route from an indoor space when disasters such as fire or earthquake occur suddenly. First, based on the conditions that should be satisfied for classification as ‘escape guidance sound’, the authors set up the base model of the sound and decide the parameters that affect its acoustical characteristics. Next, the authors discuss the psychological impression of oppressive feeling in relation to the escape guidance sound, and audibility of the sound in coexistence with background noise/attenuated sound. Finally, an effective escape guidance sound of optimum practicality to victims is proposed, based on the above considerations.