A performance-based approach to safety at large events in public spaces: from risk to scenario assessment

4 key elements for safety and security of large public space events

During the conference, Fabio Dattilo highlighted four key elements for safety and security of large events in public spaces:

1. sharing information and accountabilities with stakeholders
2. risk assessment as the basis to define the management strategy
3. standards and laws
4. usage of modern tools to verify if performance targets are reached taking into account some key parameters when assessing complex situations (like the number of participants, their features, the layout and space configuration)

Bowties: a perfect tool to identify and assess crowding-related risks

After presenting a recap about the most recent regulations on fire safety in Italy, Salvatore Tafaro discussed the necessity to identify credible scenarios, representative and conservative, of what can go wrong when managing such complex and large events. Bowties are a perfect tool to identify and assess crowding-related risks, as shown in Figure 2. Before advanced software simulations are used, this identification has to be formalized to define the scope and the “perimeter” of what needs to be analyzed and which are the safety targets to reach.

The new challenge for risk analysts of large events

Finally, Luca Fiorentini talked about a preliminary fundamental step before launching a software simulation (Figure 3): it’s the knowledge of human behavior, intended both as individuals and the crowd. The same word “crowd” hides an intrinsic undetermination that is the new challenge for the risk analyst. Such problems, at both micro and macro level, are the base of the emerging complexity and the need to use a shared, modern and pragmatic approach to analyze them from an engineering point of view.

Learn more about integrating culture, art and security

TECSA S.r.l. works together with the National Fire Brigade Corps, taking inspiration from the security needs of the events for Matera 2019 (European Capital of Culture 2019) to assess the risks associated with crowding.

Learn more about how the BowTieXP software can help integrate art and security into the management of large events in public spaces, by downloading the Italian article: Matera, capitale europea della cultura 2019: integrare l’arte e la sicurezza nella gestione dei grandi eventi. Complete & submit the details below to receive a copy of the Italian article in your inbox right away.

Are you interested in receiving the English abstract on this topic? Then send an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact TECSA S.r.l.

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