Analysis of Evacuation Times Based on Changing the Arrangements of Neonatal Units in Postnatal Care Centers

This study aims to measure the changes in evacuation time, with respect to the arrangement of a neonatal unit in a postnatal care center, by using an evacuation simulation program for analysis. Currently, the “Mother And Child Health Care Act, 2022” prohibits the installation of postpartum care centers above the second floor, but more than 80% of existing centers are located on the third floor or higher, producing problems with vertical evacuation. There are also no regulations for the placement of the neonatal unit when only one neonatal unit is in operation. Therefore, in the event of a fire, crowding and confusion would produce problems when mothers are evacuating with their babies. Since there are no regulations regarding the distribution of neonatal rooms, postpartum nursing homes are operating only one neonatal room in order to cut costs. Therefore, in such a concentrated arrangement, in the event of a fire, crowding and confusion would produce problems when mothers are evacuating with their babies. Considering these issues, evacuation times were compared and analyzed by changing the layout of a postnatal care center. This included where there was only one neonatal unit, where the neonatal and postpartum units were distributed on the same floor, and where these units were distributed on separate floors. The results showed a significant difference in evacuation times for the proposed arrangements, ranging from 584.3s to 456.0s. Considering the safety of vulnerable newborns and mothers, regulations for low-floor layouts of postnatal care centers are necessary to ensure quick evacuation.