Performance-based fire and evacuation analysis for real-time response to shipboard fire incidents

Marine accidents, especially fires, occur frequently and pose catastrophic risks, often leading to severe damage comparable to capsizing. Inadequate initial responses to ship fires can block escape routes, trapping passengers and resulting in fatalities, exposing significant gaps in onboard emergency systems. Although performance-based fire risk assessments have been standard in land-based fire engineering for over 30 years, their application in the maritime sector has been limited, primarily constrained to the design phase and facing practical implementation challenges. This study examines the application of performance-based safety assessments during active ship operations, selecting and adapting fire and evacuation models suited to real-time maritime contexts. To effectively respond to fire incidents, the fire and evacuation analysis procedures are integrated into a unified workflow. A scalable, open-source system was developed, featuring streamlined components and practical guidelines to support accessible implementation. Findings suggest that real-time performance-based assessment technology can alleviate crew burden during emergencies and reduce casualties from delayed responses. This approach can play an essential role in future ship safety management and provides foundational data for advancing research and application in maritime fire safety. •This study addresses the risks of shipboard fires, highlighting the critical role of early response in preventing fatalities and minimizing damage.•It introduces a real-time performance-based fire safety assessment system for ships, integrating fire and evacuation models.•To effectively respond to fire incidents, the fire and evacuation analysis procedures are integrated into a unified workflow.•Built on an open-source platform, the system delivers real-time data on fire progression and evacuation timing, guiding crew actions to reduce casualty risks.•The findings indicate that this approach significantly enhances onboard fire safety and establishes a foundational model for future advancements in maritime safety.