Seismic Disaster Prevention Design Strategies for Non-Structural Components and Spatial Planning in Interior Renovation ^†

Abstract

Current seismic design practices primarily emphasize the structural safety of buildings, while research on the safety of non-structural components in interior design remains relatively insufficient. In this study, from the perspective of interior design, we explored the performance of non-structural components during earthquakes and how design strategies can reduce damage and enhance the adaptability of interior spaces, to establish a design framework that integrates safety considerations with behavioral guidance. We conducted a literature review, questionnaire survey, and comprehensive analysis in this study. The questionnaire was structured to investigate (1) the development of interior finishing and seismic design, (2) the seismic performance of non-structural components, and (3) the application trends of seismic disaster prevention and evacuation strategies. The respondents included property owners, design and construction professionals, government agencies, and academic experts. Their responses were analyzed for the differences in perception and needs regarding safety and spatial adaptability among different stakeholder groups. Through analysis, influencing factors were identified, and an integrated design framework of non-structural components—spatial planning and behavioral guidance—was established for the development of an interior design strategy toward earthquake disaster prevention. Among the three dimensions, application trends of seismic disaster prevention and evacuation strategies received the highest evaluation score, with an average score of 4.7 (a standard deviation of 0.4) and a reliability coefficient of α = 0.93. 90% of respondents supported the integration of virtual reality, building information modeling, and simulation-based training to improve evacuation efficiency, demonstrating the high feasibility and promotion potential of disaster-prevention technologies.

1. Introduction

Contemporary interior design emphasizes esthetics and functionality, yet lacks integrated planning for disaster prevention. Government regulations mainly address structural safety, offering limited guidance on spatial layout, furniture design, or evacuation flow. With the rise of human-centered disaster prevention and building resilience concepts, incorporating evacuation efficiency into the early design phase has become a key issue. Data from Japan’s earthquake disasters indicate that approximately 10% of fatalities and 30–50% of injuries result from falling or obstructive interior elements and furniture, with damages more severe on higher floors. This highlights the close relationship between interior design quality and spatial safety, as well as their critical impact on evacuation effectiveness and occupant protection. Furthermore, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report showed that over half of earthquake-related losses stem from non-structural interior components [1]. Traditional design focuses mainly on structural resistance, often neglecting ceilings, lighting, and furniture, which leads to frequent casualties during seismic events. Strengthening seismic design in interior finishing stages is therefore essential to enhance overall disaster resilience.

In this study, we focused on seismic disaster prevention design for interior non-structural components. Through a literature review, questionnaire analysis, and case simulations, we examined evacuation behavior patterns and design strategies across different spatial types to propose practical design principles to guide both professional practice and policy development. The findings contribute to the integration of interior design and disaster prevention engineering, fostering the creation of interior spaces that combine safety, functionality, and resilience.

2. Literature Review

We conducted a literature review to explore the development of interior finishing and seismic design, the seismic performance and risk of non-structural components, and the application trends of earthquake disaster prevention and evacuation strategies.

2.1. Development of Interior Finishing and Seismic Design

Traditional interior design has emphasized esthetics and functionality, often lacking a disaster-prevention mindset. Gokhale pointed out that interior finishing accounts for 75–85% of building construction costs, and its damage can lead to severe economic and functional losses [2]. Recent studies have shown the importance of furniture center-of-gravity configuration, modular design, and the integration of evacuation routes in mitigating seismic damage [3,4,5]. Sakarya et al. proposed a human-centered furniture design approach based on the golden 12 s theory, highlighting a paradigm shift in interior seismic design, from structure-oriented strategies to those centered on human safety and spatial resilience [6].

2.2. Seismic Performance and Risks of Nonstructural Components

Nonstructural elements (NSEs), including ceilings, walls, piping, equipment, and furniture, play a critical role in ensuring occupant safety and maintaining building functionality [7]. FEMA reported that roughly one-third of earthquake-related damages originate from NSEs [1]. Although Taiwan’s building codes require furniture anchoring and the use of lightweight materials, international studies indicate that designers often lack sufficient understanding of NSE behavior [8,9]. Current regulations fail to accurately capture the swaying and overturning risks of equipment, revealing a gap between design practice and regulatory standards. This underscores the urgent need for clearer design guidelines and enhanced professional education.

2.3. Trends in Earthquake Disaster Prevention and Evacuation Strategies

Disaster prevention design has evolved beyond structural reinforcement to encompass behavioral and spatial dimensions. Feng et al. utilized virtual reality (VR) training to enhance evacuation efficiency [10], while Pu and Zlatanova applied indoor Geographic Information Systems and building information modeling to simulate real-time evacuation routes, demonstrating the potential of technological integration in improving decision-making during emergencies [11]. and Zhang et al. [5] and Garip et al. [12] advocated for human-centered and spatially guided evacuation planning, using lighting, materials, and furniture arrangement to direct occupant behavior. Overall, modern disaster prevention design embraces the concept of space as disaster prevention, emphasizing the integration of safe circulation, functional adaptability, and behavioral guidance to strengthen the seismic resilience of interior environments.

3. Methodology

The research method adopted in this study is the questionnaire survey to collect responses from government officials, academic researchers, design professionals, and clients. Through systematic quantitative analysis, the questionnaire was designed based on the findings of the literature review and structured into three major dimensions: (1) development of interior renovation and seismic design, (2) seismic performance and risk assessment of non-structural components, and (3) trends in the application of earthquake disaster prevention and evacuation strategies. In the questionnaire survey, we employed a five-point Likert scale, ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). The respondents included personnel from government agencies, relevant scholars, designers, and clients. The survey was conducted from 20 May to 20 August 2025. A total of 60 questionnaires were distributed, and 60 valid responses were collected. The questionnaire content is described in Table 1.

Table 1. Questionnaire content used in this study.

Dimension	Question Item
Development of interior renovation and seismic design	I believe that interior design should integrate disaster risk analysis from the initial design stage, rather than focusing solely on esthetics and functionality [2].
	2. During earthquakes, interior elements such as ceilings, suspended lighting, glass partitions, and furniture are often the main causes of actual injuries [4].
	3. I consider that concepts such as triangle safety zone, furniture reinforcement, and evacuation route design should serve as guiding principles in residential design [5].
	4. Integrating seismic-resistant furniture modules, flexible spaces, and IoT devices can achieve functional and resilient indoor refuge environments [4].
	5. The promotion of seismic interior design should combine commercial feasibility with technical operability to facilitate practical implementation [2].
Seismic performance and risk assessment of non-structural components	6. Non-structural components (such as suspended ceilings, partition walls, furniture, and pipelines) may directly affect personal safety during earthquakes [13].
	7. I am familiar with the design and anchoring requirements for non-structural components (e.g., ceilings, furniture) specified in Taiwan’s Seismic Design Code for Buildings [14].
	8. In practice, the seismic design of non-structural components often lacks unified guidelines, making it difficult to implement during planning and review processes [13].
	9. Designers generally have insufficient awareness of seismic design for non-structural components and lack effective incentives or educational interventions [2].
	10. I support the development of earthquake-resistant furniture that integrates human factors design and psychological needs for protection during the initial phase of an earthquake [15].
Trends in the application of earthquake disaster prevention and evacuation strategies	11. Evacuation strategies should be incorporated at the early planning stage of spatial design, especially for high-density or high-risk functional spaces [4].
	12. VR and simulation-based training games can effectively enhance users’ evacuation knowledge and response efficiency [10].
	13. Integrating everyday functional areas such as kitchens and storage rooms as in-place shelter zones can improve residential resilience and practical disaster preparedness [11].
	14. Past earthquake cases have shown that damage to non-structural components (e.g., ceilings, glass, unsecured furniture) often leads to space dysfunction and property loss, indicating a need to strengthen current design codes and risk management mechanisms [13].
	15. Given that non-structural components have caused severe damage in past earthquakes, their risk management should be incorporated into disaster prevention policies and building regulations as part of a national-level resilience enhancement strategy [11].

4. Results and Discussions

4.1. Surface Reliability Analysis

The data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using Cronbach’s α reliability test across the three major dimensions. The results showed that the α values for all dimensions exceeded 0.8, indicating a high level of reliability. This suggested that the questionnaire items within each dimension demonstrate good internal consistency and served as a valid basis for subsequent factor analysis and statistical inference.

4.1.1. Development of Interior Renovation and Seismic Design

Cronbach’s α = 0.91, indicating that respondents demonstrated a high level of consistency in their evaluations across all items within this dimension. The results reflected excellent internal reliability.

4.1.2. Seismic Performance and Risk Assessment of Non-Structural Components

Cronbach’s α = 0.88, reaching a level of very high reliability. This suggested that the questionnaire items effectively and consistently captured respondents’ attitudes and perceptions of issues related to seismic performance of non-structural components.

4.1.3. Trends in the Application of Earthquake Disaster Prevention and Evacuation Strategies

Cronbach’s α = 0.93, also indicating high reliability. This result showed that the items in this dimension effectively measure respondents’ consistency in opinions regarding adaptive behaviors and evacuation strategy planning.

4.2. Descriptive Statistical Analysis

We conducted descriptive statistical analysis on the three main dimensions to understand the overall tendencies and distribution of respondents’ perceptions within each aspect. The mean scores for each dimension were calculated using a five-point Likert scale, where 1 represented ‘strongly disagree’ and 5 represented ‘strongly agree’. The analysis results are summarized in Table 2 below.

Table 2. Descriptive statistical analysis results.

Dimension	Mean Score	Standard Deviation	Minimum Score	Maximum Score
Development of interior renovation and seismic design	4.6	0.5	3.4	5.0
Seismic performance and risk assessment of non-structural components	4.4	0.6	3.0	5.0
Trends in the application of earthquake disaster prevention and evacuation strategies	4.7	0.4	3.5	5.0

4.2.1. Development of Interior Renovation and Seismic Design

The mean score for this dimension was 4.6, with a standard deviation of 0.5, indicating that respondents generally showed a high level of agreement with the notion that interior design must integrate seismic-resilience considerations. Overall responses were concentrated within the agree to strongly agree range, with scores ranging from 3.4 to 5.0. These results reflected respondents’ strong awareness and positive attitude toward earthquake-resistant interior design. Most participants agreed that disaster risk assessment should be considered during the early design stage rather than focusing solely on esthetics or functionality. They also supported incorporating modular flexibility and refuge space planning into design strategies.

4.2.2. Seismic Performance and Risk Assessment of Non-Structural Components

This dimension showed a mean score of 4.4 and a standard deviation of 0.6, indicating a slightly lower yet still high level of agreement compared to the previous dimension. The respondents acknowledged that non-structural components, such as ceilings, furniture, and partition walls, play a critical role during earthquakes. The results imply that existing design and review mechanisms still require improvement. The scores ranged from 3.0 to 5.0, showing slightly greater variability, which may suggest differences in professional awareness or practical experience among participants.

4.2.3. Trends in the Application of Earthquake Disaster Prevention and Evacuation Strategies

This dimension showed the highest mean score at 4.7, with a standard deviation of 0.4. The scores were concentrated within the high-agreement range (3.5–5.0), indicating strong consensus among respondents on the importance of integrating disaster prevention and evacuation strategies at the early stage of spatial design. The respondents agreed that technologies such as VR and simulation-based training effectively enhance evacuation knowledge and efficiency. These findings highlight that the concept of disaster-preventive design has gained broad recognition and acceptance among design and engineering professionals, reflecting a mature understanding of spatial resilience.

5. Conclusions

Among the three evaluated dimensions, trends in the application of earthquake disaster prevention and evacuation strategies received the highest rating (a mean score of 4.7, standard deviation of 0.4, and Cronbach’s α = 0.93), indicating a strong consensus among respondents regarding its importance. Nearly 90% agreed that the incorporation of VR and simulation-based training effectively enhances evacuation efficiency, reflecting the high feasibility and strong potential for promoting disaster-prevention technologies within interior design practice. The findings revealed that respondents emphasized the necessity of open, continuous evacuation routes supported by multiple backup paths and guiding illumination systems, underscoring the intrinsic relationship between circulation design and the spatial configuration of non-structural components.

The results suggest that the safety and functionality of escape routes depend largely on coordinated interior layout planning. Collectively, the results led to the formulation of a three-dimensional design framework of non-structural components—spatial planning and behavioral guidance—which demonstrates that effective disaster prevention relies not only on structural integrity but also on the integrated coordination of spatial resilience and human behavioral design. This holistic perspective highlights that interior seismic design must align physical safety mechanisms with user behavior to achieve comprehensive and optimal resilience performance.