Predicting fire spread in facility

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for predicting fire propagation in a facility are described herein. In some examples, one or more implementations include a computing device including a processor and a memory having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following: receive an indication of a fire detected by an event device of a plurality of event devices installed in a facility; classifying the plurality of event devices into a plurality of priorities based on the determined likelihood that the fire spreads to each of the plurality of event devices; receiving data collected by the plurality of event devices during the fire; and providing, via the interface, graphical information describing the spread of the fire based on the received data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for predicting the spread of fire in a facility. Background Art

[0002] Facilities, such as commercial facilities, office buildings, hospitals, campuses (e.g., including buildings and outdoor spaces), etc., may have an event system that can be triggered during an event (such as an emergency, e.g., a fire) to warn occupants to evacuate. Such an event system may include an alarm system having a control panel and many event devices (e.g., sensors, sounders, pull-type fire alarm boxes, etc.) located throughout the facility (e.g., on different floors and / or in different rooms of the facility) that can perform actions when an event (e.g., a hazardous event, a fault event, etc.) occurs in the facility. In the example of an event, many of the event devices can provide notification of the event to occupants of the facility via alarms and / or other mechanisms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 is an example of a system for predicting the spread of fire in a facility according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0004] Figure 2 is a flow chart associated with predicting fire spread in a facility according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0005] Figure 3 is an example graphical view of a portion of a facility during an event according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 4 is an example of a computing device for predicting the spread of fire in a facility according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Devices, systems, and methods for predicting the spread of fire in a facility are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a computing device including a processor and a memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following operations: receiving an indication of a fire detected by an event device among a plurality of event devices installed in a facility; classifying the plurality of event devices into a plurality of priorities based on a determined likelihood of the fire spreading to each of the plurality of event devices; receiving data collected by the plurality of event devices during the fire; and providing graphical information describing the spread of the fire via an interface based on the received data.

[0008] Facilities can use event systems to warn residents of facilities of emergency events, such as fires. An event system can be a system of devices that operate to collect information about a facility and provide the collected information for analysis. Such an event system can also take actions based on the collected information, such as providing auditory and / or visual warnings in emergency events. For example, an event system can use event devices to warn residents of emergency events, such as fires, that occur in a space. As used herein, the term "event device" refers to a device that can receive inputs related to an event and / or generate outputs related to an event. Such event devices can be part of an event system for a space within / throughout a facility, and can include devices such as fire sensors, smoke detectors, heat detectors, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, or combinations of these devices; air quality sensors; interfaces; manual call points (MCPs); pull-type fire alarm boxes; input / output modules; aspirated devices; and / or auditory / visual devices (e.g., speakers, sounders, flashers, buzzers, microphones, cameras, video displays, video screens, etc.), relay output modules, and other types of event devices.

[0009] For example, an event device may generate an alarm in response to detecting a fire in a facility. When the alarm is first reported to a fire station or firefighters from a central station or public safety answering point (PSAP), the fire incident commander can make a plan and start going to the facility for rescue and firefighting. Meanwhile, successive alarm events may continue to occur, so the action plan changes accordingly. In previous approaches, the incident commander may not be able to identify the spread of the fire (e.g., the direction of spread) or the time required for the fire to spread to various areas of the facility. In addition, previous approaches may lack information about whether it is safe for firefighters to enter the area.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure can determine the predicted fire spread in a facility based on data received in real time from equipment in the facility and knowledge of the layout of the facility. This knowledge may include structural aspects, such as construction materials and / or combustible fuel sources (e.g., gas pipelines). For example, embodiments herein include utilizing a first event device to detect a fire in a facility, and classifying the remaining event devices of the facility into different priorities based on factors including the proximity of the remaining event devices to the first device, the location context of the remaining event devices in the facility, and the values ​​of detected variables (e.g., smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature, etc.). In some embodiments, for example, a subset of the total number of event devices is classified into three priorities. Those event devices at the highest priority have the most relevant data, so the frequency of receiving data from those devices is higher than those devices at a lower level. When a fire is spreading, these data are received, and embodiments herein can determine and display useful information about the spread of the fire, such as its spread speed and / or direction. For example, some embodiments display different colors on a rendering of a facility to notify firefighters of areas in the facility that can be safely entered and other areas that may be unsafe. Some embodiments display an alarm for detectors located near certain hazardous objects (e.g., flammable materials).

[0011] In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form part of the present Detailed Description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, the manner in which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced.

[0012] These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and process, electrical and / or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0013] It should be understood that the elements shown in the various embodiments herein may be added, exchanged, combined and / or eliminated to provide multiple additional embodiments of the present disclosure. The proportions and relative sizes of the elements provided in the drawings are intended to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be limiting.

[0014] The drawings herein follow the following numbering convention: one or more first digits correspond to the drawing number, and the remaining digits identify the element or component in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different drawings may be identified by using similar numerals. For example, 102 may be in FIG. Figure 1 Reference component "02" in the example, and similar components can be found in Figure 2 Cited as 202.

[0015] As used herein, "a" or "a number of" things may refer to one or more such things, and "a plurality" of things may refer to more than one such thing. For example, "a number of components" may refer to one or more components, and "a plurality of components" may refer to more than one component.

[0016] Figure 1 1 is an example of a system 100 for predicting fire spread in a facility according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include a computing device 102, an environmental monitoring system (EMS) 104, event devices (106-1, 106-2, 106-N), a control panel 108, a gateway 110, and a mobile device 114.

[0017] As described above, the system 100 may be included in a facility, a space in a facility, etc. The system 100 may include a device / series of devices to detect events and / or process and / or analyze detected events to determine whether to generate an alarm for occupants of the facility.

[0018] For example, the system 100 may include event devices 106-1, 106-2, 106-N (collectively referred to herein as event devices 106). Event devices 106 may be devices that detect events and send the detected events for processing and / or analysis. As described above, event devices 106 may include, for example, cameras, motion sensors, fire sensors, smoke detectors, heat detectors, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, fixed gas and / or flame detectors, aspirating smoke detectors, beam smoke detectors, or combinations of these devices; air quality sensors; interfaces; manual call points (MCPs); pull alarm boxes; input / output modules; aspirating devices; sprinkler controls; and / or audio / visual devices (e.g., speakers, microphones, cameras, video displays, video screens, etc.), relay output modules, and other types of event devices.

[0019] Such an event device 106 may include a detector. As used herein, the term "detector" refers to a device for measuring events and / or changes in its environment and sending the detected events and / or changes for processing and / or analysis. For example, the event device 106-1 may be a smoke detector and may include a detector that measures the amount of smoke in a sample. For example, an event device according to the present disclosure may detect analog values ​​of smoke detected before and / or after a fire is detected, temperature values ​​before and / or after a fire is detected, and carbon monoxide, etc.

[0020] The system 100 may also include a control panel 108. The control panel 108 may be used to control the various event devices 106 included in the system 100.

[0021] The control panel 108 may be connected to the event device 106 and the gateway 110. The gateway 110 may be a device (e.g., a building system gateway) that provides a communication link between the control panel 108 and other devices, such as the computing device 102 and the mobile device 112. For example, the gateway 110 may enable data (e.g., system device data, activation signals, etc.) to be sent from the event device 106 to the computing device 102 and / or the mobile device 112 via the control panel 108, and vice versa.

[0022] The facility may also include an environmental monitoring system (EMS) 104. The environmental monitoring system may include equipment that monitors and / or detects conditions in a certain area. For example, the environmental monitoring system may include sensors or other equipment that can detect events that occur (e.g., door opening, window closing, temperature of space, flow rate of air ducts, etc.). In some examples, the environmental monitoring system may include a building management system (BMS). As used herein, the term "building management system" refers to a computing-based automation and control system used in a facility to monitor, regulate and / or control electrical and mechanical equipment of a facility, including power, lighting and ventilation, and other types of equipment in the facility. The building management system may utilize a building information model with data associated with the facility (e.g., data associated with components, equipment and / or attributes of the facility). For example, the building information model data may include data from equipment associated with components and / or equipment associated with any other system in the building, machinery, electrical conduits, sanitation and / or facilities. Additionally, building information model data may include architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sanitary, fire and / or geometric information associated with a building via various floor plans of the facility and may be represented in two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) plans.

[0023] Also included in the system 100 is a mobile device 112. The mobile device 112 may be utilized by occupants of the facility (such as building managers, engineers, maintenance personnel, etc.) and / or personnel external to the facility (eg, firefighters).

[0024] like Figure 1As shown, event device 106 can be connected to computing device 102 and / or mobile device 112 (e.g., via control panel 108 and gateway 110). In addition, EMS 104 can be connected to computing device 102 and / or mobile device 112. Such devices can be connected via a network relationship. Examples of such network relationships can include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), a distributed computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment), a storage area network (SAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a cellular communication network, long term evolution (LTE), visible light communication (VLC), Bluetooth, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), near field communication (NFC), infrared (IR) communication, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), radio waves and / or the Internet, as well as other types of network relationships.

[0025] As used herein, the term "computing device" refers to an electronic system with processing resources, memory resources, and / or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that can process information. Examples of computing devices may include, for example, laptop computers, notebook computers, desktop computers, all-in-one (AIO) computing devices, servers, networking equipment (e.g., routers, switches, etc.), and / or mobile devices, as well as other types of computing devices. As used herein, a mobile device may include a device that a user carries and / or wears (or can carry and / or wear by a user). For example, a mobile device may be a phone (e.g., a smart phone), a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), smart glasses, and / or a wrist-worn device (e.g., a smart watch), as well as other types of mobile devices.

[0026] For fire spread, computing device 102 may receive information from various entities in system 100. Information may be received from event device 106, EMS 104, and / or from mobile device 112, as further described herein.

[0027] The computing device 102 may receive information from the event device 106. For example, the event device 106 may send information to the computing device via the control panel 108 and the gateway 110. The information from the event device 106 may include any data that the event device 106 can measure. For example, the data from the event device 106 may include early warning data before the event device 106 detects the event, alarm data after the event device 106 detects the event, operational data not related to the event, spike events, etc. For example, the early warning data may include detector data relative to a detection threshold, an analog-to-digital value from the event device 106, etc. For example, the event device 106-1 may be a heat detector and sends a heat level (e.g., temperature) relative to a threshold temperature (to the computing device 102) to the computing device 102. Additionally, the event device 106-2 may be a smoke detector and sends a smoke level relative to a threshold amount of smoke, the event device 106-3 may be a CO detector and sends a CO level relative to a threshold amount, and so on.

[0028] Additionally, in response to event device 106 detecting an event, event device 106 may send information including alarm data to computing device 102 after event device 106 detects the event. For example, event device 106-1 may detect an event (e.g., a detected temperature exceeds a threshold temperature), and event device 106-1 may send alarm data (e.g., the detected temperature) to computing device 102.

[0029] The computing device 102 may also receive information from the EMS 104 of the facility. As described above, the information from the EMS 104 may include environmental information, such as information from the device and building information model data of equipment associated with the component and / or any other system in the building, machinery, electrical plumbing, sanitation and / or facilities, and may also include information associated with the floor plan of the facility. For example, the floor plan may include drawings and / or models, such as computer-aided design (CAD) drawings and / or building information modeling (BIM) models. In addition to the information detected by the event device 106, such information from the EMS 104 of the facility may also provide environmental data about the facility. For example, information from the EMS 104 may provide contextual information about what is happening in the space before and when the event is detected. For example, if the event device 106-2 is an air quality sensor that detects a drop in air quality, the building system information from the EMS 104 may provide contextual information that the door of the space remains open (e.g., via a door sensor connected to the EMS 104), which may enable dirty air to interact with the event device 106-2.

[0030] Figure 2is a flow chart associated with predicting the spread of a fire in a facility according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments herein include detecting a fire in a facility using a first event device, and classifying the remaining event devices of the facility into different priorities based on factors including proximity of the remaining event devices to the first device, the location context of the remaining event devices within the facility, and the values ​​of detected variables (e.g., smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature, etc.). In some embodiments, for example, a subset of the total number of event devices is classified into three priorities. Those event devices at the highest priority have the most relevant data, so data from those devices is received more frequently than those devices at lower levels.

[0031] The gateway 210 may periodically query the data from the panel 208. When a fire is detected, based on the analysis, a priority list may be prepared at 214 and transmitted to the computing device 202 and / or the mobile device 212. The priority list may include devices 216 of a first priority. Devices of the first priority may include those devices that detect smoke values, carbon monoxide levels, and / or temperature values ​​that are more than 50% higher than initial (e.g., before the event) values. In some embodiments, devices of the first priority include those devices that detect smoke values, carbon monoxide levels, and / or temperature values ​​that are between 50% and 80% higher than initial values. At 218, embodiments of the present disclosure may determine that there is a high probability that the fire will spread to these devices. Therefore, data from those devices may be collected at a first (e.g., high) frequency.

[0032] The priority list may include devices of second priority 220. In some embodiments, the devices of second priority include those devices that detect smoke values, carbon monoxide levels, and / or temperature values ​​that are between 30% and 50% higher than initial values. At 222, embodiments of the present disclosure may determine that the likelihood of the fire spreading to these devices is medium. Therefore, data from those devices may be collected at a second (e.g., medium) frequency.

[0033] The priority list may include third priority devices 224. In some embodiments, the third priority devices include those devices that detect smoke values, carbon monoxide levels, and / or temperature values ​​that are between 0% and 30% higher than initial values. At 226, embodiments of the present disclosure may determine that the likelihood of a fire spreading to these devices is low. Therefore, data from those devices may be collected at a third (e.g., low) frequency.

[0034] In some embodiments, devices may be classified into different priorities based on factors other than detection values. These factors may include structural aspects such as construction materials and / or combustible fuel sources (e.g., gas pipelines). For example, embodiments herein include detecting a fire in a facility using a first event device, and classifying the remaining event devices of the facility into different priorities based on factors including proximity of the remaining event devices to the first device and the location context of the remaining event devices within the facility.

[0035] Figure 3 is an example graphical view of a portion of a facility during an event according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As previously described, when a fire is spreading, these data are received, and embodiments herein can determine and display useful information about the spread of the fire, such as its spread speed and / or direction. For example, some embodiments display different colors on a rendering of the facility to notify firefighters of areas in the facility that are safe to enter and other areas that may be unsafe. Some embodiments display alarms for detectors located near specific hazardous objects (e.g., flammable materials).

[0036] Based on analysis from periodically collected sensor data and available diagrams of the facility, embodiments herein can predict the likelihood of fire spread and notify the user in an easily understandable manner. Figure 3 As shown, for example, the first detector 306-1 is the detector that first detects a fire. The detector can be displayed in a specific manner to convey this information. In some embodiments, a specific color (e.g., red) can be used to display the detector that first detects a fire.

[0037] Devices classified into the above different priorities may be displayed in other ways that convey device priority. For example, a device group falling into the first (eg, high) priority is associated with Figure 3 306-2 are adjacent to the device 306-1 shown in FIG. 306-2. In some embodiments, these devices 306-2 may be displayed in a different color (e.g., yellow). Other device groups that fall into the second (e.g., medium) and / or third (e.g., low) priority are adjacent to the device 306-1 shown in FIG. Figure 3 Devices adjacent to the device 306-2 shown in FIG. 306-3. In some embodiments, these devices 306-3 may be displayed in a different color (eg, green).

[0038] For example, firefighters may consider these green areas to be "safe" areas to enter the facility for evacuation and / or firefighting. Yellow and / or red areas may be those areas where additional precautions are recommended. In some embodiments, information about when a fire is predicted to reach a particular appliance may be displayed (e.g., displayed in the Figure 3For example, the display may show “In the next 10 minutes, the fire will reach device L01D002.” In addition, the location context including environmental risk factors may be displayed via Figure 3 Such information may include an indication that a particular device is located near a gas line, near a mail room, near a log wall, etc.

[0039] Figure 4 is an example of a computing device 402 for predicting the spread of fire in a facility according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, computing device 402 may include memory 430 and processor 428 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0040] The memory 430 may be any type of storage medium that can be accessed by the processor 428 to perform various examples of the present disclosure. For example, the memory 430 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions (e.g., executable instructions / computer program instructions) that can be executed by the processor 428 for predicting fire spread in a facility according to the present disclosure.

[0041] The memory 430 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The memory 430 may also be a removable (e.g., portable) memory or a non-removable (e.g., internal) memory. For example, the memory 430 may be a random access memory (RAM) (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and / or a phase change random access memory (PCRAM)), a read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and / or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), a flash memory, a laser disc, a digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage device and / or a magnetic medium (such as a cassette, a tape or a disk), and other types of memory.

[0042] In addition, although the memory 430 is shown as being located within the computing device 402, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the memory 430 may also be located within another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded via the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

[0043] Processor 428 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, and / or other hardware device suitable for retrieving and executing machine-readable instructions stored in memory 430 .

[0044] Although specific implementations have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same technique may be substituted for the specific implementations shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all modifications or variations of various implementations of the present disclosure.

[0045] It should be understood that the above description is given in an illustrative rather than limiting manner.By reading the above description, combinations of the above embodiments, as well as other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0046] The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure includes any other applications using the above-described structures and methods.The scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0047] In the above detailed description, various features are grouped together in the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the embodiments of the present disclosure require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.

[0048] Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A computing device (402) for predicting the spread of a fire in a facility, the computing device comprising: Processor (428); and a memory (430) having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor (428), cause the processor (428) to: receiving an indication of a fire detected by an event device (106, 306) of a plurality of event devices (106, 306) installed in a facility; Based on the determined likelihood of fire spreading to each of the plurality of event devices (106, 306), the plurality of event devices (106, 306) are 306) classified into a plurality of priorities (216, 220, 224); receiving data collected by the plurality of event devices (106, 306) during the fire; as well as Based on the received data, graphical information describing the fire spread is provided via an interface.

2. The computing device (402) of claim 1, comprising instructions for receiving data collected by the event devices (106, 306) prior to detection of the fire by the plurality of event devices (106, 306).

3. The computing device (402) of claim 2, comprising instructions to receive from each of the plurality of event devices (106, 306): a simulated value of smoke detected prior to detection of said fire; a simulated value of smoke detected during said fire; temperature values ​​detected during said fire; a sensitivity level prior to detection of said fire; as well as Sensitivity level during said fire.

4. The computing device (402) of claim 1, wherein the graphical information describing the fire includes an identification of a first area (306-3) of the facility that firefighters are advised to enter.

5. The computing device (402) of claim 1, wherein the graphical information describing the fire includes an identification of a second area (306-1) of the facility that firefighters are not advised to enter.

6. The computing device (402) of claim 1, wherein the graphical information describing the fire includes a display of a floor plan of the facility, the display of the floor plan including a current location (306-1) of the fire.

7. The computing device (402) of claim 1, wherein the graphical information describing the fire includes an indication of environmental risk factors in a particular location within the facility.

8. The computing device (402) of claim 1, wherein the graphical information describing the fire includes a predicted direction of spread and a predicted time of spread associated with the fire.

9. The computing device of claim 1 , comprising instructions for performing the following operations: classifying each event device of the plurality of event devices (106, 306) as a first priority (216), a second priority (220), or a third priority (224); receiving data collected during the fire by event devices (106, 306) at the first priority level at a first frequency; receiving data collected during the fire by event devices (106, 306) at the second priority level at a second frequency; as well as receiving data collected during the fire by event devices (106, 306) at the third priority level at a third frequency, wherein: The first priority level (216) is associated with a high likelihood of fire spreading; The second priority level (220) is associated with a medium likelihood of fire spread; The third priority level (224) is associated with a low likelihood of fire spreading; The first frequency exceeds the second frequency; and The second frequency exceeds the third frequency.

10. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the first frequency is between 8 minutes and 12 minutes, the second frequency is between 18 minutes and 22 minutes, and the third frequency is between 28 minutes and 32 minutes.

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