Optimization of fire safety infrastructure

Abstract

A method of optimizing the fire safety infrastructure of a building by obtaining electronic data S100 representing a design of the building with partition geometry data specifying the partition dimensions and location; services geometry data specifies the location and dimensions of services penetrating the partition; for each partition an opening location optimization algorithm S102 uses received electronic data to generate data defining openings to be formed in each partition in order to accommodate the services specified; outputting the generated partition opening location data S104. Fire safety control data may provide a constraint, such as a fire rating, on the design of an opening. The method may be performed using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) models in an architectural design environment. Services can include electricity cables, gas or water pipes, drainage, ventilation ducts, communication cables. The optimization algorithm may detect coordination errors wherein services going through a wall are separated by less than a minimum threshold distance. Output opening location data may be in JSON or GeoJSON format incorporated into a CAD file or as a report. Candidate opening model solutions can be found using evolutionary principles of mutation, crossover, and recombination. Benefit: improvement of cost estimates and ensuring standards compliance. [figure 1B]