Building Safety System HVAC Fire Response Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential building fire safety systems fail to shut off central ventilation systems during fires, which can exacerbate the blaze by feeding it oxygen and spreading toxic gases and smoke.
Innovation Solution
A building safety system that receives fire sensing appliance communications, translates them into electrical signals to control the HVAC system, shutting off air circulation and preventing cooling efforts to mitigate fire severity, using control circuitry with a microcontroller and digital relay to effectuate a selected response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the HVAC system remains operational during a fire, then the building system continues to provide cooling and air circulation, but the fire is exacerbated by feeding it oxygen and toxic gases are spread throughout the building
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by automatically shutting off the HVAC system when a fire is detected. The control circuitry receives fire detection signals from smoke detectors or other fire sensing devices, and in response, activates relays to close HVAC circuit breakers, thereby preventing the fire from being fed additional oxygen and stopping the circulation of toxic gases and smoke throughout the building.
2Reliability
If the HVAC system is automatically shut off upon fire detection, then the spread of fire and toxic gases is prevented, but the system complexity increases with additional control circuitry and automation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary control circuitry that acts as a mediator between fire detection devices and the HVAC system. This control circuitry includes relays and circuit breakers that automatically intervene to shut off the HVAC system when fire is detected, without requiring direct complex integration between all building systems. The intermediary controller simplifies the overall architecture by providing a dedicated interface layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry is designed to be multi-functional, serving both normal HVAC control operations and emergency fire response functions. The same control system that manages routine climate control also handles fire detection responses, eliminating the need for entirely separate dedicated fire safety equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If fire safety automation is implemented in residential buildings, then safety is enhanced while occupants are sleeping, but the cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges fire detection and HVAC control functions into a single integrated automation system. By combining these functions, the patent reduces the need for separate independent systems, thereby lowering overall equipment costs, installation expenses, and maintenance requirements while providing comprehensive fire safety automation in residential buildings.
Data Source
AI summary
A building safety system that receives a first communication from a fire sensing appliance and translates the first communication to a building system to effectuate a selected response from the building system, the fire control system including control circuitry in a ready state that is operative to monitor the first communication and to produce a first event marker signal upon receipt of the first communication, the first event marker signal is in a first electrical communication with the building system, wherein operationally the first event marker effectuates the selected response from the building system.