Emergency Notification System Dynamic Egress Path Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency notification systems fail to effectively guide occupants to safe exits during emergencies, especially in smoky or impaired conditions, as they only provide notice of emergencies without directing users to safe paths.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize audio/visual notification devices to communicate the location of safe exits and paths, determining exit locations and egress paths based on alarm conditions, and transmitting coordinated commands to notification devices to guide occupants through the safest routes, even in challenging environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If standard notification systems (synchronized strobe lights and sounds) are used to indicate emergency presence, then occupants receive notice of the emergency situation, but occupants cannot quickly locate exits or navigate through smoke/impaired conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system provides differentiated information based on location by activating specific notification devices at different locations along the egress path. Each notification device provides directional guidance relevant to its local area, helping occupants navigate step-by-step toward the exit rather than providing generic emergency alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces notification devices as intermediaries between the detection device and occupants. These devices receive alarm notifications from detection devices and translate them into directional guidance information that helps occupants locate exits and navigate egress paths, especially in smoky or impaired conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If predetermined exit paths are used in standard systems, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to multiple alarm conditions or dynamic emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system dynamically adapts its behavior based on alarm conditions. The processor determines egress paths by evaluating alarm condition locations and activates notification devices accordingly. This dynamic response allows the system to handle multiple alarm conditions (smoke, fire, evacuation orders) and provide appropriate directional guidance for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification devices serve multiple functions: they provide alarm notifications, directional guidance, and egress path information. The same infrastructure of notification devices is used across different emergency scenarios, making the system versatile while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
3Reliability
If audio/visual notification devices are deployed to provide directional egress information, then occupants can locate exits in smoky conditions, but the system requires coordinated control of multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses detection devices to monitor alarm conditions and provides feedback to the processor. Based on this feedback about alarm condition locations, the processor determines appropriate egress paths and activates specific notification devices. This feedback loop ensures reliable egress guidance that adapts to the actual emergency situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system is segmented into multiple independent notification devices distributed throughout the space. Each device can be independently controlled to provide directional information for its local area. This segmentation allows the system to provide reliable localized guidance while the processor coordinates the overall egress path strategy.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer device for communicating an emergency notification receives an alarm notification from a detection device. The alarm notification corresponding to an alarm condition sensed by the detection device within a space. The computer device detects an alarm condition location of the alarm condition based on a detection device location of the detection device. The computer device determines an exit location of an exit to avoid the alarm condition that triggered the alarm notification. The computer device determines an egress path within the space to avoid the alarm condition based on the exit location and the alarm condition location. The computer device transmits a plurality of commands to a plurality of notification devices within the space to trigger output of an egress notification in a coordinated pattern to identify the egress path. The plurality of commands trigger audible outputs by the plurality of notification devices.