Fire Detection System Dynamic Evacuation Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire detection systems face challenges in efficiently directing individuals to safe evacuation routes and determining the effectiveness of fire suppression devices during a fire, as they lack integrated design processes that consider building maps and constraints.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the location of fire detection and suppression devices, assess the fire's size and type, and direct individuals to safe evacuation routes while indicating whether fire suppression devices can be used, utilizing a processor-based system with egress signs for real-time instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire detection systems are used, then fire detection is provided, but the system cannot efficiently direct individuals to safe evacuation routes or determine effectiveness of fire suppression devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fire detection, suppression device tracking, evacuation route calculation, and real-time guidance into a single integrated system. The processor receives data from multiple fire detection devices, determines fire location and size, identifies suitable suppression devices, calculates safe evacuation routes, and provides real-time guidance through egress signs - merging these previously separate functions into one unified system that improves reliability without requiring multiple separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple functions through a single integrated architecture: detecting fires, determining fire characteristics, identifying suppression devices, calculating evacuation routes, and providing real-time guidance. This multi-functional approach allows the system to address multiple safety needs simultaneously while managing complexity through unified processing rather than separate specialized systems
2Reliability
If fire suppression devices are deployed throughout the building, then fire suppression capability is improved, but the system cannot determine whether these devices can be used to fight the detected fire
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors fire characteristics (location, size, type) and uses this feedback to dynamically assess which suppression devices are suitable. When a fire is detected, the processor determines fire properties and uses this information to identify compatible suppression devices, providing real-time feedback on device effectiveness rather than relying on static pre-assessments
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-tracks the locations and types of all fire suppression devices throughout the building before a fire occurs. This preliminary data collection enables rapid assessment of device compatibility when a fire is detected, eliminating the need to search for suppression device information during an emergency and ensuring compatibility information is immediately available
3Ease of operation
If real-time evacuation guidance is provided, then evacuation safety is improved, but the system requires integrated design processes considering building maps and constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores building maps, egress point locations, and architectural constraints before a fire occurs. This preliminary preparation of spatial data enables the processor to rapidly calculate safe evacuation routes when a fire is detected, providing clear real-time guidance without requiring complex design processes during the emergency itself
Solution Approach 2:
The evacuation route guidance is dynamic rather than static - the system continuously updates recommended paths based on real-time fire location and spread. Egress signs dynamically change to direct occupants along safe routes that adapt to the evolving fire situation, providing clear guidance that responds to changing conditions rather than following fixed predetermined paths
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of directing individuals to an evacuation point during a fire including: determining a location of one or more fire detection device and one or more fire suppression devices within a building; detecting a fire using the one or more fire detection devices; determining a location of the fire in response to the location of the one or more fire detection devices; determining a safe evacuation route between an individual and an evacuation point in response to the location of the fire within the building; and directing an individual towards the evacuation point along the safe evacuation route.