Wireless Cellular Fire Alarm Evacuation Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire alarm systems in old or monumental buildings with asbestos present face challenges in updating analog addressable systems to meet changing safety criteria, as modifications are often difficult or impossible, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The integration of wireless cellular devices and a fire alarm system that uses a 2-wire loop with independently addressable devices, allowing for two-way communication and location-based evacuation instructions, along with cellular transceivers and processors to report fires and provide evacuation information, enhancing the system's adaptability and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If analog addressable fire alarm systems are installed in old or monumental buildings with asbestos, then fire detection coverage is achieved, but system updates to meet changing safety criteria become impossible due to modification restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates communication functions into two independent channels: the existing 2-wire loop for power and basic communication, and a wireless communication channel for updates and additional functionality. This segmentation allows the wireless module to be updated independently without modifying the wired infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between system adaptability and modification difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication module acts as an intermediary between the existing fire alarm system and modern safety requirements. It receives alarm signals from the 2-wire loop and transmits them via wireless protocols, enabling system updates and new functionalities without physical modifications to the building's wired infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication modules are added to fire alarm devices, then system adaptability and evacuation guidance capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication module integrates multiple functions into a single unit: alarm signal reception, wireless communication, location tracking, and evacuation guidance. By merging these functions, the system adds capability without proportionally increasing complexity, as shared components (processor, power management) serve multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication module is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a communication interface and a location tracking device, and potentially as an evacuation guidance system. This universal design allows a single added component to provide multiple benefits, improving adaptability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A system including a fire alarm system within a secured area, a call station of the fire alarm system and a cellphone having at least one fire detection device and that forms a cellular connection with the fire alarm system, the fire alarm system determines a location of the cellphone based upon the cellular connection wherein the fire alarm system detects a fire within the secured area and provides instructions through the cellphone for exiting the secured area based upon the detected location of the cellphone.