Patent ID: 8082132
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: G08B,G09B

Abstract:
1. A method for searching an acceptable predicted smoke propagation path in a structure comprising: providing a model of the structure, wherein the model comprises: a multiplicity of compartments, each compartment comprising (i) an upper smoke layer having an associated temperature and concentration, and (ii) a lower cool air layer having an associated pressure; and a multiplicity of connections between one or more of said compartments, each connection describing air flow from an upstream compartment to one or more downstream compartments; receiving sensor data indicating one or more compartments as having a fire therein; analyzing a propagation of smoke in each compartment having a smoke source therein, wherein the smoke source is one of either a fire or a smoke flow, and wherein analyzing the propagation of smoke comprises: evaluating a plume flow of the smoke source therein; performing a mass and energy balance based on the plume flow to provide an estimated temperature and concentration of the upper smoke layer of the compartment, wherein the pressure of the lower cool air zone of the compartment is known; and determining a predicted smoke propagation path from the mass and energy balance based on the presence of any smoke flows into downstream compartments by solving for conditions in each compartment individually; storing the estimated temperature and concentration of the upper smoke layer of each compartment having a smoke source therein; updating the estimated temperature and concentration of the upper smoke layer of each compartment based on updated sensor data; and comparing the predicted smoke propagation path to a preferred smoke propagation path to determine if the predicted smoke propagation path is acceptable, wherein the preferred smoke propagation path is designed to control the propagation of smoke according to control criteria, wherein if the predicted smoke propagation path is not acceptable: providing proposed adjustments to structure mechanisms to modify propagation of smoke; modeling the propagation of smoke in the structure based on the proposed adjustments to produce a revised predicted smoke propagation path; and comparing the revised predicted smoke propagation path to the preferred smoke propagation path.