Patent Publication Number: US-7916024-B2

Title: Muster apparatus

Description:
The present invention relates to muster apparatus, particularly but not exclusively muster apparatus for registering the arrival of a person at a location. 
     It is an accepted safety practice that non domestic buildings such as schools, hospitals, hotels, nursing homes and work places include a location which is designated as a muster point or muster station. In an emergency situation, such as a fire, the occupants of the building are directed to the muster station for registration. Any persons missing from registration can then be identified, and appropriate action taken by the emergency services. 
     For relatively small buildings with only one muster station, the provision of a registration list against which the names of evacuated personnel can be ticked off is adequate. However such a system can be unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. There may be a plurality of muster stations. The building may contain unregistered personnel such as visitors. In an emergency situation conditions at the muster station itself may not be ideal and may make the registration procedure difficult. 
     In a larger building or site, personnel may be required to muster at specific locations, irrespective of their actual locations at the time of the muster, entailing longer evacuation routes. 
     Particular problems exist in the case of offshore oil and gas installations. Since the Piper Alpha disaster, such installations have been subject to stringent safety precautions, involving regular rehearsal of emergency evacuation procedures. Offshore oil and gas installations are large and complex structures and a plurality of muster stations may be designated. Safety regulations stipulate that during the evacuation procedures, all personnel must be accounted for before normal operation of the installation recommences, and thus, such evacuation procedures can be very disruptive to the operation of the installation. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided muster apparatus for registering the arrival of a person at a location, the apparatus including detector means for detecting the arrival of the person at the location, a controller, the detector means being in signal communication with the controller, the apparatus including output means for communicating information from the controller to an operator, the apparatus being arranged so that the information communicated is dependent on the arrival of the person at the location. 
     Preferably, the information communicated includes an identifier which is associated with the identity of the person. 
     Preferably, the information communicated includes a register, which may comprise a plurality of identifiers, and each identifier may be associated with a different person expected at the location. 
     Preferably, the information communicated includes an indicator associated with the or each identifier, which indicates whether the person associated with the identifier has arrived at the location. Preferably, the apparatus is arranged so that when the person arrives at the location the indicator changes from a first condition indicating that the person has not arrived to a second condition indicating that the person has arrived. 
     Preferably the detector means are arranged to automatically detect the arrival of the person at the location. Preferably, the detector means include an identity tag which in use is carried by the person, and may include a plurality of identity tags, each of which may be carried by a different person. Preferably, the or each identity tag includes means for storing an identification code, the identification code being associated with the identifier. 
     Preferably, the detector means include an input device. Preferably, the detector means include communication means which are arranged to permit automatic communication of the identification code from the identity tag to the input device when the person arrives at the location. 
     Preferably the output means include display means for communicating the information to the operator. 
     Preferably, the apparatus includes a plurality of spaced input devices, each input device being associated with a different location, for detecting the arrival of a person at that location. 
     The information communicated may include a register for each location, and may include a master register, which includes all the identifiers comprising the registers. 
     The information communicated may include an indication that a person expected at one location has arrived at another location. 
     Preferably, the or each location is a muster station for mustering personnel in an emergency. The or each location may be part of a defined area. The defined area may be an offshore oil and gas installation. 
     The apparatus may include means for updating the or each register when personnel enter or leave the defined area. The updating means may include an input device located at an entry to the defined area in signal communication with the controller. 
     The controller may be a programmable computer, which may be programmable with a set of instructions. 
     Preferably, the set of instructions includes an identity database which relates the or each identification code to the or each identifier. 
     Preferably, the set of instructions includes a register database, which relates the or each identifier to the or each location. 
     Preferably, the communication means include wireless communication means and may more preferably include radio communication means. The communication means may include a radio transmitter-responder (transponder). The or each identity tag may include the transponder. The communication means may include a radio transmitter and receiver. The or each input device may include the radio transmitter and receiver. 
     The transponder may be in the form of an RFID device. 
     Preferably, the or each input device includes an antenna, which may be arranged to create a read field space. The antenna may be arranged to receive an identification code from an identity tag when the tag is within the read field space. The read field space may be circular or elliptical in plan, and may extend up to 2 m from the input device. 
     The apparatus may include an allocation input device, which may be in signal communication with the controller, and may permit input of identification codes and their associated identifiers to the identity database. 
     The controller may include monitoring means, which may include an alarm, which may be audible and/or visual. 
     Preferably, the controller is arranged to record the information communicated. Preferably, the controller includes memory storage for the recorded information. Preferably, the controller includes retrieval means for retrieving the recorded information from the memory storage. 
     The apparatus may include a back up controller, which may be in signal communication with the controller. The back up controller may be sited at a remote location from the controller. 
     The identity tags, input devices and/or controller may be suitable for use in hazardous areas. 
     The controller may include interface means for interfacing with other systems, which may include tracking, logistics and/or personnel systems. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a method for registering the arrival of a person at a location, the method including providing muster apparatus, the apparatus including detector means for detecting the arrival of the person at the location, a controller, the detector means being in signal communication with the controller, the apparatus including output means for communicating information from the controller to an operator, the apparatus being arranged so that the information communicated is dependent on the arrival of the person at the location. 
     Preferably, the muster apparatus is as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. 
    
    
     
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:— 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a muster apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of part of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan of a building; and 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of another apparatus. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows in schematic form a muster apparatus  10  including detector means  11  for automatically detecting the arrival of a person at a location. The detector means  11  include an identity tag  12 , the identity tag  12  including a radio transmitter-responder (transponder) in the form of a radio frequency identification (RFID) device  14 . 
     The detector means  11  include an input device  16 , the input device  16  including an antenna  18  which is arranged to create a read field space  20 . The read field space  20  in the example shown in  FIG. 1  is generally circular in plan, and could extend up to 2 m from the antenna  18 . 
     The apparatus  10  includes a controller in the form of a programmable computer  22 . The apparatus  10  includes output means for communicating information from the computer  22  to an operator, the output means including display means in the form of a display screen  26 . The apparatus  10  includes a user input device in the form of a keyboard  28 . 
     The muster apparatus  10  includes a back up computer  66  which could be located remotely from the computer  22 . The muster apparatus  10  includes an alarm  60  which could be a visual and/or audible alarm. 
     The input device  16 , the display screen  26 , the keyboard  28 , the backup computer  66  and the alarm  60  are each in signal communication with the computer  22  by means of cable connections  32 . Alternatively, the cable connections  32  could be replaced by any suitable form of connection providing signal communication, such as wireless connections. 
     The computer  22  is programmed with a set of instructions  70  which is shown in block diagram form in  FIG. 2 . The set of instructions  70  includes an identity database  74  and a register database  54 . The computer  22  includes a clock  68  and memory storage  64 . 
     In use, each RFID device  14  includes a unique identification code. Initially, a new user, who may be a visitor to a factory or an offshore oil and gas installation, or who may be a new employee, is allocated an identity tag  12  which is brought within the read field space  20  of the input device  16 . The input device  16  operates as follows. As the identity tag  12  is brought within the read field space  20  generated by the antenna  18 , the RFID device  14  gains power from the signal generated by the antenna  18  within the read field space  20 . In response to the signal generated by the antenna  18 , the RFID device transmits the identification code to the input device  16 . Thus the identification code is transmitted automatically when the identity tag  12  comes within the read field space  20  of the input device  16 . 
     In the case of a new user, the identification code is communicated via the cable connections  32  to the computer  22  and then to the display screen  26 . At the display screen  26 , an operator can then input data relating to the new user into the identity database  74  by means of the keyboard  28 , thus relating each identification code to associated identity information of the respective user. The identity information could include any appropriate information, including an identifier such as a name or number, an address, next of kin, profession, employer, passport number and medical records. 
     In the case of the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the location at which the arrival of persons is registered is defined by the read field space  20 . The apparatus  10  could be arranged so that the read field space  20  extends across the opening of a doorway or gateway, so that persons passing through the doorway or gateway into a designated muster area are registered as arriving at the muster area. 
     As a person arrives at the location, the identity tag  12  is brought within or passes through the read field space  20  of the input device  26 , and the RFID device  14  transmits the identification code to the input device  16  as described previously. This transmission is automatic, and requires no input from the person carrying the identity tag  12 . The identity data base  74  relates the identification code to an identifier. The register data base is amended to register the arrival of the person associated with the identifier at the location. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of the information communicated to the operator via the display screen  26 . The information communicated  56  includes a register  80 , which comprises a plurality of register records  82 . Each register record  82  comprises an identifier field  84  and an indicator field  86 , the identifier field  84  comprising an identifier  85 , and the indicator field  86  comprising an indicator  87 . Thus the register  80  communicates a plurality of identifiers  85  which are shown in  FIG. 2  as Identifier  1  . . . Identifier N with respective indicators  87  which are shown as Indic  1  . . . Indic N. 
     The apparatus  10  is arranged so that when a person arrives at the location and the identification code is transmitted, the indicator  87  associated with the identifier  85  relating to that person changes from a first condition indicating that the person has not arrived to a second condition indicating that the person has arrived. Thus, the register  80  displayed on the display screen  26  shows the operator who has arrived at the location. 
     The information communicated  56  is stored in memory storage  64  with associated time information provided by the clock  68 , so that a record is kept of the arrival of persons at the location. The computer  22  includes retrieval means for retrieving the recorded displayed output from the memory storage  64 . 
     The muster apparatus of  FIG. 1  is of particular use in registering the arrival of persons at a muster station in an emergency situation, or in a simulation of an emergency situation such as a fire drill. As persons arrive at the location, the register  80  is automatically and accurately updated, and the non arrival of any persons can be quickly identified. The alarm  60  could be arranged to alert the operator to the arrival of persons after the elapse of a specified time period. The arrival of persons at the muster location could be timed, identifying any problems with escape routes, and the register records can be archived to show to regulatory authorities that statutory drills have been performed. 
     The apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a relatively simple stand alone apparatus.  FIG. 3  shows a plan of a defined area in the form of a building  40  in which a muster apparatus is installed. The building  40  could, for instance, be an accommodation block or a working area of an offshore oil and gas installation or other work place environment, a hotel, school, hospital or any other public building. The building  40  includes a main entrance  42  and a plurality of rooms  44 , and includes a pair of outlying muster spaces  34 , with interconnecting doorways  46  between the muster spaces  34  and the building  40 . An input device  16  is positioned at the main entrance  42  and at each of the interconnecting doorways  46 , so that the read field space  20  of each of the input devices  16  extends fully across the width of the respective main entrance  42  and the doorways  46 . In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the read field spaces  20  are elliptical in plan. Thus in comparison with the arrangement shown in  FIG. 1 , the arrangement of the muster apparatus shown in  FIG. 3  includes a plurality of muster stations. 
     The muster apparatus of  FIG. 3  includes an allocation input device  30 , which includes an antenna  18  which generates a spherical read field space  20 . The allocation input device  30  is in signal communication with a controller in the form of a computer  22 , which is in signal communication with a display screen  26 . Each of the input devices  16  is in signal communication with a local terminal  24 , which is in signal communication with a display screen  26 . Each of the local terminals  24  are in signal communication by means of signal connections in the form of cabling  32  with a computer  22 . 
     The operation of the muster apparatus of  FIG. 3  is shown schematically in  FIG. 4 , and is similar to the operation of the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Initially, a new user, who may be a visitor to the building, or may be a new employee, is allocated an identity tag  12 , which is brought within the read field space  20  of the allocation input device  30 . The allocation input device  30  and each of the input devices  16  operate in a similar manner to that described previously for the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the RFID device of the identity tag  12  transmitting an identification code to the allocation input device  30  or the input device  16  in response to the signal generated by the antenna  18  within the read field space  20 , the identification code being transmitted automatically when the identity tag  12  comes within the read field space  20  of either the allocation input device  30  or the input device  16 . 
     In the case of a new user, the identification code is communicated via the cable connections  32  to the computer  22  and then to the display screen  26 . At the display screen  26 , an operator can then input data relating to the new user into the identity database  74 , the identity information input including any appropriate identifiers such as a name or number. 
     The computer  22  is programmed with a set of instructions  70  which is shown in block diagram form in  FIG. 4 . The set of instructions  70  includes an identity database  74  and a register database  54 . The identity database  74  includes a plurality of records, each record relating to a user and including information relating to that user such as an identifier, the user&#39;s name, address, and the muster station to which the user is allocated. 
     The register database  54  relates each identifier to each muster station. 
     In use, the muster apparatus of  FIG. 3  operates as follows. In an emergency situation, or a simulation of an emergency situation such as a fire drill, all of the users in the building  40  will move towards the nearest muster station  34 . This may or may not be the muster station to which each user has been allocated, depending upon the location of the user in the building at the time of the emergency. As each user passes through each of the read field spaces  20  extending across the doorways  46 , the identification code is automatically transmitted from the RFID device  14  of the identity tag  12  being carried by each user to the respective input device  16 , and is then communicated in turn from the input device  16  to the local terminal  24  and the computer  22 . Schematically as shown in  FIG. 4  these inputs are shown as input A and input B from input devices  16 A,  16 B respectively. As each of the inputs  16 A,  16 B is received by the computer  22 , the set of instructions  70  is arranged so that information is communicated from the computer  22  to an operator via the display screens  26 . The identity database  74  relates the identification code communicated to each of the input devices  16 A,  16 B to the identifier relating to the person carrying the tag  12 . The register database  54  relates the identifier to the appropriate muster station  34 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the information communicated  56 , which includes local register A,  80 A, local register B,  80 B and master register  80 M. Local register A relates to the users whose arrival is expected at muster station A and local register B relates to those users whose arrival is expected at muster station B. The muster register  80 M includes the identifiers of all users. 
     Each of the registers  80 A,  80 B,  80 M includes a plurality of records  82 A,  82 B,  82 M respectively. Taking register A as a representative example, each record  82 A comprises an identifier field  84 A and an indicator field  86 A. Each of the identifier fields  84 A comprises an identifier  85 A, and each of the indicator fields comprises an indicator  87 A. Register A thus communicates a plurality of identifiers  85 A which are shown in  FIG. 4  as A- 1  . . . A-N with respective indicators  87 A which are shown as Indic  1  . . . Indic N. Registers B and M communicate similar information. 
     Each of the indicators  87 A,  87 B,  87 M is initially in a first condition indicating that the person associated with the respective identifier  85 A,  85 B,  85 M has not yet arrived at the respective muster station. 
     As users arrive at the muster stations  34 , the respective indicators  87 A,  87 B,  87 M, change from the first condition to a second condition indicating that the person has arrived at the muster station. The apparatus is arranged so that the arrival of each person is automatically detected, and the local and master registers are updated to indicate that the person has arrived at the location. 
     As mentioned previously, in an emergency situation, there is a possibility that users will evacuate to a muster station to which they have not been allocated, and the appropriate local register will not therefore be updated to show that in fact they have safely evacuated to a muster station. In this case, the master register  80 M shows a full list of all personnel, and respective indicators  87 M show whether those personnel have evacuated to any muster station. 
     The successful evacuation of persons to different muster stations could be shown in a number of ways. For instance, each register could include a set of indicators relating to the actual people who have arrived at that muster station, and another set of indicators relating to people who have arrived at all muster stations. The indicators  87  could be of any suitable form. 
     Over a period of time, users will enter and leave the building  40  through the main entrance  42 , and as each user enters or exits the building, an update input  88  is generated by the input device  16  to the computer  22 , which undates the register database  54 . Thus for example, as a person allocated to muster station A enters the building, that person&#39;s identifier is added by the update input  88  to the register database  54 , and on leaving the building, that person&#39;s identifier is removed from the register database  54 . Thus the register database  54  is updated to reflect the users within the building  40  at any time. 
     Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The RFID device used could be self powered and could include a battery and could be programmable. Although the apparatus described includes RFID device, any suitable communication means which permits automatic communication of the identification code from the identity tag to the input device could be used. The read field space could be of any suitable size or shape. The identity information could include any suitable information. The various components of the apparatus could be designed for use in hazardous areas and could comply with internationally recognised standards for intrinsically safe operation. 
     The set of instructions could include a routine which monitors the number of persons arriving at the muster station, in comparison with a predetermined capacity. The capacity could, for instance, be the capacity of a lifeboat. If the capacity is exceeded, the routine could activate an alarm or warning device. 
     The apparatus could include any number of input devices located at any number of muster stations and/or any number of entrances and exits and/or at any other suitable locations. For example, a muster station could be in a lifeboat, and an input device could be located in a roof of the lifeboat. In another example, a muster system could be in a helicopter. 
     The computer could include interface means for interfacing with other systems, and in particular could interface with systems such as tracking systems for tracking the location of personnel. 
     There is thus provided muster apparatus for registering the arrival of persons at a location. The apparatus is arranged so that when the identity tag is carried by the user, no further intervention by the user is required, as the identification code is automatically communicated from the identity tag to the input device. Contact between the identity tag and the input device is not required, and neither is line of sight between the identity tag and the input device. Thus the user can move around between locations unhindered, and unconscious of the presence of the muster apparatus. In an emergency situation, the user is not hindered in moving from one location to another. The apparatus will continue to operate in emergency conditions, for example in smoke filled environments and/or in darkness. Large numbers of people can be mustered accurately and quickly, with reduced risk of mistaken identity and mistakes due to operator error, panic or poor environmental conditions. The apparatus permits dedicated communication between muster locations, allowing the non arrival of persons to be swiftly and accurately identified and appropriate action to be taken at an early stage. The arrival of persons at muster stations to which they are not allocated can be registered, improving safety. 
     The apparatus is of particular benefit on offshore oil and gas installations, where regular emergency procedures must be practiced. In these emergency procedures, every person present on the installation must be accounted for before normal operation can recommence, and the muster apparatus permits accurate monitoring of the arrival of persons at a plurality of spaced muster stations and the recommencement of normal work as soon as all persons have been accounted for. Thus the downtime of oil or gas production can be minimised while fulfilling the requirements of the regulations relating to the performance of emergency procedures. 
     Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.