Patent ID: 12190020

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring now toFIG.1, which shows a schematic illustration of a system100for designing a fire detection system20. It should be appreciated that, although particular systems are separately defined in the schematic block diagrams, each or any of the systems may be otherwise combined or separated via hardware and/or software. In an embodiment, the system100for designing a fire detection system20may be a web-based system. In an embodiment, the system100for designing a fire detection system20may be a residential system used for residential homes/buildings. For example, the system100may be for a do-it-yourself (DIY) user to design a fire detection for their home via a tablet or any other computer device.

FIG.1also shows a schematic illustration of a fire detection system20, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire detection system20is an example and the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to other fire detection systems not illustrated herein. The fire detection system20comprises one or more fire detection devices30, one or more fire suppression devices40, and one or more fire escape devices50. The fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50may be located throughout various rooms64of a building62. A map60of a single floor61of a building62is shown inFIG.1. It is understood that while the building62only shows one fire detection device30, one fire suppression device40, and one fire escape device50, the fire detection system may include any number of fire detection devices30, fire suppression devices40, and fire escape devices50.

The fire detection device30may be a smoke detector, a CO2detector, a CO detector, a heat sensor, or any other fire detector known to one of skill in the art. The fire suppression devices40may be a fire extinguisher, fire extinguishing sand, a water hose, a fire blanket, or any other fire suppression device known to one of skill in the art. The fire escape devices50may be a fire ladder, a fire fighting ax, fire egress signaling, or any other fire escape device known to one of skill in the art.

As discussed below, the system100is configured to determine placement of fire detection devices30of a fire detection system20within a room64; determine placement of fire suppression devices40of the fire detection system20within the room64; and determine fire escape devices50within a room64. The system100is configured to determine whether placement of any of the fire detection devices30, fire suppression devices40, and fire escape devices50violate any constraints and then generate a map60displaying the locations of each fire detection device30, each fire suppression device40, and each fire escape device50.

The system100comprises a plurality of inputs110that are entered into a design engine130configured to determine outputs140in response to the inputs110. The inputs110may be entered manually, such as, for example, a customer102and/or customer representative104entering in the inputs110through a computing device. The inputs110may also be entered automatically, such as, for example a customer102and/or customer representative104scanning or emailing in the inputs110.

The inputs110may include but are not limited to building information112and building requirements114, as shown inFIG.1. Building information112may include but is not limited to floor plans112aof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located, an address112bof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located, a number of occupants112cof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located, a typical building usage112dof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located, types of articles112ewithin the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located, types of hazards112fwithin the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located, evacuation points112gwithin the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located, and current/proposed device locations112h. It is understood that the input110are examples and there may be additional inputs110utilized in the systems100, thus the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the inputs110listed.

The floor plans112aof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located may include details about the floors61of the building62, including, but not limited to, a number of floors61within the building62, the layout of each floor61within the building62, the number of rooms64on each floor61within the building62, the height of each room64, the organization/connectivity of each room64on each floor61within the building62, the number of doors80within each room64, the location of the doors80in each room64, the number of windows90within each room64, the location of the windows90within each room64, the number of heating and ventilation vents within each room64, the location of heating and ventilation vents within each room64, the number of electrical outlets within each room64, and the location of electrical outlets within each room64. The address112bof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located may include, but is not limited to, a street address of the building62, the geolocation of the building62, the climate zone where the building62is located, and objects surrounding the building62(e.g., water, trees, mountains).

The number of occupants112cof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located may include, but is not limited to a number of occupants currently in the building62and details about the type of occupants (e.g., child, adult, elderly). Further the number of occupants112cmay be updated in real-time of may be a predication. The typical building usage112dof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located may include what the building62is being used for such as, for example, residential, lab space, manufacturing, machining, processing, office space, sports, schooling, etc. The types of articles112ewithin the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located may include detail regarding objects within the building62and the known flammability of each object such as, for example, if the building62used to store furniture or paper, which is flammable. The types of hazards112fwithin the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located may include a detailed list of hazards within the building62and where the hazards are located. For example, the types of hazards112fmay state that an accelerant (e.g., gasoline) is being stored in the work space on the second floor61. In another example, types of hazards112fmay include that a room64is mainly used as office where the main components are electronics (e.g., electronics that are possible source of fire) and stationary elements (e.g., accelerants). The types of evacuation points112gwithin the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located may include a detailed list of evacuations points112gwithin the building62where an individual may exit the building62. For example, the types of evacuation points may be windows90and doors80.

The device locations112hmay be the current or proposed locations of fire detection devices30, fire suppression devices40, and fire escape devices50. The design engine130may analyze the device locations112hto determine the device location correctness140d. For example, the design engine130may receive as input the actual state of the fire detection system20design (that can be manually input by the user) and may displays the forbidden/incorrect elements, and a recommendations for improvement, where the user case use it as a guidance or directly accept all the recommendations.

Building requirements114may include but are not limited to building system requirements114aof the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located and a desired level of certification114bfor the building62where the fire detection system20is to be located. The building system requirements114amay include but are not limited to the type of fire detection system required and/or desired for the building62. The desired level of certification114bmay include laws, statutes, regulations, city certification requirements (e.g., local ordinances), state certification requirements (e.g., state laws and regulations), federal certification requirements (e.g., federal laws and regulations), association certification requirements, industry standard certification requirements, and/or trade association certification requirements (e.g., National Fire Protection Association).

The inputs110are provided to the design engine130. The design engine130may be local, remote, and/or cloud based. The design engine130may be a software as a service. The design engine130may be a computing device including a processor and an associated memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The processor may be, but is not limited to, a single-processor or multi-processor system of any of a wide array of possible architectures, including field programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP) or graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware arranged homogenously or heterogeneously. The memory may be but is not limited to a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic or any other computer readable medium.

The design engine130is configured to analyze the inputs110to determine fire threat models200, fire detection system device placement300, a compliance check400, and fire signage system500in response to the inputs130. The design engine130may analyze the inputs110in an autonomous and/or semi-autonomous manner. For example, in a semi-autonomous manner, the design engine130may generate multiple different fire threat models200, fire detection system device placements300, compliance checks400, and a fire signage system500for a human user (e.g., designer) to then review, adjust, and/or make a selection. In another example, in an autonomous manner, the design engine130may determine a single best option or multiple best options for fire threat models200, fire detection system device placement300, a compliance check400, and a fire signage system500to then be presented to a human user.

The design engine130may organize the fire threat models200, fire detection system device placements300, compliance checks400, and a fire signage system500into outputs140. The outputs140may also include fire detection system device list140a, a fire detection system device location list140bfor each component on the fire detection system device list140a, fire detection system device specification140cfor each component on the fire detection system device list140a, and a device location correctness140d.

The system100may also include or be in communication with a fire detection system device databases150. The fire detection system device databases150may include details and specifications of devices that may be utilized in a fire detection system20. The fire detection system device databases150may be a single central repository that is updated either periodically or in real-time. The fire detection system device databases150may also link to outside databases in real-time, such as, for example online supplier databases of components for a fire detection system20. The fire detection system device databases150may include a fire detection device database150a, a fire suppression device database150b, and a fire escape device database150c.

The fire detection device database150amay include information such as the types of fire detection devices30that may be utilized and performance characteristics of each fire detection devices30. The fire detection device database150amay also include specifications/datasheets for installation constraints as it can be preferred locations for placement, forbidden places, and/or recommended distances from possible fire sources or sources of false detection. For example, a smoke detectors may not be installed in bathrooms as it can trigger false alarms due the vapor, smoke detectors may be installed in a kitchen no close than 3 meters from the fire source (cook/oven) and not further away than 5 meters to avoid late detection, nor the device should be placed closer than 30 centimeters to the ceiling, or preferred placement should be closer to ceiling than to the floor. In another example, in the case of ceiling placement, a device should not be placed closer than X cm to the wall or any blockage object. Other information stored in the fire detection device database150amay include if the device is battery powered or if the device requires an outlet/what kind of outlet/plug. The fire suppression device database150bmay include information such as the types of fire suppression devices40that may be utilized, performance characteristics of each fire suppression device40, and the preferred installation location of the fire suppression devices40. The performance characteristics of fire suppression device40may include the effectiveness of each fire suppression devices40against different types of fires (e.g., chemical fire, electrical fire, paper fire, etc.). For example, the preferred installation location for a portable extinguisher may be an easy accessible place, no further away than X cm to the possible ignition source. The fire escape database150cmay include information such as the types of fire escape devices50, restrictions on placement of the fire escape devices50(e.g., a fire escape ladder shall be located proximate a window90), and the performance characteristics of each fire escape device50.

Referring now toFIG.2, with continued reference toFIG.1, which shows a fire detection system planning tool310that that may be operable by a user through a computing device302. The fire detection system planning tool310may be a software application associated with the design engine130. For example, the fire detection system planning tool310may be a website or an application. The computing device302may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, smart phone, tablet computer, smart watch, or any other computing device known to one of skill in the art. In the example shown inFIG.2, the computing device302is a tablet computer. The computing device302may include a display screen304and an input device306, such as, example, a mouse, a touch screen, a scroll wheel, a scroll ball, a stylus pen, a microphone, a camera, etc. In the example shown inFIG.2, since the computing device302is a tablet computer, then the display screen304may also function as an input device306.

The fire detection system planning tool310is configured to aid a designer/user through a process of designing a fire detection system20by providing real-time feedback during the design process. As shown inFIG.2, the fire detection system planning tool310may design the fire detection system20in an autonomous and/or semi-autonomous manner through the design engine130. A user may utilize the fire detection system planning tool310to enter the inputs110into the system100, then once the fire detection system20is designed, the fire detection system planning tool310may generate a performance report330from which a user may evaluate the designs of the fire detection systems20. The performance report330may evaluate the overall design of the fire detection system20and issue an analysis of the designs at331, such as, for example, “Fully Compliant” at301(e.g., fully compliant with all constraints), “Bad Design” at302, or “Lack of Compliance” at303(e.g., not fully compliant with all constraints). The performance report330may evaluate various aspects of the design of the fire detection system20.

The performance report330may evaluate the placement332of each of the fire detection devices30, fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50. The performance report330may indicate a validation of the placement332of at least one of the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50. A valid placement would mean that the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50do not violate a criteria such as, for example, the building requirements114. An invalid placement would mean that at least one of the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50does violate a criteria such as, for example, the building requirements114. The placement validation332may also include an explanation332afor an invalid placement, such as, for example, “a smoke detector in the bathroom”, a CO detector in the closet”, or “a smoke detector in the garage”. The performance report330may indicate a validation of the placement332that depicts whether or not the placement is a legal placement.

The performance report330may evaluate possible important locations334for each of the fire detection devices30, fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50. The important locations334may be mandated by law. The performance report330may indicate whether important locations334are protected for at least one of the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50. The performance report330may indicate that all important locations334for the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50are covered, as shown at301and302. The performance report330may indicate that not all important locations334for the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50are covered, as shown at303. The performance report330may also include a summary334aof the important locations334, as shown inFIG.2.

The performance report330may evaluate possible locations336for each of the fire detection devices30, fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50. The performance report330may indicate whether locations336of at least one of the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50are covered. The performance report330may indicate that all locations336for the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50are covered, as shown at301and302. The performance report330may indicate that not all locations336for the fire detection devices30, the fire suppression devices40, and the fire escape devices50are covered, as shown at303. The performance report330may also include a summary336aof the locations336, as shown inFIG.2.

The performance report330may also provide the user options to either automatically re-design the fire detection system20at340or manually re-design the fire detection system20at350. Once the fire detection system20is redesigned, then the performance report330will run again to re-evaluate the fire detection system20.

Referring now toFIG.3, with continued reference toFIGS.1-2, which shows the fire threat models200ofFIG.1.FIG.3illustrates a fire threat modeling tool210that may be operable by a user through a computing device302. The fire threat modeling tool210may be a software application associated with the design engine130. For example, the fire threat modeling tool210may be a website or an application. The computing device302may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, smart phone, tablet computer, smart watch, or any other computing device known to one of skill in the art. In the example shown inFIG.3, the computing device302is a tablet computer. The computing device302may include a display screen304and an input device306, such as, example, a mouse, a touch screen, a scroll wheel, a scroll ball, a stylus pen, a microphone, a camera, etc. In the example shown inFIG.3, since the computing device302is a tablet computer, then the display screen304may also function as an input device306.

The fire threat modeling tool210is configured to aid a designer/user through a process of evaluating the fire threat within each room64of a building62by providing real-time feedback during the design process. The fire threat modeling tool210utilizes the inputs110ofFIG.1to construct a map60depicting a detailed dynamic fire threat input map117. For example, the fire threat modeling tool210may take in the inputs110for a floor plan112awhere the door80, windows90, rooms64, and other features such as articles112e(e.g., furniture and appliances) are identified (and possibly labeled) and produces a detailed dynamic fire threat map220. The dynamic fire threat input map117may be constructed at two different inputs including a fire source input222and a fire evacuation point input224. The dynamic fire threat input map117may also be constructed for an entire building62and not just a single floor61.

For the fire source input222, the detailed dynamic fire threat input map117is described in a single room64or zone. Factors such as room geometry, location of articles112e(e.g., obstacles/furniture), location of evacuation points112g(e.g., exterior windows and doors), types of evacuation points112g, fire hazards112fpresent in the room64, and a probability230of a fire may be incorporated. The probability230of a fire may be statistically determined in response to the inputs110present in the room64and/or historical data. A statistical approach may be used to identify the probability230of a fire in a room64and the probability230may be displayed on the dynamic fire threat input map117, as shown inFIG.3. The probability230may display on the dynamic fire threat input map117as a high probability, a low probability, a mid-probability, or ignore, as shown inFIG.3. The dynamic fire threat input map117may be updated in real-time as new inputs110and/or data from the fire detection system device database150is received. The dynamic fire threat input map117may also display all the hazards112fand where the hazards112fare located in each room64, as shown inFIG.3

For the fire evacuation point input224, a dynamic fire escape options and fire propagation model is constructed from the knowledge of connectivity between rooms64and available fire escape devices50. The proximity of the rooms64are used to determine the likelihood of fire spreading to neighboring rooms64. For example, a high probability230of fire in one room64may raise the probability230of a fire in adjacent rooms64. The doors80and windows90on the exterior of the building62are treated as possible evacuation points112gin case of fire and may be weighted according to their relative accessibility240. For example a window90located on a second floor may not be accessible unless a fire escape devices50is located nearby, such as, for example, a ladder. The process of obtaining the accessibility240of each evacuation point112gmay be automatically determined based on the type of evacuation point112g, the location of the evacuations point112g, and of any fire escape devices50are required to be located proximate the evacuation point112g. The accessibility240of each evacuation point112gmay be displayed on the second level224of the dynamic fire threat input map117, as shown inFIG.3. The accessibility240may also be displayed on the dynamic fire threat input map117using wording and/or symbols. For example, a double green check mark may mean that the evacuation point112gis handicap accessible, a single green checkmark may mean that the evacuation point112gis ground floor accessible, a red “X” may mean that the evacuation point112gis not accessible, and a yellow exclamation point may mean that the evacuation point112gis accessible using a fire escape device50. The fire threat modeling tool210may also factor into account the distance to each evacuation point112g, when determining accessibility240.

Referring now toFIGS.4-5, with continued reference toFIGS.1-3, which shows the fire detection system device placement300ofFIG.1.FIG.4illustrates a fire detection system device placement tool410that may be operable by a user through a computing device302. The fire detection system device placement tool410may be a software application associated with the design engine130. The computing device302may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, smart phone, tablet computer, smart watch, or any other computing device known to one of skill in the art. In the example shown inFIG.4, the computing device302is a tablet computer. The computing device302may include a display screen304and an input device306, such as, example, a mouse, a touch screen, a scroll wheel, a scroll ball, a stylus pen, a microphone, a camera, etc. In the example shown inFIG.4, since the computing device302is a tablet computer, then the display screen304may also function as an input device306.

The fire detection system device placement tool410is configured to aid a designer/user through a process of fire detection system device placement300by providing real-time feedback during the design process. As shown inFIG.4, the fire detection system device placement tool410automatically determines the number and location of fire detection devices30, fire suppression devices40, and fire escape devices50in response to the inputs110. The fire detection system device placement tool410is configured to determine a dynamic fire threat map220and an egress map270. The dynamic fire threat map220may be a detailed map60generated from the fire threat input map117shown inFIG.3. The dynamic fire threat map220may use color shading to depict the probability230of a fire. The egress map270depicts an approximate location of evacuation points112gand the distance272to each evacuation point112g. The distance272may be measured from or relative to a center point64awithin each room64. The egress map270may incorporate ease of each evacuation points112g(e.g., accessibility240) and also identify critical bottlenecks that might inhibit egress during an emergency (e.g., a fire).

The fire detection system device placement tool410may utilize the dynamic fire threat map220and the egress map270to automatically place fire detection devices30, fire suppression device40, and fire escape devices50throughout rooms64on a map308, which is displayed on the display screen304. The fire detection system device placement tool410may further optimize or adjust the number and locations of fire detection devices30, fire suppression device40, and fire escape devices50in response to a desired budget of a customer and/or a desired level of safety.

As shown inFIG.5, the map308is interactive in real-time and a user will be able to move the fire detection devices30, fire suppression devices40, and fire escape devices50throughout rooms64on the map308by interacting the map308, such as for example, by “drag and drop” or by touch. The fire detection system device placement tool410is configured to activate an alert368if movement of the fire detection devices30, fire suppression device40, and/or the fire escape devices50violates a constraint such as for example a building requirements114device constraint. The devices constraints may include any constraint to ensure proper and/or efficient operation of the fire detection devices30, fire suppression device40, and fire escape devices50. For example, it may not be most effective to place a fire detection device30in a bathroom or a fire escape device50(e.g., a ladder) may need to be located proximate a window90. The constraints may also include specifications/datasheets for installation constraints as it can be preferred locations for placement, forbidden places, and/or recommended distances from possible fire sources or sources of false detection. For example, a smoke detectors may not be installed in bathrooms as it can trigger false alarms due the vapor, smoke detectors may be installed in a kitchen no close than 3 meters from the fire source (cook/oven) and not further away than 5 meters to avoid late detection, nor the device should be placed closer than 30 centimeters to the ceiling, or preferred placement should be closer to ceiling than to the floor. In another example, in the case of ceiling placement, a device should not be placed closer than X cm to the wall or any blockage object. Other information stored in the fire detection device database150amay include if the device is battery powered or if the device requires an outlet/what kind of outlet/plug.

As mentioned above, the building requirements114may include building system requirements114aand a desired level of certification114b. The desired level of certification114bmay also include legislative constraints. In an embodiment, the fire detection system device placement tool410is configured to check in real-time to ensure that the fire detection devices30, fire suppression device40, and fire escape devices50do not violate a legislative constraint. Advantageously, the map60in the fire detection system device placement tool410serves as a visualization aid that informs the user (i.e., designer) in real-time of the specific constraints and whether the constraints are violated during modification by the user.

Referring now also toFIG.6with continued reference toFIGS.1-5.FIG.6shows a flow diagram illustrating a method600of designing a fire detection system200through user-manual placement with violation verification. At block604, a location of at least one of fire detection device30, a fire suppression device40, and a fire escape device50is determined. The locations may be determined by: determining a probability230of a fire in a room64; determining a number of fire detection devices30for a fire detection system20within the room64in response to the probability230of the fire in the room64; determining a number of fire suppression devices40for the fire detection system20within the room64in response to the probability230of a fire in the room64; and determining a location of each of the fire detection devices30within the room64and a location of the fire suppression devices40within the room64

The probability230of a fire in a room64may be determined by: determining a geometry of a room64in response to a floor plan112a; determining whether one or more articles112eare located within the room64and a flammability of each of the one or more articles112e; determining whether one or more hazards112fare located within the room64; and determining a probability230of a fire in the room in response to at least one or more articles112eare located within the room, the flammability of each of the one or more articles112e, and the one or more hazards112fare located within the room64. Also avoiding obstacles and having into account the field of view of such devices

At block606, a device location correctness140dis determined for the location of at least one of fire detection device30, a fire suppression device40, and a fire escape device50within a building62.

At block608, an alert368is activated in response to the device location correctness140dfor the location of at least one of fire detection device30, a fire suppression device40, and a fire escape device50within a building62. A user input to adjust the location of at least one of the fire detection device30, the fire suppression device40, and the fire escape device50within a building62and the user input may prompt a re-check of the device location correctness140d.

While the above description has described the flow process ofFIG.6in a particular order, it should be appreciated that unless otherwise specifically required in the attached claims that the ordering of the steps may be varied.

Referring now toFIG.7, with continued reference toFIGS.1-6, which shows a fire signage system500for use with the fire detection system20ofFIG.1. The fire signage system500may include one or more egress signs520located proximate a fire suppression device40or a fire escape device50. The fire signage system500may be in communication with each of the fire detection devices30of the fire detection system20and each of the egress signs520. The fire detection system20may include a controller510to coordinate the operation of the fire detection devices30and the egress signs520.

The controller510may be a computing device including a processor and an associated memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The processor may be, but is not limited to, a single-processor or multi-processor system of any of a wide array of possible architectures, including field programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP) or graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware arranged homogenously or heterogeneously. The memory may be but is not limited to a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic or any other computer readable medium.

The controller510may obtain a location of each of the fire detection devices30from the system100(e.g., the design engine130), such that, when a specific fire detection device30detects a fire560then the controller510may determine where the fire560is located in depending upon where the fire detection device30is located. The controller510may also obtain a location within the building62of each of the egress signs520. When a fire560is detected by at least one of the fire detection devices30then the controller may determine a safe evacuation route540out of the building62and then communicate with the egress signs520to direct the individual along the safe evacuation route540out of the building62. The controller510and the egress signs520are updated in real-time, as the fire560changes, moves, and/or spreads.

The egress signs520may provide instructions520to direct the individuals along the safe evacuation route540out of the building62. The instructions522may be verbal and/or visual. In the example shown inFIG.7, the instructions522may be visually displayed to the user as words and symbols, such as the arrow524directing the individual to follow the path from one room64to another or to not follow a path. The arrows524may light up green to induce the individual to follow the safe evacuation route540or the arrows524may light up red to warn the individual to not go towards a fire560or unsafe route. As mentioned above, the instructions522may also be verbal to provide the individual audible instructions that direct the individual along the safe evacuation route540.

The egress signs520may be located proximate fire suppression devices40and/or fire escape devices50provide instructions570to direct the individual whether or not to make us of the fire suppression devices40and/or fire escape devices50located proximate the egress signs520. The fire signage system500is configured to determine a size and/or type of the fire560from the fire detection devices30and then determine whether or not each fire suppression device40would be effective against a fire560of the determined size and/or type. The controller510may obtain a type of each of the fire suppression devices40from the system100(e.g., the design engine130) and then may determine whether the type of the fire suppression device is effective against the determined size and/or type of fire560. For example, some fire suppression devices40may not be large enough to fight a fire560of a determined size. In another example, some fire suppression devices40may simply lack the appropriate suppression agent to fight a fire560of a determined type. If the fire suppressions device40may be effective against a fire560of the determined size and/or type, then the instructions570may instruct the individual to use the fire suppression device40. If the fire suppressions device40may not be effective against a fire560of the determined size and/or type, then the instructions570may instruct the individual to not use the fire suppression device40.

The instructions570may be verbal and/or visual. In the example shown inFIG.7, the instructions570may be visually displayed to the user as written instructions572directing the individual to take or not take the fire suppression device40to use for fighting the fire560. The written instructions572may light up green or red to induce the individual to follow the instructions570. As mentioned above, the instructions570may also be verbal to provide the individual audible instructions that direct the individual to use the fire suppression devices40and/or fire escape devices50. For example, an egress signs520may be located proximate a fire escape device50to provide audible instructions to the individuals to use the fire escape device50, as shown inFIG.7at574.

Referring now also toFIG.8with continued reference toFIGS.1-7.FIG.8shows a flow diagram illustrating a method800of directing individuals to an evacuation point112gduring a fire560, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. At block804, a location of one or more fire detection device30and one or more fire suppression devices40is determined. At block806, a fire560within the building62is detected using the one or more fire detection devices30. At block808, a location of the fire560within the building is determined in response to the location of the one or more fire detection devices30. At block810, a safe evacuation route540between an individual and an evacuation point112gis determined in response to the location of the fire560within the building62. At block812, an individual is directed towards the evacuation point112galong the safe evacuation route540.

The individual may be directed by activating an egress sign520along the safe evacuation route540. As mentioned above, the egress sign520is configured to provide instructions522to direct an individual towards the evacuation point112galong the safe evacuation route540.

The method800may further comprise: determining a size and/or type of the fire560within the building62; detecting a type of each of the one or more fire suppression devices40within the building62; and determining whether each of the one or more fire suppression devices40within the building62can be used to fight the fire560in response to the size and/or type of the fire560and the type of each of the one or more fire suppression devices40. The individual may then be instructed whether one of the one or more fire suppression device40can be used to fight the fire560. The individual may be instructed by activating an egress sign520along the safe evacuation route540. The egress sign520is configured to provide instructions570that one of the one or more fire suppression device40can or cannot be used to fight the fire560.

While the above description has described the flow process ofFIG.8in a particular order, it should be appreciated that unless otherwise specifically required in the attached claims that the ordering of the steps may be varied.

As described above, embodiments can be in the form of processor-implemented processes and devices for practicing those processes, such as a processor. Embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as network cloud storage, SD cards, flash drives, floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes a device for practicing the embodiments. Embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes a device for practicing the embodiments. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.