Future Firefighting Advancements

1. Future Firefighting Advancements Members: Jennifer Au, Anthony Bonomo, Laura Freyman, Brian Kwong, Benjamin Li, Jessica Lieberman, Levon Mktrchyan, Michael Price, Andrew Skoda, Mary Tellers, Andrew Tomaschko and Johnny Wu Mentor: Dr. Fred Mowrer Librarian: Nedelina Tchangalova

2. Outline • Introduction • Research Question • Literature Review • Methodology • Project Timeline • Conclusion

3. Introduction

4. Foundation • Time is a critical factor in fire emergencies • Emergencies can develop quickly • EFRs don’t have enough time to make decisions • Building sensors can detect various environmental factors • More information can be obtained sooner • Educated decisions could be made with more information

5. “The potential amount of information that can be available to first responders is staggering.” -William Davis, Ph.D., Fire Research Group, NIST

6. Current Technology • There are specific sensors: • Photoelectric smoke sensors • Ionization smoke sensors • Heat sensors • CO Bases • Manual Pull Stations • Examples of potential sensors • HVAC sensors • Security sensors Heat Sensor Surveillance Camera

7. Current Technology • Fire Panel Annunciator Systems • Honeywell Notifier Fire Panel • Siemens MXL • Simplex-Grinnell 4100U Network • BFRL Building Tactical Information Project • ONYX First Vision Panel

8. Problem and Solution • Problem: • Abstract and convoluted raw data • Not all sensor data used in emergencies • Solution: • Compile data from sensor systems into comprehensible form • Display information in an effective standardized interface to EFRs

9. Why Our Project is Unique • Variety of sensor types • Security • HVAC • Fire • Sophisticated analysis • Processing, interpolation and prioritization of time sensitive information • Direct communication with EFRs in the building • i.e. Flashover

10. Research Question How can a system be created that takes information gathered by various building sensors and sends that information in real time to the people who need it?

11. Literature Review

12. Building Tactical Information Project • Four objectives • Determine data most useful to EFRs • Develop a data dispersion standard • Demonstrate technology effectiveness • Address security issues

13. Workshop for EFRs • Information Sets • “En-Route” • “On the scene” • Information Areas • Static • Building plans • Sensor layouts • Dynamic • Direct sensor readings • Display of Information

14. Workshop for EFRs • System should include • Sensor variety • Fire • HVAC • Security • Facilities management • Reliable • Educational Video

15. Standardization • NEMA SB30 Fire Activated Smoke Detector Activated Heat Detector Elevator

16. Communication Methods • Project 25 (P25) could bridge network communication gap • OPNET • Mobile radio • Standard between agencies • Voice, video and data communication • Wireless Access Points

17. Methodological Approach

18. Proposed System Current System Our System

19. Tasks • Establish EFR needs • “Workshop to Define Information Needed by Emergency Responders During Building Emergencies” • Develop Specifications • Perform a case study of sensors systems in buildings • Design and prototype • Use existing materials • Modular capabilities • Test and revise • Confirming accuracy of data returned by device • Usability testing

20. Project Timeline

21. Plan of Completion

22. Phase 1: Planning • Fall 2008- Fall 2009 Sub-team 1 : • Case study and sensor survey • Study building and fire codes • Determine standard operating procedures Sub-team 2: • Further background research • NIST, on campus, corporate research Sub-team 3: • Obtain money and resources • Keep corporate and government contact

23. Phase 2: Implementation • Spring 2009-Fall 2010 • Begin thesis Sub-team 1: • Establish algorithms • Code interface Sub-team 2: • Design interface • Aesthetics and usability • Run fire simulations Sub-team 3: • Create fire detection system mockup • Test sensor output

25. Phase 3: Assessment • Fall 2010- Spring 2011 • Complete Thesis • Evaluate • Reliability • Validity • Usability • Synthesize Results

26. Validity • Internal validity • Assure that the display and the sensor outputs correspond • External Validity • Differences in building sensor organization • Anticipate all possible scenarios

27. Reliability • Run fire simulations through the system • Assure consistency of results • Assess material functionality • Withstand emergency environment • Evaluate interface success • Quick processing

28. Usability • Qualitative evaluation • Constraints • Meet needs expressed by EFRs • Dovetail with SOPs • Simplicity of use

29. Conclusion FFA’s system will: Present critical situational information Allow for informed decisions Work with existing technologies Interoperate between sensor brands Facilitate communication between EFRs Save lives and property

30. References • http://sensing.honeywell.com/index.cfm/ci_id/16046/la_id/1.htm • http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/fire05/art105.html • http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/fire04/art021.html • http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/fire05/PDF/f05017.pdf • http://www.notifier.com/products/datasheets/DN_7051.pdf • http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/fire06/PDF/f06044.pdf • http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build07/PDF/b07022.pdf • http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build07/PDF/b07024.pdf

31. Questions?