Method and apparatus for providing occupancy information in a fire alarm system

• US 7,688,212 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Simplexgrinnell LP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Farley, Daniel G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/881,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20090027225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/577, 340/3.1, 340/825.19, 340/825.36, 340/7.25, 340/7.27, 340/825.49, 340/286.02, 340/286.05, 340/539.13, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 116 4- 6, 116/206, 116/207
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00 Individual registration on entry or exit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A method is provided for presenting occupancy information in a fire alarm system. The method includes obtaining event data indicative of an emergency event within a zone of a premises, obtaining count information indicative of a number of individuals within the zone of the premises, and displaying the event data and the count information for the zone simultaneously.

Claims

1. A method for presenting occupancy information in a fire alarm system, said method comprising:

obtaining event data indicative of an emergency event within a zone of a premises;

obtaining count information indicative of a number of individuals within the zone of the premises; and

displaying the event data and the count information for the zone simultaneously.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining event data comprises determining at least one of a temperature within the zone, when a temperature within the zone is above a threshold, the presence of at least one of smoke, water, and flame within the zone, a loss of electrical power within the zone, the presence of toxic gas within the zone, activation of at least one of a medical emergency alert button and a duress button within the zone.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining count information comprises determining at least one of a current count of individuals within the zone, a prior count of individuals within the zone, and a change of the number of individuals within the zone.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the event data and the count information comprises displaying an indication of at least one of a temperature within the zone, the presence of at least one of smoke, water, and flame within the zone, a loss of electrical power within the zone, the presence of toxic gas within the zone, activation of at least one of a medical emergency alert button and a duress button within the zone.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the event data and the count information comprises displaying an indication of at least one of a current count of individuals within the zone, a prior count of individuals within the zone, and a change of the number of individuals within the zone.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein displaying the event data and the count information comprises displaying the event data and the count information on the same display.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising activating a visual notification appliance to notify the individuals within the zone of the premises about the emergency event.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising activating an audio notification appliance to notify the individuals within the zone about the emergency event.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising activating a visual indicator to notify the individuals about the emergency event, the visual indicator displaying at least one of an evacuation route, a message instructing the individuals to remain within the zone, and a description of the detected emergency event.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining count information further comprises obtaining count information using at least one of a finger print scanner, a retina scanner, and a biometric scanner.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining count information further comprises utilizing a video image of the zone indicating the emergency event to determine the quantity of individuals within the zone.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining count information comprises:

obtaining the count information from a sensor installed at an entrance and a second sensor installed at an egress of the zone; and

increasing and decreasing and occupancy count within the zone as people enter and exit the zone using the count information.

8. A fire alarm system for a premises, said system comprising:

at least one controller;

a sensor operatively connected to the controller, the sensor configured to sense count information indicative of a number of individuals within a zone of the premises;

a detector operatively connected to the controller, the detector configured to detect event data indicative of an emergency event within the zone of the premises; and

a user interface operatively connected to the controller, the user interface configured to display the event data and the count information for the zone simultaneously.

9. The fire alarm system according to claim 8, further comprising a database operatively connected to the controller or operatively connected to an interface unit that is operatively connected to the controller, the database configured to store at least one of the event data and the count information.

10. The fire alarm system according to claim 8, wherein the event data comprises at least one of a temperature within the zone, when a temperature within the zone is above a threshold, the presence of at least one of smoke, water, and flame within the zone, a loss of electrical power within the zone, the presence of toxic gas within the zone, activation of at least one of a medical emergency alert button and a duress button within the zone.

11. The fire alarm system according to claim 8, wherein the count information comprises at least one a current count of individuals within the zone, a prior count of individuals within the zone, and a change of the number of individuals within the zone.

12. The fire alarm system according to claim 8, wherein the user interface is configured to display the event data and the count information on the same display.

13. The fire alarm system according to claim 8, wherein the controller comprises a counter controller and a fire alarm controller, the sensor being operatively connected to the counter controller and the detector being operatively connected to the fire alarm controller.

14. The fire alarm system according to claim 8, wherein the controller comprises a counter controller and a fire alarm controller, the user interface being operatively connected to at least one of the counter controller and the fire alarm controller.

15. The fire alarm system according to claim 8, wherein the controller comprises a counter controller and a fire alarm controller, and the system further comprises an interface unit operatively connected to both of the counter controller and the fire alarm controller.

16. The fire alarm system according to claim 8, further comprising a counter database operatively connected to the controller and an event database operatively connected to the controller, the counter database being configured to store the count information, and the event database being configured to store the event data.