System and method for dynamically and efficently directing evacuation of a building during an emergency condition

• US 7,579,945 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2008
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Rockett, David, Richter, Christian, Sanso, Antonio, Nersu, Harshita
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US12/142,968
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 340/691.6, 340/506, 340/517, 340/522, 340/524, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/577, 340/628, 340/632, 340/286.14
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip

Abstract

An emergency response system capable of directing building occupants to a safe location in real-time is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of sensors which detect and monitor an emergency condition, a central processing unit which evaluates the data, calculates accessible evacuation routes, and sends the result to output devices which provide directional information to occupants. By combining an analysis of the flow of evacuees with changes in building structural information and the evolution of an emergency condition the system combines situation-aware data with contextual information to thereby provide the best available evacuation route to evacuees. In this manner, some evacuees may be redirected to alternate evacuation routes during the evacuation process itself, thereby minimizing problems due to congestion, potential panic of the evacuees, and changes in the emergency condition while increasing the probability that evacuees will reach a safe location.

Claims

1. A method of directing evacuation of a building during an emergency condition comprising:

receiving sensor signals from a plurality of sensors including at least automatic and manual door status, image, heat and smoke sensors, wherein the sensor signals comprise sensor measurement data and location data identifying a location of the sensor in the building;

generating a building floor plan based on the sensor measurement and location data;

receiving building material flammability and structural integrity information;

superimposing the building material flammability and structural integrity information with the building floor plan;

detecting an emergency condition in a sensor;

identifying a location of the emergency condition in the building based on the location of the sensor detecting the emergency condition;

identifying a type of emergency condition based on the sensor measurement data;

monitoring the automatic and manual door status sensors to determine whether exits are open or closed;

identifying locations of emergency personnel;

calculating an accessible evacuation route based on a building plan, building material flammability information, location of emergency personnel, status of each door as opened or closed, and the location and type of emergency condition;

directing occupants to the accessible evacuation route using output devices to give directional indication to occupants;

actively monitoring occupant movements, the structural integrity of the building and the location and type of emergency condition, a location of emergency personnel, and an availability of evacuation routes;

recalculating a plurality of alternative accessible evacuation routes based on the monitoring result; and

continuously providing an alternative accessible evacuation route to the occupants in response to changes in the monitoring result and redirecting occupants to the alternate accessible evacuation route using output devices to give direction indication to occupants and, when a non-evacuable section containing occupants is located, sending a signal to emergency personnel identifying a location of the non-evacuable section.