An Emergency Response System for Intelligent Buildings

Abstract

AbstractFinding the best evacuation path during an emergency situation inside a building is a challenging task, due to the dynamically changing conditions and the strict time constraints. Information systems can benefit the evacuation process by providing directions to the evacuees in an efficient and timely manner. In this paper we propose the use of such a system and evaluate it with a specialised software platform that we have developed for simulation of disasters in buildings. The system provides movement decision support to evacuees by directing them through the less hazardous routes to an exit. It is composed of a network of Decision Nodes and sensor nodes, positioned in specific locations inside the building. The recommendations of the Decision Nodes are computed in a distributed manner, at each of the Decision Nodes, which then communicate them to evacuees or rescue personnel located in their vicinity. The system computes the best evacuation routes in real-time, while a hazard is spreading inside the building. It also takes into account the spatial characteristics of hazard propagation inside a confined space. Our simulation results show that the outcome of the evacuation procedure is improved by the use of the decision support system.KeywordsSensor NetworkSensor NodeDecision Support SystemDecision NodeHazardous AreaThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.