GB2482787A

GB2482787A - Fire safety system

Info

Publication number: GB2482787A
Application number: GB1113846.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Robert Jones; Andrew John Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-11
Filing date: 2011-08-11
Publication date: 2012-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-11
Also published as: GB201113846D0; GB201013449D0; GB2482787B

Abstract

A fire safety system is disclosed which assists in the evacuation of persons from a burning building, and aids fire fighters to address the blaze. The system comprises a plurality of fire responsive components located throughout a building, the components being arranged to communicate with each other, and with emergency service vehicles attending the fire. Communication may be via a control centre in communication with the emergency vehicles. Information regarding the seat of the fire and a preferred egress route may be communicated to occupants of the building. The movement of occupants of the building may be communicated to emergency service vehicles.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELA TING TO FIRE SAFETY

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to fire safety and, in particular, to enhancing the evacuation of persons from a burning building and assisting fire fighters to address the blaze.

Background to the Invention

Fire alarm systems are well known for identifying the seat of fires and for initiating emergency evacuations. Various methods have been proposed in the past for assisting evacuation once an alarm has sounded. For example, European Patent 0 352 336 describes the use of laser light to guide the occupants of a burning building toward a fire exit.

Laser light is one of the most vivid and effective light forms and has its reputation in the entertainment business, the militaiy, aerospace and medical professions. This form of light is mostly used for reasons of precision.

Whilst the system described in European Patent 0 352 336 is helpful in assisting occupants to leave a burning building, it doesn't assist or prepare fire fighters and other emergency services involved in addressing the emergency situation. Such services cannot realistically assess the situation until they have arrived at the scene of the fire.

There are numerous examples in the art of monitoring a building for fire from a remote location. See, for example, US Patents 6,917,288 and 6,972,676. Further, US Patents 7,184,866 & 6,993,421 describes a system of communicating information to an emergency vehicle, in real time. This information may include details of the floor layout of the building being attended, as well as the source of the fire. However visual information is limited to video obtained from fire-fighters and there is no ability to track building occupants.

It is an object of the invention to provide an enhancement over existing fire safety provisions; or at least provide a novel and useful choice.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a method of enhancing fire fighting, said method including providing a plurality of fire-responsive components within a building; and providing at least some of said components with electronic intelligence to enable communication with one another and with an emergency services vehicle.

Preferably said method includes configuring said fire-responsive components to communicate with a control centre in communication with said emergency services vehicle.

Preferably said communication is wireless communication.

Preferably said method comprises selecting or configuring said fire responsive components to, in combination, determine a seat of fire within said building, determine a preferred egress route from the building, and visually and/or audibly communicate the egress route to occupants of the building.

Preferably said method further includes monitoring movement of occupants of said building and communicating such movement to an emergency services vehicle.

In a second aspect the invention provides a system for enhancing fire fighting, said system including a plurality of fire-responsive components for mounting within a building, at least some of said components having electronic intelligence to enable conm-iunication within one another and with an emergency service vehicle.

Preferably said at least some components are further configured to communicate with a control centre in communication with said emergency services vehicle.

Preferably all communication is wireless communication.

Preferably said fire-responsive components include a facility to determine a seat of fire within said building, a facility to determine a preferred egress route from the building, and a facility to visually andlor audibly communicate the egress route to occupants of the building.

Preferably said system further includes a facility to monitor movement of occupants within said building and to communicate such movement to said emergency services vehicle.

Preferably said system is further configured to allow communication from said emergency service vehicle to said at least some of said components.

Many variations in the way the present invention can be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art. The description which follows is intended as an illustration only of one means of performing the invention and the lack of description of variants or equivalents should not be regarded as limiting. Wherever possible, a description of a specific element should be deemed to include any and all equivalents thereof whether in existence now or in the future.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows an example of an audiovisual (AV) interface which might be found on, for example, a fire engine or fire trucks; Figure 2: shows an example of a building map which might be obtained by selecting the View map' option in Figure 1; Figure 3: shows an example of a camera view which might be obtained by selecting the Darklight camera' option in Figure 1; Figure 4: shows an arrangement of components used to monitor the state of a fire within a building, and to direct building occupants towards a safe egress; Figure 5: shows the detail of a laser unit used in the invention; Figure 6: shows the detail of a laser holder used in the invention; Figure 7: shows the detail of an arrow director used in the invention; Figure 8: shows the detail of a darklight camera used in the invention; Figure 9: shows a GPS central processing unit display as might be found in, for example, a fire station command room; Figure 10: shows a composite display of the information available within a fire engine;

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Figure 11: shows the detail of a heat sensor tag used in the invention; and Figure 12: shows a communication chain according to the invention

Detailed Description of Working Embodiment

The invention describes a method and system which allows communication in real time between a structure on fire, and one or more emergency service vehicles attending the fire. In this context attending' means in transit to, and at, the site of the fire. The method involves transmitting details of the fire including its location and intensity, to the emergency services vehicle such as fire trucks and ambulances.

Information also transmitted may include visual images of the fire, details of the floor plan of the burning building andlor evacuation routes that have been indicated to occupants of the structure, and movement sensors indicating the location and movement of people trapped by the fire. Emergency services personnel may use the information to plan and implement how best to deal with the emergency and may also conm-iunicate back to various components within the structure, for example to change evacuation routes previously indicated to occupants of the building.

As can be seen in Figure 12, signals from a number of fire-responsive sensors and monitors in the burning structure are communicated between one another and to an emergency services vehicle by wireless link; preferably by satellite GPS. The signals are preferably also linked to a security or fire safety service centre and may be communicated to the emergency services vehicle via the service centre. Control personnel at the service centre and/or fire station may communicate with the personnel attending the fire, and the building occupants, to plan and deliver the best strategy to extinguish the fire.

A system according to the invention preferably includes a fire safety laser guiding system that also acts as a sound stream beckon which can be incorporated into any existing fire safety measures or newly installed in conjunction with known fire protection. This is an emergency trafficking system that, when installed in a building, will indicate to persons in that building an exit point from the building, even if the internal arrangement of the building is unknown. The laser guiding system is configured and programmed to determine and indicate safe routes to safe exits in an unsafe situation. The route or routes determined and indicated by the laser guiding system are preferably communicated by the wireless link to the safety service centre, the fire station and the vehicles attending the fire so that fire service personnel can monitor the exits and, if a new danger presents itself, can manually override or instruct the laser guiding system to indicate alternative exit routes if necessary.

Each component of the guiding system is preferably provided with heat resistant power back-up so that, in the event of a mains power failure within the structure, the guiding system will still operate.

Each component of the system that is mounted within the building preferably includes internal microprocessor intelligence which allows the combination of components to communicate with one another as well as to determine safe exit strategies in the event of fire. In some embodiments, however, only some of the fire-responsive components may be provided with intelligence, with the other components acting as slaves' to the active components.

The total system preferably includes a GPS central processing unit, a fire engine GPS computer, one or more laser units, laser holders, arrow directors, GPS heat sensor tags and dark light cameras. These are provided with the laser guiding system and act as one structure together when installed. For obvious reasons, each component preferably has its own identifier (id') so that the operation of the individual components can be tracked.

The broad system components are linked together in the general manner shown in E' I i.1.. 1. . .1 1I I 1 1 -I 1 1 iiure. Litougil luiLner ucau Wilt De uesertoeu oeiow.

The building central processing unit may include digital information representing the floor plan(s) of the building which, in the event of a fire being detected, can be relayed to the emergency services along with data from the various sensors which pin-point the location and intensity of the blaze. Alternatively the floor plan data is held in the security centre and/or fire station.

In the event of smoke or fire being detected, or manual action taken to activate the fire alarm, the system will sound an alarm and activate one or more laser beams in specific areas, or throughout the building. By using laser units, laser holders, arrow directors and/or darklight cameras; or otherwise using what we describe herein as "linkups", every safe route and direction to the emergency exits can be indicated (even in the event of loss of electricity on premises) and in dense smoke. The active components will also be relayed, via the wireless link, to the service centre, fire station arid attending emergency vehicles.

Example

In a fire evacuation if a particular location within a building is remote from the emergency exits, when the fire system is activated a combination of laser units, laser holders, arrow directors and darklight cameras will, in combination with sensors which determine the seat of the fire, determine and highlight a safe route to a safe exit from the building. This is typically effected following a set of rules programmed into the individual system components mounted in the building but may be manually over-ridden through the central processing unit and/or the fire engine computer.

Referring now to Figure 4, a typical installation is shown for a ground floor of a building having two emergency exits (EXIT'). One laser unit I is fitted in a corridor opposite another laser unit 2 positioned in a transverse corridor linking the two emergency exists. Furthei-laser units are provided when the routes to the emergency exits are more convoluted.

In the example shown, laser unit 2 is in sight of two emergency exits, one at either end of the transverse corridor. A laser holder is also installed at each emergency exit to hold the laser beams where the laser beam path lines end. Darklight cameras are installed at each exit and appropriately throughout the building and arrow directors are installed in the corridors. Signals from and to these components may be generated from other link-up components, all of which are monitoring the building and, in the event of a fire, monitor the seat of the blaze and calculate and communicate a safe exit path by activating the appropriate laser beams and arrow directors. Signals are also communicated to a central processing unit and may also be communicated to a fire engine computer so as to allow manual overriding of the instruction generated internally of the building.

In the example shown the laser unit 1 is configured to emit a single laser beam which is directed at the laser unit 2 positioned between the two exits.

Laser unit 2 is programmed to emit two beams, one in the direction of each emergency exit. When the single beam from the laser unit 1 strikes laser unit 2 then two beams are emitted from laser unit 2 towards the two emergency exits onto the laser holders where the laser beam path lines end. The laser beams may be supplemented by a sound pulse signal moving towards the exits is also generated from a combination of the darkligbt camera, laser units and the laser holder. The arrow directors specify the direction to follow by presenting visual pointers on a surface.

If one of the fire or hazard sensors determines that a particular route or exit is subjected to a particular danger then that sensor alerts laser unit 2 that the route is unsafe and laser unit 2 re-configures itself to emit two different coloured beams, one being a colour flashing laser beam warning signal for the dangerous route and exit, whilst the other comprises a safe path line route directed toward the safe exit. The laser guiding system also directs/redirects a sound alert pulse signal in the direction of safe escape route for persons who cannot see clearly, or cannot see at all.

The arrow directors will also configure themselves to generate indicators on a surface pointing away from the danger zone and in the direction of a safe exit route.

Thus, in the event of an alert, the safest route to the emergency exit is clearly and precisely indicated by laser beams. All personnel in the building are then able to exit the building by following the laser beams safe path line routes and the direction of pointers on surface along with a sound pulse signal moving in motion towards safe routes and exits whilst the central processing unit and a fire engine GPS computer is recording and monitoring the building in real time, in daylight or in pitch-blackness or in dense smoke, even in the event of power failure in the building.

Referring now to Figure 5, the laser unit is a warning device and its function is to project a laser beam to indicate emergency routes and exits. The laser unit emits laser beams in the form of strips of light visible to the eye even in dense smoke. These strips of light indicate all safe emergency routes to exit in the event of an emergency evacuation.

The laser unit also generates a sound pulse signal in conjunction with other laser units, darklight cameras and laser holders thus becoming a sound stream signal or a sound in motion signal moving towards the exits along with the laser beams safe path lines.

The laser units can be controlled manually, or via GPS by the central processing unit and/or via GPS by the fire engine GPS computer.

Each laser unit can also control the direction or redirection of the laser beam path lines to or within required safe areas. For example combinations of laser beams may be directed up or down stairs, around curves and corners, and can also be adjusted so when one single beam strikes the laser unit, the laser unit will emit more than one beam as is the case with laser unit 2 described above. In fact with these laser units, laser beams can be transmitted in any direction in conjunction with other laser units.

The laser unit can also be configured to measure shocks and has the following further features: 1. Satellite wireless link-up to the central processing unit and a fire engine computer 2. Stays operational even in loss of electricity on the premises 3. Heat resistant 4. Power cells for operation.

5. Waterproof A laser unit can be hard wired and is tamper proof. It can be installed on any surface by means of secure fixings and should be placed in such a position as to be out of normal reach. Once installed any angle adjustment and fine-tuning is preferably made to the laser unit electronically thereby avoiding further manual interference.

More specifically, the laser unit contains a GPS antenna and transmitter receiver with an integrated beacon transmitter receiver. Both GPS and beacon transmitter/receivers/antennas are located inside the unit housing which is formed from a lightweight, heat resistant protective material. Heat resistant or fire-proof glass windows are provided in the housing to allow laser beams to be received by, and emitted, from the laser unit.

The laser unit may include a number of further active components including: i) An accelerometer or other angle measuring components to measure the positioning and alignment of the laser unit. The accelerometer can also be configured to sense shocks and impacts. In combination with a small integrated motor, the central processing unit can thus accurately position and align the laser unit using the accelerometer; ii) One or more laser emitters and, optionally, a motor to align the emitters within the housing. These are located behind fireproof windows at the front of the housing; iii) A laser sensor to sense received laser beams, the sensor containing an electronic component that is responsive to a laser input. When a laser beam is incident on the laser sensor an electronic signal is created which triggers the laser unit to activate. The sensor is located within the housing behind the window at the rear of the housing; iv) a heat sensor/electronic thermometer; v) A small loudspeaker to act as a sound stream beacon in conjunction with the other laser units, laser holders, arrow directors and/or darklight cameras; vi) A microprocessor to communicate with the other link-ups, a central processing unit and a fire engine computer to effect control of the laser unit;.

vii) Power cells or batteries to provide a power source should mains power be lost.

Turning now to Figure 6, a laser holder is a warning device whose function is to hold received laser beams. Further, the laser holder acts as a sound pulse beckon in conjunction with the other laser holders, laser units, arrow directors and/or darklight cameras, which it then becomes a sound stream signal or a sound in motion moving towards its safe exits along with the laser beams safest path line routes in an emergency evacuation.

A laser holder can be hard wired and is tamper proof it can be installed on any surface by means of secure fixing and should be placed in such a position as to be out of normal reach. Once installed any angle adjustment and fine-tuning is preferably made to the laser holder electronically thereby avoiding further manual interference The laser holder has the following features: 1. Satellite wireless link-up 2. Stays operational even if loss of electricity in the premises 3. Heat resistant 4. Power cells for operation.

5. Waterproof 6. Can measure shocks More specifically, the laser holder contains a GPS antenna and transmitter receiver with an integrated beacon transmitter receiver. Both GPS and beacon transmitter/receivers/antennas are located inside the unit housing which is formed from a lightweight, heat resistant protective material. A heat resistant or fire-proof glass window is provided in the housing to allow laser beams to be received by the laser holder.

The laser holder may include a number of further active components including: i) An accelerometer or other angle measuring components to measure the positioning and alignment of the laser holder. The accelerometer can also be configured to sense shocks and impacts. In combination with a small integrated motor, the central processing unit can thus accurately position and align the laser holder using the accelerometer; ii) A laser sensor to sense received laser beams, the sensor containing an electronic component that is responsive to a laser input. When a laser beam is incident on the laser sensor an electronic signal is created which triggers the laser holder to activate. The sensor is located within the housing behind the window at the rear of the housing; iii) a heat sensor/electronic thermometer; iv) A small loudspeaker to act as a sound stream beacon in conjunction with the laser units, other laser holders, arrow directors andlor darklight cameras; v) A microprocessor to communicate with the other link-ups, a central processing unit and a fire engine computer to effect control of the laser unit; vi) Power cells or batteries to provide a power source should mains power be lost.

Referring now to Figure 7, an arrow director is a warning device and its function is to generate a visual signal on a surface to thereby indicate the safest direction to follow in order to safely exit the building. Preferably the arrow directors are configured to generate visual signals using lasers. Each arrow director electronically directs or redirects occupants from dangerous escape routes to safest escape routes and exits.

The arrow directors can also be controlled manually via the central processing unit and a fire engine Gps computer.

Each arrow director can be hard wired and is tamper proof it can be installed on any surface by means of secure fixing and should be placed in such a position as to be out of normal reach. Once installed any angle adjustment and fine-tuning is preferably made to the arrow director electronically thereby avoiding further manual interference.

An arrow director has the following features: 1. Satellite wireless link up 2. Stays operational even if loss of electricity in the premises 3. Heat resistant 4. The arrow director has power cells 5. Waterproof More specifically, each arrow director contains a GPS antenna and transmitter receiver with an integrated beacon transmitter receiver. Both GPS and beacon transmitter/receivers/antennas are located inside the unit housing which is formed from a lightweight, heat resistant protective material. Heat resistant or fire-proof glass windows are provided in the housing to allow laser beams to emitted from the arrow directors.

The arrow director may include a number of further active components including: i) An accelerometer or other angle measuring components to measure the positioning and alignment of the arrow director and allow accurate positioning of the arrow director to achieve an optimum visual impact of the arrows. The accelerometer can also be configured to sense shocks and impacts. In combination with a small integrated motor, the central processing unit can thus accurately position and align the arrow director using the accelerometer; ii) One or more laser emitters and, optionally, a motor to align the emitters within the housing. These are located behind fireproof windows at the front of the housing; iii) a heat sensor/electronic thermometer; iv) A small loudspeaker to act as a sound stream beacon in conjunction with the laser units, laser holders, other arrow directors and/or darkiight cameras; v) A microprocessor to communicate with the other link-ups, a central processing unit, and a fire engine computer to effect control of the arrow director; vii) Power cells or batteries to provide a power source should mains power be lost.

Turning now to Figure 8, a darklight camera is the system's sensing device and a number of these devices are placed throughout a building. The darklight camera measures heat signals, locates persons in the building and provides visual images of the interior of the building. To this end, the camera may also include a motion sensor and, as detailed blow, may include distance-measuring componentry. The camera provides one of the triggering signals to the other link-up components in the building and to the central processing unit that is processed to operate the laser guiding system when danger is detected. Darklight cameras can be installed within and outside of buildings, and at various locations. They can function in daylight or in pitch-blackness or in conditions of dense smoke. They continue to function even if mains power is lost.

The darklight cameras may not be constantly in operation but, instead, be in a standby mode in which they are activated intermittently or cyclically to determine if an emergency has arisen. Once an emergency condition has been sensed then operation of the dark light cameras is changed to constantly on.

The darklight camera is a wireless robotic eye; it scans, pinpoints and measures hazardous heat signals and people movements within its range. Each darklight camera can be programmed to follow a particular monitoring or scanning sequence or can be controlled manually and remotely via a central processing unit and a fire engine GPS computer that will be explained in more detail below.

When activated the robot eye of the darklight camera will see people-generated movements and also pinpoint, record, measure and communicate to the other system components, or link-ups, unsafe heat signals in the surrounding area. Using their in-built electronic intelligence, the link-ups can then determine a safe exit route and the laser units, laser holders and arrow directors will then respond to this. The same data can be communicated to the central processing unit for further manual assessment and can also be communicated to the fire engine computer. As a consequence fire service personnel or any other persons who may be monitoring the premises via the Gps central processing unit1s or the fire engine Gps computer can plan the most appropriate action and, if necessary, override the instructions generated by the link-ups.

In addition to receiving visual signals, the darklight camera may be provided with the means to diagnose medical conditions afflicting an occupant of the burning building.

It is envisaged that such means be ultrasound based.

A darklight camera: 1. Has satellite wireless link up 2. Stays operational even if loss of electricity in the premises 3. Is heat resistant 4. Has power cells 5. Is waterproof A darklight camera can be hard wired and is tamper proof and can be installed on any surface by means of secure fixing and should be placed in such a position as to be out of normal reach. Once installed any angle adjustment and fine-tuning is preferably made to the darklight camera electronically thereby avoiding further manual interference.

More specifically the darklight camera includes a GPS antenna and transmitter receiver with an integrated beacon transmitter receiver. Both GPS and beacon transmitter/receivers/antennas are located inside the unit housing which is formed from a lightweight, heat resistant protective material. A heat resistant or fire-proof glass window is provided in the housing to allow images to be received by the camera, and to provide a aperture through which other functions of the camera, described below, can be performed.

The darklight camera may include a number of further active components including: i) An accelerometer or other angle measuring components to measure the positioning and alignment of the camera. The accelerometer can also be configured to sense shocks and impacts. In combination with a small integrated motor, the central processing unit can thus accurately position and align the darklight camera using the accelerometer; ii) A laser-based distance measuring facility located behind the window and configured to measure the distance of specified objects from the camera; iii) a heat sensor/electronic thermometer; iv) Ultrasonic sensors to sense movement within the range of the camera and even, if configured appropriately, to perform diagnostics on persons located in the range of the camera; v) A thermal imaging facility to enable visual mapping of different temperatures in the range of the camera which can be alerted to fire crew via the central processing unit and the fire engine GPS computer; vi) A small loudspeaker to act as a sound stream beacon in conjunction with the laser units, laser holders, arrow directors andlor other darklight cameras; vii) A microprocessor to communicate with the other link-ups and the central processing unit to effect control of the darkiight camera; viii) Power cells or batteries to provide a power source should mains power be lost.

Referring now to Figure 9, additional intelligence of the emergency trafficking system is provided by a central processing unit that can be built securely in buildings and elsewhere off the premises to suit individual requirements. Data from the central processing unit could also be displayed in, for example, a fire station command room.

The central processing unit can be hard wired and is also a wireless system. It communicates with each component of the system in the building, and also with the fire station and/or fire service centre. In the event of an emergency, the central processing unit may also communicate directly with a compatible processing unit mounted in an emergency services vehicle.

The GPS central processing unit acts as the brain of the system being fed with data through linkups with the components described above, which act as the nervous system. If any of the linkups are activated for any reason then through transmission back to the central processing unit an immediate fire alert situation is instigated.

The function of the central processing unit is to record, monitor and/or control the linkups, pinpoint and measure fire danger and smoke hazards, and monitor and direct the movement of persons in the building. As can be seen in Figure 9, the central processing unit has live visual and electronic map readout of premises along with sub-displays monitoring any chosen part of building that may require protection against fire. This central processing unit, through communication with the network of darklight cameras within the building allows observation inside of the building in dense smoke, in pitch blackness; and can also manually test the laser guiding system and sound for "fire drill". Even in the event of loss of electricity on the premises, the central processing unit checks the components of the linkups making sure their functions are kept at the highest alert rate on standby or in alert mode for an emergency evacuation Referring now to Figure 10, an onboard computer system can be installed in a fire engine to provide a means of tracking and monitoring fire hazards in and outside of buildings from inside a fire engine.

As can be seen in Figure 10, the fire engine's computer system enables fire fighters en route to a fire, and at the scene of the fire to acquire data map readout or floor plan of inside the premises and have a live visual link up of personnel and monitor multiple firemen wearing Gps heat sensor tags that maybe at risk in and around the building during a fire hazard, even if there is a loss of power, or pitch-blackness, in the dense of smoke on the premises.

If there is a fire in a multi-storey building i.e. on the ground floor of a building, the fire engine's computer system, via its communication with the central processing unit, will indicate that the fire hazard is on the ground floor whilst monitoring all safe areas and exits within the building.

The fire engine computer communicates with the main central processing unit via satellite methods that can be installed at a security control centre.

Further features of the fire engine computer include: i) It can control any of the linkups in and around the premises if fire personal in the engine deem it necessary; ii) It can override control any of the arrow directors and the sound flow signals; iii) It can override control any of the laser units iv) It can deactivate the fire laser guiding system.

v) It can control movement of any of the darklight cameras to enable a full visual assessment of the premises.

Referring now to Figure 11, a Gps heat sensor tag is an electronic homing device or beckon and heat sensor that detects hazardous heat conditions for individual firemen.

The Gps heat sensor tag is a small transmitter and receiver that can be installed in or on firemen's clothing. Individual firemen's identity can be stored in the Gps heat sensor tag, as a means for pinpointing and monitoring a particular fireman's movements and fire risk.

Since the central processing unit is monitoring and is linked to the fire engine's computer and the heat sensor tags, and whilst the central processing unit pinpoints fire hazards in and around buildings, then the central processing unit also senses when the heat sensor tags are near fire hazards, or in the vicinity of link ups then triggers a sound in the Gps heat sensor tag to alert fire personnel in real time of the dangers. The Gps heat sensor tag has variable sound beeps to notify fire crew as to how close they are to danger hazards in the surrounding areas.

The Gps heat sensor tags: 1: operate via satellite wireless link up 2: are waterproof 3: are fire proof 4: operate from power cells The Gps heat sensor tag may also include an accelerometer to measure vibrations, shocks, inclinations and the like of or in the vicinity of the fireman to whom the tag is attached.

Once the fixed components as described above are installed in a building then, in essence, a wireless nervous system is created. Each component has a unique address or i.d so that the Gps central processing unit can convert signals from the components into a visual map that, in turn, can be displayed on its user interface. The laser units and laser holders transmit data to each other sensing each other's positions then sending the data back to the central processing unit.

One of the reasons linkups have their own id is for the Gps central processing unit and the fire engine Gps computer to see exactly where they're placed in and around the building so if there is a fire hazard around any of the linkups then the Gps central processing unit and the fire engine Gps computer will sense exactly where they are placed according to which linkup is transmitting a distress signal.

For example laser unit 1 may have an id designated for a start point for the nervous system outside an office on the ground floor.

The reason for this is for the central processing unit to sense where the nervous system starts and ends via Gps methods. Every link up has its own unique id.

For example the first laser unit id is programmed and is set with the building address, and a code for the ground floor and a code for the laser unit.

I.e. the building address and a code 1LGF outside office The code details are set, as 1 L, which means laser unit one, and OF stand for ground floor and then out side office, the Gps central processing unit therefore recognize the address and that its on the ground floor outside an office.

"Laser unit one" code Example Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn3 5aw, outside main office, ILGF.

All the laser units are programmed in a similar way with their individual id code.

For example laser unit two is adjacent to two exits, and has the id "2LGF adjacent two exits". 2L means "laser unit two" and GF stands for "ground floor" and the Gps central processing unit then knows it's adjacent to two exits.

NOTE: When all the Link ups are fixed into place then personnel can use the Gps central processing unit to transmit data to activate the linkups and when all the installations are completed by using Gps transmissions you will be able see all the link ups operating positions and will have a detailed map read out of the nervous systems laser beams path line which is a default snapshot of the shape of the laser beams path and with the Darklight cameras installed it uses a measuring tool measuring the space in front of it in the corridors or rooms in the building, and will be read as one structure for the ground floor.

"Laser holder" code Example If there were two laser holders installed then the id for the first laser holder with the address details would be 1LHGF rear exit, Laser holder one code Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn3 5aw, Exit at rear of building, ILHGF.

1LH, which means laser holder one, and GF stand for ground floor then now the Gps central processing unit has the address and knows it's at the rear exit of the building.

Laser holder two code And the second laser holders code would be 2LHGF Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn3 5aw, Exit at front of building, 2LHGF.

Darkligbt cameras have their individual id codes.

Darklight Camera example of coding Example: If four Darkligbt cameras are installed on the ground floor of a building Darklight camera one code Darklight camera one is installed in the main office on the ground floor.

The DarkJight cameras id is programmed as, "Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn35aw, In main office 1DLCGF" 1DLC is a code: 1DLC means Darklight camera one, and GF means ground floor.

And now the Gps central processing unit has the address and identifies it's in the main office in the building.

Darklight camera two is installed in a corridor and is inline of sight of the corridor from outside the main office area on the ground floor.

Darklight camera two code "Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn3 5aw, Corridor view towards two exits from outside the main office area the ground floor 2DLCGF".

Darklight camera three code "Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn35aw, View corridor from front exit of building ground floor 3DLCGF" Darklight camera four code "Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn35aw, View of corridor from rear exit of building ground floor 4DLCGF" The central processing unit now has data on all darklight cameras.

The Arrow directors have their individual id codes.

Arrow director example of codin2 Example of two Arrow directors installed on the ground floor corridor of a building Arrow director one is installed in the corridor near main office area on the ground floor.

Its purpose is to project moving arrows on the surface of the walls in the corridor in the correct direction towards the exits.

Arrow director one code "Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn3 5aw, outside main office Point corridor towards the two exits 1ADGF" is a code: lAD means arrow director one, and GF means ground floor.

And now the Gps central processing unit has the address of the arrow director and knows it's pointing arrows in a corridor towards the two exits from outside the main office in the building.

Arrow director two installed around the corner in view of two exits.

Arrow director two code "Middlesex Building, 142 hove rd, bn3 5aw, and point corridor to exit front of building ground floor 2ADGF" The central processing unit now has data on the two arrow directors Example how the Fire engine computer has data map readout.

If a fire hazard is detected in a building at the address Middlesex Building, 142-hove rd, bn35aw at the fire exit at the rear of the building on the ground floor, a message is sent to all linkups and alerts the Gps central processing unit via satellite methods.

The darklight camera has infra-red / ultrasonic sensing and thermal-imaging properties, it is a non-contact temperature gauge-measuring.

When the darklight camera installed at the fire exit at the rear of the building, on the ground floor detects heat or fire hazard, incoming light is converted to an electric signal that corresponds to a particular temperature. The darklight camera transmits the data to all the linkups and the Gps central processing unit.

The central processing unit then receives this information as a fire alert situation then all link ups are activated. Then thc central processing unit will have a data map read out of the premises and hazards.

A call is made to a specific fire station/s, and then the data is transmitted from the central processing unit to that fire stationls fire engines Gps computers with live streaming, via GPS or other wireless communication system.

An example of a fire hazard on the fire engine GPS computer AV interface is shown in Figure 1 which illustrates that the fire engine computer includes the following capabilities: 1: It can show a fire alert situation 2: It can confirm an address of building 3: It can indicate the particular location of a fire hazard in a building 4: It can indicate the source and degree of heat in a fire 5: It can indicate the time when the laser guiding system is activated 6: It includes a keypad to allow interrogation of the various system components and to allow manual overriding of existing self-generated instructions.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of enhancing fire fighting, said method including providing a plurality of fire-responsive components within a building; and providing at least some of said components with electronic intelligence to enable communication with one another and with an emergency services vehicle.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fire-responsive components are further configured to communicate with a control centre in communication with said emergency services vehicle.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said communication is wireless communication.
4. A method as claimed in any one of claims Ito 3 wherein said fire-responsive components are selected or configured to, in combination, determine a seat of fire within said building, determine a preferred egress route from the building, and visually and/or audibly communicate the egress route to occupants of the building.
5. A method as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims further including monitoring movement of occupants of said building and communicating such movement to an emergency services vehicle.
6. A system for enhancing fire fighting, said system including a plurality of fire-responsive components for mounting within a building, at least some of said components having electronic intelligence to enable communication within one another and with an emergency service vehicle.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least some components are further configured to communicate with a control centre in communication with said emergency services vehicle.
8. A system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein all communication is wireless communication.
9. A system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said fire-responsive components include a facility to determine a seat of fire within said building, a facility to determine a preferred egress route from the building, and a facility to visually andlor audibly communicate the egress route to occupants of the building.
10. A system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 further including a facility to monitor movement of occupants within said building and to communicate such movement to said emergency services vehicle.
11. A system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 further configured to allow communication from said emergency service vehicle to said at least some of said components.