Volume sensor for damage assessment and situational awareness

A multi-sensory approach is being used to develop new detection capabilities for improved damage assessment and real-time situational awareness. As part of the Advanced Damage Countermeasures (ADC) program, the US Navy seeks to develop and demonstrate improved damage control capabilities that will be incorporated into new ship designs. This work represents the progress in the fourth year of a multi-year program to identify, evaluate, and adapt video image detection technologies for shipboard damage control. Various spectral and acoustic signatures, new video imaging techniques, and image recognition methods have been investigated and integrated into a multi-sensory prototype system that is able to detect event signatures within the volume of a space (i.e., a “volume sensor”) rather than relying on spot-type fire detectors. The prototype systems were shown to outperform the commercial systems for flaming and smoldering fires with a high immunity to nuisance sources. In addition, the prototypes accurately identified pipe ruptures and flooding events.     

消防救援态势感知体系构建方法研究

分析消防救援态势感知圈、融合圈、展示圈、预测圈、决策圈和评价圈模型需求,事前、事中、事后消防救援态势感知体系应用需求,从跨领域系统汇聚、智能化装备研发、感知技术、数据融合、数学建模、通信支持等方面分析构建消防救援态势感知体系的难点,从制定法规标准、突破关键技术、加大装备研发力度和人才队伍建设方面探讨构建消防救援态势感知体系的方法。     

Early Warning Fire Detection System Using a Probabilistic Neural Network

The Navy program, Damage Control-Automation for Reduced Manning is focused on enhancing automation of ship functions and damage control systems. A key element to this objective is the improvement of current fire detection systems. As in many applications, it is desired to increase detection sensitivity and,more importantly increase the reliability of the detection system through improved nuisance alarm immunity. Improved reliability is needed, such that fire detection systems can automatically control fire suppression systems. The use of multi-criteria based detection technology continues to offer the most promising means to achieve both improved sensitivity to real fires,and reduced susceptibility to nuisance alarm sources. A multi-criteria early warning fire detection system, has been developed to provide reliable warning of actual fire conditions, in less time, with fewer nuisance alarms,than can be achieved with commercially available smoke detection systems. In this study a four-sensor array and a Probabilistic Neural Network have been used to produce an early warning fire detection system. A prototype early warning fire detector was built and tested in a shipboard environment. The current alarm algorithm resulted in better overall performance than the commercial smoke detectors, by providing both improved nuisance source immunity with generally equivalent or faster response times.     

城市消防远程监控系统探索与实践

本文通过对城市消防报警系统联网和视频监控系统联网技术的研究,探讨城市消防远程监控系统的建设方案,实现对各联网用户单位不同厂家和不同型号消防报警系统和视频监控系统的组网,建立一个智能、高效、快速可靠的城市消防联网监控平台,自动将火警信息和现场图像实时传递到监控中心,满足消防部门指挥作战需要。     

Combined Fire Retardant and Wood Preservative Treatments for Outdoor Wood Applications – A Review of the Literature

A collaborative Australian national project funded jointly by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and the Forest & Wood Products Research and Development Corporation has been undertaken to develop a ‘proof of concept’ for a combined fire retardant/wood preservative treatment technology for P. radiata to satisfy the requirements of both the Australian Bushfire and Wood Preservation Standards. The focus of the work was on products that found use in exposed outdoor, above-ground applications. This paper reviews the literature currently available regarding the impregnation of wood with chemical systems that offer resistance to both fire and biodegradation and are also suitable for exterior applications. We have found that in general, researchers have chosen to utilise the dual functionality of boron compounds to achieve both fire retardancy and wood preservation. Often, such systems are applied in multi-step processes, which involve an impregnation step followed by a curing step. Because of the leaching problems associated with boron, a great deal of effort has gone into the development of systems which fix the boron into wood so that its preservation properties can be maintained throughout the useful life of the material.     

A computer-vision-based and fuzzy-logic-aided security and fire-detection system

The paper starts with the introduction of the basic requirements of classical intrusion detection and alarm systems, and fire detection systems. The drawbacks of such conventional systems are highlighted. Techniques of computer vision are employed to remove the drawbacks and at the same time, increase the reliability and response rate of the systems. For security and low-level fire detection, a fuzzy-logic-based image-comparison algorithm is deemed adequate. In order to confirm the existence of fire or smoke, techniques related to optical flow are employed as high-level fire or smoke detection which generate a velocity field for the image so that the decision can be judged using fuzzy logic. Details of implementation and some experimental results have been included in the paper for illustration. This paper is reprinted from the Architectural Science Review,Volume 7, Number 1, pages 9–16.     

Detection and analysis of binary gas phase mixtures

The advent of halogenated hydrocarbon engineered fire extinguishing systems has created a need for measuring agent concentrations in an enclosed volume. Since commercially available instruments do not meet the criteria specified by researchers, development of a new unit was undertaken. Note: Dr. Riley presented this paper at Fire Research Session No. 1 of the National Fire Protection Association’s 76th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on May 16, 1972.     

False fire alarms in urban public schools

False fire alarms disrupting urban school administration have prompted officials to introduce presignaling into the fire alarm systems of some of the City’s schools.     

Proceedings: Ad Hoc Mathematical Fire Modeling Working Group

The Ad Hoc Mathematical Fire Modeling Working Group was organized about seven years ago to facilitate voluntary cooperation and coordination in developing mathematical fire modeling capability. The group has a steering committee of representatives of agencies that support fire modeling and related research. These include the National Bureau of Standards' Center for Fire Research, Factory Mutual Research Corp., the Naval Research Laboratory, NASA, and the Federal Aviation Agency. The Group holds plenary meetings when it seems desirable to do so (about once each 1 1/2 years), and workshops on topical subjects. Three workshops were held in 1983. Normally, Group meetings are held before or after other meetings at which a number of interested personnel would likely be present. Minutes are mailed to those who attended and to others (including European and Japanese personnel) who have indicated interest. This workshop was arranged by Ron Alpert of Factory Mutual Research Corp. and held at their facilities at Norwood, MA, in November 1983. National Bureau of Standards REFERENCE: Levine, Robert S., “Proceedings: Ad Hoc Mathematical Fire Modeling Working Group”, Fire Technology Vol. 20, No. 2 May 1984, p. 47.     

Experimental Testing and Analytical Prediction of the Behaviour of Timber Bolted Connections Subjected to Fire

The ultimate strength of bolted and dowelled connections in timber members at ambient temperatures have been assessed using Johansen’s yield equations in Europe and USA. More recently, several researchers have begun to investigate the strength of bolted and dowelled connections at elevated temperatures. Research has been carried out at the University of Canterbury to investigate the application of Johansen’s yield equations to the prediction of the failure strength of bolted connections in fire conditions. A series of single bolted connections using steel side plates was heated at constant temperature for several hours, then loaded to failure and used to determine the embedment strength of the wood over a range of temperatures from ambient to 300°C. The temperature-dependent embedment strengths are employed in Johansen’s equations for connections using a central steel plate as well as connections using steel and wood side members. Comparisons are also being made with the results of several similar connections tested in fire conditions and show considerable promise for predicting failure of such joints. A proposal for implementation of an easy-to-use approach for the prediction of the fire resistance of bolted joints is discussed in the paper, based on an extension of the Johansen’s yield equations to fire conditions, including a model for the variation of the embedment strength with temperature.     

Findings of the International Road Tunnel Fire Detection Research Project

Fire detection systems are essential fire protection elements for road tunnels to detect fires, activate safety systems and direct evacuation and firefighting. However, information on the performance of these systems is limited and guidelines for application of tunnel fire detection systems are not fully developed. The National Research Council of Canada and the Fire Protection Research Foundation, with support of government organizations, industries and private sector organizations, have completed a research project to investigate current fire detection technologies for road tunnel protection. The project included studies on the detection performance of current fire detection technologies with both laboratory and field fire tests combined with computer modelling studies. This paper provides an overview of the findings of the project. Fire detectors, fire scenarios and test protocols used in the test program are described. A summary of the research results of the series of full-scale fire tests conducted in a laboratory tunnel facility and in an operating road tunnel as well as of the computer modelling activities will be reported.     

The fire situation and progress in fire safety science and technology in China

Since the 1950s, the direct property damage due to fire has increased with the development of industrialization and urbanization in China. The number of fire casualties has come down significantly since the 1980s while fire incidents with high casualties has occurred occasionally. Research on fire safety science and technology and its application have advanced, encouraged by Government at all levels, the Fire Service Department of the Ministry of Public Security and all of society. In recent years, the fire situation in China has become relatively stable and an effective strength in fire research has been established, comprising the four Fire Research Institutes of the Ministry of Public Security, the State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, fire enterprises and other fire research institutes. Since the 1990s, research has been carried out on fire detection and alarm, fire suppression techniques, structural fire-resistance, fire prevention techniques, fire modeling, performance-based fire protection design, urban fire protection planning, fire-fighting and rescue, fire protection standardization, fire dynamics and the fundamentals of fire protection. In the next 5 years, research will be focused on the theory of fire dynamics; evaluation techniques for fire risk and fire and rescue services of urban areas; new techniques of fire suppression systems and equipment and their engineering application; modernization of fire department apparatus and equipment; techniques for evaluation and design of structural fire resistance; human behavior in fire; development of a fire database; fire protection engineering economics; and performance-based fire protection design.     

With the society

The following is a digest of a statement on pending fire prevention and control legislation that was made by Gerald L. Maatman, SFPE, President of the National Loss Control Service Corporation (a subsidiary of Kemperco) to the Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Development; Committee on Science and Astronautics; United States House of Representatives on August 1, 1973. The statement, which was released by Kemperco, is an expression of Mr. Maatman’s views, which also represent those of the Kemper Insurance Group.     

以大众为主体的 气候变化适应性多视角制图

Jakarta in Indonesia experiences annual fluvial, pluvial, and coastal flooding. As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable residents regularly face extreme weather events. While the proliferation of data has been enthusiastically adopted to transform real-time response, data is meaningless without designed platforms of considered assembly. PetaBencana.id (Disaster Map Indonesia) is a free online platform that enables residents and emergency managers to map flooding in real-time. The map is used by the public, government, and business to enhance decision-making in response to flooding. Contrary to the project’s initial aim of collecting empirical information to model flood conditions, the work of mapping, cross-validating, and disseminating flood information for residents and government has become in itself a form of digital metainfrastructure that helps mitigate the impact of flooding. Resident reports are now the defacto ground truth for flood information, and are used to calibrate other sensor-platforms (e.g., satellite imagery). This essay reflects on how the map developed a methodology for collaboratively mapping the dynamic fluctuations of the city from multiple textural perspectives and at multiple scales, thereby diversifying the means and scope of participation in urban infrastructure and its response to extreme events.     

Airborne infrared mapping of forest fires

Smoke and darkness have often made the task of defining the location and extent of forest fire perimenters an impossible one. The author describes the evolution of an airborne infrared mapping system that is unaffected by these impediments to visual mapping. Tests were conducted during the 1963 and 1964 fire seasons, and design changes were made. A production prototype was evaluated during the summer of 1965, and by 1966 is expected to be an operational tool for fighting forest fires. Note: This paper was presented at a fire research symposium, Washington, D.C., on May 17, 1965, sponsored by the Office of Civil Defense. It is based on a report entitled “The Evaluation of an Airborne Infrared Mapper as a Tool for Detecting and Measuring Fires, “Interim Report, May 1965 by R. A. Wilson and N. V. Noste, under Contract No. OCD-OS-62-174 for the Office of Civil Defense and the Advanced Research Project Agency. Copies of the report are available from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, Virginia 22151.     

Fire test ratings for civil defense shelters

Existing fire test rating techniques are examined and found generally acceptable in evaluating fallout and blast shelters as barriers against passage of fire, fire gases, and heat. Extension of standard test methods to include additional tests parameters is described. SFPE IIT Research Institute Note: This paper was presented at the Civil Defense Fire Research Symposium, Washington, D.C., on May 17, 1965, sponsored by the Office of Civil Defense. It is based on work performed under Contract No. OCD-PS-64-50 (Task 2B) for OCD.     

Real-Time Fire Monitoring and Visualization for the Post-Ignition Fire State in a Building

During a fire event, environmental threats to building occupants and first responders include extreme temperatures, toxic gases, disorientation due to poor visibility coupled with unfamiliar surroundings, and a changing indoor environment. In addition to these hazards, firefighters often lack critical information for making decisions once on the scene. The lack of information coupled with the dynamics of natural fire events leads to several near-misses, injuries, and deaths each year. Additionally, these challenges slow the rescue time of building occupants and prolong the suppression of the fire. Integrating real-time measurements from sensors into the fire intervention strategy may provide an opportunity for a new technological advancement to improve the practice of firefighting. In this study, a computational framework using Lightweight Communications and Marshalling was developed for connecting real-time fire data to an event detection sub-model to demonstrate how computing can be used for fire monitoring and sensor-assisted firefighting. A post-processed example using these monitoring computations in conjunction with a building information model is provided as a demonstration for presenting real-time data in the field. This work serves as a step towards an intelligent firefighting system based on real-time computing tools.     

Urban Fire Situation in Indonesia

The article analyses the fire situation in urban areas. The recent monthly and daily fire incident data in the two largest urban areas in Indonesia, Jakarta and Surabaya, for the last 7 years have been analyzed to understand the characteristics of incidents. It is found that most fire incidents occurred in residential buildings. This is caused mainly by electrical faults. The casualties and direct loss are relatively low, while there is a long emergency response time of fire brigade due to heavy traffic congestion and access difficulties. Discussion is focused on the issue of public behavior, fire service performance, urban strategy and building design. It is suggested that specific works on fire protection should be taken by increasing of public awareness, improving of a unified fire incident reports, empowering building law enforcement to the community, and improving the household’s electrical products quality.     

A Heat Transfer Model for Firefighters’ Protective Clothing,Continued Developments in Protective Clothing Modeling

In the year 2000, a paper entitled “A Heat Transfer Model for Firefighters’ Protective Clothing” was published in Volume 36, No. 1, of Fire Technology, and it received the 2001 Harry C. Bigglestone Award for Excellence in Written Communication of Fire Protection Concepts from The Fire Protection Research Foundation. Since the publication of this paper, there has been additional development of the heat transfer model. The radiant heat transfer element has been refined, and the model can now address predictions of heat transfer through wet protective clothing materials. Additionally, there has been an extension of the thermal properties database for fabric materials used to manufacture firefighters’ protective clothing. These improvements have significantly expanded the capabilities of the model and provide users with a more robust tool for economically predicting thermal protective clothing performance.     

Fire protection system for a hyperbaric chamber

An automatic fire protection system has been developed, installed in a hyperbaric chamber, and tested. The system meets or exceeds previously determined requirements. Note: This report is based on work sponsored by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the Naval Ship Systems Command.