GB2560514A

GB2560514A - Emergency evacuation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2560514A
Application number: GB1703939.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thornton Alan
Original assignee: Earlsmann Ltd
Current assignee: Earlsmann Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-13
Filing date: 2017-03-13
Publication date: 2018-09-19
Also published as: GB201703939D0

Abstract

Apparatus comprising at least one detector 11 which generates an alarm signal in response to potentially hazardous conditions, and indicators 14 adapted to be affixed below eye-level which further comprise a housing, power source, electronic controller, and a plurality of discrete light emitting elements (26,Fig2) arranged to direct persons towards an emergency exit 4. The light elements may be energized in a sequence which provides a moving vector display. The housing may have opposing front and rear walls, which contain the light emitters at the front (26,Fig3) and wall mounting means (34,Fig4) at the rear respectively. The indicator units may respond to a wireless activation signal and possibly also function as radio frequency repeaters to pass the activation signal to further indicator units. The detector, or detectors, may send out wireless activation signals or may pass the alarm signal on via wire to a central control unit 10, which sends out the wireless activation signal. Each of the indicator units may have the lighting elements arranged in a single line in order to provide a moving vector display (Fig6), directing persons towards an emergency exit.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Emergency evacuation apparatus

Abstract Title: Emergency evacuation apparatus comprising vector displays for mounting below eye level (57) Apparatus comprising at least one detector 11 which generates an alarm signal in response to potentially hazardous conditions, and indicators 14 adapted to be affixed below eye-level which further comprise a housing, power source, electronic controller, and a plurality of discrete light emitting elements (26,Fig2) arranged to direct persons towards an emergency exit 4. The light elements may be energized in a sequence which provides a moving vector display. The housing may have opposing front and rear walls, which contain the light emitters at the front (26,Fig3) and wall mounting means (34,Fig4) at the rear respectively. The indicator units may respond to a wireless activation signal and possibly also function as radio frequency repeaters to pass the activation signal to further indicator units. The detector, or detectors, may send out wireless activation signals or may pass the alarm signal on via wire to a central control unit 10, which sends out the wireless activation signal. Each of the indicator units may have the lighting elements arranged in a single line in order to provide a moving vector display (Fig6), directing persons towards an emergency exit.

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- 1 EMERGENCY EVACUATION APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to emergency evacuation apparatus to assist people to evacuate in the event of a hazardous situation such as a fire.

BACKGROUND

It is well known that the majority of deaths and serious injuries that occur in building fires are due to the effects of smoke and fumes rather than the fire itself. When a fire happens people are usually taken by surprise and they are generally confused and disorientated which reduces their capacity to quickly and safely evacuate a building even if they are familiar with the layout. This is even worse in the case of fires which occur at night when the occupants may be woken suddenly, and the effects of the fire might cause a power failure which plunges the building into darkness.

Existing fire alarms may be linked in to an intruder system. Generally, smoke or heat detectors are placed in strategic places

- 2 around the building. They are commonly mounted on a ceiling and connected by hidden wiring to a central alarm unit. When one of the detectors is triggered the alarm unit activates one or more sirens to alert the occupants.

In commercial buildings safety standards require the installation of illuminated signs with a directional indicator to show the best route out of the building - see GB 479 928 for example. As with most emergency lighting, these illuminated signs are normally installed high up above door level. Since hot air rises, smoke tends to be at its densest near the ceiling where impaired visibility in a smoke-filled area make it difficult or impossible to see emergency signs clearly.

US 3 969 720 describes an emergency alarm and evacuation system for directing persons to an emergency exit. The system includes an alarm, a plurality of indicator units arranged in a line toward the emergency exit, and an operating unit coupled to the alarm and being operable in response to an output signal from the alarm to successively energize the indicator units in the direction of the exit. The indicator units each have a light and a buzzer so as to generate both an audible and visual indication. One problem with such a system is that, even if one of the indicator units is visible in a smoke-filled area the next indicator unit might be totally obscured. The audible indication does little to solve the problem if the occupants are hard of hearing, and ambient noise levels also tend to be elevated in an emergency situation.

- 3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When viewed from one aspect the present invention proposes emergency evacuation apparatus which includes:

- a detector responsive to a potentially hazardous condition to generate an alarm signal;

- a plurality of indicator units to be installed at various locations remote from the detector to direct persons to an emergency exit, each of said indicator units being configured to be activated in response to the alarm signal;

wherein each of the indicator units is adapted to be mounted below eye level and includes a housing, a power source within the housing for powering the indicator unit, a plurality of discrete light emitting elements arranged to provide a vector display to direct persons towards an emergency exit, and an electronic controller to energize the light emitting elements in response to the alarm signal.

The invention also provides emergency evacuation apparatus having indicator units in which an electronic controller is arranged to energize light emitting elements in a sequence which provides a moving vector display.

The invention also provides emergency evacuation apparatus having indicator units with a housing which has opposite front and rear walls with light emitting elements on the front wall and the rear wall has mounting means to fix the indicator unit to a vertical

- 4 surface below eye level.

The invention further provides emergency evacuation apparatus having indicator units configured to respond to a wireless activation signal.

The invention also provides emergency evacuation apparatus having indicator units which are configured as R.F repeaters with a receiver to receive a wireless activation signal and a transmitter to send out a further activation signal to other indicator units within range.

The invention also provides emergency evacuation apparatus in which a detector is configured to send out a wireless activation signal in response to an alarm signal.

The invention furthermore provides emergency evacuation apparatus in which a detector is connected by wires to a control unit which is configured to send out a wireless activation signal upon receipt of an alarm signal from the detector.

The invention also provides emergency evacuation apparatus in which a plurality of detectors are connected by wires to a control unit which is configured to send out a wireless activation signal upon receipt of an alarm signal from one of the detectors.

The invention also provides emergency evacuation apparatus having indicator units which each have a plurality of discrete light

- 5 emitting elements arranged in a single line to provide a moving vector display to direct persons towards an emergency exit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a building in which emergency evacuation apparatus has been installed;

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of one of the indicator units included in the emergency evacuation apparatus;

Figure 3 is a general external view of one embodiment of the indicator units;

Figure 4 is a general rear view of the indicator unit; and

Figures 5 to 7 are general external views showing three further embodiments of the indicator units.

- 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a building 1 is divided internally into a number of rooms and corridors 2, which may be on several floors. The building could be a domestic dwelling with just a few rooms on one or two floors, or it could be a block of flats, or a commercial establishment such as a multi-storey office block, theatre or cinema, for example. In the building shown, which is a typical two storey dwelling, the only way to exit quickly and safely from the upper floor is via a single staircase 3. Similarly the best way to vacate the ground floor may be via an external exit door 4.

An emergency evacuation apparatus installed in the building includes a master control unit 10. The control unit can be installed in any convenient position, which in this case is on the upper floor of the building. The control unit is typically connected to the main power supply for the building but may include internal backup batteries so that the control unit is still functional in the event of a power failure. A number of smoke or heat detectors 11 are installed at various strategic locations around the building, as determined by the installer. These detectors are generally mounted on a ceiling where they are best placed to detect smoke or a rapid temperature rise. The detectors will normally be hard-wired to the control unit 10 via wiring 12 which can be routed out of sight within the walls and ceilings of the building.

A number of indicator units 14 are mounted at various locations within the building to direct persons towards an emergency exit.

- 7 In the case of first floor spaces the indicator units are arranged to direct people towards the staircase 3, but on the ground floor the indicator units direct people towards the exit door 4.

In that event that a detector 11 is triggered by a potentially hazardous condition, e.g. the presence of smoke, the detector sends an alarm signal to the master control unit 10 via wiring 12. Upon receipt of an alarm signal from any of the detectors the control unit sends out a wireless RF activation signal to the indicator units 14.

Unlike the detectors 11, the indicator units 14 are not hard wired to the master control unit 10. Referring to Fig. 2, each indicator unit 14 includes a housing 20 which contains a battery 21 to provide power for the indicator unit. The housing also contains an electronic controller or microcontroller 22 which is connected to an internal radio receiver 23 and an internal radio transmitter 24. The microcontroller 22 also has an output bus 25 which is connected to an array of discrete light emitting diodes (LEDs) 26. The radio receivers 23 are configured to receive the activation signals sent out by the control unit 10 and inform the microcontroller 22 when the signal has been received. The microcontroller then responds by energizing the LEDs 26 as described below. In addition, the microcontroller simultaneously causes the transmitter 24 to commence sending out wireless activation signals which can be received by other indicator units within RF communication distance. In this way it is ensured that all or the indicator units are activated almost simultaneously even

- 8 if they are out of range of the master control unit 10.

An embodiment of one of the indicator units 14 is shown in Fig. 3. It can be seen that the housing 20 is generally rectangular with opposite front and rear walls 30 and 32. The LEDs 26 have rectangular lenses and are mounted on the front wall 30 configured in the form of an arrow. In some embodiments the LEDs 26 may be energised concurrently to provide a static vector display directing persons towards the nearest emergency exit. However, in a preferred embodiment, when the microcontroller 22 powers the LEDs in response to the alarm signal they are sequentially energized one-by-one from the tail end of the arrow, on the right, ending with the LEDs at the tip of the arrow, on the left. Once a unit has been activated the energizing sequence of the LEDs is repeated over and over. The illuminated arrow thus provides a moving vector display to direct persons towards the emergency exit, i.e. the staircase 3 or the external door 4. The moving display is preferred because it is much more likely to attract attention in an emergency situation than a static display. Furthermore, the life of the internal batteries is greatly extended so that the display continues to operate for a much longer period.

Referring to Fig. 4, the rear wall 32 has mounting means in the form of screw holes 34 and one or more adhesive pads 35, either of both of which can be used to fix the indicator unit to a vertical surface. The units can therefore be mounted at or below eye level where they are not as badly obscured by smoke as ceiling mounted devices. The indicator units can be fixed to or stuck onto

- 9 the walls, skirting boards, floors, or by doorways etc, in positions determined by the installer to direct people out of the building by the best route.

The housing 20 may include a reset button 28, Fig. 2, to return the microcontroller to a standby condition. Upon receiving a reset command the microcontroller deactivates the LED display and turns off the transmitter 24 but continues to monitor for receipt of further activation signals by the receiver 23.

In other embodiments the indicator units may have round LEDs as in Fig. 5, with a static or moving display. When the display forms a moving vector a single row of LEDs can be arranged in a line, as in Fig. 6 such that the LEDs chase in the exit direction. This reduces the number of LEDs required and avoids the need for simultaneous energisation of LEDs, thereby further conserving battery life. The housing could also be of other suitable shapes, e.g. circular as in Fig. 7.

Various other modifications are possible. For example, in some situations a single detector may be sufficient, and the detector could be configured to send an activation signal directly to nearby indicator units rather than going through a master control unit. Detectors could also be adapted to respond to other potentially hazardous conditions such as smoke, water, rollover (as in the case of a boat or vehicle) or shock, or any combination of these.

The indicator units can be mounted in any orientation with the

- 10 indicator LEDs indicating left, right, up, down, or any angle in between. The indicator units can be mounted in any convenient location and are easily moved to take account of changes in the configuration of the building. Due to their RF repeater function, activating other indicator units within range, additional indicator units can be added without having to modify the fixed wiring within the building.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

1. Emergency evacuation apparatus which includes:

2. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the electronic controller is arranged to energize the light emitting elements in a sequence which provides a moving vector display.

3. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the housing has opposite front and rear walls with the light emitting elements on the front wall and the rear wall has mounting means to fix the indicator unit to a vertical surface below eye level.

- 12

4. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the indicator units are configured to respond to a wireless activation signal.

5. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to Claim 4 in ί— which a plurality of such detectors are connected by wires to the

00 control unit.

o

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1703939.7 Examiner: Mr Christopher Kent

5. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to Claim 4 in which the indicator units are configured as R.F repeaters with a receiver to receive a wireless activation signal and a transmitter to send out a further activation signal to other indicator units within range.

6. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5 in which the detector is configured to send out a wireless activation signal in response to the alarm signal.

7. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5 in which the detector is connected by wires to a control unit which is configured to send out a wireless activation signal upon receipt of an alarm signal from the detector.

8. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to Claim 7 in which a plurality of such detectors are connected by wires to the control unit.

9. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to any preceding claim in which each of the indicator units has a plurality of discrete light emitting elements arranged in a single line to provide a moving vector display to direct persons towards an

- 13 emergency exit.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

1. Emergency evacuation apparatus which includes:

- a detector responsive to a potentially hazardous condition to generate an alarm signal, and the detector is configured to send out a wireless activation signal in response to the alarm signal;

- a plurality of indicator units to be installed at various locations remote from the detector to direct persons to an emergency exit, each of said indicator units being configured to be activated in response to a wireless activation signal;

wherein the indicator units are not hard wired to the detector, and each of the indicator units is adapted to be mounted below eye level and includes a housing, a power source within the housing for powering the indicator unit, a plurality of discrete light emitting elements arranged to provide a vector display to direct persons towards an emergency exit, and an electronic controller to energize the light emitting elements in response to a wireless activation signal, and wherein the indicator units are configured as RF repeaters with a receiver to receive a wireless activation signal and a transmitter to send out a further activation signal to other indicator units within range.

4. Emergency evacuation apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the detector is connected by wires to a control unit which is configured to send out a wireless activation signal upon receipt of an alarm signal from the detector.