Transcript Document 7676435

Emergency Child Guidance System
Operating Environment
Abstract
The goal of this project is to design, build, test, and document a child emergency
guidance system. The system will sense an audible output from a smoke detector to
help guide children between the ages of 2-8 years to safety during a home fire. This
system will help reduce the number of deaths during home fires.
The components will need to operate under:
• Extreme heat
• Power loss
• Explosions
• Water
Intended Users and Uses
Introduction
The product targets the general public with 2-8 year old children inhabiting a home. The
system will calmly communicate to the child during a fire, directing the child to safety.
General Background
Assumptions and Limitations
• Use a pre-recorded parent’s voice and set of lights to direct the child to safety
• Activate the system from smoke detector output
• Instruct child to touch the first light
• Activate a recording to guide the child through a path of lights
Technical Approach
• Smoke detector’s signal will activate the transmitter which controls the entire system
• Battery-powered light receives signal from the system transmitter
• A series of “touch lights” provide a path for the child to follow by emitting a recording
• Recording plays through speakers mounted in the lights
• Customers record their message using a microphone, speakers, and recording device
Home Fire Facts:
• The most common location for
household fires is the kitchen.
• Stoves account for 75% of
kitchen fires.
• An estimated 15,000 - 20,000
people are injured in home fires
each year.
• Nearly 4,000 Americans are
killed from home fires annually,
which is more than all natural
disasters combined.
In order for the product to function properly:
• The customer will need to have a working smoke detector installed
• The success of the system depends on the reliability of the smoke detector
• The smoke detector and system must be checked regularly for adequate battery power
• At any point during the fire, it will be impossible to prevent the device from burning
• The child may not respond to the voice or light guidance
• The device is not guaranteed to save the child’s life
2) System Activated: The ECGS is
activated. It sends a signal to all
the lights to turn on and play the
recorded message. Multiple
escape routes will be provided.
1) Smoke Detected:
Smoke detector is
triggered and sends a
signal to activate the
Emergency Child
Guidance System
(ECGS).
4) Child is Safe: The ECGS
successfully guides the child to
safety, by showing the safest
escape route. Low light
placement keeps the child
below intoxicating fumes.
3) Lights & Sounds:
Touch lights receive a
signal from the ECGS
to turn on and play a
message to direct the
child to safety.
Measurable Milestones
Design Requirements
• Recording plays through speakers mounted in the lights
• Learn the functions, operations, and features of the household smoke detector
• Research fire departments, smoke detector companies, child psychologists
• Finalize the design specifications
• Explore microcontroller and power supply options to select those suitable for the system
• Assure compatible interface between the transmitter, receivers and smoke detector
• Write operating C program code for the microcontroller
• Complete the design of the speakers and recording device and implement the design
• Test, debug, and finalize the operation of the system
• Document and present to Individual Review Panel
Design Constraints
End Product Description
Design Objectives
• Battery-powered transmitter mounted on the ceiling
• Recording device allows user to record a customized message
• Speakers emit the parent’s recorded message
Functional Requirements
• Smoke detector’s signal will activate the transmitter which controls the rest of the system
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Temperature – The whole system must operate under extremely high temperatures
Water – The entire system must be waterproof
Power – The whole system must operate under power outages
Lightweight – The transmitter and lights must be able to stay mounted on the walls
Durability – To withstand volatile fire conditions, the system must be durable
Lights – The lights will be installed on the wall, approximately one foot from the floor
Effort and Financial Budgets
Total Projected Hours: 522
Total Projected Budget: $130
The end product contains a system designed to guide a 2-8 year old child to safety
during a fire. The transmitter will receive a signal from the generic smoke detector that
will activate the lights and speakers. The system will project a customized recorded
voice over the speakers mounted in the lights.
Testing Approach
The device will need to be tested for several conditions:
• Interaction between the smoke detector and the transmitter
• Response of the children to the voice and lights
• Evaluation through beta, environmental, stress, and psychological tests
Project Information
Team Members (May01-03)
Client / Advisors
Project Website
Abbey Arends
Christopher Bloomquist
Lisa DeLashmutt
Karen James
Angela Nystrom
Dr. John Lamont
Dr. Ralph Patterson III
http://seniord.ee.iastate.edu/may0103
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks to the 2nd shift of the
Ames Fire Department for all their help.