FIRE ALARM GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
The most common problems we see
and the recommendations to
overcome them
Abstract – Pre- Talk Focus
Sometimes technology can
be overpowering
We can leverage new learning
techniques & technology to
keep Canada Fire Safe
Abstract – Pre- Talk Focus
Life Safety Primary Goals
 Protect life
 Ensure appropriate communication
 Alleviate human suffering and hardship
 Ensure continuity of operations
Abstract – Pre- Talk Focus
Fire Alarm Primary Goals
–
–
–
–
Warn occupants of a fire
Prompt immediate action
Initiate evacuation movement
Allow sufficient time to escape or defend
EOL
ALARM
Abstract – Pre- Talk Focus
SKILLS TO ACHIEVE GOALS
 Analytical & Theoretical
 Graphic Design and Artistic
 Understanding of Human Behavior
Dr. Guylène Proulx, PhD
World Leader
On
Human Behavior
In
Fire Emergencies
Abstract – Pre- Talk Focus
Learning & Improvisation
 FIND
 CONNECT
 INNOVATE
 REFLECT
Abstract – Pre- Talk Focus
Indoctrination
Cause to believe something……..
To teach somebody a belief or ideology
thoroughly and systematically
especially with the goal of discouraging
independent thought or the acceptance
of other opinions
Abstract – Pre- Talk Focus
The Power of Adjacencies
Leverage new ideas from outside industries
to solve problems
The Power of Adjacencies
The Presentation
AGENDA
 What is a GUI?
 Common Issues Encountered
 Plan-Design-Build-Operate
 Building Information Model
 Intelligent Building Emergency Response
What is a
Graphical User Interface
HEY
SECURITY
DUDE
WAKE UP!!!
!!!FIRE ALARM!!!
What is a
Graphical User Interface
A program interface that takes
advantage of the computer's graphics
capabilities to make the program easier
to use
GUI History
The GUI was first developed at
Xerox PARC in 1977
GUI History- Xerox Star
The Xerox Star was unique because the
researchers carefully designed the
computer human interface before they
began designing the internal workings of
the application
How do we know that we have a
great GUI?
Analogy between a fire alarm system's
GUI and a car's steering wheel
How do we know that we have a
great GUI?
The wheel directly binds the driver to
the operation and functionality of the
vehicle
How do we know that we have a
great GUI?
When driving, a driver should not have
to concentrate on the steering wheel
How do we know that we have a
great GUI?
In the same way, the GUI binds the
user of the system to the operation and
potential of the fire alarm system
How do we know that we have a
great GUI design?
A great GUI design removes the
impediment of communication with the
fire alarm system GUI workstation and
allows the user to work directly on the
incident at hand
The Presentation
AGENDA
 What is a GUI?
 Common Issues Encountered
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
Fire Alarm Industry is a Code Driven
Industry
Multiple Codes and Standards that
apply to what we do
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
Code Compliance Issue
The Zone delineations provided on the GUI
Initiating Device Screens
do not comply to the NBC
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Zoning provides a logical breakdown by building
area, making it easier and faster to locate an
activated initiating device
2010 National Building Code
• Division B 3.2.4.9
– Annunciator and Zone Indication
Each floor area so that the area of
coverage for each zone in a building
that is not sprinklered is not more than
2,000 square metres
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Incorrect zone delineations in large open areas
2010 NBC Zoning
• Division B 3.2.4.9
– Annunciator and Zone Indication
Each floor area so that the area of
coverage for each zone is neither;
more than one storey, nor
more than the system area limits specified
in NFPA 13 Standard
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Incorrect Sprinkler Zone layouts per NFPA 13
 Incorrectly annunciate location of sprinkler flow
switch in lieu annunciating area of sprinkler
activation in alarm
TRAVEL KEY
TO
FLOW SWITCH
LOCATION
Sprinkler
Area Of protection
sprinkler riser
basement sprinkler
room
Ground Floor
2010 NBC Zoning
• Division B 3.2.4.9
Annunciator and Zone Indication
Each fire compartment required to have
a 2 hr fire separation (e.g. Hydro Vault)
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Incorrect Vault Zoning Delineations
 Limited or No Access to Vault so critical
descriptions are vague
TRAVEL KEY
Emergency Procedures
for
Vault Incidents
26,000 Volt
4000 Ampere
Hydro Vault
Dielectric PCB Materials
2010 NBC Zoning
• Division B 3.2.4.9
Annunciator and Zone Indication
Each shaft requiring fire detectors
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Incorrect Zone Elevator Shaft Nomenclature
 Incorrectly annunciate location of detection
devices regarding activation in either elevator
shaft or elevator mechanical room
2010 NBC Zoning
• Division B 3.2.4.9
Annunciator and Zone Indication
Each air handling system required to be
equipped with smoke detectors
(Duct Smoke Detector)
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Incorrect Zone AHU Nomenclature
 Incorrectly annunciate location of Duct Smoke
detection and do not include area supply fan is
affecting
TRAVEL KEY
TO
Supply Fan
Area
Duct Smoke
Supply Fan
Location
Serving
Critical Lab Areas
Alt. Measures Required
2010 NBC Zoning
• Division B 3.2.4.9
Annunciator and Zone Indication
Each contained use area (e.g. Jail)
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Incorrect Zone Cell Block Nomenclature
 Incorrectly annunciate location of Air Sampling
Detector Apparatus in lieu of Specific Cell
Sampling pipe
TRAVEL KEY
TO
ASD Location
VESDA
LaserPLUS
88
Cell 22
ALARM
ASD Location
2010 NBC Zoning
• Division B 3.2.4.9
Annunciator and Zone Indication
Each impeded egress zone
Special Needs Hospital
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Incorrect Hospital Secure Zone Nomenclature
 Incorrectly annunciate location detection devices
i.e incorrectly annunciate entire floor in lieu of
specific impeded egress zone
2010 NBC Supervisory Indications
Issue: Building Code Non-Compliance
 Incorrect Sprinkler Zone layouts per NFPA 13
 Incorrectly annunciate location of sprinkler
supervisory valve and not identify area affected
by sprinkler impairment
TRAVEL KEY
TO
sprinkler
area of
coverage
sprinkler supervisory
valve basement
sprinkler room
Lab Area
currently not provided
with sprinkler protection
Valve Closed
Issue: Auto Cad to Proprietary
GUI Program Translation = Poor Graphics
 Auto Cad transfer to proprietary GUI program =
poor quality graphic resolution
Issue: No user focus on graphic layouts
 Devices are blocking room name
Issue: No user focus on graphic layouts
 Inconsistent font sizes and confusing
nomenclature
Issue: No user focus on graphic layouts
 Incorrect “Travel Key” destinations
The Presentation
AGENDA

What is a GUI?
 Common Issues Encountered

Plan-Design-Build-Operate
Plan-Design-Build-Operate
Plan-Design-Build-Operate
Life Cycle Phases
GUI Performance Specification
Provide details - workstation furniture
Integrate all of the system activity
Provide details regarding 1280 x 850
screen space requirements
Outline GUI User Sequences
Creating, inputting and programming all
graphic drawings, and text messages
describing
The Presentation
AGENDA
 What is a GUI?
 Common Issues Encountered
 Plan-Design-Build-Operate
 Building Information Model
Life Safety
Building Information Model
A Building Information Model (BIM) is a
digital representation of physical and
functional characteristics of a facility
Life Safety Building
Information Management
Building
Information
Model
BIM = Structured Information
Specific Life Safety BIM
The Presentation
AGENDA
 What is a GUI?
 Common Issues Encountered
 Plan-Design-Build-Operate
 Building Information Model
 Intelligent Building Emergency Response
Intelligent Building Emergency Response
GUI
Intelligent Building Emergency Response
EOL
ALARM
IBER-GUI-Architecture
How do we get there?
“Heuristics” - Solution
“Heuristics” is branch of artificial
intelligence, which uses common-sense
rules drawn from experience -- to solve
problems
Heuristic programming” is characterized
by programs that are self-learning; they
get better with experience
“Heuristics” & Alarm Analytics
Cloud Computing - Solution
Emergency Response Via The Cloud
“Cloud Computing” is Internet-based
computing, whereby shared resources,
software, and information are provided
to computers and other devices on
demand, like the electricity utility grid
Treemapping Solution
Treemapping Emergencies
Treemapping is a method for displaying
tree-structured data by using nested
rectangles
It’s Already Starting
Serial Data
Alarm L1D005
Contact ID
EIA-232
Smoke Alarm
World Wide Web
2nd Fl. Hallway
Acct 4321 – XYZ
Co.
555 Main St
Customer Network
Summary
We can leverage new learning
techniques & technology to
keep Canada Fire Safe




Analytical & Theoretical Focus
Graphic Design and Artistic Skills
Understanding of Human Behavior Research
Intelligent Building Emergency Response
Dr. Guylène Proulx, PhD
World Leader
On
Human Behavior
In
Fire Emergencies
"I truly believe that this kind of work can save lives," she told
a CBC reporter in 2000. And then, with unshakable confidence
Dr. Proulx added: "That's why I do it."
“Great Spirits have often encountered violent opposition
from mediocre minds”
“Be who you are and say what you feel….Because those that matter don’t mind
And those that mind don’t matter”
FIRE ALARM GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
Thank You For Your Attention
David Sylvester
dsylvester@morrisonhershfield.com