Emergency Child Guidance System

Design Document

Team: May 01-03

Team Members:

Lisa DeLashmutt

Abbey Arends

Karen James

Angela Nystrom

Chris Bloomquist

Client Names: Patterson & Lamont

Faculty Advisors: Patterson & Lamont

Date Submitted: November 28, 200 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS...... i LIST OF FIGURES...... ii LIST OF TABLES...... ii INTRODUCTORY MATERIALS...... 1 Abstract...... 1 Definition of Terms...... 1 PROJECT DESIGN...... 1 Introduction...... 1 General Background...... 1 Technical Problem...... 2 Operating Environment...... 3 Intended Users and Uses...... 3 Assumptions and Limitations...... 3 Design Requirements...... 4 Design Objectives...... 4 Design Constraints...... 5 Measurable Milestones...... 5 End Product Description...... 6 Approach and Design...... 6 Technical Approach...... 6 Technical Design...... 7 Testing Description...... 8 Risks and Risk Management...... 9 Recommendation for Continued Work...... 9 Financial Budget...... 9 Personnel Effort Budget...... 10 Project Schedule...... 11 CLOSURE MATERIAL...... 12 Project Team Information...... 12 Summary...... 13 References...... 13

i LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 – ECGS Design...... 2 Figure 2 – Alarm sensor...... 7 Figure 3 – Central transmitter...... 8 Figure 4 – Battery-powered light...... 8 Figure 5 – Rechargeable light...... 8 Figure 6 – Project schedule...... 12

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 – Financial Budget...... 10 Table 2 – Estimated Personnel Effort Budget...... 10 Table 3 – Revised Personnel Effort Budget...... 11

ii INTRODUCTORY MATERIALS

Abstract

The goal of this project is to design, build, document, and test an emergency child guidance system (ECGS). The system triggers off of the sound of a common smoke alarm and will guide children to safety during a household fire. The ECGS targets children between the ages of two and eight years. This system will help reduce the number of deaths during household fires.

Definition of Terms

 Smoke alarm – The common, everyday smoke alarm in households.

 Alarm sensor – It is activated by the sound of the smoke alarm and sends an analog signal to the central transmitter.

 Central transmitter – Contains the logic, transmitter for lights, radio transmitter, recording device, and voice recording equipment.

 Voice recording – The personalized message from the central transmitter.

 System – The entire ECGS.

 Devices – Refers to one of the following: alarm sensor, central transmitter, and lights.

PROJECT DESIGN

Introduction

General Background

Many children die during household fires because of the lack of guidance during an emergency situation. This system, which triggers off of the sound emitted from a smoke alarm, will use a pre-recorded voice and a path of lights to direct the child to safety. The devices included in the system are alarm sensors, a central transmitter, battery powered lights, and rechargeable lights. The alarm sensors will be mounted near the smoke alarms already in the household. The central transmitter will be placed away from the smoke alarms, and the lights will be strategically placed in a path routing the safe exit. The system is outlined in the following Figure 1 and described thoroughly in the technical design.

1 R #3

Alarm sensor #1 Bedroom #1 Front Door R #1, R # 2 R #1

Smoke alarm #1

Smoke alarm #2 Central transmitter R #1, R # 2 R #2 Back Door Bedroom #2 R #1, R # 2 Alarm sensor #2

(Additional alarms and sensors) R #3

Legend: Touch light Frequency #2

Bedroom window Frequency #1

R Route

Figure 1 – ECGS Design

Technical Problem

As seen in Figure 1, one of the smoke alarms detects the fire and emits the high-pitched sound. One or more of the alarm sensors pick up the sound and send a signal using the first frequency to the central transmitter. The central transmitter’s logic determines where the fire was sensed and outputs the correct route and correct message to be played. The central transmitter uses the second frequency to turn on the correct route of lights, while playing the pre-recorded message through speakers. The route lights receive the signal from the central transmitter and light up a portion of the route leading to the safest exit.

2 Operating Environment

The central transmitter will be located where fires are less likely to reach. The central transmitter will be in a fire-retardant case. The casing for all of the devices will be waterproof for customers owning a fire-activated sprinkler system. Also, the casing must be somewhat durable in the event of explosion or destructive conditions. During the loss of power, the system will continue normal operation.

Intended Users and Uses

USERS - The product targets the general public with 2-8 year old children living in the home. The ECGS may also be modified for use in daycares, nursing homes, etc.

USES - The system will calmly communicate with the child during a household fire, directing the child to safety.

Assumptions and Limitations

Assumptions:

 The customer will need to have at least one smoke alarm installed

 When children are not under adult supervision, they are assumed to be located in the room (i.e. bedroom) where a portion of the system is installed.

Limitations:

 The success of the system depends on the reliability of the smoke alarm.

 The smoke alarm and the system components must all be checked regularly to see if the batteries are charged, and they must be checked regularly for the low- battery light.

 The customer must understand that at some point during the fire, it will be impossible to prevent the system from succumbing to the fire.

 The child may not respond to the voice or light guidance.

 The system does not guarantee to save the child’s life.

 The lights must be visible in the smoke.

 There might not always be a safe route.

3  If there is a false alarm, the ECGS will react as though there were a real fire. This will provide the children a chance to practice exiting safely.

Design Requirements

Design Objectives

(Please refer to the figures in the technical design.)

Smoke alarm  Batteries: It is assumed that most smoke alarms require batteries for adequate power.

Alarm sensor  Batteries: It is assumed that the alarm sensor will require batteries for adequate power.

 Sound receiver (microphone): The alarm sensor’s receiver picks up any audible sound within range.

 Transmitter: A transmitter will send an analog signal to the central transmitter to activate.

Central transmitter  Batteries: It is assumed that the central transmitter will require batteries for adequate power.

 Signal receiver: The central transmitter’s receiver will pick up the analog signal sent by an alarm sensor.

 Signal transmitter: The central transmitter will transmit an analog signal to the touch lights, turning an appropriate path on. It will also send a radio signal to activate the appropriate voice recording.

 Logic: The logic will control the internal logic for selecting the correct message and route of exit.

 Recording device: This device will encompass the functions of a common recorder such as play, record, stop and erase messages. Users will be able to customize their own message in order to fit their needs.

Touch lights  Batteries: Batteries are needed to power each light.

4  Signal receiver: A signal receiver will be needed in every light to pick up the signal generated by the central transmitter.

 Speakers: Upon activation, the speakers will emit the recorded message.

 Light bulb: A small but bright bulb will light the casing of each touch light.

 Logic: Simple logic will control the recording device, light bulbs, speakers, and receivers.

Design Constraints

 Temperature: The ECGS must operate during a fire.

 Water: The system must be waterproof.

 Lightweight: The system must be able to stay mounted on the ceiling or wall.

 Durability: To withstand volatile fire conditions, the system must be durable.

 Power Loss: The system must be battery powered so that it will still operate under power outages.

 Location: The alarm sensor will need to be within a few inches of the smoke alarm. The touch lights should be mounted as close to the floor as possible, and approximately less than ten feet apart from each other.

Measurable Milestones

(GREATLY EXCEEDED, EXCEEDED, MET, ALMOST MET, TO BE MET, FAILED TO MEET)

 Learn the functions, operations, and features of the household smoke detector. EXCEEDED

 Research fire departments, smoke detector companies, child psychologists, and other knowledgeable sources. GREATLY EXCEEDED

 Finalize the design specifications. ALMOST MET

 Explore all microcontroller options to select the most suitable for the system. ALMOST MET

 Choose the most accommodating power source.

5 ALMOST MET  Assure compatibility of the interface of the microcontroller with the smoke detector. MET

 Write operating C program code for the microcontroller. TO BE MET

 Complete the design of the speakers and recordable device. TO BE MET

 Implement system components. TO BE MET

 Integrate system TO BE MET

 Test and re-evaluate the system. TO BE MET

 Debug and finalize the operation of the product. TO BE MET

 Document. TO BE MET

End Product Description

The end product for this project contains a system designed to guide a 2-8 year old child to safety during a household fire. The alarm sensor will be activated by the sound of the smoke alarm, and send a signal to the central transmitter. The central transmitter will activate the voice recording and send out signals to appropriate lights. The lighted arrows will then guide the child to safety.

The standard package is designed for one route and one smoke alarm. It includes one alarm sensor, one central transmitter, and twelve lights. Additional components will be available to modify the system for more escape routes and smoke alarms.

Approach and Design

Technical Approach

Before implementation, substantial information was gathered from professional sources such as, Fred Malven, Nevada’s Fire Chief; Mr. Oster, Ames fire-training center; a child psychologist, detector/alarm companies, and a potential customer to aid in the

6 development. These sources will provide input on the location, sound, and installation of the device.

The information gathered from these sources will be applied to the design and implementation of the child guidance system. Ideally, multiple smoke alarms and sensors can be implemented to choose the safe exit of a child. This involves the sensors triggering the central transmitter to activate different routes and voice recordings for the appropriate situation. In the ideal situation, the central transmitter will be capable of adding additional lights to the system.

Technical Design

(Please refer to Figure 1 for a picture of the technical design of the ECGS.)

Smoke alarms – The system will consist of the generic smoke alarms that people have in their houses and apartments. The smoke alarms will be used in order to activate the ECGS. The alarm sensors will pick up the sounds from the smoke alarms.

Alarm sensors – For every smoke alarm, there will be an alarm sensor. The purpose of the alarm sensor is to detect the noise from the smoke alarm. Then, the alarm sensor will send a signal to the central transmitter. If more than one smoke alarm is sounding, then all alarm sensors detecting smoke alarm sound will send signals to the central transmitter. The signals sent by each alarm sensor will be of the same frequency, but they will have a different “handshake” for the central transmitter to interpret.

Receiver – gets signal from smoke alarms Transmitter – sends signal to central transmitter

Figure 2 – Alarm sensor

Central transmitter –The central transmitter will receive the signals from the alarm sensors. Through the logic programmed in C, the central transmitter will be able to detect which smoke alarm was activated. Thus, it will be able to determine whether the child should follow the route that leads to the front door, the back door, or the window of the child’s bedroom. The appropriate message will hence be played in order to lead the child safely out of the house while avoiding the fire. All of the voice recording material will be located inside the central transmitter. Therefore, all personalized messages will be recorded on the device located within. Also, the central transmitter will send the proper signals to activate the lights and the personalized voice recording. Each light will have a receiver located within. The signal sent out by the central transmitter will have a different “handshake” for each light route. Thus, the correct route of lights will light up. Also, the

7 radio signal sent out by the central transmitter will allow the proper escape message to be played.

Voice recording equipment – allows user to customize message for exit route Logic – determines where fire is and which exit route to activate Transmitter – sends radio signal to activate correct voice recording

Transmitter – sends signal to the correct light path

Receiver – gets signal from the alarm Figure 3 – Central transmitter sensors

Lights – Each of the lights will contain a receiver in order to get the message sent from the central transmitter. Thus, the appropriate escape route will light up in order to guide the child to safety. The receivers in the light will be powered two ways. The first option is a battery only power source. The other is a rechargeable battery that would definitely be the more efficient option in the long run.

Rechargeable batteries Batteries – 2 AA batterie s Figure 4 – Battery powered light (rear view) Figure 5 – Rechargeable light (rear view)

Testing Description

 Smoke alarm o Test proper functionality – light a match to ensure the alarm sounds o Test power source – push the test button  Alarm sensors o Receive the smoke alarm sound – sound the smoke alarm using the test button o Transmission to the central transmitter – check to see the central transmitter received the signal o Test power source – check batteries on a regular basis  Central transmitter o Test reception from alarm sensors – check to see the central transmitter received the signal

8 o Test the logic of the sensors – place match at back door smoke alarm to see if route is lit to escape at front door o Transmission of the radio signal - listen to see if the correct message can be heard o Test power source – check batteries on a regular basis  Lights o Test power source – check batteries on a regular basis o Reception of the signal – check to see whether proper route of lights is lit

Risks and Risk Management

 Loss of team member – The rest of the team would have to work harder in order to make up for the loss.

 Slow or non-delivered parts – The team would contact the advisors and clients for assistance.

 Higher complexity than originally intended – The team would work with the advisors to simplify the project.

 Change of requirements – The team would have to remain flexible and adjust to the necessary changed.

 Reliability of vendor products – In the event of poor products, the team must re- order the products to get some that work properly.

Recommendation for Continued Work

The recommendation is to complete the prototype of the ideal version of the ECGS that includes smoke alarms, alarm sensors, central transmitter, battery-powered lights, and rechargeable lights.

Financial Budget

The estimated cost of the project can be seen below in Table 1. The costs are based on the amount each product will cost to be ordered, shipped, and delivered. This budget is just an estimate, however with more research and possible donations, hopefully some of the parts may be cheaper. After specifying the design, some of the parts that were originally required are no longer needed and some additional parts are now needed.

9 Table 1 – Financial Budget Item Original Estimated Cost Revised Estimated Cost

Poster $50.00 $36.00 Digital Voice Recorder $20.00 $9.99 (20 s) Timer Chip n/a $1.39 Jumbo LED n/a $2.39 AA Battery Pack (holds 4) $5.00 $4.17 use 3 Wires and Circuitry $20.00 $10.00 Push Lights $21.00 $10.00 Batteries n/a $10.00 Receiver Chip n/a $10.00 Transmitter Chip n/a $10.00 Casing $10.00 $30.00 Labor $0.00 $0.00 Speaker System $30.00 n/a

Total Projected Cost $156.00 $133.94

Personnel Effort Budget

The amount of effort that each team member will put into the project is estimated below in Table 2. Team members will put emphases on each part of the project, depending on their areas of specialty. For instance, some team members will be doing more programming, and some will be doing more chip building.

Table 2 – Estimated Personnel Effort Budget Team Member Meetings Research Poster Design Design of Unit Implementation Total Per Person

Abbey Arends 60 15 2 5 12 94 Karen James 65 20 3 7 15 110 Lisa DeLashmutt 65 20 3 8 13 109 Chris Bloomquist 65 15 3 7 12 102 Angela Nystrom 65 20 2 8 12 107 Total Per Item 320 90 13 35 64

Grand Total 522

Some of the work has now been completed and appropriate changes have been made. The updated version of the estimated time can be seen in Table 3.

10 Table 3 – Revised Personnel Effort Budget Team Member Meetings Research Poster Project Design Implementation Total Design Papers of Unit

Abbey Arends 65 20 3 16 7 12 123 Karen James 65 15 3 4 8 15 110 Lisa DeLashmutt 65 20 3 16 7 13 124 Chris Bloomquist 65 20 15 8 8 12 128 Angela Nystrom 65 20 10 3 7 12 117

Total Per Item 325 95 34 47 37 64

Grand Total 602

Project Schedule

The Gantt chart (Figure 6) displays the schedule of the project over the course of two semesters, starting in September and going through May. The chart shows the major milestones. The project plan milestone was completed on September 24, 2000. The next milestone, the project poster, was completed on October 29, 2000. The design document was completed on November 28, 2000. The next major milestone is the implementation of the project design. It will be completed by March 25, 2001. Next, the final report will be compiled by April 15, 2001. Finally, the oral report presentation will be given to the class and the client by May 1, 2001.

11 Figure 6 – Project Schedule

CLOSURE MATERIAL

Project Team Information

Team Members:

Angela Nystrom Lisa DeLashmutt 1123 N. 3rd Street 425 Welch Avenue Apt #106 Ames, IA 50010 Ames, IA 50014 292-8033 268-1581 [email protected] [email protected] EE CprE

12 Abbey Arends Karen James 614 Billy Sunday Road Apt #103 1300 Gateway Hills Apt #110 Ames, IA 50010 Ames, IA 50014 233-5318 292-8167 [email protected] [email protected] CprE CprE

Christopher Bloomquist 258 N Hyland Apt #17 Ames, IA 50014 292-3611 [email protected] CprE

Client and Faculty Advisors:

Dr. John W. Lamont Dr. Ralph Patterson III Iowa State University Iowa State University 324 Town Engineering 326 Town Engineering Ames, IA 50011-3230 Ames, IA 50011-3230 294-3600 294-2428 Fax: 294-6760 Fax: 294-6760 [email protected] [email protected]

Summary

This emergency child guidance system will help save the lives of children during a household fire. This design will keep children calm while directing them to safety. It will incorporate a familiar voice aiding the safe exit of the child from the house.

References

 Fred Malven, Nevada’s Fire Chief

 Mr. Oster, Ames fire-training center