Author Topic: Pulsating Lights Evacuation  (Read 4472 times)

Offline Tom W

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Pulsating Lights Evacuation
« on: June 30, 2008, 09:11:47 AM »
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7480234.stm

The death of three people in a hotel fire in Cornwall inspired a university student in Newcastle to develop a potentially life-saving escape system.

Northumbria University product design student Anton Bowness, from Kirkland in Cumbria, is to show the system at a major exhibition in London next month.

The 22-year-old's design uses pulsating lights to guide guests to safety.

He spoke to those caught up in the Penhallow Hotel fire in 2007 as part of his research.

In the event of a fire, hotel guests would follow the direction of pulsating red lights.

These lights guide them towards green pulsating lights which indicate that guests are approaching the nearest fire exit and safety.

'Prove vital'

Mr Bowness said: "I was inspired by the possibility of saving lives and although hotel fires are relatively rare, the fire in Cornwall last year illustrates just how important it is for you to take notice of your new surroundings.

"I tested the device at the Merchant Navy Fire Training Centre in South Shields and used an infra red camera to film two different scenarios.

"In the first test, there were no lights available to guide people to safety and it took six minutes for them to evacuate the building.

"In the second scenario the lights on my device were activated and it took just one minute for a full evacuation. That five minutes could prove vital in a real life situation."

The device is to go on show at the Business Design Centre in London next month.

Any Thoughts? Im not too sure about following red lights to find an exit, red = danger for most people surely?

Offline Galeon

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Pulsating Lights Evacuation
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2008, 10:51:23 AM »
Good , anything that could save lives in certain scenarios cant be knocked , just invite  the 2 pilots who tried to land on the A40 near the place.
Its time to make a counter attack !

Offline wee brian

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Pulsating Lights Evacuation
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2008, 12:16:36 PM »
Nothing new here. Wayfinding systems have been around for years.

He tested it against a building with no lights. It would have been more impressive if he showed some benefit in abuilding that complied with normal standards for lighting.

Midland Retty

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Pulsating Lights Evacuation
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2008, 12:38:42 PM »
Yes wayfinding lights have been around for sometime - i understand they are quite costly to install?

messy

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Pulsating Lights Evacuation
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2008, 03:16:55 PM »
I am unsure about this expensive system, but I have never understood why flashing green beacons are not used adjacent to final exit doors in the more complicated/crowded buildings.

Take Ikea stores. How confusing are they at the best of times? Or John Lewis dept stores with their corporate green colour (on signs everywhere) almost overshadowing the standard fire exit signage.

A  flashing green strobe would highlight exit routes in these circumstances. OK, I know that it's possible, but has anyone seen such a system?

Offline wee brian

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Pulsating Lights Evacuation
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2008, 04:41:40 PM »
Yup - I've done it in a building that was full of stuff (lights etc) that made things confusing - the exits had a strobe next to them triggered by the alarm - its all readily available technology.

I wouldnt impose it on everybuilding but its another tool to use when things get a bit difficult.