Emergency Child Guidance SystemEmergency Child Guidance SystemEmergency Child Guidance SystemEmergency Child Guidance System

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.

General Background• 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

Team Members (May01-03) Client / Advisors Project WebsiteAbbey Arends CprE

Christopher Bloomquist CprE

Lisa DeLashmutt CprE

Karen James CprE

Angela Nystrom EE

Dr. John Lamont

Dr. Ralph Patterson III

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

Operating EnvironmentThe components will need to operate under:• Extreme heat• Water

Intended Users and UsesThe 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.

Assumptions and LimitationsIn order for the product to function properly:

Design Objectives

Functional Requirements

Design Constraints

Total Projected Hours: 522 Total Projected Budget: $130

Abstract

Introduction

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.

Design Requirements

End Product Description

Testing Approach

Effort and Financial Budgets

Project Information

1) Smoke Detected:Smoke detector is triggered and sends a signal to activate the Emergency Child Guidance System (ECGS).

3) Lights & Sounds: Touch lights receive a signal from the ECGS to turn on and play a message to direct the child to safety.

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.

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.

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.

• 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

• 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

•Battery-powered transmitter mounted on the ceiling•Recording device allows user to record a customized message•Speakers emit the parent’s recorded message

•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

Measurable Milestones

• Power loss

• Explosions

• Smoke detector’s signal will activate the transmitter which controls the rest of the system

• Recording plays through speakers mounted in the lights

http://seniord.ee.iastate.edu/may0103

AcknowledgementsSpecial thanks to the 2nd shift of the

Ames Fire Department for all their help.