Fireground location understanding by semantic linking of visual objects and building information models

Abstract

This paper presents an outline for improved localization and situational awareness in fire emergency situations based on semantic technology and computer vision techniques. The novelty of our methodology lies in the semantic linking of video object recognition results from visual and thermal cameras with Building Information Models (BIM). The current limitations and possibilities of certain building information streams in the context of fire safety or fire incident management are addressed in this paper. Furthermore, our data management tools match higher-level semantic metadata descriptors of BIM and deep-learning based visual object recognition and classification networks. Based on these matches, estimations can be generated of camera, objects and event positions in the BIM model, transforming it from a static source of information into a rich, dynamic data provider. Previous work has already investigated the possibilities to link BIM and lowcost point sensors for fireground understanding, but these approaches did not take into account the benefits of video analysis and recent developments in semantics and feature learning research. Finally, the strengths of the proposed approach compared to the state-of-the-art is its (semi-)automatic workflow, generic and modular setup and multi-modal strategy, which allows to automatically create situational awareness, to improve localization and to facilitate the overall fire understanding.

Recognizing the effective factors in managing fire incidents to reduce the collateral damages and casualties

“…The use of routing networks at the time of the accident is used to reduce storage costs for reducing computation time (Boguslawski et al , 2016). According to Vandecasteele et al (2017), the factor of guiding and leading evacuation groups while preventing the interference of the activities of different groups increases the speed of operations and saves the accident time. Guiding and leading different groups at the time of the accident to evacuate and control operations using different information has been introduced as an important and effective factor in performance management of different groups and time optimization.…”

“…Precise locating in the building, being aware of the building’s details, setting up a control center out of the building and identifying the energy sources are other success factors in critical success in preparing and improving the evacuation planning (Li et al , 2014). Also, according to the model proposed by Vandecasteele et al (2017), critical data are used for decision-making during an incident. Based on this model, factors such as quick decision-making, locating the point of origin, number and the location of casualties, the type of the building’s structure, the type of the materials in the building, identifying evacuation paths, amount of heat, carbon monoxide density in the air, using technology and architectural obstacles in the building, are known as success factors in firefighting strategies during a fire incident.…”

“…Different criteria were recognized to improve event operation management based on literature review and to improve event operation management and decrease casualties and financial losses. according to (Boguslawski et al , 2016; Vandecasteele et al , 2017; Zverovich et al , 2017) One of the recognized criterion for success in saving time, and therefore decreasing casualties is “upgrading and improving decision-making speed” during an emergency event. In addition, according to Kang et al (2016), Rüppel and Schatz (2011), Chou et al (2019), Noorzai and Golabchi (2020), Noorzai et al (2020), Noorzai (2020), Gharouni Jafari et al (2014) and Cocking et al (2009) “safety” is an important factor in operation management improvement.…”

“…Identifying more factors leads to increased safety in evacuation planning (Mirahadi et al , 2019; Boguslawski et al , 2016) and avoiding a reduction in the effectiveness of rescue forces, to prevent being confronted with casualties from the incident (Soltaninejad et al , 2020). Effective incident management starts with good preparation (Vandecasteele et al , 2017). In these types of incidents, the main challenge is assisting rescue forces in evacuation planning (Boguslawski et al , 2016).…”

BIM and IoT for the AEC Industry: A systematic literature mapping

“…Previous studies have focused on the identification of BIM and IoT technologies applicable to FM industry processes, describing suitable devices, tools and software for data collection, storage and sharing (Fialho, Codinhoto, & Fabricio, 2019;Ye, Yin, Tang, & Jiang, 2018), as well as fields of application of their combined solutions (e.g. Construction, Operations and Maintenance) (Kensek & Kahn, 2013;Pärn & Edwards, 2017;Ramprasad et al, 2018;Vandecasteele, Merci, & Verstockt, 2017). Nevertheless, the literature still lacks discussions regarding the broad implementation BIM and IoT-based systems in the AEC industry.…”