Product
FireSight
FireSight
FireSight
DATE
March - May 2022
The Task.
The Task.
The Task.
This project was assigned
in a Human Factors Product
Design course. Teams paired with sponsors to bring their design needs to life.
This project was assigned
in a Human Factors Product
Design course. Teams paired with sponsors to bring their design needs to life.
This project was assigned in a Human Factors Product
Design course. Teams paired with sponsors to bring their design needs to life.
The Client.
The Client.
The Client.
Our clients were a firefighter-turned-entrepreneur and
the CEO of a software development company.
Our clients were a firefighter-turned-entrepreneur and the CEO of a software development company.
Our clients were a firefighter-turned-entrepreneur and
the CEO of a software development company.
The Team.
The Team.
The Team.
Our team consisted of four members with expertise in human factors engineering, mechanical engineering, design, and computer science.
Our team consisted of four members with expertise in human factors engineering, mechanical engineering, design, and computer science.
Our team consisted of four members with expertise in human factors engineering, mechanical engineering, design, and computer science.
The Problem.
The Problem.
The Problem.
In the U.S. alone, there are about 358,500 house fires every year.
Residential fires make up one-quarter of all fires, but account for three-quarters of all fire-related deaths and injuries. They also cause over $7 billion in property damage annually.
Firefighters work day and night to help get these numbers down. But who's helping them? I'm glad you asked.
WE are.
In the U.S. alone, there are about 358,500 house fires every year.
Residential fires make up one-quarter of all fires, but account for three-quarters of all fire-related deaths and injuries.
They also cause over $7 billion in property damage annually.
Firefighters work day and night to help get these numbers down. But who's helping them? I'm glad you asked.
WE are.
In the U.S. alone, there are about 358,500 house fires every year.
Residential fires make up one-quarter of all fires, but account for three-quarters of all fire-related deaths and injuries. They also cause over $7 billion in property damage annually.
Firefighters work day and night to help get these numbers down. But who's helping them? I'm glad you asked.
WE are.
User Research.
User Research.
User Research.
We spoke to six firefighters, ranging from rookies to 25-year veterans. We wanted to understand the routines, protocols, and challenges they face on the job. We noted some consistencies across the interviews.
1.
Information gathering
Where the fire is located, the layout of the house, if there are victims, etc.
2.
Victim rescue
Once they've assessed the situation, the most important thing is extracting any trapped
or injured residents
3.
Property preservation
The ultimate goal is to extinguish the flames
and save as much of the house and
property as possible
Priorities
1.
Lack of manpower
Many fire departments are severely understaffed, especially in rural areas
2.
Navigating the house
Unlike commercial buildings, most residences do not have blueprints on record for
them to reference
3.
Visibility in smoke
Smoke from house fires is often so thick
that a firefighter can't even see their
own hand in front of them
4.
Weight of personal gear
Firefighters typically wear 45-80lbs
(20-36kg) of gear into a fire
Pain Points
We put together a behavioral task analysis of the protocol for responding to a call in order to learn how our product could fit into the process.
1.
Information gathering
Where the fire is located, the
layout of the house, if there
are victims, etc.
Priorities
2.
Victim rescue
Once they've assessed the situation, the most important thing is extracting any trapped
or injured residents
3.
Property preservation
The ultimate goal is to extinguish the flames and
save as much of the house and property as possible
We put together a behavioral task analysis of the protocol for responding to a call in order to learn how our product could fit into the process.
1.
Information gathering
Where the fire is located, the layout of the house, if there are victims, etc.
Priorities
2.
Victim rescue
Once they've assessed the situation, the most important thing is extracting any trapped or injured residents
3.
Property preservation
The ultimate goal is to extinguish the flames and save as much of the house and property as possible
We put together a behavioral task analysis of the protocol for responding to a call in order to learn how our product could fit into the process.
1.
Information gathering
Where the fire is located, the layout of the house, if there are victims, etc.
Priorities
2.
Victim rescue
Once they've assessed the situation, the most important thing is extracting any trapped
or injured residents
3.
Property preservation
The ultimate goal is to extinguish the flames and save as much of the house and property as possible
1.
Lack of manpower
Many fire departments are severely understaffed, especially in rural areas
1.
Lack of manpower
Many fire departments are severely understaffed, especially in rural areas
Pain Points
2.
Navigating the house
Unlike commercial buildings, most residences do not have blueprints on record for
them to reference
2.
Navigating the house
Unlike commercial buildings, most residences do not have blueprints on record for them to reference
3.
Visibility in smoke
Smoke from house fires is often so thick that a firefighter can't even see their own hand in front of them
3.
Visibility in smoke
Smoke from house fires is often so thick that a firefighter can't even see their own hand in front of them
4.
Weight of gear
Firefighters typically wear 45-80lbs (20-36kg) of gear into a fire
4.
Weight of gear
Firefighters typically wear 45-80lbs
(20-36kg) of gear into a fire
2.
Navigating the house
Unlike commercial buildings, most residences do not have blueprints on record for them to reference
1.
Lack of manpower
Many fire departments are severely understaffed, especially in rural areas
Pain Points
3.
Visibility in smoke
Smoke from house fires is often so thick that a firefighter can't even see their own hand in front of them
4.
Weight of gear
Firefighters typically wear 45-80lbs (20-36kg) of gear into a fire
We put together a behavioral task analysis of the protocol for responding to a call in order to learn how our product could fit into the process.
We put together a behavioral task analysis of the protocol for responding to a call in order to learn how our product could fit into the process.
We put together a behavioral task analysis of the protocol for responding to a call in order to learn how our product could fit into the process.
Target intervention area: Interior perimeter search
Target intervention area: Interior perimeter search
Target intervention area: Interior perimeter search
1.
One firefighter enters the building
One firefighter enters the building
2.
If visibility is low, they put their right hand on the right wall
3.
They walk or crawl along, keeping their hand on the wall and following until they get back to their starting point (this ensures they cover the entire floor without getting lost)
4.
As they go, they stop and use the radio to convey information to the team outside
2.
1.
If visibility is low, they put their right hand on the right wall
One firefighter enters the building
2.
If visibility is low, they put their right hand on the right wall
3.
They walk or crawl along, keeping their hand on the wall and following until they get back to their starting point (this ensures they cover the entire floor without getting lost)
4.
As they go, they stop and use the radio to convey information to the team outside
The Process.
The Process.
The Process.
The Result.
The Result.
The Result.
FireSight is a low cost wearable wristband device for use during the interior perimeter search.
The device is a location tracker the size of a wristwatch and works in conjunction with temperature sensors wired into the firefighting suits and an in-helmet augmented reality (AR) display.
FireSight is a low cost wearable wristband device for use during the interior perimeter search.
The device is a location tracker the size of a wristwatch and works in conjunction with temperature sensors wired into the firefighting suits and an in-helmet augmented reality (AR) display.
FireSight is a low cost wearable wristband device for use during the interior perimeter search.
The device is a location tracker the size of a wristwatch and works in conjunction with temperature sensors wired into the firefighting suits and an in-helmet augmented reality (AR) display.
Creates a floor plan in real time using tracker data
2D mapping
Creates a floor plan in real time using tracker data
Detects temp increases when wearer is near the fire
Temperature sensing
Detects temp increases when wearer is near the fire
Head-up AR display shows one’s own location on the map
Orientation display
Head-up AR display shows one’s own location on the map
2D mapping
During the initial walk around the building, the fire marshal will have dropped two readers, each about the size of a briefcase, at arbitrary locations. One of our interviewees, a current marshal, confirmed that it would be easy for them to do this. The readers pick up signals from the FireSight wristband and relay them to the truck.
2D mapping
During the initial walk around the building, the fire marshal will have dropped two readers, each about the size of a briefcase, at arbitrary locations. One of our interviewees, a current marshal, confirmed it would be easy for them to do this.
2D mapping
During the initial walk around the building, the fire marshal will have dropped two readers, each about the size of a briefcase, at arbitrary locations outside the building. One of our interviewees, a current marshal, confirmed that it would be easy for them to do this. The readers pick up signals from the FireSight wristband and relay them to the truck.
The FireSight wristband uses ultra-wideband technology to transmit location data 1x per second. As the wearer moves around the house for the interior perimeter search, the data points are plotted, effectively creating an outline of the house's layout.
It'll look something like this:
The FireSight wristband uses ultra-wideband technology to transmit location data 1x per second. As the wearer moves around the house for the interior perimeter search, the data points are plotted, effectively creating an outline of the house's layout.
It'll look something like this:
The FireSight wristband uses ultra-wideband technology to transmit location data 1x per second. As the wearer moves around the house for the interior perimeter search, the data points are plotted, effectively creating an outline of the house's layout.
It'll look something like this:
Works indoors
Unlike GPS, UWB is minimally affected by physical barriers
Works indoors
Unlike GPS, UWB is minimally affected by physical barriers
Works indoors
Unlike GPS, UWB is minimally affected by physical barriers
Highly accurate
Location is accurate up to 10 cm. The next best option—RFID—has an accuracy of 10 ft
Highly accurate
Location is accurate up to 10 cm. The next best option—RFID—has an accuracy of 10 ft
Highly accurate
Location is accurate up to 10 cm. The next best option—RFID—has an accuracy of 10 ft
Long battery life
At a blink rate of once per second, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, the battery will last 7 years, no charging needed
Long battery life
At a blink rate of once per second, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, the battery will last 7 years, no charging needed
Long battery life
At a blink rate of once per second, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, the battery will last 7 years, no charging needed
Off the grid
With some modifications, UWB can work without satellite, cell signal, or WiFi
Off the grid
With some modifications, UWB can work without satellite, cell signal, or WiFi
Off the grid
With some modifications, UWB can work without satellite, cell signal, or WiFi
Temperature sensing
The FireSight system connects to a K-type thermocouple sensor in the shoulder of each fireproof suit.
Temperature sensing
The FireSight system connects to a K-type thermocouple sensor in the shoulder of each fireproof suit.
Temperature sensing
The FireSight system connects to a K-type thermocouple sensor in the shoulder of each fireproof suit.
Reads temperatures from 0 to 1260°C (32 to 2300°F).
Measurements are transmitted via UWB and are used to populate the 2D map.
Detects flashover conditions.
A flashover is when the temperature in a room jumps to around 600°C (1100°F) and everything simultaneously ignites within a few seconds. It is almost impossible to survive. FireSight detects the rapid influx and alerts the wearer on their orientation display.
Reads temperatures from 0 to 1260°C (32 to 2300°F).
Measurements are transmitted via UWB and are used to populate the 2D map.
Detects flashover conditions.
A flashover is when the temperature in a room jumps to around 600°C (1100°F) and everything simultaneously ignites within a few seconds. It is almost impossible to survive. FireSight detects the rapid influx and alerts the wearer on their orientation display.
Reads temperatures from 0 to 1260°C (32 to 2300°F).
Measurements are transmitted via UWB and are used to populate the 2D map.
Detects flashover conditions.
A flashover is when the temperature in a room jumps to around 600°C (1100°F) and everything simultaneously ignites within a few seconds. It is almost impossible to survive. FireSight detects the rapid influx and alerts the wearer on their orientation display.
Orientation display
Orientation display
Orientation display
In-helmet augmented reality displays are starting to be used in firefighting to show thermal imaging.
FireSight uses the display to show the 2D map with a live beacon showing the wearer's location. This is also where flashover alerts are displayed.
In-helmet augmented reality displays are starting to be used in firefighting to show thermal imaging.
FireSight uses the display to show the 2D map with a live beacon showing the wearer's location. This is also where flashover alerts are displayed.
In-helmet augmented reality displays are starting to be used in firefighting to show thermal imaging.
FireSight uses the display to show the 2D map with a live beacon showing the wearer's location. This is also where flashover alerts are displayed.