Product

FireSight

FireSight

FireSight

DATE

March - May 2022

abstract project cover
abstract project cover
abstract project cover

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.

project visual 1
project visual 1
project visual 1

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.

project visual 3
project visual 3
project visual 3
project visual 3
project visual 3
project visual 3

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.

2D mapping

Creates a floor plan in real time using tracker data

2D mapping

Creates a floor plan in real time using tracker data

2D mapping

Creates a floor plan in real time using tracker data


Temperature sensing

Detects temp increases when wearer is near the fire

Temperature sensing

Detects temp increases when wearer is near the fire

Temperature sensing

Detects temp increases when wearer is near the fire


Orientation display

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

Orientation display

Head-up AR display shows the wearer’s own location

on the map

project visual 4
project visual 4
project visual 4

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.

project visual 4

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:

project visual 4
project visual 4
project visual 4

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.

project visual 4
project visual 4
project visual 4

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

project visual 4
project visual 4
project visual 4


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.