Abstract: In fire emergencies, timely communication with on-site coordinators and accurate localization of first responders facilitates effective task assignment and resource allocation in harsh, low-visibility environments. Building information modeling (BIM) is widely accepted in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries as a central repository of building information. It could provide both the geometric building data and semantic information; however, the convenient linkage and integration with indoor location technologies for emergency purposes have not been addressed according to the authors’ knowledge.
A stand-alone BIM-based indoor location (BIMIL) framework and portal were designed and tested to enable the automatic extraction, transformation, and visualization of BIM-related data for public safety purposes in this study. Based on current information technology, this research reduces the gap in cross-application by supporting indoor location to overcome the primary shortcoming of existing indoor building models. Eliminating the need for specific software and skill in data processing, this portal will support on-site coordinators’ importation of BIM files, allowing them to convert those files into processed and visualized indoor information containing key yet simplified geometric building data and essential emergency-related information such as fire rating hours, egresses, and hazardous materials. Additionally, the indoor location data can be integrated into a generalized 3D building model to support decision-making activities and management tasks in the field.
The Illumination Engineering Societyis one of the first names in standards-setting organizations with a catalog routinely referenced in design guidelines and construction projects. Because of the money flow into illumination technologies worldwide the IES occupies a domain that is relatively crowded:
National Electrical Manufacturers and Medical Imaging Association; whose interest lies in leveling the playing field for about 300 electrical equipment manufacturers
Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers; whose interest lies in the research activity in seeing sciences, the luminescence sources and the power chain
American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers; whose interest lies in energy conservation
National Fire Protection Association; whose interest lies in fire safety of lighting systems within building premises.
International Code Council; whose interest lies in pulling together all of the relevant standards for lighting egress paths of the built environment
International Electrotechnical Commission; whose interest lies in the administration of global electrical and electronic technologies
International Commission on Illumination; the international authority on light, illumination, colour, and colour spaces
There are others. With illumination power requirement on a downward trajectory where footcandles can be driven at information & communication technology voltage and current levels; we find relatively new entrants into the market with deep pockets and for good reason. In a typical building, the interior lighting load is the major electrical load (on the order of 40 percent) and a major contributor to the functionality of the building. There are a number of other trade associations that are participants in research and open source standards for faster moving parts of the illumination science. We will cover these in future, related posts.
Last year a new standardization project was launched by the IES. From the project prospectus:
IES LP-2-201x, Designing Quality Lighting for People in Outdoor Environments (new standard)
Project Need: This document is not intended to supersede existing IES application RPs, rather it will link the various documents together, augmenting them in subject areas not otherwise covered, including but not limited to sidewalks, bikepaths, pedestrian paths, parks, outdoor malls, pedestrian-only business districts, plazas, amphitheaters, large outdoor gathering areas, campuses, pedestrian bridges, and pedestrian underpasses.
Stakeholders: Lighting practitioners, electrical engineers, civic planners, civil engineers, architects, community-based planning groups, general public. Lighting recommendations for non-vehicular pedestrian applications using recommendations beyond illuminance only, which ultimately fails to provide a complete guideline for the visual experience of pedestrian-based tasks. The RP will be a comprehensive approach for light levels, glare, adaptation, spectrum, and contrast while addressing safety, timing, and perceived security. Application of these recommendations will ultimately enhance the pedestrian’s visual experience while also respecting the environment.
Soon to be released, a related product covering technical specifics of a familiar battleground — lighting controls:
The consultation closed May 24th and the agenda of the committee writing this standard is being administered. Very often technical committees are receptive to new ideas after a comment deadline if those ideas are submitted to a committee member directly. We invite anyone with an interest in this topic to click in to any of our daily colloquia to begin that process.
Not far into the future: individually controlled luminaires responsive to the use of campus pathways. There are already some pilot projects on higher education campuses.
A few other technical committees relevant to educational communities should be identified, though we will sort through the standards setting activity in separate posts:
We always encourage direct participation by space planners, workpoint experts and academic unit facility managers in IES standards development process. Contact: Patricia McGillicuddy, (917) 913-0027, pmcgillicuddy@ies.org. 120 Wall Street, Floor 17, New York, NY.
We coordinate most of our electrotechnology standards advocacy with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee which meets 4 times monthly in European and American time zones. Its meeting agendas and login credentials are available on its website. Since illumination technologies are present in all spaces in education communities, IES consensus products will appear on the standing agenda of most disciplines. See our CALENDAR.
Dynamic exit signs are a type of emergency exit signage that uses active illumination and changes in light to draw attention to the nearest exit in case of an emergency. Unlike traditional exit signs that use static or passive lighting to indicate exit locations, dynamic exit signs incorporate lighting systems that respond to specific environmental conditions or power outages, which can help to guide people to safety more efficiently.
There are several types of dynamic exit signs, including:
Photoluminescent exit signs: These signs absorb and store light energy from ambient sources, such as room lighting or sunlight, and then glow brightly in the dark when the power goes out.
LED exit signs: These signs use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to create animated or flashing signs that can better catch people’s attention.
Electroluminescent exit signs: These signs use electrically charged phosphors to produce a bright, uniform light source that can be more visible in low-light or smoke-filled environments.
Overall, dynamic exit signs are designed to enhance visibility and guide people to safety during an emergency, and they can be an important part of an overall emergency preparedness plan.
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Moneeb Gohar & Murad Khan & Awais Ahmad – Kyungpook National University
Syed Hassan Ahmed – University of Central Florida
Nadra Guizani – Purdue University
Abstract. The SK Telecom Company of South Korea recently introduced the concept of IoST to its business model. The company deployed IoST, which constantly generates data via the LoRa wireless platform. The increase in data rates generated by IoST is escalating exponentially. After attempting to analyze and store the massive volume of IoST data using existing tools and technologies, the South Korean company realized the shortcomings immediately.
The current article addresses some of the issues and presents a big data analytics architecture for its IoST. A system developed using the proposed architecture will be able to analyze and store IoST data efficiently while enabling better decisions. The proposed architecture is composed of four layers, namely the small things layer, infrastructure layer, platform layer, and application layer. Finally, a detailed analysis of a big data implementation of the IoST used to track humidity and temperature via Hadoop is presented as a proof of concept.
Information and communications technology (ICT) is a fast-moving economic space in which a mix of consensus, consortia and open-source standards form the broad contours of leading practice. ICT standards tend to follow international developments — more so than, say, fire safety standards which are more familiar to education facility leadership. All school districts, colleges, universities and university-affiliated health care systems have significant product, system, firmware and labor resources allocated toward ICT.
The Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) is a professional association supporting the advancement of the ICT community in all markets. This community is roughly divided between experts who deal with “outside-plant” systems and “building premise” systems on either side of the ICT demarcation (or Point-of-Presence). BICSI standards cover the wired and wireless spectrum of voice, data, electronic safety & security, project management and audio & video technologies. Its work is divided among several committees as shown in the landing page of its standards setting enterprise, linked below:
The stars on the map above indicate where BICSI Standards are currently in use (CLICK ON IMAGE).
Education communities are stewards of significant information and communication technology infrastructure. Accordingly, we track the development of BICSI 009 Data Center Operations and Maintenance Best Practices. This title provides requirements, recommendations, and best practices for the operation and maintenance of data centers including but not limited to standard operating procedures, emergency operating procedures, maintenance, governance, and management. Those comments are now being integrated into a revised standard to be released as soon as the restrictions of the pandemic are eased. For more information you may communicate directly with Jeff Silveira (jSilveira@bicsi.org)
As of this posting, all BICSI best practice titles are stable and current; though our recent communication with its leadership indicates that BICSI standards setting has been slowed by the pandemic.
A fair amount of content in BICSI standards are inspired by movement in safety concepts of the National Electrical Code; particularly on matters involving wiring, grounding and lightning protection. We maintain all BICSI best practice titles on the standing agenda of our Infotech 200 teleconference. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to the public. On this topic we collaborate with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee meets four times monthly in European and American time zones; also open to the public.
Did you know BICSI offers a complete library of our award winning technical manuals and published standards? Available in print or electronic download, this set is a perfect resource for your company. Learn more: https://t.co/fzBA8hqve9pic.twitter.com/y9duVe0fCG
“A Prairie Home Companion” is a famous radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show was known for its mix of humor, music, and storytelling and was broadcast from various venues across the United States. The show often featured live performances and music from various artists and was a cultural staple, particularly in the Midwest.
While Garrison Keillor is best known for his association with “A Prairie Home Companion,” his ties to Macalester College are an important part of his personal and professional history. His experiences at Macalester likely influenced his career in radio and entertainment, and the college takes pride in his achievements as an alumnus.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
