AU2002301892B2

AU2002301892B2 - Evacuation Indicator Plate

Info

Publication number: AU2002301892B2
Application number: AU2002301892A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jeffrey Ian Hornby; Debra Sundstrom
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-12
Filing date: 2002-11-04
Publication date: 2006-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-04

Description

P:\WPDOCS\CABSpac09 Ocoba1218887IAU20023018923rdSPA-mded pagmsdoc-20/02/06 1- INDICATING DEVICE AND SYSTEM The present invention relates generally to indicating devices and more particularly Snot exclusively indicating devices for use at sites such as work places, the device being oO 5 adapted to indicate whether in an emergency situation an area of the site has been evacuated.

(Ni When an emergency such as a fire occurs in a work place, people are often evacuated from the work place, for marshalling and assembly at a selected location for roll call.

If a person is not present at the roll call and the work place is large, much time can be wasted by emergency services or other authorised personnel in locating the person.

Each area must generally be systematically and thoroughly searched.

In an emergency, there may not be time to perform this thorough search as the work place may be burning, filled with smoke, and/or in danger of collapse.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an evacuation indication apparatus including a plurality of individually operable indicating devices, each indicating device being suitable for indicating whether the region with which it is associated has been evacuated and includes: a plurality of indicating zones; at least one cover for covering a selected one of the indicating zones; the cover being adapted to move between indicating zones to cover that indicating zone which is not applicable for a given situation, the cover simultaneously revealing the indicating zone which is applicable for a given situation, each indicating device further being associated with a region of a site so that an evacuation status of each region is indicated by the indicating devices, wherein the or each indicating device is mounted adjacent the region with which it is associated, so P:\WPDOCS\CAB\Spm\19 O:obf 1218887I AU20023018923rdSPA 3 dod ps.doc-2OO12/06 -1A-

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Sthat, during a search, an authorised person may prioritise the search by regions by making reference to the or each device.

c Preferably each indicating device corresponds with an area within the work place, 0 0 5 such as for example an office, a room or a canteen and the like.

P\WPDOCS\LMR\L Mijto\Spcci dcnioaS\12188871 spic.dm-17 D-ba, 2003 -2- Preferably the indicating device has two indicating sections. In one embodiment a first indicating section indicates that the corresponding area has not been evacuated, and a second indicating section indicates that the corresponding area has been evacuated. The advantages of these indicating portions are that search and rescue efforts can be quickly concentrated in areas where search and rescue resources are required.

In one preferred embodiment the first indicating section is red in colour preferably with a reflective element or elements. Furthermore in this embodiment, the second indicating section is green in colour, also preferably reflective, which may further include superimposed upon it, the word "EVACUATED".

Preferably the cover is approximately the same dimensions as each indicating section.

The cover may be moved between indicating sections by any suitable means, such as for example hinging, or removal and replacement, however in a preferred embodiment the movement is a sliding movement.

Preferably, a housing is provided to house the indicating sections and cover. In a preferred embodiment the housing is in the form of a shallow channel. The channel is preferably extruded from aluminium.

Preferably the channel includes retention means which are adapted to hold an item captive. In one preferred embodiment the retention means are in the form of arms which retain the cover, the arms operatively connected to the channel side arms and extending parallel to the channel base.

Preferably further retaining means are provided in order to ensure the cover is retained within the housing. In one embodiment the further retaining means are in the form of stops at first and second ends of the housing. In one preferred embodiment the P:\WPDOCS\CABSpc\Homby Sundgrom90cbobl2188871 AU2002301892 2dSPA.d.-9/ID/05 -3- O stops are in the form of tile elements adapted to fit within the housing and retained by the retaining means (arms of the channel).

NIn preferred embodiments the further retaining means have identification regions 00 5 which provide information regarding the area to which the device corresponds. In example embodiments, the information may include level of building, room number, the nearest N exit, and the like.

A detent and/or locking means may be provided which provides a retaining portion for the cover, so that accidental or wilful unauthorised sliding of the cover can be minimised. A simple key portion may be used to release the lock.

Advantageously, the device and system can reduce search and rescue resources required in emergencies, as all occupants of a particular site, whether visitors or regular attendees, may be removed from dangerous areas and those areas quickly indicated as evacuated by the device. When fire wardens or rescue workers are passing through a building or site, those people may use the invention to prioritise areas of search investigating the areas which are showing on the indicator as not evacuated before investigating the other areas if a person is still not accounted for.

P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lcsta MiiIa\Spmificatis\8l2l8871 spacicdc-17 D-ba, 2003 -4- In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating example embodiments are attached, and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation view of an indicating device according to the present invention with a cover in a position such that a first indicating area is exposed, showing that the area is not evacuated; Figure 2 is a front elevation view of an indicating device shown in Figure 1, with a cover in a position such that a second indicating area is exposed, showing that the area is evacuated; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an end view of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings there is shown an indicating device generally indicated at the device including a housing 12 in the form of a channel 14 having a base 16 and opposed side walls 18, 20 and retaining means 22 in the form of inwardly extending arms 24, 26 operatively connected to the opposed side walls 18, 20 and extending generally parallel to the base 16.

Two indicating sections 28, 30 are provided, as is a cover 32, the cover 32 adapted to move between two covering positions, one revealing the first indicating section 28 (covering the second indicating section 30) and the other position revealing the second indicating portion 30 (covering the first indicating portion 28).

The cover 32 is adapted to slide in and be retained by the retaining means 22. This is partly because in operation, the device is mounted in a vertical position on a vertical wall (not shown). Therefore in the installed position, wall 18 directly below wall P:\WPDOCS\LMBLrs00 MO \Spifkcaioms\12189871 spmci.doc17 Dm ba 2003 Further retaining means are provided at 40 and 42, in the form of stops 44, 46 in the form of tiles 48, 50 at the end of the channel 14. These stops 44, 46 prevent the cover from falling out the ends of the channel.

The further retaining means 40, 42 indicate areas to which the device corresponds, so that emergency services personnel are not confused as to which areas correspond with the device.

The first indicating section 28 is generally red and reflective which indicates that the corresponding area has not been evacuated. The second indicating section 30 is green in colour indicating that the corresponding area has been evacuated.

In operation the device 10 is mounted on a wall with adhesive backing adjacent an area to which the device corresponds, generally approximately 1.5 metres above floor level.

When there is no emergency, the device 10 waits in the ready position, with the cover 32 covering the green, secondary indicating section 30. The red indicating section 28 is exposed. This is a fail safe position.

In the case of an emergency, an authorised person evacuates a corresponding area and then slides the cover 32 over the red indicating portion 28, to reveal the green indicating section When emergency services or other personnel search for survivors, time spent searching is reduced because the personnel can see the areas which require further investigation at a glance, even in times of low visibility.

The device 10 may be utilised in an evacuation indicating system, including a plurality of the devices 10, as described above, affixed to a portion adjacent a corresponding region. Each device 10 in the system is individually operable to indicate to P:\WPDOCS\LMB\Lescr Millr\Specifications\12188871 pecie.doc-17 December. 2003 -6an emergency services or authorised person that a corresponding area has been, or has not been evacuated.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

1. An evacuation indication apparatus including a plurality of individually operable Sindicating devices, each indicating device being suitable for indicating whether the region 00 5 with which it is associated has been evacuated and includes: a plurality of indicating zones; at least one cover for covering a selected one of the indicating zones; the cover being N adapted to move between indicating zones to cover that indicating zone which is not applicable for a given situation, the cover simultaneously revealing the indicating zone which is applicable for a given situation, each indicating device further being associated with a region of a site so that an evacuation status of each region is indicated by the indicating devices, wherein the or each indicating device is mounted adjacent the region with which it is associated, so that, during a search, an authorised person may prioritise the search by regions by making reference to the or each device.

2. An indicating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the indicating device has two indicating zones; a first indicating zone indicating that the corresponding region has not been evacuated, and a second indicating zone indicating that the corresponding area has been evacuated.

3. An indicating device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first indicating zone is red in colour having a reflective element or elements, and the second indicating zone is green in colour, and reflective and include superimposed upon it, the word "EVACUATED", for high visibility in smoky or difficult conditions.

4. An indicating device in accordance with any previous claim wherein the cover is approximately the same dimensions as each indicating zone. An indicating device in accordance with any previous claim wherein the cover is moved between indicating zones by hinging, or sliding.

6. An indicating device in accordance with any previous claim, wherein a housing is P:WPDOCS\CAB\Spmc~\190dob,, 2188871_AU2D02301892_3rdSPA m dodpaga dc-20/10206

8- Sprovided to house the indicating sections and cover. 7. An indicating device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the housing is in the form of a shallow channel having side arms and a base portion. 00 Mc 8. An indicating device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the channel includes (N retention means which are adapted to hold the cover captive.

9. An indicating device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the retention means are in the form of arms which retain the cover, the arms operatively connected to the channel side arms and extending parallel to the channel base. An indicating device in accordance with claim 8 or 9, wherein further retaining means are provided in order to ensure the cover is retained within the housing.

11. An indicating device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the further retaining means are in the form of stops at first and second ends of the housing.

12. An indicating device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the stops are in the form of tile elements adapted to fit within the housing and retained by the retaining means.

13. An indicating device in accordance with one of claims 10-12, wherein the further retaining means have identification regions which provide information regarding the area to which the device corresponds.

14. An indicating device in accordance with claim 13, wherein the information includes level of a building and room number. An indicating device in accordance with any previous claim wherein a detent or locking means may be provided which provides a retaining portion for the cover, so that accidental or wilful unauthorised sliding of the cover can be minimised. PAWPDOCS'CAB\Specl9 Octobr 12 188871_AU2002301 892_3rdSPA urorde pagc.dm-20/02/06 -9- q

16. An indicating device in accordance with claim 15, wherein a key portion may be used to operate the lock or detent. 0 0 5 17. An evacuation indicating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 2 0 th day of February 2006. DEBRA SUNDSTROM AND JEFFREY IAN HORNBY By their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE