Study on a fire risk alert system for vulnerable individuals

In order to minimize human casualties during a fire, it is important to evacuate as quickly as possible. Fire alarm systems are operated in various ways to alert people in the building of the fire and guide their evacuation in South Korea. However, the fire alarm systems currently in use are designed for people who have no difficulty evacuating. So, it is necessary to develop new systems that take into consideration people with limited evacuation abilities; vulnerable individuals. The vulnerable individuals are those who require assistance from others due to physical or cultural vulnerabilities, including the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and foreigners. This study aims to develop a fire alarm system that focuses on the hearing loss of the elderly, who may have limitations in quickly recognizing and responding to the fire alarm systems. As the first step, this study investigated the sound environments of various spaces commonly used by the elderly. Moreover, indoor audio devices used in the fire alarm system were also investigated.