PRE2020 3 Group1
Team Members
Tristan Deenen, Jos Garstman, Oana Radu, Ruben Stoffijn, Daniël van Roozendaal
Problem statement and objectives
Problem statement
Firefighting is a notoriously dangerous and difficult yet important job. Civilians and firefighters still die in fires.
Objectives
- How can drones be used by firefighters? (what improvements do firefighters need?)
- Drone companion
- Autonomous or controlled. Ideally following teams of firefighters around
- Helps firefighters
- Has different functionalities
- Find out whether using firefighter drones provides a significant advantage for firefighters (also see if there are disadvantages)
Drone Functionalities
This will change after we talk with the fire department, but for now we thought of some functionalities the drone could have:
- remember the path taken/ find the optimal path
- follow a firefighter/ scout the area
- communicate with the people outside (live camera feed)
- should not obstruct the firefighter
- have a way to improve visibility inside with the smoke (maybe lights or even sounds for people to see them)
- sensors (infrared, proximity, chemicals, temperature, room scan)
- multiple drones with specific tasks
- Carry supplies for firefighters
Sensors
We looked into some sensors the drone could have. The conclusion is that sensors can function in an ambient that has temperature max 250 degrees Celsius. Those sensors are very expensive and have a very small range.
Proximity sensors:
- Balluff:
- Temperatures up to 230 degrees Celsius
- 3 versions of the sensor with range of 50mm
- E2EH:
- Temperature up to 120 degrees Celsius (heat resistance verified to 1000 hours)
- Range max 12mm
- ASI high temperature inductive proximity sensors:
- Different sizes, biggest one has diameter 50mm
- The range for that one is 30mm
- Temperature up to 230 degrees Celsius
- Locon photoelectric high temperature:
- On the site it says temperature up to 250 degrees Celsius, but in the specifications it says only 60 degrees Celsius
- M30 has sensing distance of 2000mm
- M80:
- Temperature 230 degrees Celsius
- Range 50mm
Infrared sensors:
- Pyrometer optris CSmicro LT LTH:
- Temperature resistance up to 180 degrees Celsius
- Starting from 195 euro
- Pyrometers optris CS LT
- Temperature resistance up to 80 degrees Celsiu
- Starting from 95 euro
- Pyrometer optris CThot LT for high ambient temperatures
- Temperature resistance 250 degrees Celsius
- Starting from 590 euro
Flying in fires
WORK IN PROGRESS
Some research was done into how well drones could fly in fire hazards. unfortunately, little was found on the subject. By looking at helicopters in wildfire situations we know it is possible for copters to fly above excessive heat sources, however, it is unknown how this scales with drones in building fires. Next to the flying ability in fire, the resistance to fire is also important. The drone must be able to withstand high temperatures without losing any functionality. The same holds for flying through smoke, which can botch the electronics inside.
Interview with the fire department
The interview is scheduled to be on March 2nd. We will update this part after the interview
Questions for fire department:
-Could you explain what exactly your role is in the fire department and what you do most days at work?
-What do you feel is the biggest problem faced in fire fighting nowadays? What could have the biggest impact on the speed with which fire can be controlled and extinguished?
-What roles do you think drones could take over with the least loss of quality and the highest reduction risk of firemen lives?
-Do you believe that drones could be used to actually douse fires?
-What is your experience with drones with fire fighting and what is your view on the usage of drones?
-If specialized drones could be at a fire site faster than a firetruck, what would be the most useful thing a drone could do as preparation for the arrival of the fire department?
-Have you considered any alternative technologies than drones? What are your conclusions regarding these alternatives?
-When do you think (firefighting) drones will be commonly used by firefighters?
-Do you think a companion drone would be useful (a drone that follows firefighters around and has a few tasks to improve safety and help firefighters with their jobs)? If yes, what feature should it have? What would be the most helpful for you?
-Are drones possible in the fire department practically? Is there a budget for it and is it possible to have enough people on this?
European drone regulations
Since December 31 2020, the Netherlands follow European drone regulations. These new regulations divide drones in 3 separate categories: Open/zero, specific and certified. Normal consumer or hobby drones usually fall in the open category. These drones have a few restrictions:
- Maximum weight: 25 kg (at takeoff)
- Maximum height: 120 meters
- No transporting hazardous material
- No dropping materials
- Always have visual line of sight
There are subclasses for the first category, depending on the weight of the drone. Most relevant is subcategory A3 which concerns drones from 2kg – 25kg. With normal regulations this category cannot fly 150 meters near any living, trade, industry or recreational zones.
The next category, specific concerns flights that:
- May be near people
- May fly near airports
- May have a weight above 25kg
- May fly in inhabited environment
- May fly above a height of 120 meters
- May drop materials
- May fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
Drones deployed by the Dutch fire brigade fall under the specific category. Obtaining authorization for flight needs to be done at the national aviation authority. On the national website of the Dutch fire brigade (https://www.brandweer.nl/ons-werk/drones-bij-de-brandweer/meer-over-drones/brandweer-nederland-krijgt-eigen-luchtvaartorganisatie) It is stated that they are getting their own flight organization, perhaps regulations are more lenient or authorization is more quickly granted this way. (((LOOK INTO THIS)))
Dutch fire brigade has unique exemption from specific drone laws: https://www.brandweer.nl/media/9028/stcrt-2018-33332.pdf
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/drone/nieuwe-regels-drones
https://www.easa.europa.eu/domains/civil-drones-rpas/specific-category-civil-drones
Who did what?
| Name (Student number) | Time spent | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Deenen (1445782) | 6:15h | Meetings (1:30h + 1:15h + 1h), Brain storming (1h), reserach (1:30h); |
| Jos Garstman(145722) | 5:45h | Meetings (1:30h + 1:15h + 1h), Brain storming (1h), research (1h); |
| Oana Radu (1325973) | 6:15h | Meetings (1:30h + 1:15h + 1h), Brain storming (1h), research (1h), wiki entry (0:30h) |
| Ruben Stoffijn (1326910) | 6:45h | Meetings (1:30h + 1:15h + 1h), Brain storming (2h), research (1h) ; |
| Daniël van Roozendaal (1467611) | 5:45h | Meetings (1:30h + 1:15h + 1h), Brain storming (0:30h), research (1:30h); |
| Name (Student number) | Time spent | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Deenen (1445782) | Meetings (1h + 1h + 0:30h), Talking to firefighter and summarizing that (1:45h), Reading (2:45h), Research (2:15h), Edit wiki (0:45h) | |
| Jos Garstman(145722) | Meetings (1h + 1h + 0:30h), Reading and finding sources (2h) | |
| Oana Radu (1325973) | Meetings (1h + 1h + 0:30h), Reading(2:30h), Research (2h), Edit Wiki (0:30h) | |
| Ruben Stoffijn (1326910) | Meetings (1h + 1h + 0:30h), Reading/Research (2h), Letter (1h) | |
| Daniël van Roozendaal (1467611) | Meetings (1h + 1h + 0:30h), |
| Name (Student number) | Time spent | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Deenen (1445782) | Meetings(0:30h) | |
| Jos Garstman(145722) | Meetings(0:30h) | |
| Oana Radu (1325973) | Meetings(0:30h) | |
| Ruben Stoffijn (1326910) | Meetings(0:30h) | |
| Daniël van Roozendaal (1467611) | Meetings(0:30h) |
| Name (Student number) | Time spent | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Deenen (1445782) | ||
| Jos Garstman(145722) | ||
| Oana Radu (1325973) | ||
| Ruben Stoffijn (1326910) | ||
| Daniël van Roozendaal (1467611) |
| Name (Student number) | Time spent | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Deenen (1445782) | ||
| Jos Garstman(145722) | ||
| Oana Radu (1325973) | ||
| Ruben Stoffijn (1326910) | ||
| Daniël van Roozendaal (1467611) |
| Name (Student number) | Time spent | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Deenen (1445782) | ||
| Jos Garstman(145722) | ||
| Oana Radu (1325973) | ||
| Ruben Stoffijn (1326910) | ||
| Daniël van Roozendaal (1467611) |
| Name (Student number) | Time spent | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Deenen (1445782) | ||
| Jos Garstman(145722) | ||
| Oana Radu (1325973) | ||
| Ruben Stoffijn (1326910) | ||
| Daniël van Roozendaal (1467611) |
| Name (Student number) | Time spent | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Deenen (1445782) | ||
| Jos Garstman(145722) | ||
| Oana Radu (1325973) | ||
| Ruben Stoffijn (1326910) | ||
| Daniël van Roozendaal (1467611) |