Fire alarms and fire alarm systems are generally known. Such systems generally include a number of fire detectors distributed around a protected area. The fire detectors may be based upon any of a number of different fire detection technology (e.g., smoke detection, carbon monoxide detection, etc.).
Each of the fire detectors is typically connected to a fire alarm control panel. The connection between each of the sensors and the control panel may be wired or wireless.
The control panel monitors each of the sensors for an indication of the presence of a fire and, in response, sounds an alarm. The control panel may also send notification of the fire to a central monitoring station via a communication connection (e.g., a dial-up connection, the Internet, etc.).
Most fire alarm control panels are typically provided with a display that provides an indication of any sensors that have been activated by a fire. The indications are typically provided with an alpha-numeric identifier or a short description of the location of the fire.
While such systems are effective for personnel familiar with the protected facility, they are not very helpful for outside firefighters. In this case, outside firefighters may require access to a facility map to a cross reference between the identifier of a fire sensor to a location within the protected facility.
However, even with the activated sensor identified on a map, the firefighter may still not be able to quickly access the fire. Doors may be locked. Corridors may be blocked. Accordingly, a need exists for better methods of guiding firefighters to fires.