CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Today, humanity can be classified as living in a “machine society” where technological
tools are predominantly at different levels, interfacing in the day–to-day activity of man. These
livelihood activities constitute and deliver economic, social and political benefits and potential
risks to the survivability of nations –especially developing nations like ours. Due to the fast
development in telecommunication technologies, it is believed that wireless communication is a
good practice for remote sensing and automation in industrial and residential locations. Nigeria,
like any developing country, is witnessing an era of rapid economic and social development.
This development brings with it, new technologies, new materials, power sources and
telecommunication equipment. Modern industries are springing up housing volatile materials and
highly sophisticated equipment that increase the menace of fire (Anthony, J., 2009). Concerns
for safety of lives and properties call for an efficient and dependable fire protection system using
sensors. Sensors are able to consider certain dynamic and static variables such as humidity, the
type of fuel, slope of the land, the direction and the speed of the wind, smoke , to mention a few.
The reports of most of the panel of enquiries on fire accidents in Nigeria, oral interview of
some fire experts and personal experience confirmed the fact that electrical fault is a major source
of fire accident. Hence, realization that a fire protection system capable of automatically
switching off electrical power supply to the affected area in addition to the traditional role of
raising an alarm and triggering a sprinkler or other automatic fire lighting system is going to be
more efficient than the existing systems which leaves that important role unaddressed (Oke, et.
al., 2015). Nowadays, automatic fire detection and control is becoming very essential to reducing
fire outbreak in the building and industry. Automatic fire alarm system provides real-time
surveillance, monitoring and automatic alarm. A key aspect of fire protection is to identify a
developing fire emergency in a timely manner, and to alert the building's occupants and fire
emergency organizations. This is the role of fire detection and alarm systems. Generally fire
detectors are designed to respond at an early stage to one more of the four major characteristics of
combustion, heat, smoke, flame or gas. No single type of detector is suitable for all types of
premises or fires. Heat detectors respond to the temperature rise associated with a fire and smoke
detector respond to the smoke or gas generated due to fire.

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 Thus, proposed in this paper is the design and implementation of a fire control and alarm
system, this idea is economically efficient as well because the system proposed is intelligent and
reduces human intervention and labor extensively and execution can be gotten at a very low cost
providing extensive environmental, property and life safety.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Based on the reports; devastations of these natural hazards and disasters including fires
have increased in recent years. Our lifestyle of negligence and adapting to emerging
technological solutions puts us at the risk of loss to fire and related occurrences as seen in
markets, homes and other public places.

Due to increase in the planet temperature, global warming, bush burning and
environmental factor around the globe fire outbreak has become rampant and incessant, several
methods have been adopted to curb the frequency of fire outbreak in the society, but several have
proved abortive, due to such the design of this system has become essential for prevention and
resolution of fire outbreak. Fires are considered natural and manmade hazards. In existing
system, fire prevention and fire suppression requires the manual notification by humans after
which the fire men are called. This process is slow and destruction of lives and property is
paramount. To curb the current menace due to fire outbreak, there is need to automate the fire
detection process. This automated method involves the adoption of uniform fire safety standards,
the incorporation of fire safety, construction and provision of protective and safety devices in
buildings and structures. These technologies can accurately predict heat, smoke in a building,
create an automated sprinkler to quench it and give alarm for immediate attention.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this project is to design and construct a real-time fire control and alarm
system capable of monitoring the status of the environment and make a prompt response in case
of a fire incident. The objectives are to;

i. Design a system capable of detecting smoke and heat and control it.

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 ii. To design a system with a dashboard capable of sending and signaling the location of any
occurrence of fire around where the system is placed.

iii. To construct a quick response automated sprinkler for spraying and quenching of fire.

iv. To design a system capable of creating alarm for any occurrence of fire outbreak.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The implementation of this system will go a long way in preventing fire outbreak in
residential, industrial and other public places such as market etc. This project will serve as a
contribution to knowledge to scholars who are researching the field of fire alarms.

1.5 Methodology

This project is a design and construction of a fire detection and alarm system with
monitoring dashboard. The core component is the microcontroller ESP8266. This device
employs sequential circuit components. It consists of LED, smoke sensor, sprinkler, buzzer, and
system dashboard.
The method used in the execution of this project comprises the combination of serial
communication protocols, signal processing, programming logics with embedded system. In
other to establish the aim of the project these methods were combined from the design stage to
the construction and performance results of the system. Using carefully selected materials and
software implementation to drive the complete system for effective construction and execution.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The fire alarm detections system are used to monitor particular limited properties. The fire
detection system consist of the control center including its power supply (mains equipment and
battery) with the principal functions of indication control activating alarms and system
management, the alarm units connected through call circuits, the monitored and unmonitored
lines for controlling the local alarm and information equipment, the fire protection equipment and
the circuit to the fire brigade. It is a prototype that can only use in a small area.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Historical Background of Fire Detection and Alarm System

In the old days, fire alarms were very low-tech. Members of the community would be in
charge of monitoring the area for fires and would alert people by blowing a whistle or ringing a
church bell. The members of the community would then work together to put out the fire.
However, as time went on and communities became larger and larger, this system became
impractical. In the 1850s, a type of wooden rattle was developed in Australia that was shaken to
wake people up when there was a fire. In 1852, Moses Farmer and William F. Channing
designed two fire alarm boxes, each of which contained a telegraphic key. When someone
detected a fire, they would crank the handle that was attached to the fire alarm box, which would
then send the details of the fire alarm box number to a central alarm station. As soon as the
telegrapher at the station received the message they would notify the fire department response
team of the box location.

Back in 1890, Francis Robbins Upton patented the design of the modern fire alarm.
However, his design was largely unpopular and received little attention at first. But it was not
long before people recognised the importance of this fire alarm and it became widely used,
especially in cities and large towns where fire departments needed to respond to fires quickly and
could not simply rely on the community to be vigilant. The first modern fire alarms were
developed in the 21st century. These fire alarms work without wires and use a range of different
types of modern technologies such as cellular transmitters, private radio systems and digital
communicator systems. This modern technology allows the fire alarm signal to be transmitted to
the nearest fire department in a matter of seconds so that a fire fighting team can be dispatched.

The first generation of fire detection devices (1849-1940) was based on thermal
detectors. But the start of fire alarm systems development begins with the invention of the
telegraph by Samuel F. B. Morse in 1844. The first practical fire detection systems using
telegraph, was developed in U. S. by Dr. William Channing and Moses G. Farmer in 1852. Two
years later, he applied for a patent for his electromagnetic telegraph fire protection system
intended to be used in cities. In Europe in 1848 the first fire alarm device was developed by C.A.

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von Steingel, which was operated by the firemen and used button switches and different kinds of
bells to give prearranged audio signals. The first telegraph device was created three years later in
Berlin and as fire alarm telegraph equipment, used a cable connection, to alert total of 37 fire
stations (Mahdi, N., 2019).

The development of the first temperature sensors started with the introduction of
bimetallic sensors in the 19th century. The working principle of these sensors was based on the
unequal expansion between the two metal stripes. Since different metals have different thermal
properties, when heated they will bend in one direction, and in the opposite direction when
cooled, (hence the term bimetal thermometer or BiMets. BiMets are reliable and durable, and are
considered ideal for many industrial applications, including the first fire alarm sensors used for
fire protection systems. Historical process of smoke detectors evolution can be divided into four
generations based on the development of detectors, improvement, and development of the
electronic technology industry.

The first generation of smoke detectors is considered to be developed until 1960. In1922,
Greinacher from Bern ran an experiment to measure the dust content in the air, where he noticed
a reduced mobility of ions flow caused by dust. Due to this fact the same year he publishes an
article in the Bulletin of the Swiss Association of Electrical Engineering, on the possible use of
ionizing chambers for gas detection (Daniel, D., 2015) The first electronic smoke detector was
actually a result of an error. In 1930, a Swiss physicist named Walter Jaeger tried to develop a
poison gas detector. He thought that the gas particles would bond with ionized air, thus changing
the electrical current flow in the gas detector. But having failed any test, Jaeger lit a cigarette and
the smoke detector was activated by reducing electricity flux, leading to the invention of the first
electronic device for smoke detection. Swiss scientists ErmstMeil and Jaeger developed the first
patented smoke detector in the early 1940s. In1942. begun the commercial use of ionizing smoke
detectors, Cerberus. In1960, Canadian researchers conducted a test fire of 342 residential
buildings, and have come to the conclusion that smoke detectors reduce the number of deaths by
41%, while heat detectors by only 8 %.

In the period from early 1960s until 1975, the second generation of smoke detectors was
developed, where americium 24, a radioactive source for ionization, was used for application in
the electronics industry. In 1964 an ionization smoke detector with a 24V power supply was

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developed by Alert. Ionization smoke detectors contain small amounts of radioactive isotopes
alpha - particles, which are emitted in the decomposition of americium 241, ionizing air and
creating a small electrical charge measured by sensitive devices. When smoke enters the
detector, ions are bonded with smoke a particle, which reduces the current flow in the detector.
When this occurs, the alarm is turned on. As the path distance of alpha - particles in the air is
extremely small, there is no risk of external radiation from these detectors.

2.1 Review of Fire

Fire is a self-sustaining, chemical chain reaction with varying degrees of light and heat.
Temperature and smoke sensing alert system is motivated to sense the temperature and smoke and
send the alert in an intelligent fashion in case of emergency situation due to fire blow. In every
country in the world the fire alarming system is considered to be essential for lots of physical
structures including industries, shopping malls and private houses. Fire is made up of four
components:

i. Fuel
ii. Oxygen
iii. Heat
iv. Chemical Chain Reaction
By removing one of these four components the fire will go out. Fire extinguishers are designed
to do just that.
A fire alarm system is used primarily to evacuate the premises in the event of occurrence of a
fire condition and then secondarily to report the fire to the proper authorities. The fire alarm
system recognizes four different states or conditions: normal, alarm, trouble and supervisory.
Simplistically speaking, a basic system consists of a fire alarm control panel (FACP) to which
are connected initiating (input) devices, notification (output) appliances, and a source of
operating power, and a source of standby power in the event the operating power should fail. As
seen in Figure 2.2 below. The function of a fire alarm control panel is basically threefold:
1) Accept an alarm or supervisory input from an initiating device.
2) Provide an alarm output to the notification appliance(s).
3) Monitor the integrity of the panel itself and also the wiring to the above devices.

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 FIG 2.1: Basic Conventional Fire Alarm System
Fire alarm systems have changed dramatically over the past few years, primarily due to the
advent of the low priced microprocessor. Basically there are two different approaches used for
the fire alarm control panel, conventional and addressable.
The minimum basic components of a conventional system are:
1. A locked fire alarm control panel listed for the purpose by a Nationally Recognized
Testing Laboratory, (NRTL) as recognized by OSHA. The standard governing fire alarm
control panels is ANSI/UL Standard 864, currently entering its ninth edition. OSHA
currently recognizes Underwriters Laboratories, Factory Mutual Approvals and ETL-
Semko as certified to test equipment per this standard.
2. A primary operating power supply (120 VAC).
3. A secondary or standby power supply. This is most often a rechargeable storage battery,
although generators are permitted subject to certain conditions.
4. At least one initiating device circuit to which is wired at least one manual station,
automatic heat or smoke detectors, water-flow switch activated by a sprinkler system, etc.
These devices are located in one area, or zone, so an alarm condition in this zone can
direct fire-fighting personnel to the source of the alarm. Typically, a zone usually consists
of a floor of a small building, or wing of a larger building, etc. with area limitations
defined in the National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72).

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 5. At least one (output) notification appliance circuit to which is wired at least one horn,
bell, and strobe, if required.
2.1.1 Classes of Fire
There is a universal system to describe different types of fires. This system incorporates the use
of letters, colours and symbols to help users select an extinguisher suitable for the type of
material involved in the fire.
1. Class A: Ordinary combustibles, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, many plastics, and
other common materials that burn easily.

FIG 2.2: Class A Fire

2. Class B: Flammable liquids. Includes gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil-based paint, lacquer,
and flammable gas.

FIG 2.3: Class B Fire

3. Class C: Electrical equipment, such as wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery
and appliances.

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 FIG 2.3: Class C Fire
4. Class D: Combustible metals. Includes magnesium, aluminium, lithium, and other
combustible metals or metal dust.

FIG 2.4: Class D Fire

2.1.2 Types of Fire Extinguishers
Labelling on the fire extinguisher identifies which class of fire it is appropriate for; Class A,
B, C, D or K and instructions on how to use it.
 Dry Chemical: Dry Chemical is the most widely used type of fire extinguisher and is
also recognized as a multi-purpose ABC fire extinguisher. The agent works by
interrupting the chemical chain reaction. Also, on a class A fire it creates a barrier
between the fuel and the oxygen.
 Carbon Dioxide: Works by separating oxygen and heat. Usually ineffective against
class A fires.
 Water/Foam: Works by cooling the fire and coating the fuel. Foam extinguishers
create a foam barrier preventing the fuel from coming in contact with oxygen, can

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 cause shock hazard on class C fires, can cause liquids in class B fires to spread and
effective on class A fires.
 Dry Powder: Works by separating fuel from oxygen and/or removing heat.
Effectiveness is based on the type of class D fire it is designed to extinguish.
Ineffective on class A, B, C fires (metal fires) only.
 Wet Chemical: Works by forming a soapy foam blanket over the burning material
and cooling it below its ignition temperature. Designed for restaurant type kitchens.
 Clean Agent: Works by interrupting the chemical chain reaction.

FIG 2.5: Types of Fire Extinguishers

2.2 Review of Related Works

The paper presented in discusses that fire, being an important process that affects ecological
systems across the globe has both positive and negative effects. However soil erosion,
atmospheric pollution and hazard to life and property are majorly the negative effects. Fire
accident creates serious health and safety hazard in developing countries, which also resulted
into catastrophic situation. This huge loss is inestimably enormous; hence this paper proposes the
development of a GSM -based fire detector system. A cost effective system that detects fire or
smoke and sends alert information to a mobile phone for quick and immediate action thereby,
avoiding unnecessary and costly industrial and domestic breakdown. The fire alert design was

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built around techniques for digitalizing analogue signals obtained from transducers used to
monitor temperature of the room and the light intensity of the room. The room temperature to be
monitored, being analogue, is measured through the use of a thermistor, while the light intensity
of the room is detected using Light Dependent Resistor (LDR). The LDR's resistance increases
with reduced light intensity causing the voltage input into the inverting input of the comparator
used to be higher than the reference voltage set at the non-inverting input of the comparator
which makes the comparator to output a LOW. The thermistor resistance decrease with increase
in temperature and this would cause a decrease in the voltage input to the non-inverting input of
the comparator thereby causing the voltage reference set at the inverting input to be greater. In
this state the comparator outputs a LOW, to indicate high temperature (i.e. fire). The two LOW
outputs were ORed and coupled to the astable stage of the circuitry.

The system developed in has come to light through the way of inspiration to develop a
compact system, based on the fundamental ideas of safety, security and control. Once this system
is installed to operation specifying temperature and smoke threshold, in case of any emergency
situation due to increasing temperature and/or smoke at place surpassing the threshold, the
system immediately sends automatic alert-notifications to the users, concerned with the
situations. The user gets total control over the system through mobile SMS, even from the distant
location, that to change the threshold, turn on/off the feature of sending ‘alert notification’ and
also to reset the system after the emergency situation is overcome. Before executing any
command (through SMS) from the user, the system asks for the preset password to verify an
authorized user. The security issues have been considered with utter attention in this system to
ensure its applicability in industries and business organizations, where security is an important
concern. Hence, the fundamental ideas of safety, security and control have been entirely ensured
through the system, which have definitely worked as the gear moving factor to look for a new
dimension of an ‘Intelligent Fire Alert System’. Multiple temperature and smoke sensors are
incorporated in the system to cover a wide range of area, which are connected to Atmega32
microcontroller interfaced with a GSM module. The alert notification can be sent to multiple
users and the corresponding mobile numbers can be set/reset by the user in the server mobile
through the user interface of the program, running on the computer.

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 In [5], the design has been developed since the social and economic cost of natural disasters
which has increased in recent years due to population growth, change in land use patterns,
migration and unplanned urbanization, environmental degradation and global climate change.
Catastrophic disasters include fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tropical cyclones, floods,
and droughts. Fire considered being natural or manmade, thus the management shall provide
safety of the building occupant. The design consists of five major circuits to compensate the
system operation. It includes Detection and Initiating Devices (DEADS), Notification Devices
(NODES), Central Station Monitor (CSM), Annunciation Devices (ANODES) and the
Suppression Circuitry. The DEADS is composed of a smoke detector and smoke ionization
sensors which transmit initiated signal to CSM. The NODES are active devices like smoke
alarms, and speakers attached to every room designed to give alarms to the room occupants. The
Central Station Monitor designed with Arduino Uno as the Microcontroller served as the brain of
the system interfaced with PHP & MySQL. The ANODES works once fire cannot be suppressed
by the system itself, thereby when the fire department and other incident team needs to be
contacted. The suppressor composed of robotic-arm connected to the water supply, fire hydrants,
and sprinkler heads. The methodologies described in this paper heavily rely on integration of
web science to an embedded system. Compared with traditional or conventional fire alarm
system, this design reduces energy consumption, reduction of maintenance and service operation
costs, improved security services, and increase the satisfaction of building occupants.

In this paper, (Kancham, V., 2013) Security in travel is primary concern for everyone. Today
fire accident are most often occurring in trains. A remedy to reduce the death loss occurring due
to fire accidents in trains is presented. Fire on a running train is more catastrophic than on a
stationary one, since fanning by winds helps spread the fire to other coaches. When these
accidents are occurring in remote areas or during night times the loss or damage being caused is
at higher rates. The damage is heavier due to improper reach of service at right time due to
improper communication. This time delay is causing heavier damage. Thus, eliminating the time
between when an accident occurs and when first responders are dispatched to the scene decreases
the damage. This projects help in notifying the passengers and emergency services. The project
consists of a microcontroller which is interfaced with the GPS module, GSM modem and fire
sensors. Once the sensors attached in the compartments of train senses the smoke detection, it
assumes a fire accident. The controller assumes it as an emergency and starts the buzzer, LCD

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display and GSM modem in the engine sending the latitude and longitude information to the
specified mobile number and emergency services, by fetching the information from the GPS.

2.3 Review of Past Method

2.3.1 Smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors

Most systems may also be equipped with smoke, heat, and/or carbon monoxide detectors.
These are also known as 24-hour zones (which are on at all times). Smoke detectors and heat
detectors protect from the risk of fire and carbon monoxide detectors protect from the risk of
carbon monoxide. Although an intruder alarm panel may also have these detectors connected, it
may not meet all the local fire code requirements of a fire alarm system.

Traditional smoke detectors are technically ionization smoke detectors which "create an
electric current between two metal plates, which sound an alarm when disrupted by smoke
entering the chamber. Ionization smoke alarms can quickly detect the small amounts of smoke
produced by fast flaming fires, such as cooking fires or fires fueled by paper or flammable
liquids." A newer, and perhaps safer type is a photoelectric smoke detector. It contains a light
source in a light-sensitive electric sensor, which is positioned at a 90-degree angles to the sensor.
"Normally, light from the light source shoots straight across and misses the sensor. When smoke
enters the chamber, it scatters the light, which then hits the sensor and triggers the alarm.
Photoelectric smoke detectors typically respond faster to a fire in its early, smoldering stage –
before the source of the fire bursts into flames."

2.3.2 Passive infrared detectors

The passive infrared (PIR) motion detector is one of the most common sensors found in
household and small business environments. It offers affordable and reliable functionality. The
term passive refers to the fact that the detector does not generate or radiate its own energy; it
works entirely by detecting the heat energy given off by other objects. Strictly speaking, PIR
sensors do not detect motion; rather, they detect abrupt changes in temperature at a given point.
As an intruder walks in front of the sensor, the temperature at that point will rise from room
temperature to body temperature, and then back again. This quick change triggers the detection.

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 PIR sensors may be designed to be wall- or ceiling-mounted, and come in various fields
of view, from narrow "point" detectors to 360 degree fields. PIRs require a power supply in
addition to the detection signalling circuit.

2.3.3 Ultrasonic detectors

Using frequencies between 15 kHz and 75 kHz, these active detectors transmit ultrasonic
sound waves that are inaudible to humans. The Doppler shift principle is the underlying method
of operation, in which a change in frequency is detected due to object motion. This is caused
when the object must cause a change in the ultrasonic frequency to the receiver relative to the
transmitting frequency. The ultrasonic detector operates by the transmitter emitting an ultrasonic
signal into the area to be protected. The sound waves are reflected by solid objects (such as the
surrounding floor, walls and ceiling) and then detected by the receiver. Because ultrasonic waves
are transmitted through air, then hard-surfaced objects tend to reflect most of the ultrasonic
energy, while soft surfaces tend to absorb most energy.

When the surfaces are stationary, the frequency of the waves detected by the receiver will
be equal to the transmitted frequency. However, a change in frequency will occur as a result of
the Doppler principle, when a person or object is moving towards or away from the detector.
Such an event initiates an alarm signal. This technology is considered obsolete by many alarm
professionals, and is not actively installed.

2.3.4 Microwave detectors

This device emits microwaves from a transmitter and detects any reflected microwaves or
reduction in beam intensity using a receiver. The transmitter and receiver are usually combined
inside a single housing (monostatic) for indoor applications, and separate housings (bistatic) for
outdoor applications. To reduce false alarms this type of detector is usually combined with a
passive infrared detector or "Dualtec" alarm.

Microwave detectors respond to a Doppler shift in the frequency of the reflected energy,
by a phase shift, or by a sudden reduction of the level of received energy. Any of these effects
may indicate motion of an intruder.

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2.3.5 Compact Surveillance Radar

Compact Surveillance Radar emits microwaves from a transmitter and detects any
reflected microwaves. They are similar to microwave detectors but can detect the precise
location of intruders in areas extending over hundreds of acres. With the capability of measuring
range, angle, velocity, direction and size of the target, a CSR is able to pinpoint a precise GPS
coordinate of an intruder. This target information is typically displayed on a map, user interface
or situational awareness software that defines geographical alert zones or geofences with
different types of actions initiated depending on time of day and other factors.

2.3.6 Motion sensors

Motion sensors are devices that use various forms of technology to detect movement. The
technology typically found in motion sensors to trigger an alarm includes infrared, ultrasonic,
vibration and contact. Dual technology sensors combine two or more forms of detection in order
to reduce false alarms as each method has its pros and cons. Traditionally motion sensors are an
integral part of a home security system. "These devices are typically installed to cover a large
area as they commonly cover up to 40ft with a 135° field of vision."

2.3.7 Driveway alarms

Driveway alarm systems can be tied into most security and automation systems. They are
designed to alert residents to unexpected visitors, intruders or deliveries arriving at the property.
They come in magnetic and infrared motion sensing options. Driveway alarms can also be
purchased in hard-wired and wireless systems. They are common in rural security systems as
well as for commercial applications.

2.3.8 Vibration (shaker) or inertia sensors

These devices are mounted on barriers and are used primarily to detect an attack on the
structure itself. The technology relies on an unstable mechanical configuration that forms part of
the electrical circuit. When movement or vibration occurs, the unstable portion of the circuit
moves and breaks the current flow, which produces an alarm. The technology of the devices

16
varies and can be sensitive to different levels of vibration. The medium transmitting the vibration
must be correctly selected for the specific sensor as they are best suited to different types of
structures and configurations.

A rather new and unproven type of sensor uses piezo-electric components rather than
mechanical circuits, which can be tuned to be extremely sensitive to vibration.

 pros: Very reliable sensors, low false alarm rate and middle place in the price range.
 cons: Must be fence mounted. The rather high price deters many customers, but its
effectiveness offsets its high price.

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 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

The method used in the execution of this project comprises the combination of serial
communication protocols, signal processing, programming logics with embedded system. In
other to establish the aim of the project these methods were combined from the design stage to
the construction and performance results of the system. Using carefully selected materials and
software implementation to drive the complete system as seen in the final construction.

The fire control and alarm system is a very innovative system which will help to secure
life and properties, the system uses flame and smoke sensors to detect if there is any outbreak or
intensity of flames or fire. This project is designed to monitor, all the actions going around where
it is been used. The LCD screen shows the signal. The system puts on the buzzer when there is
occurrence.
3.2 Design Analysis
The construction of a fire control and alarm system consists of two sections:

i. The hardware section consists of the hardware components used in achieving the system
such as; Flame sensor, Gas Sensor, LCD Display, Power Supply, Microcontroller, Buzzer
etc. Which is use in the development of the hardware part of the system, the software
section consists of the programming language used in command and
ii. The software section is subdivided into two parts. The first is the programming of the
detection which will be used to send signal to the control unit. The second is the
development of commands for Supply Authority to control the system and the
development of a buzzer that will be used in the notifications, the programming language
that will be used to implement the system is Micro C programming language because of
it embedded features to carry out the function needed for the project.

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3.2.1 Block by Block Description of the System

GPS Module

Fire Extinguisher
System
Fire/Flame Sensor ESP8266
Microcontroller
Alarm System

SMS (Alert) Module

Fig. 3.1: System Architecture Diagram

3.2.1.1 ESP8266 Microcontroller

Description: The ESP8266 is a low-cost Wi-Fi microchip with full TCP/IP stack and
microcontroller capability. It's highly popular for IoT (Internet of Things) applications due to its
ease of use and powerful features.
Function in Project: In your fire alarm system, the ESP8266 serves as the central
control unit. It collects data from the flame sensor, processes this data, and if a fire is detected, it
activates the relay to turn on the water pump. Additionally, it sends the GPS coordinates via
SMS using the Termii service.

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 Fig. 3.2: ESP8266 Microcontroller

3.2.1.2 NEO-6M GPS Module

Description: The NEO-6M is a GPS module that provides satellite-based location data. It
is known for its high sensitivity, low power consumption, and compact size.
Function in Project: This module provides the GPS coordinates of the system’s
location. When a fire is detected, these coordinates are sent via SMS to alert authorities or
designated personnel about the exact location of the incident.

Fig. 3.3: NEO-6M GPS Module

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3.2.1.3 DC Water Pump

Description: A DC water pump is an electrically operated device that moves water. It is

powered by direct current (DC).
Function in Project: The water pump is activated to sprinkle water and extinguish the
fire when the flame sensor detects a fire. The pump is controlled via a relay connected to the
ESP8266.

Fig. 3.4: DC Water Pump

3.2.1.4 Buzzer

Description: A buzzer is an audio signaling device, typically piezoelectric or

electromechanical.
Function in Project: The buzzer is used to provide an audible alert when a fire is
detected. This immediate warning helps in quickly notifying nearby individuals about the fire.

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 Fig. 3.5: Buzzer

3.2.1.5 Relay

Description: A relay is an electrically operated switch. It uses an electromagnet to

mechanically operate a switch and can control a high-power device with a low-power signal.
Function in Project: In your system, the relay is used to control the DC water pump.
When the ESP8266 detects a fire, it sends a signal to the relay, which then closes the circuit to
power the water pump.

Fig. 3.6: Relay

3.2.1.6 Buck Converter

Description: A buck converter is a DC-to-DC power converter which steps down voltage
from its input (supply) to its output (load).
Function in Project: The buck converter ensures that all components receive the
appropriate voltage level required for their operation, particularly converting higher battery
voltage to the levels needed by the ESP8266 and other modules.

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 Fig. 3.7: Buck Converter

3.2.1.7 Power Supply

Description: A power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an

electrical load. The main purpose of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source
to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load.
Function in Project: We use 12v power supply in our project. It is mainly used to
provide DC voltage to the components onboard 3.3V for lpc2138 and 4.2v for Wi-Fi module is
apply from power supply.

Fig. 3.8: Power Supply

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3.2.1.8 Flame Sensor

Description: A flame sensor is a device that detects the presence of a flame or fire. It
typically uses infrared detection to sense the radiation emitted by flames.
Function in Project: The flame sensor continuously monitors for signs of fire. When it
detects a flame, it sends a signal to the ESP8266, triggering the fire alarm system.

Fig. 3.9: Flame Sensor

3.2.1.8 Termii

Description: Termii is a communications platform that provides APIs for sending SMS,
email, and other forms of communication.
Function in Project: In your fire alarm system, Termii is used to send SMS alerts. When
the ESP8266 receives data from the flame sensor indicating a fire, it uses Termii’s API to send
an SMS containing the GPS coordinates of the fire’s location.

3.2.2 System Algorithm

1. Start Program
2. Initialize serial communication pins. Generally pin 10 and pin 11 are used for serial
communication.
3. Initialize pins for sensor
4. Read Sensor data from all the sensors.

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 5. Send this data to microcontroller through serial communication pins.
6. Initiate alarm process
7. Activate sprinkler process
8. Create a communication module with the termii module
9. Send a notification from the GPS module to the connected network
10. Continue Processing
3.2.2.1 Program Code

i. Temperature Program

int sensorPin = A5;

void setupTemperatureSensor(){
pinMode(sensorPin, INPUT);
}
int readTemperature(){
int value = analogRead(sensorPin);
return value;
}

ii. Buzzer Program

int buzzerPin = 5;
void setupBuzzer() {
pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
}
void runBuzzer(bool state) {
if (state) {
tone(buzzerPin, 1000, 1000);
delay(500);
noTone(buzzerPin);
delay(500);
} else {
noTone(buzzerPin);

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 }
}

iii. Sprinkler Program

int sprinklerPin = 7;
void setupSprinkler() {
pinMode(sprinklerPin, OUTPUT);
}
void runSprinkler(bool isActive) {
digitalWrite(sprinklerPin, isActive);
}

iv. Water Sprinkler Operation Program

#include <Sim800L.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#define RX 10
#define TX 11
Sim800L GSM(RX, TX);
char* text;
char* number;
bool error; //to catch the response of sendSms
bool hasTriggered = false;
const int TEMPERATURE_THRESHOLD = 300;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
GSM.begin(4800);
setupBuzzer();
setupTemperatureSensor();
setupSprinkler();
text="Testing Sms"; //text for the message.
number="+2348131971666";

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 }

void loop() {
int temperatureValue = readTemperature();
Serial.print("Temp value: ");
Serial.println(temperatureValue);
if (temperatureValue >= TEMPERATURE_THRESHOLD) {
hasTriggered = true;
error=GSM.sendSms(number,text);
runBuzzer(hasTriggered);
runSprinkler(!hasTriggered);
} else {
hasTriggered = false;
runBuzzer(hasTriggered);
runSprinkler(!hasTriggered);

}
}
3.4 Principle of Operation

This system uses Gas and flame sensors placed over in an environment where the system
will be tested, the system makes use of Arduino family microcontroller, LCD screen for
signaling and a buzzer. The system is powered by a 12V transformer. The LCD screen is used to
signal, the color red LCD signify danger and it will be used to notify users anytime there is
detection from either of the two sensors. The microcontroller is used to control operation of the
system, it receive data from the detection sensors, after its been powered, then activate the
control system after notifying the user by signaling with the LCD and the alarm is automatically
on. Thus the aim of the system is been achieved.

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Fig. 3.9: Circuit Diagram of the system

28
 CHAPTER FOUR

TESTING, RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Testing

Testing is one of the important stages in the development of any new product or repair of
existing ones. Because it is very difficult to trace a fault in a finished work, especially when the
work to be tested is too complex. Primarily, test that were carried out are: two stages of testing
are involved. Primarily, test that were carried out are:

4.1.1 Hardware Testing

This is simply a stage when all the functional modules are connected by considering the
block diagram are carefully assembled on a construction base using the designed circuit diagram
as a guide. The test was carried out on module by module for verifications

4.1.2 Software Testing

The Program was written in C Programming language, when debugged and confirmed
error-free, the program was now burn into Microcontroller Integrated Circuit (IC) that is used in
the Project which is ESP8266 Microcontroller. It worked according to specified specifications.

4.2 Result and Discussion

The fire alarm system with a water sprinkler effectively combines several electronic
components to detect fires, alert individuals, and take immediate action to extinguish the fire
while also sending critical location information via SMS. This integrated approach enhances
safety and response times, potentially minimizing damage and saving lives. The system modules
is divided into sections.

4.2.1 The Sensing Unit (Sensors)

The sensing unit deals with differentiating and detecting of flames and other specific
means which is used in the system program. The sensor adopt for the project is; the flame
detector is used in detecting occurrence of flames or burning of fires or any outbreaks which is
flammable around the specific place the system is been set to monitor.

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 Fig. 4:1: Sensing Unit

4.2.2 The Alert and Activation Section

This is done by the operation of the alarm system, upon detecting a fire, the flame sensor
sends a signal to the ESP8266. The ESP8266 then activates the buzzer to alert anyone nearby
and also sends a signal to the relay to power the DC water pump, which activates the sprinkler
system to extinguish the fire. The system will also Retrieves GPS coordinates from the NEO-6M
GPS module and used the Termii API to send an SMS containing the GPS coordinates to
predetermined recipients (e.g., fire department, building management).

30
Fig. 4:2: Back internal Display

Fig. 4:3: Arial Internal View

31
 Fig. 4.4: Complete System

From the results, the sensing unit commands send will be received by the microcontroller and
then send a signal to the alert system which

4.3 Discussion

Fire alarm systems use automatic functions to detect the occurrence of an event that
may result in a fire. They receive a signal from a fire sensor (smoke, heat, or carbon monoxide
detector) and automatically transmit it to the fire alarm panel. Most advanced fire alarm
systems use wireless technology and smart devices to protect and manage automated buildings
from a remote control panel, typically a mobile app that can be downloaded, installed, and
managed from a smartphone.

The computerized logic of the control panel analyzes multiple detectors at the same
time to decide on the most appropriate course of action. These modern, smart fire alarm
systems are more sensitive than classic models and are better at avoiding false alarms. With
improved design and stronger resistance, they can be placed in areas difficult to reach and give
instructions about the best escape route to people in the building. Smart fire alarm systems can

32
perform integrated automatic actions, like discharging fire-suppression systems in closed
designated areas, and they can vary the notifications to support people on their way out, while
protecting expensive electronic equipment inside.

33
 CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS

5.1 Conclusion

This project covers wide area of application in household and industrial safety, especially
in developing countries. Using this system, quick and reliable alert response is possible to initiate
preventive measures to avert danger of fire hazards and minimize losses of life and property. In
this project as proposed an automatic fire alarm system with SMS notification has been designed
and implemented, it can be deduced from the design and test results that the project has met its
objectives. This project has therefore as proposed provided a novel solution to the inadequacies
of traditional fire alarm systems. The sensor applied in this design provides sensing for gas
leakages and flames eruption with fast response and high sensitivity. Large industrial or
residential area can be monitored through the proposed system installing multiple modules, each
for one floor or unit. The system can be further developed with added features like web server
interconnect, fire area tracking and fire extinguisher interfacing etc.

5.2 Recommendation

Although the aim of this project has been achieved, for future research, adding this
recommendations is advisable;

i. A monitoring camera should be incorporated for recording of activities of the system.

ii. It is recommended to develop a system in which temperature monitoring and controlling
is performed.
iii. The system can be expanded with further security measures, the system can be developed
to automatically turn OFF power supply to the premises to prevent further spread of fire
as well as to trigger a fire extinguishing system to put out the fire in case of electrical
incidence

34
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