Zeroing In on the ‘Science of Sound Propagation’ in Burning Buildings

**************This research will be one of several topics presented in a webcast news briefing at 10:30 a.m. (CDT; 11:30 a.m. EDT) on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Reporters may register for the webcast here: www.aipwebcasting.com**************

Newswise — An acoustic navigation system being developed by a team of University of Texas at Austin researchers studying the science of sound propagation inside burning buildings may one day become a life-saving addition to firefighters’ arsenal of tools.

The team will provide details about their multi-faceted research at the Acoustical Society of America’s 164th Meeting, October 22-26, 2012, in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Our study is focusing on locating open doors inside burning buildings to gain a better understanding of how acoustic propagation is affected when flames are between the device and a doorway,” explains Mustafa Abbasi, a graduate research assistant.

Inside buildings engulfed in flames and smoke, firefighters currently rely on tools such as thermal imaging cameras to help them not only detect obstacles and passageways, but also to judge distances to them. But unfortunately, heat and open flames can significantly degrade the performance of these cameras.

To address this, the team decided to create a complementary sonar-based imaging technique to supplement TIC technology.

They initially selected an ultrasonic device similar to the ones used in cars’ reverse parking sensors to build their acoustic navigation device, but quickly discovered that fire strongly distorts ultrasonic acoustic waves.

The team then turned to a more advanced acoustic source, called a “parametric array,” which is capable of creating audible sound that remains focused.

“Using a parametric array enables us to effectively see through moderate-sized flames,” says Abbasi. “Now, we’re investigating the effect of smoke on acoustic propagation. Flames and smoke are interrelated, but TIC images are degraded less by smoke. We believe that combining acoustic sensing with other technologies will improve the capabilities of these imaging devices.”

Yet another facet of this project involves working to improve personal alert safety system (PASS) devices used to locate incapacitated firefighters. The team is collaborating with the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Protection Research Foundation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to study how the signal emitted by the PASS device propagates inside burning buildings.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 164th ASA MEETING

The Kansas City Marriott Downtown Hotel is located at 200 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64105. The hotel main numbers are: 816-421-6800; fax: 816-855-4418.

USEFUL LINKSMain meeting website: http://acousticalsociety.org/meetings/kansas_cityMeeting Abstract Database: http://asa.aip.org/asasearch.htmlHotel site: https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=8120158

WORLD WIDE PRESS ROOMASA's World Wide Press Room (www.acoustics.org/press) contains additional tips about newsworthy stories and with lay-language papers, which are 300-1200 word summaries of presentations written by scientists for a general audience and accompanied by photos, audio, and video.

PRESS REGISTRATIONASA will grant free registration to credentialed full-time journalists and professional freelance journalists working on assignment for major news outlets. If you are a reporter and would like to attend, contact Charles E. Blue ([email protected], 301-209-3091), who can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips, or background information.

****************************This news release was prepared for the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).

ABOUT THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICAThe Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, ECHOES newsletter, books, and standards on acoustics. The Society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit our website at http://www.acousticalsociety.org.