A BIM-Based Coordination Support System for Emergency Response

In fire emergencies, timely communication with on-site coordinators and accurate localization of first responders facilitates effective task assignment and resource allocation in harsh, low-visibility environments. Building information modeling (BIM) is widely accepted in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries as a central repository of building information. It could provide both the geometric building data and semantic information; however, the convenient linkage and integration with indoor location technologies for emergency purposes have not been addressed according to the authors' knowledge. A stand-alone BIM-based indoor location (BIMIL) framework and portal were designed and tested to enable the automatic extraction, transformation, and visualization of BIM-related data for public safety purposes in this study. Based on current information technology, this research reduces the gap in cross-application by supporting indoor location to overcome the primary shortcoming of existing indoor building models. Eliminating the need for specific software and skill in data processing, this portal will support on-site coordinators' importation of BIM files, allowing them to convert those files into processed and visualized indoor information containing key yet simplified geometric building data and essential emergency-related information such as fire rating hours, egresses, and hazardous materials. Additionally, the indoor location data can be integrated into a generalized 3D building model to support decision-making activities and management tasks in the field.