IOT Compliant Fire Safety Management System for Buildings in Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

This study presents the design and evaluation of an IoT-compliant fire safety management system tailored for hostel and office blocks at Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. The system architecture leverages the ThingSpeak platform for real-time data aggregation, visualisation, and analysis from a network of IoT sensors detecting heat, smoke, and gas. A primary objective is to enhance emergency response through strategic collaboration with the state fire service and the institution's internal fire unit. This partnership facilitates coordinated emergency protocols, joint training exercises, and streamlined communication, with the system designed to issue real-time alerts via email, mobile app, and alarms directly to occupants and designated response teams. The methodology involved deploying an IoT prototype within the campus to collect environmental data, testing system performance, and evaluating its effectiveness under real-world conditions. Major findings indicate an early detection accuracy of approximately 96%, with alerts delivered within 4 to 6 seconds. The ThingSpeak-powered dashboard provided a centralised, user-friendly interface for monitoring sensor activity, while a people-counting feature enhanced evacuation readiness. The system proved to be a cost-effective and scalable solution. Recommendations include institutional adoption of this IoT framework, regular system maintenance, comprehensive user training, and formalising the integration with emergency services. In conclusion, this research demonstrates a practical and innovative model for significantly improving fire safety in educational institutions, safe