Abstract
<jats:p>The paper substantiates the need to improve fire detection, notification, and evacuation management in residential buildings by analyzing fire statistics and key factors that limit the effectiveness of conventional solutions (delayed fire recognition, frequent false alarms, and the resulting loss of user trust). The potential of Internet of Things (IoT) integration into smart-home fire safety is discussed, and the functional limitations of commercially available smart smoke detectors are identified as barriers to reliable response and evacuation organization. A methodology for organizing the operation of an IoT-based fire alarm and evacuation management system is proposed. The methodology defines procedures for device verification and alarm validation, confirmation of hazardous fire factors using event-driven video capture, predictive assessment of scenario development, multi-channel intelligent user notification, evacuation routing and navigation, engineering systems control, and information exchange with dispatch and emergency services. The methodology is complemented with survivability requirements under power failures (separation of standby and alarm operating modes) and mechanisms for estimating occupant presence via registered user devices. The results provide a practical basis for designing next-generation fire protection systems aimed at faster response, fewer false dispatches, and improved evacuation outcomes.</jats:p>