GIS for School Libraries Emergency Planning

Abstract

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a means of providing great contributions to users in decision making processes based on location. It presents the information to the users serves and provides data collecting, storing, processing, managing, analyzing, querying. GIS ensures that a lot of data are layered on the architectural plans of school libraries. A data that is not well evaluated due to the data intensity in the analysis studies may prevent both the delay and the accuracy of the desired diagnosis for solution. For this reason, GIS technology is used in places where intensive data usage. GIS, which has been started to be used by different disciplines together with technological developments, enables the storage and processing of all kinds of data to be analyzed. It is a system consisting of necessary hardware and software and users for these processes. It is a tool that enables effective management of data. Complex data is easily analyzed by users in a database by GIS software. It is also concerned with the association of spatial data and non-graphical (verbal) data. GIS is able to compare measurement results successfully according to conventional measurement evaluation methods. There are also a number of projects where GIS has been implemented in interior areas. School libraries can also serve in many areas or more than one floor. The GIS layers must be shown on floor plans as emergency exit doors, location of emergency intervention tools (fire extinguisher, fire hose, hydrant, fire alarm buttons, electric panel, gas valve, first aid kit etc.), nearest emergency service centers (fire brigade, police, ambulance, etc.), evacuation routes leading to emergency assembly area, external, main and service ladders, building non structural materials. As there are many people in schools and school libraries as a number of users, in case of fire, their evacuation must also be fast. GIS will also provide effective planning for rapid evacuation of schools and school libraries. Digital data obtained from service providers such as municipalities, water, natural gas companies can also be used as separated GIS layers. All building elements in the building can be classified in different colors and typologies for each floor (Balcony, wall, threshold, hall, stairs, room, window, shelves etc.). Emergency lighting kits should be installed in school libraries. Sensors, which are part of the fire alarm system, must also be located in the GIS layers. Furniture and furnishings used in the floors can also be shown on the GIS. Routes to be used by disabled users in emergency situations should be specified in these plans and physical arrangements such as ramps should be implemented. Area names in the school and in the school library should also be included in the GIS layers. The joint meetings should be held with the school library experts working in this field in the world, problems should be discussed, national and international networks should be established.