Safe Spaces for Immersive Safety Training in Virtual Reality

This page summarizes findings from the peer-reviewed article “Safe Spaces for Immersive Safety Training in Virtual Reality” by Amir Haj-Bolouri (University West, Sweden), published in the International Journal of Virtual Reality.

Research based on the VR Fire Trainer

Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) is increasingly used in safety-critical training, offering realistic learning experiences without exposing participants to real-world danger. In a recent peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Virtual Reality, researchers examined how IVR can create meaningful and safe training environments for emergency preparedness - using the VR Fire Trainer as central artefact in a case together with SJ, Sweden’s largest train operating company.

Why Virtual Reality for Fire Safety Training?

Traditional fire safety training often involves high costs, logistical challenges, and inherent risks. Virtual Reality offers a powerful alternative by allowing trainees to:

• Experience realistic fire and emergency scenarios

• Practice decision-making and procedural skills in a safe environment

• Learn through embodied, hands-on interaction rather than passive instruction
  

This makes IVR particularly well-suited for fire safety training, where realism is essential but real exposure is hazardous.

The VR Fire Trainer

The VR Fire Trainer, developed by Vobling and used by one of Sweden’s largest train operators, is a fully immersive VR solution designed for fire safety training. The system:

• Simulates realistic fire behavior in environments based on real train settings

• Uses a physical fire extinguisher replica that trainees operate inside VR

• Follows standard fire-fighting procedures, including the PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)

• Provides feedback on performance, such as extinguisher use and fire development

• Supports multiple scenarios and languages
  

By combining physical interaction with immersive visuals, the VR Fire Trainer bridges the gap between virtual training and real-world application.

Key Findings from the Research

The study used a phenomenological research approach, based on interviews with train staff who completed fire safety training using the VR Fire Trainer. The analysis identified four key themes that together define a meaningful “safe space” for immersive safety training:

1. Sense of Authentic Hazard Recognition

   Trainees experience the fire scenarios as credible and realistic, enabling genuine awareness of risk.
   

2. Sense of Behavioral Responsiveness

   Participants are able to act in ways that closely resemble real-world behavior, reinforcing procedural learning.

   
   

3. Sense of Intersubjective Risk Perception

   The shared understanding of danger and responsibility supports collective learning and preparedness.
   

4. Sense of Embodied Atmosphere

   The immersive sensory experience - visual, spatial, and physical - strengthens engagement and learning outcomes.
   

Together, these findings show how immersive VR can support effective safety training by combining realism with psychological and physical safety.

About the Research & Author

The article, “Safe Spaces for Immersive Safety Training in Virtual Reality: A Phenomenological Conceptualization”, was authored by Amir Haj-Bolouri, professor at University West, Sweden. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how immersive virtual environments can be designed to support learning in high-risk domains such as fire safety training.

Read the Full Article

If you want to read the full article, you can access it here: Safe Spaces for Immersive Safety Training in Virtual Reality: A Phenomenological Conceptualization International Journal of Virtual Reality (open access)