VR Fire Extinguisher Training: How Does It Work?
VR fire extinguisher training uses virtual reality to create interactive fire training experiences where trainees can practise how to respond to a fire and use an extinguisher.
VR fire extinguisher training can be designed in different ways. Some solutions use virtual controllers or other forms of digital interaction, while others combine VR with physical training equipment. Some solutions also use Mixed Reality, where virtual fire is placed within the trainee's physical surroundings.
So what does a VR fire extinguisher training experience actually involve?
What Is VR Fire Extinguisher Training?
VR fire extinguisher training uses a VR headset to simulate fire situations in a controlled digital environment. The trainee can practise assessing a fire, responding to the situation and attempting to extinguish it without creating a live fire.
The exact training experience depends on the solution being used. Some systems provide a fully virtual experience, while others combine VR with physical equipment or Mixed Reality features.
How Does VR Fire Extinguisher Training Work?
A typical training experience can involve several steps.
1. Enter the Training Environment
The trainee puts on a VR headset and enters the selected training experience.
Depending on the technology being used, this can be a fully virtual environment or a Mixed Reality experience where virtual fire is displayed within the trainee's physical surroundings.
2. Assess the Fire
The trainee is presented with a fire and needs to assess the situation before taking action.
The training can require the trainee to identify the fire, determine how to respond, and choose an appropriate extinguisher.
3. Interact With the Extinguisher
The way the trainee interacts with the extinguisher depends on the training solution.
Some systems use virtual controls or controllers to simulate the actions involved in using an extinguisher. Other solutions use physical training equipment.
The Vobling VR Fire Trainer combines the VR training environment with a physical interactive extinguisher, allowing trainees to physically handle the extinguisher while responding to a virtual fire.
4. Attempt to Extinguish the Fire
The trainee aims the extinguisher at the virtual fire and attempts to extinguish it.
The virtual fire responds to the trainee's actions, allowing them to see how their technique affects the fire.
In a Mixed Reality experience, the virtual fire can instead be placed within the trainee's physical surroundings using Passthrough, allowing the trainee to remain aware of their real environment while interacting with the virtual fire.
5. Review the Training Result
After the exercise, the trainee can receive feedback on their performance.
Depending on the training solution, this can include information about how the extinguisher was used and the outcome of the exercise.
Feedback can help trainees understand their performance and identify areas where further practice may be useful.
The Role of a Physical Extinguisher
One of the differences between VR fire extinguisher training solutions is how the trainee interacts with the extinguisher.
Some solutions simulate the extinguisher entirely within the virtual environment. Others use physical equipment to add a hands-on element to the training.
The Vobling VR Fire Trainer uses a physical interactive extinguisher together with the VR training application. This means the trainee is not only interacting with a virtual representation of an extinguisher. They physically handle the extinguisher while responding to a virtual fire and can practise the actions involved in using one.
What Can Be Practised in VR?
The content available depends on the training solution.
VR fire extinguisher training can simulate different fire situations and allow trainees to practise responding to them in a controlled environment.
Some solutions may focus on a limited number of scenarios, while others provide a wider range of fire types, extinguishing agents and training situations.
The Vobling VR Fire Trainer includes different fire types and extinguisher agents, allowing trainees to practise responding to a range of fire situations.
Mixed Reality in VR Fire Extinguisher Training
Mixed Reality is another technology that can be used in VR fire extinguisher training, but it is not available in every solution or on every VR headset.
With Passthrough, virtual fire can be placed within the trainee's physical surroundings rather than requiring the trainee to remain entirely inside a virtual environment.
This allows the trainee to remain aware of their real surroundings while interacting with a virtual fire.
The Vobling VR Fire Trainer supports Mixed Reality on compatible Meta Quest devices.
Hand Tracking can also provide an alternative way to interact with the training experience on supported devices. The Vobling VR Fire Trainer supports Hand Tracking on compatible Meta Quest devices, with an experimental Hand Tracking function also available on supported HTC devices.
Can VR Fire Extinguisher Training Replace Practical Fire Training?
VR fire extinguisher training provides a way to practise fire response and extinguisher use in a controlled environment.
It does not mean that VR needs to replace every other form of fire safety training. How VR is used depends on the organisation, its training objectives and the requirements that apply to the specific training.
VR can instead be used as an additional training method, allowing trainees to practise fire response without the setup required for a live fire.
How Is Performance Evaluated?
Digital training can provide feedback about what happens during an exercise.
Depending on the solution, information about the trainee's actions and the result of the exercise can be used to support learning and identify areas for improvement.
This allows trainees to review their performance and repeat the exercise when further practice is needed.
What Equipment Is Used?
The equipment required depends on the VR fire extinguisher training solution.
A setup can include:
A VR headset
VR fire extinguisher training software
Virtual controllers or other interaction methods
A physical interactive extinguisher
Not every solution uses physical equipment, and not every VR headset supports the same features.
The Vobling VR Fire Trainer combines a compatible VR headset and the Vobling VR Fire Trainer application with a physical interactive extinguisher. Mixed Reality features are available on compatible Meta Quest devices.
A More Interactive Way to Practise Fire Response
VR fire extinguisher training allows trainees to actively practise responding to fire situations in a controlled environment.
The technology can be implemented in different ways, from fully virtual experiences to solutions that combine VR with physical equipment or Mixed Reality.
For organisations considering VR fire extinguisher training, understanding how the technology works and how different solutions approach interaction can help when choosing a training solution.
The Vobling VR Fire Trainer combines immersive VR training with a physical interactive extinguisher and Mixed Reality capabilities on compatible devices.
