Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by dan on April 16, 2010 at 3:37pm

Our Dept recently purchased the Draegger flashover simulator also referred to as their phase 1 system. We completed our train the trainer with the draegger Instructors over a two day period. We then sent our dept through the flashover training. I had some great feedback on the flashover training. Our dept is mainly 10 year plus guys with several 15-20 year guys.........the overall comments were very good, can we go again, and I have never seen fire act like that before. From an Instructors standpoint this is excellent training if you can get it.
The box is a 30' conex or shiping container. They cut 10' off and raise it up 3' and that is called the burn chambr. The remaining 20 ' is called the observation area. There are definitely some design features that make it safe to be inside with temperatures over 1000 degrees. So if you are considering a do it your self project be very careful. Before we purchased our flashover prop we visited a dept that had one and talked extensively about the pros and cons and how safe this was etc.
In short if you can get this type of training go for it. Your dept will love it and actually appreciate the lessons learned and the chance to witness the signs and symptoms of a flashover in a controlled environment. This is not a commercial for any particular company but it is a testimonial to this type of training.
Be Safe

Permalink Reply by G. Hove on May 3, 2010 at 11:38am

We have props that use shipping containers. They are set up to simulate a small dwelling with doors and venilation openings that can be opened from the inside or outside. We have a series of burn pans of diffrent sizes for live fire training which we burn all sorts of items. One hint, make some drain holes befor you spray water.
We also have another that is a confined space trainer.

Permalink Reply by Timothy Bullard on October 4, 2010 at 10:00pm

Hey,

Just joined the Group and found your comment. I am planning a similar set-up with my training grounds for live fire. How old is the container? How is it holding up? It will be a harder sell if I have to include that we have to buy a new container every 5 years. Any info/wisdom is greatly appreciated. Timothy Bullard, Captain, Nevada Fire Department

Permalink Reply by Chris on October 6, 2010 at 4:23pm

Well Tim we're on hold right now had some subgrade problems on the land we were planning on using. Have talked with a college and a fire dept. a few counties over and they have been using for over 5 yrs. Be sure you have holes for the water to drain out and an alternate opening at the end to vent.  Also spoke with local container supplier and the price is anywhere from $1500-$3000 per container, depending on size and age. I wish I could  offer ya some more information.

Permalink Reply by Timothy Bullard on October 16, 2010 at 3:29pm

Thanks for the reply, I thought I was following this so I didn't check back until now. I have already figured the need for a gravel base, leveling and drainage. I was hoping that long range we could stack another on top and build a staircase for super crazy 2nd floor action, but even intermitent replacement sounds like a buzz kill. However 5 years for $3000 of cooking is a good deal. Thanks again. Stay Safe, PTB

Permalink Reply by Sinisa Jembrih on October 17, 2010 at 3:44pm

Greeting from our Little corner of world, Croatia (Europe).

Well, we use shipping containers for Fire Behaviour training.

They are basically two systems we use: open and closed. Open is with doors to the Fireroom so you can simulate Fire Gas Ignition and open is without them for Fire behaviour and nozzle training. Hope one day we can make multicompartment training facility...

So far we have great feedback from our trainees.

This is typical for Europe but i know some guys in US doing it.

There is some pictures on site (http://www.flashover-hr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=a...) and I am sure i have more pictures if you are interested.

Permalink Reply by Sinisa Jembrih on November 16, 2010 at 9:48am

Nice picture, what kind of container is it?

Sinisa

Permalink Reply by Randy Macey on January 5, 2011 at 4:37pm

Just a warning that in some of the areas it has been pulled for this type of training. Mostly due to the material that your burning inside. I will see if I can pull up some more information on this, as what we call a "Flashover Training Simulator".

Know some departments in Ontario Canada, have stop using the flashover simulator.

Thanks
Randy