Fire-fighters trained by complex simulation

Eurotherm products are at the heart of a sophisticated temperature-monitored training structure used to train fire crews, developed by Aberdeen-based Grampian Fire Brigade

Aberdeen-based Grampian Fire Brigade has developed a sophisticated temperature-monitored training structure which is being used to train fire crews in "real-life" firefighting situations.

Called the "Tactical Ventilation Unit" (TVU) the £70,000 eight-roomed two storey steel structure replicates the fire dynamics that are to be found within a conventional domestic house environment.

The facility incorporates doors, windows, ground floor hall and stairway to an upper floor.

Live carbonaceous fires are used within the structure to replicate fire development within a compartment, such as a living room.

Training is aimed at developing the firefighting tactics and procedures that may be used when ventilating a compartment using air, forced into the structure by portable fans.

The generic term used for this type of ventilation is "Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV)".

The structure is also fitted with electronic temperature sensors, which are monitored live by a nearby computer.

The entire electronic monitoring and playback system, consisting of temperature sensors, data logging and transmission system and viewing software was supplied by Eurotherm.

The TVU is located at Grampian Fire Brigade's 17-acre Training Facility at Portlethen, approximately 5 miles south of Aberdeen.

As a leading exponent of new fire-fighting techniques, the Brigade is very conscious of its need to provide a safe working environment for its operational personnel.

In particular it is keen to train fire crews safely and to consistently high standards in the use of modern ventilation techniques to lessen the effects of heat, smoke and humidity on the firefighter.

The use of PPV significantly reduces the hostile conditions encountered whilst firefighting, by forcing air into the structure and creating a ventilation point where products of combustion can be evacuated from the building.

In this way fire crews can enter and work in a safer environment than ever before.

Timely ventilation of the structure has several added advantages.

Trapped persons may have access to fresh air as it flows through the building, and importantly be located more quickly than by conventional search and rescue techniques.

The effects of rapid ventilation will also significantly reduce damage to the structure and contents, and enable fire crews to locate the seat of the fire earlier.

Fabricated from 4mm thick steel, the basic structure of the TVU is 13m long and 7.5m wide, with the upper story measuring 13 x 2.5m.

The eight compartment structure represents two bedrooms and landing on the upper floor, and on the ground floor a living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room and hallway with staircase to the upper floor.

Fires are set in various compartments using timber sheets, the exact loading being determined by risk assessment.

Accurate "live" temperature readings from each compartment are logged and recorded on the classroom computer - a standard PC - during each practical fire fighting training session.

The temperature readings are then "played back " and projected onto a screen in the classroom after the exercise, allowing the performance of the fire crews, as well as the effect of opening doors and windows, to be analysed and discussed in some detail by the trainees and their instructors.

The system is also used to monitor each session for safety purposes, since one instructor continuously monitors TVU temperatures in the classroom, and is in continuous radio contact with a safety officer who is at the TVU with the fire crew undergoing training.

Through the monitoring process a decision is made on whether to allow trainees to enter a compartment, or where the temperature is unacceptably high to ventilate to reduce the temperature to a safe level.

The entire temperature monitoring, transmission and recording system was supplied by Eurotherm Limited, one of the world's leading specialists in temperature monitoring and control.

The 16 high temperature thermocouples within the TVU, (two per compartment) are Eurotherm MC types, mounted at just over head height (1.6 m) and kneeling height (1 m) above floor level.

They are connected via fire resistant mineral insulated cable to an eight way Type 2500 high performance multiple loop PID controller and data acquisition unit.

This reads the temperature sensors, converts the signals to digital form and sends the data back to the classroom PC about 150metres away over a standard telephone line.

The data transmission protocol is ModbusT RTU.

Eurotherm also supplied its proprietary SpecView software to view the information in clear graphical form, with each compartment and its temperature reading displayed as part of a composite schematic.

SpecView is a low cost auto-configuring SCADA package, which communicates with Eurotherm controllers and recorders using Modbus and other protocols.

It displays incoming data in clear "customised" graphical form, while logging the data for reporting, analysis or historical replay.

It also provides security features such as unauthorised copy protection and user password log-on.

Whilst the sixteen thermocouples measure temperature, the 2500 controller can also provide data representing rate of change of temperature (typically 35 C/sec).

It can also provide data from other sensors representing pressure, humidity, carbon monoxide content and oxygen content.

The system offers considerable flexibility, and can be customised to suit different simulation systems.

Having tried and tested the entire TVU concept and its electronic monitoring system, Grampian Fire Brigade is planning a further TVU, which will operate at the higher temperatures found in more serious fire situations.

The structure will benefit from a similar Eurotherm monitoring system, with more sensors throughout and more detailed analytical information available to trainers and safety officers.

Jim Clark the Brigade's Training Centre Manager views the TVU, with its monitoring system, as an indispensable aid to maintaining both training standards and safety.

He comments: "Our investment in this "cutting edge" training has proved to be of outstanding value, not just in terms of essential firefighter training, but in ensuring that training safety standards are maintained at very high levels.".

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