The technology tends to be used as part of a wider training packaging and enables employers to build on existing fire safety practices. As a training tool it opens up new possibilities to enhance learning and knowledge retention. Employers can recreate real-life scenarios through training exercises, and transmit visual and auditory information that evokes real-life emotions, albeit in a safe space.
VR can be used to train up fire wardens, providing them with an opportunity to run through the evacuation steps
Employee understanding of the fire triangle model is a key element of training. By using VR technology, trainers can provide a visual illustration of the three elements a fire needs to ignite -- heat, fuel and an oxidising agent -- and then offer trainees practical experience on how to prevent or extinguish a fire.
Using simulations, trainees can be put through different scenarios and the exercises can be used to explain what the best actions are to take. For example, VR can be used to train up fire wardens, providing them with an opportunity to run through the evacuation steps they need to follow in the event of emergency (see box below).
Evacuation Training The Parallel has used VR technology as part of its training for fire wardens. The session begins with the trainee fire warden being placed in a virtual office space where a virtual fire safety coach outlines the fire safety procedures in the event of an incident. The session then outlines what happens when a fire occurs and is left to spread. After this, the trainee is placed back in the office space. Using what they have learnt, their task is to evacuate colleagues following the instructions they received earlier from the virtual fire safety coach. |
VR can also be applied in sector-specific environments. A case in point is the oil and gas sector (see box below).
Petrol station evacuation In this case study, trainees took part in an evacuation exercise at a petrol station. The oil and gas company client said that the simulated environment created for the training exercise had to be a carbon copy of the real-life petrol station. When the trainees undertook the exercise, the training identified that one of the fire hazard signs had not been placed in a position that was visible enough for trainees to spot, which caused confusion and delayed the evacuation completion time. Feedback enabled the client to move the hazard sign's position, potentially saving lives in the event of a real-life emergency situation. |
additional training.
Alternatively, they can review exercises and determine whether future training requires modification.
Most importantly, VR provides every user with practical hands-on fire safety experience, which arguably improves knowledge retention and potentially saves lives in the event of fire.
Photo Credit | The Parallel