Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging tool in the fire service. In addition to its role in firefighter training, it is also emerging as a useful means of education about fire prevention. Home Fire Sprinkler Association (HFSA) is using VR to demonstrate up close and personal the revelatory fire prevention role of home fire sprinklers at the early stages of a fire.
VR experience
A VR video available from HFSA demonstrates how fire spreads in two identical rooms in a single-family home in Ashland City, Tenn.
Two rooms were set up as identical living rooms – one with sprinklers and the other without. Both were set on fire. VR video captures the dramatic footage, which is viewable in a user-controlled 360-degree video and an immersive experience using VR goggles.
360-degree educational video
Comparing the damage in the two rooms tells the dramatic story of the value of residential sprinklers
A live fire video shoot at the single-family home, which was earmarked for demolition, produced an unprecedented, virtual reality, 360-degree house fire, and sprinkler educational video. The viewer can see a flashover as the flames and smoke spread.
The video shows how high heat from fires activates a sprinkler and how the sprinkler controls the blaze. Comparing the damage in the two rooms tells the dramatic story of the value of residential sprinklers. HFSC provides 20 low-cost virtual reality goggles to each fire department to maximize viewing of the video, financed through a grant from State Farm.
Higher-end VR system
The coalition also provides access to a higher-end VR system, including headsets and a laptop, for use by departments promoting the coalition’s Developer Incentive Program.
The VR equipment, financed by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant, helps to communicate the dramatic impact of fire sprinklers, triggering the brain and senses to the point that some users perceive they smell the smoke. The VR goggles and video had quite an impact at FDIC International, where HFSC shared a booth with FM Global.
fire fatalities
Synthetic materials such as polyurethane, contribute to fire spread and produce toxic fumes
Most fire fatalities that occur in the United States happen in the home. Fire is deadly, and modern design trends are contributing to the risk in new homes.
Open floor plans, lightweight construction, and the use of composite wood beams can contribute to rapid fire spread, so today’s homes could collapse more quickly. Synthetic materials used in today’s home furnishings, such as polyurethane, contribute to fire spread and produce toxic fumes. A fire can become deadly within two minutes.
Sprinklers
Home fires also put firefighters at risk through exposure that can lead to injury as well as health issues.
A community with sprinklers represents a less overall danger to firefighters, including less likelihood of contamination and/or exposure to cancer-causing materials.
sprinkler protection
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition was formed in 1996 to inform the public about the life-saving value of sprinkler protection in one- and two-family homes.
Making up the coalition are the NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative, the American Fire Sprinkler Association, and the National Fire Sprinkler Associations.
Additional fire service organizations
Fire service organizations review all materials provided by the coalition and provide needed expertise
Additional “member” organizations including State Farm Insurance and FM Global provide funding for the coalition. Other funding comes from various federal grant programs. HFSC is a purely educational 501(c) (3) charitable organization and a resource for independent, non-commercial information about residential fire sprinklers.
Additional fire service organizations are also part of HFSC, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, and the National Volunteer Fire Council. They provide valuable expertise and contacts to help spread the word and to promote HFSC’s mission. Fire service organizations review all materials provided by the coalition and provide needed expertise.
NFPA 13D standard
NFPA 13D is the standard for the installation of sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes.
The intent is to provide an affordable sprinkler system in homes while maintaining a high level of fire safety.
HFSC’s Built for Life program
Fire departments can participate in the HFSC’s Built for Life program, which provides support, resources, and materials to enable all U.S. and Canadian fire departments to make home fire sprinkler education a focus of their community outreach.
Steps could be as simple as adding sprinkler messages and materials to existing outreach, or as comprehensive as establishing an outreach program for local builders and developers. Available materials include a fire and sprinkler burn demonstration kit, educational outreach, a certificate of participation, and more. Stipends are available to pay for educational banners, live demonstrations, and monitors for virtual presentations.