TEACHING TOOL FOR UNDERSTANDING FIRE PROGRESSION

The Mini RSTV Trainer is a metal scale model that helps instructors to instruct in fire progression. Using the teaching tool, trainees can study the flame build-up and the entire fire progression of a fire. Instructors also use the tool to have trainees practice smoke, flow, temperature and flames. A wide variety of microlearning opportunities can be involved in the course.

STUDY THE ENTIRE FIRE PROCESS

The Mini RSTV Trainer is fired with kindling and chipboard. The kindling is used to bring the trainer up to temperature and make a flame visible. The chipboard is used to get enough fire gas. The ignition is done with a firelighter or a burner. In this way, the instructor ensures that the entire course of the fire (the fire curve) becomes visible to the trainee. Because the burning process in the trainer is completely natural, instructors can instruct in temperature, volume, flow and color of smoke, among other things.

In the pyrolysis room there is a window, through which the course of the fire can be closely followed. Supports have also been installed. This makes it possible to show the course of the fire in rooms with a lowered ceiling. The trainer can be refueled with wood. Two wood baskets are supplied for this purpose.

PRACTICE VARIOUS EXTINGUISHING TECHNIQUES

With the aid of a plant sprayer, the trainer can also be used to teach extinguishing techniques. Instruct, for example, about cooling power and tell about the effect of the spray jet and bound jet. In addition, the effect of cooling smoke gases can also be imitated. Have the trainees measure the temperature of the fire before spraying and immediately after spraying. They will be amazed at how quickly the flue gases cool down and, if they do not cool down enough, return to temperature!

FLASHOVER AND BACKDRAFT AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT

With the Mini RSTV Trainer you can simulate a so-called flashover and backdraft. However, this is a possible side effect and never the main goal! The Mini RSTV Trainer is particularly suitable for providing insight into the progress of fire. This insight is obviously suitable for instructions to firefighters, but can also be used, for example, within an FAFS plus organization.

SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL

The teaching tool can be used to support the theory of the fire department. Certainly for the basic level of fire behaviour, the trainer offers a supplement to the story of the instruction.

CONNECTION TO THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FIREFIGHTING

With the Mini RSTV Trainer, it is easy to demonstrate how to find the location of a fire based on various signals. Typical signals that are mimicked with the scale model are:

• Moisture and deposits on the window (discoloration)
• Smoke layer buildup in the rooms (also the neutral boundary between hot and cold)
• Seeing different flows depending on the openings made by the doors
• Seeing flow under the influence of outside (wind)
• The effects of a false ceiling
• Working with a thermal camera
• Color change of the fire gases as the temperature increases

CONNECTION WITH THE QUADRANT MODEL

The Mini RSTV trainer can also be used to explain the quadrant model. Consider the effects of a:

• Defensive outdoor deployment
• Offensive exterior deployment
• Defensive interior deployment
• Offensive inside deployment