Fire-fighter training

• US 6,866,513 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2001
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kidde Fire Trainers, Inc. (Kidde Fire Trainer Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Kidde Ip Holdings Limited
• Inventors: Hough, Stephen John
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernstrom, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US10/220,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20030175662A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 434/219, 434/226
• US Class Current: 434/226
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0081 Training methods or equipment for fire-fighting
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131

Abstract

A fire simulator comprises fuel distribution means under a grating through which fuel emanating from the fuel distribution means can rise in use to create flames extending above the grating, wherein the grating includes a plurality of grating elements that together define a walkable working surface for a fire-fighter using the simulator.

Claims

1. A fire simulator comprising fuel distribution means for distributing fuel under a grating through which fuel emanating from the fuel distribution means can rise in use to create flames extending above the grating, wherein the grating includes a plurality of grating elements that together define a walkable working surface for a fire-fighter using the simulator and wherein the working surface can be driven upon by a fire-fighter vehicle without damaging the fuel distribution means, which vehicle can drive on and off the working surface from and onto a surrounding or neighbouring apron.

2. The fire simulator according to claim 1, wherein the working surface is aligned at its periphery with the surrounding or neighbouring apron.

3. The fire simulator according to claim 1, wherein the fuel distribution means is housed in a recess below the grating, the recess having a base below the level of the surrounding or neighbouring apron.

4. The fire simulator according to claim 3, wherein a pan in the recess contains the fuel distribution means.

5. The fire simulator according to claim 1, wherein the grating elements are supported by grating supports that stand beside the fuel distribution means below the grating elements.

6. The fire simulator according to claim 5, wherein the grating elements are removable from the grating supports.

7. The fire simulator according to claim 6, wherein grating elements can be lifted away from the grating supports and out of the working surface.

8. The fire simulator according to claim 5, wherein the grating elements are spaced from the fuel distribution means by the grating supports.

9. The fire simulator according to claim 5, wherein the grating supports are defined by a plurality of hollow support frames.

10. The fire simulator according to claim 7, wherein each support frame includes upright peripheral walls surrounding a cavity.

11. The fire simulator according to claim 10, wherein walls of the frame have lower edge portions shaped to define a drainage opening.

12. The fire simulator according to claim 10, wherein walls of the frame have upper edge portions shaped to receive an array of grating elements that bridge the cavity, the array defining a portion of the working surface.

13. The fire simulator according to claim 10, wherein the grating elements are movable with respect to the support frame.

14. The fire simulator according to claim 13, wherein the grating elements move until they encounter a neighbouring support frame.

15. The fire simulator according to claim 1, wherein the fuel distribution means is covered by a fuel-dispersive medium from which dispersed fuel rises through the grating.

16. The fire simulator according to claim 15, wherein support frames each include upright peripheral walls surrounding a cavity and the fuel-dispersive medium is accommodated in the cavity and defines a bed extending under the working surface subdivided by the walls of a plurality of support frames.

17. The fire simulator according to claim 1, wherein the fuel distribution means is associated with fuel-heating means for applying to the fuel distribution means radiant heat that emanates from the flames in use, thereby promoting vaporisation of liquid fuel in the fuel distribution means.

18. The fire simulator according to claim 17, wherein the fuel-heating means absorbs radiant heat emanating from the flames and radiates to the fuel distribution means some of the heat thus absorbed.

19. The fire simulator according to claim 17, wherein the fuel-heating means reflects some of the radiant heat emanating from the flames.

20. The fire simulator according to claim 17, wherein the fuel-heating means includes a layer of particulate refractory material.

21. The fire simulator according to claim 20, wherein a foraminous sheet or mesh is interposed between the fuel distribution means and the layer of particulate refractory material.

22. The fire simulator according to claim 1 and being arranged such that the grating elements remain below 200 Celsius in use.

23. The fire simulator according to claim 1 and including a prop supported by its working surface.

24. The fire simulator according to claim 23, wherein the prop can be moved across the working surface while being supported by the working surface.

25. A fire simulator comprising fuel distribution means for distributing fuel under a grating through which fuel emanating from the fuel distribution means can rise in use to create flames extending above the grating, grating supports that stand beside the fuel distribution means below and support an array of grating elements and are defined by a plurality of hollow support frames each comprising upright peripheral walls surrounding a cavity, the walls of the frame having castellated upper edge portions shaped to receive the array of grating elements that bridge the cavity and comprise a portion of a walkable grating working surface for fire-fighters using the simulator.

26. The fire simulator according to claim 25, wherein the walls are in a rectangular or square arrangement around a correspondingly-shaped cavity.

27. The fire simulator according to claim 26, wherein the support frames are laid in intersecting rectilinear arrays with walls of neighbouring frames aligned with and facing one another.

28. The fire simulator according to claim 25, wherein a plurality of grating elements are disposed in a parallel array across the cavity.

29. The fire simulator according to claim 28, wherein the support frames are laid in a row and wherein the orientations of grating elements in neighbouring frames are mutually orthogonal.

30. A fire simulator comprising fuel distribution means for distributing fuel under a grating through which fuel emanating from the fuel distribution means can rise in use to create flames extending above the grating, the grating comprising a plurality of grating elements that together define a walkable working surface for a fire-fighter using the simulator and grating supports that stand beside the fuel distribution means below an array of grating elements and are defined by a plurality of hollow support frames each comprising upright peripheral walls surrounding a cavity, wherein fixing plates are attached to the lower edge of the walls of the frames to provide for fixing the frames to a foundation or base.

31. A fire simulator comprising fuel distribution means for distributing fuel under a grating through which fuel emanating from the fuel distribution means can rise in use to create flames extending above the grating, wherein the grating includes a plurality of grating elements that together define a walkable working surface for a fire-fighter using the simulator and wherein the grating elements comprise a plurality of separate elongate bars each having at least one face that defines part of the working surface when the bar is oriented generally horizontally for use.

32. A fire simulator comprising fuel distribution means for distributing fuel under a grating through which fuel emanating from the fuel distribution means can rise in use to create flames extending above the grating, wherein the grating includes a plurality of grating elements that together define a walkable working surface for a fire-fighter using the simulator and the simulator further comprises a service trench surrounded by or bordering the working surface and including a movable or removable access cover that lies flush with the working surface.

33. The fire simulator according to claim 32, wherein the cover is vented to permit free venting of gases from the service trench.

34. The fire simulator according to claim 32, wherein the service trench contains control equipment for lighting and fuelling the flame, and defines walls having cavities into which the control equipment is recessed.

35. The fire simulator according to claim 32, wherein the service trench drains fire-fighting water or rainwater that runs through the grating.