The unpredictability of fire: Can it be simulated using an interactive visualisation system?

Project Details

Description

The Unpredictability of Fire : Can it be simulated using a virtual fire screen environment.

Layperson's description

Background. In preventing fire re-offending, some Fire & Rescue Services provide fire safety education to at-risk individuals. Often this is unstructured and without research support. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service (HIWFRS) has pioneered the development of a structured fire education programme for use with adults who are deliberate firesetters. The intervention - named FIRE-P - aims to teach the dangers and unpredictability of fire; and a key component is the video resources coupled with professionally-facilitated discussion among the users. Research with FIRE-P users has indicated however that the videos are outdated and do not demonstrate how situation-specific environmental factors can have an unexpected effect. Learning and understanding may be particularly boosted by interactive 'virtual reality' methods: these have been repeatedly shown to yield better learning outcomes compared to non-interactive methods such as passive (2D) videos.

Aims. The current project therefore aims to demonstrate, as a Proof of Concept, that a virtual fire scene environment (VFSE) can be generated and deployed to a device for use in the intervention. The VFSE will be a high fidelity simulation of a deliberately set fire. Furthermore, the simulation will include the facility to enhance the viewer's learning about the unpredictability of fire by allowing them to manipulate the level of a single, potentially influential, environmental factor.

Methodology. A VFSE will be generated in collaboration with HIWFRS. For the Proof of Concept, all environmental factors will be fixed bar one - the type of accelerant used to start the fire (lighter fluid, unleaded petrol, no accelerant). Other factors such as the level of ventilation will be fixed; but will still directly influence the behaviour of the virtual fire. During development we will monitor the influence of the variable, type of accelerant, on the behaviour of the virtual fire including the room temperature.

Originality. The use of high-fidelity simulations based on complex real-world data (fire behaviour) in criminal justice educational training programmes, is under-developed. Achievement of the current aims would be an internationally unprecedented practical innovation.

Practical implications. While the main end goal of FIRE-P is to reduce fire re-offending by raising awareness of the unpredictability of fire, the provision of a virtual experience of fire behaviour - with powerful user/trainer control and flexibility - is likely significantly strengthen the programme and enrich educational outcomes. The benefit to users and providers will be checked within the project's objectives. Finally, as well as benefiting at-risk individuals and communities via the increase in appreciation of the unpredictability of fire, this project will also benefit fire professionals at Fire & Rescue Services that are trained to run the FIRE-P structured educational programme.
StatusActive
Effective start/end date1/04/2431/03/25

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