The challenge: Improving fire prevention training with practical and safe tools
Traditional training in the use of fire extinguishers is often limited to occasional demonstrations and practical exercises with real fire, which involve risks, costs and logistical difficulties. As a result, many people are not properly familiar with the procedures, types of extinguishers or reaction times required in an emergency.
In addition, the housing and construction sector demands new training solutions capable of adapting to 4.0 environments, facilitating repeatable, measurable and safe training. A system was needed that would allow practice with real fire extinguishers without compromising safety, while showing realistic scenarios and evaluating user performance.
Aidimme
Technology centre specialising in applied research, industrial development and innovative solutions for the housing sector.
The solution: realistic fire scenarios and the use of adapted physical fire extinguishers
We developed a virtual reality application for Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S that simulates various fires and allows the user to choose and use the appropriate extinguisher depending on the type of fire. The experience records errors, analyses performance, and guides the user to improve their skills.
To make the experience as realistic as possible, the Meta Quest 3 controllers are integrated into physical adapters 3D-printed by AIDIMME, which attach to real fire extinguishers. This allows the experience to be activated with a real fire extinguisher, combining virtual training with real mechanical interaction. The result is a safe, repeatable and highly immersive environment for training in emergency situations.
Improvement in retention of fire extinguisher usage procedure
Safe training without risks or waste
Logistical costs versus live fire training
- Compatibility with VR headsets (Meta Quest)
- VR simulation of various types of fires in different environments
- Integration of physical fire extinguishers using adapters
- Assessment module and error attribution integrated into each scenario
Key findings
This project is part of the action coordinated by REDIT, focused on fire protection in the housing sector. Within this framework, the pilot developed demonstrates the potential of AR/VR as a key tool in prevention and training for emergencies in buildings. The application allows users to visualise signage, alarm points and the correct handling of fire extinguishers, reinforcing safety in professional environments.
The first version of the demonstrator has been developed, based on an exhaustive analysis of the applicability of VR in construction 4.0. The combination of real fire extinguishers with an immersive virtual environment offers comprehensive training: theory, mechanical practice and advanced simulation. The result is an efficient, scalable training system capable of substantially improving fire preparedness.
