FORT SILL, Okla. June 25, 2015 -- A new, low-cost tool is helping Fort Sill fire inspectors train more Soldiers and civilians in the use of fire extinguishers.
The portable BullsEye Laser Driven Fire Extinguisher Training System replicates different types of fires on a projection screen. The trainee puts out the digital LED-fire with a laser extinguisher that replicates the feel and effectiveness of a fire extinguisher without the discharge of a chemical agent.
"It's fun. I think it's going to let us interact with the customers a lot better," said Arthur Webster, Fort Sill Fire and Emergency Services fire inspector.
The BullsEye can simulate Class A, B and C fires at different intensity levels. Class A fires consist of combustibles, such as paper and wood; B are petroleum-based fires; and C are electrical fires.
It's an invaluable tool because the training can be performed indoors, as well as outside, added Shawn Sullivan, deputy fire chief.
Before, Class B fire extinguisher training here could only be performed outside because a petroleum fuel, such as diesel was ignited, the deputy chief said. There were also many weather restrictions, i.e., wind speed, temperature and humidity.
It costs about $35 to recharge an expended 10-pound fire extinguisher, which are the most common, Webster said. If you have a unit training hundreds of Soldiers with extinguishers that can be a major expense for the unit.
The electronic extinguisher operates off a battery good for hundreds of training sessions before requiring a recharge, according to the company's website.
Using the extinguisher requires the same procedure as a real fire extinguisher, Webster demonstrated.
First, one must twist and pull a pin which breaks a safety seal. Holding the hose by the nozzle, the user aims it at the base of the fire and squeezes the handle to turn on the laser.
The trainee sees where the laser is pointing on the screen. Like fighting a real fire, the user stands six to eight feet from the monitor, sweeps the nozzle from side-to-side, and continually discharges the agent. All the while the loud sound of the agent dispensing is heard to make it seem realistic.
Sensors at the base of the screen detect the laser to determine how effective the user is doing. Once the fire is out, the time it took to extinguish it is displayed on the monitor.
It takes longer to put out Class A and C fires than a B with the digital extinguisher, just as it would if it were real fire, Sullivan said.
Because the monitor is portable and battery operated, it can be placed where a fire may start, such as under a desk because a surge protector shorted out, or next to a car, Sullivan said.
Fire extinguisher training should be performed semi-annually, or at the minimum annually Webster said. He encourages units and offices to contact any of the six fire inspectors to schedule training.
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