Fire training props and how to use them

Abstract

A fire training prop (10) and a method of using the fire training prop (10) are provided. The prop may be suitable for tabletop training and includes an enclosure (12); at least one interior panel (44) positioned within the enclosure (12) and defining a plurality of interior volumes (46) within the enclosure; a transparent top panel (22) positioned at the top of the enclosure; at least one side aperture (28) and side aperture cover (34) on at least one of the sides (14, 16, 18, 20) of the enclosure; and at least one panel aperture (49) having an aperture cover (64) on the at least one interior panel. When a visible fluid (72), such as a source of smoke, is introduced into the enclosure (12), the flow of the visible fluid within the enclosure can be monitored by a user through the transparent top panel (22).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 021,288, filed May 7, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Background of the Invention Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to fire training props for firefighters or first responders and methods of use thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fire training prop that includes a scale model of a building and its floor plan with a transparent top and / or sides through which the progression of a fire can be observed. Interior doors and exterior apertures can be opened and closed, allowing the effects of a real fire to be observed through the transparent top and / or sides. [Background technology]

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0003] Firefighter training "props" are often used to train firefighters and other first responders on the dynamic nature of fire, flames, and smoke progression through a structure. Fire training props are sometimes full-scale versions of actual buildings that are ignited, allowing the progression of the fire and smoke to be monitored and altered, for example, by opening or penetrating walls or ceilings and observing the resulting fire characteristics.

[0004]

[0004] Because the cost of building a full-scale structure can be prohibitive and subsequent demolition can be dangerous, scale models of structures, such as tabletop scale models or "props," are often used. Because the dynamic nature of smoke and flames is scalable, scale models can be very effective in observing fire behavior that reflects a real, full-size fire. Furthermore, scale models made of fire-resistant materials can be reused repeatedly.

[0005]

[0005] Typical tabletop training props, such as those sold by Flashpoint Fire Equipment, Inc. of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, comprise a scaled-down metal-framed enclosure with a glass wall through which fire behavior can be observed. These structures are typically multi-floor structures with a single transparent side through which fire and smoke can be observed within and between floors of the scale model. While these floor-to-floor fire training props have proven to provide an effective and reusable means for training firefighters and other fire responders in the dynamic behavior of fire, these devices have limitations, and a need exists in the art for improved fire training props and methods of use to enhance training in the dynamic behavior of fires, particularly in response to changing air currents. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Summary of the Invention Aspects of the present invention address the limitations of prior art fire training props by providing a training prop and training method that enhances opportunities to train firefighters and other first responders on the dynamic nature of fire. Aspects of the present invention provide a flame-resistant tabletop training prop that models a building's floor layout and has a transparent top or "ceiling," allowing trainees to view the actual progression of a real fire through the floor plan, e.g., through doorways and hallways, as the fire progresses. Aspects of the present invention provide mechanisms for manipulating both exterior apertures (e.g., doors and windows) and interior apertures (e.g., doors), such that the effects of an open exterior door or window, or an open interior door, can be observed from above and / or through the side of the structure using the prop.

[0007]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a tabletop fire training prop comprising or including: an enclosure having an open top, a closed bottom, and sides; at least one interior panel positioned within the enclosure and defining a plurality of volumes within the enclosure; a transparent top panel positioned on the open top of the enclosure; at least one side aperture and side aperture cover on at least one of the sides of the enclosure; and at least one panel aperture with an aperture cover on the at least one interior panel, wherein when a source of visible fluid such as fire and smoke is introduced into the enclosure, the flow of visible fluid within the enclosure can be monitored by a user through the transparent top panel.

[0008]

[0008] In one aspect, at least one internal panel positioned within the housing and defining multiple internal volumes within the housing may comprise a partition assembly having multiple panels positioned within the housing and defining multiple internal volumes within the housing.

[0009] In another aspect, the training prop may further include at least one control rod operably connected to at least one panel aperture cover, such as a door, in at least one interior panel. In one aspect, two or more control rods may be operably connected to two or more doors in the enclosure.

[0010]

[0010] In one aspect, the training prop may further include at least one aperture having an aperture cover attached to the open top of the housing.

[0011] In one aspect, the source of visible fluid may be a source of visible gas or a source of visible liquid, for example, a source of visible gas may be a source of fire and smoke.

[0012]

[0012] In another aspect, the training prop may be a scale model of a floor plan of a structure, with multiple interior volumes, i.e., rooms, within the enclosure comprising multiple horizontally adjacent interior volumes, i.e., rooms, of the floor plan.

[0013]

[0013] Another embodiment of the present invention is a training method comprising or including providing a training prop comprising: an enclosure having an open top, a closed bottom, and sides; a transparent top panel positioned on the open top of the enclosure; at least one interior wall positioned within the enclosure and defining a plurality of interior volumes within the enclosure; and at least one wall aperture having an aperture cover on at least one interior wall; introducing a source of visible fluid, such as fire and smoke, into the enclosure; and enabling a trainee to monitor the flow of visible fluid within the enclosure through the transparent top panel.

[0014] In one aspect, the method further comprises manipulating the position of an aperture cover or door of the at least one wall aperture, for example, opening or closing the door.

[0015]

[0015] In one aspect, the training prop further comprises at least one control rod operably connected to the aperture cover or door of the at least one wall aperture, and manipulating the position of the aperture cover or door of the at least one wall aperture can be performed by manipulating the at least one control rod.

[0016]

[0016] In one aspect, the method may further include introducing a flow of gas, for example an oxygen-containing gas, into the training prop, for example through a conduit or tube inserted into a hole in the side of the training prop.

[0017] In another aspect, at least one interior wall positioned within the housing can be a first partition assembly defining a first plurality of volumes, and the method can further include replacing the first partition assembly with a second partition assembly defining a second plurality of volumes different from the first plurality of volumes. Additionally, the method can include enabling the trainee to monitor the visible fluid flow within the housing through the second partition assembly and then compare the visible fluid flow through the second partition assembly to the visible fluid flow through the first partition assembly.

[0018]

[0018] A further embodiment of the present invention is a tabletop fire training prop comprising or including: an enclosure having an open top, a closed bottom, and sides; a divider assembly positioned within the enclosure, the divider assembly having a plurality of dividers defining a plurality of internal volumes within the enclosure; a transparent top panel positioned on the open top of the enclosure; at least one side aperture and a side aperture cover on at least one of the sides of the enclosure; at least one door pivotally mounted to one of the dividers of the divider assembly; and at least one control rod operably connected to the at least one door and adapted to open and close the at least one door, wherein when a source of flame is introduced into the enclosure, the flow of flame within the enclosure can be monitored by a user through the transparent top panel, and the flow of flame can be manipulated by the user by opening and closing the at least one door with the at least one control rod.

[0019]

[0019] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of various aspects of the invention, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of this specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1]

[0021] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a training prop according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 2]

[0022] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the training prop shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3]

[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the training prop shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4]

[0024] FIG. 2 is a front view of the training prop shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5]

[0025] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the training prop shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6]

[0026] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the training prop shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7]

[0027] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the training prop shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 8]

[0028] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the training prop shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9]

[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the training prop shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10]

[0030] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the top panel shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11]

[0031] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the top panel shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12]

[0032] FIG. 12 is a side view of the top panel shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13]

[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the partition assembly shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 14]

[0034] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the partition assembly shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 15]

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 16]

[0036] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17]

[0037] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the housing shown in FIG. 15, illustrating one means by which a control rod may be used to operate an interior door within the housing according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18]

[0038] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the isolated door and control rod assembly shown in FIG. 17 with the door in a closed position. [Figure 19]

[0039] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the isolation assembly shown in FIG. 18 with the door in an open position. [Figure 20]

[0040] 6 is a detail view of the rear wall shown in FIG. 5, identified by detail 20 shown in FIG. 5, with the cover shown in the closed position. [Figure 21]

[0041] 21 is a detail view similar to FIG. 20 with the cover rotatably displaced from the position of the cover shown in FIG. 20. [Figure 22]

[0042] 22 is a cross-sectional view of a wall having a hole as shown in FIG. 21 taken along line of sight 22 of FIG. 21. [Figure 23]

[0043] 1 to 17 illustrating a method of using the gadget according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] 1-17 showing a method of using the gadget according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 25]

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prop assembly having multiple props stacked one on top of the other as disclosed herein, according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 26]

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prop assembly having a plurality of props as disclosed herein assembled in a horizontal array, with the props assembled adjacent to other props, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0046] Embodiments of the present invention provide devices or gadgets and methods for using the devices or gadgets that facilitate and enhance the training of firefighters and / or other first responders in the dynamics of fire and smoke propagation within structures. In the following disclosure, aspects of the present invention may be described with respect to training related to fire and smoke behavior within gadgets, but it is contemplated that aspects of the present invention may be used to train in the propagation and dynamics of any fluid, gas, or liquid within an enclosure. For example, one aspect of the present invention may be used to train in the distribution of liquids, such as water or water-like chemicals or the like, while another aspect of the present invention may be used to train in the distribution of gases, such as propane, methane, natural gas, gaseous chemicals, or the like.

[0023]

[0047] In one aspect of the present invention, trainees are expected to observe the flow of fluids, typically gases, into and out of a prop to better understand the effect these fluid flows have on a fire and mitigate undesirable effects on the fire and its propagation in an actual fire. For example, by employing aspects of the present invention, trainees can observe airflow (i.e., inlet flow) into a prop and / or exhaust flow from the prop, e.g., air, smoke, flame, and pyrolysis products (i.e., products of pyrolysis, such as unburned fuel), to better understand how such flows can affect fire dynamics in an actual structure fire. Such knowledge could aid firefighters in potentially predicting how, when, and where a fire will progress through a structure. This may be important because, for example, during actual firefighting operations in and around a burning structure, it is typically difficult, if not impossible, for firefighters to observe where air (i.e., oxygen-containing fire accelerants) enters the burning building and undesirably "feeds" the fire. With the increased understanding of the flow path, flow rate, and / or dynamics of such airflow that may be provided by aspects of the present invention, firefighters can then better "visualize" the behavior of the fire in an actual fire and therefore take steps to mitigate or prevent the introduction of air into the fire, for example, by non-penetration and exterior walls or roofs, thus enhancing fire suppression.

[0024]

[0048] According to one aspect, the intake airflow to and exhaust airflow from the props can be varied by manipulating exterior and / or interior inlets and / or outlets, such as those representing doors and windows, and having the trainee observe the effect of such manipulations on the fire and its progression and / or suppression.

[0025]

[0049] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a tabletop training prop 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the training prop 10 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a top view of the training prop 10 shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a front view of the training prop 10 shown in Figure 1, Figure 5 is a rear view of the training prop shown in Figure 1, Figure 6 is a left side view of the training prop 10 shown in Figure 1, Figure 7 is a right side view of the training prop 10 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 8 is a bottom view of the training prop 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0026]

[0050] Although embodiments of the present invention may be referred to as "tabletop" devices, it is contemplated that the size of the training prop 10 may exceed the capacity of a conventional tabletop, depending on the size of the structure being modeled. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the term "tabletop" is used to mean that the devices disclosed herein are characterized as scale models of full-size structures. Thus, it is contemplated that the scale, i.e., geometric scale or proportion, of the props 10 disclosed herein may vary, for example, from a scale range of 1:10 to 1:30, although the props 10 may typically have a scale of 1:15 or 1:20.

[0027]

[0051] In one aspect, the scale of the prop 10 disclosed herein may be a function of fire behavior and / or fire dynamics, i.e., the prop 10 is scaled down to provide more realistic fire behavior that more closely mimics that observed in an actual full-scale structure. In one aspect, the size, shape, and / or spacing of the apertures or ports of the prop 10 may be scaled down to more accurately provide realistic or actual fluid flow into and / or out of the prop 10. For example, it is recognized that fluid flow into and / or out of the prop 10 may not be scalable in the same manner as the geometric scaling of the overall structure of the prop 10, e.g., convective flow may not be scalable. Thus, in one aspect, the ports or apertures (e.g., windows or doors) of the prop 10 may be larger, e.g., wider, than ports or apertures directly scaled down from the overall scale of the prop 10.

[0028]

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1-8 , training prop 10 comprises a housing 12 having a front wall (or side) 14, a rear wall (or side) 16, a left side wall (or side) 18, a right side wall (or side) 20, a top panel 22 (only a representative portion of which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 ), and a bottom panel (or bottom) 24. Front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, and left side wall 20 may have one or more openings or apertures 26, 28, and 30 with hinged aperture covers 32, 34, and 36, respectively. Top panel 22 may also have one or more openings or apertures 38 with hinged opening or aperture cover 40. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, one or more housings 12 are provided that may serve as a scale model of at least a portion of a structure, for example, a floor of a residential building or a floor of a house or a floor of a residential, commercial, or industrial building.

[0029]

[0053] 1, 2, and 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, prop 10 includes a partition assembly 42 having at least one, but typically a plurality of, interior partitions 44 that function as scale models of walls, e.g., interconnected partitions 44 that function as scale models of walls, defining an interior volume, cavity, or room 46 within the scale model represented by prop 10. In one embodiment, partitions 44 may be referred to as walls or panels.

[0030]

[0054] According to aspects of the present invention, at least the top panel 22 and / or side panels 14, 16, 18, and / or 20 of the prop 10 may be transparent, or at least translucent, to allow a user to throw the top panel 22 and / or view the divider assembly 42 through the side panels 14, 16, 18, and / or 20. In one aspect, the divider assembly 42 includes interior dividers, panels, or walls 44 and an interior volume 46, such as a room, closet, hall, and / or corridor, defined by the dividers or walls 44, e.g., in the event that a source of smoke or fire (not shown) is introduced into the prop 10. In one aspect, at least one interior divider or wall 44 may be transparent or translucent. In one aspect, for example, one or more sensors may indirectly detect conditions within the prop 10, e.g., where the top panel 22 and side panels 14, 16, 18, and 20 may not be transparent. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, for example, when prop 10 comprises a multi-floor structure, direct visual observation of fluid flow within prop 10 may be difficult or impossible. For example, in one embodiment, one or more conditions within prop 10 may be detected without visual observation, such as by using thermocouples, oxygen sensors, infrared sensors, and / or fluid flow detectors.

[0031]

[0055] 1-8 , in one embodiment, prop 10 includes one or more rods or control rods 43, 45, and 47 extending outside of housing 12, e.g., from beneath bottom panel 24, and operably connected to a movable aperture cover or “door” 64 (shown in phantom) positioned within housing 12. According to one embodiment of the invention, one or more of control rods 43, 45, and 47 can be manipulated by a user, e.g., a trainer, to open or close one or more interior doors or apertures within prop 10 as desired to effect a desired airflow or change in airflow within prop 10. For example, one or more of rods 43, 45, and 47 may be used to open, close, or at least partially open or close interior door 64 to demonstrate the effect of a change in airflow supply to a fire source within housing 12. Control rods 43, 45, and 47 can be manually operable or automatically operable, e.g., using stepper motors or displacement transducers controlled by a controller.

[0032]

[0056] Figure 9 is an exploded front perspective view of the training prop 10 shown in Figures 1-8. As shown in Figure 9, the training prop 10 includes a housing 12, one or more divider assemblies 42 positioned within the housing 12, and one or more top panels 22 attached to the housing 12 over the one or more divider assemblies 42.

[0033]

[0057] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the top panel 22 shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the top panel 22 shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a side view of the top panel 22 shown in FIG. 11. As shown, the top panel 22 may typically comprise a plate or sheet 50 shaped to attach to the top of the housing 12, for example, a generally rectangular or square plate sized and shaped to attach to a housing 12 of a corresponding size and shape. In one aspect, the plate 50 may be square or rectangular, but as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the plate 50 may include one or more notches or voids 52 sized, shaped, and positioned to engage corresponding structure on the housing 12. For example, the notches 52 may be sized, shaped, and positioned on the plate 50 to engage with the opening 38 and / or opening cover 40 of the housing 12, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. It is contemplated that the plate 50 and notch 52 in the top panel 22 may have other geometric shapes depending on the shape of the housing 12 and the shape of the opening 38; for example, it is contemplated that the plate 50 and / or notch 52 may have any polygonal shape, such as a triangular, hexagonal, or octagonal shape, or a circular or elliptical shape, among others.

[0034]

[0058] As shown in FIG. 11 , the plate 50 of the top panel 22 may have a length 54 and a width 56 ranging, for example, from 12 inches to 120 inches, depending on how large the structure being modeled by the prop 10, i.e., the scale of the prop 10. However, the plate 50 may typically have a length 54 ranging from 24 to 48 inches, e.g., a length 54 of 36 inches; the plate 50 may have a width 56 ranging from 18 to 42 inches, e.g., a width 56 of 30 inches. Also, the notch 52 in the plate 50 may have a width and / or length 58 ranging from 1 inch to 12 inches, but typically has a width 58 of about 5 inches. As shown in FIG. 12 , the plate 50 of the top panel 22 may have a thickness 60 ranging, for example, from 0.0625 inches to 2 inches, depending on how large the structure being modeled. However, the plate 50 may typically have a thickness 60 ranging from 0.125 inches to 0.5 inches, for example, a thickness 60 of 0.1875 inches.

[0035]

[0059] As disclosed herein, the top panel 22 is typically at least translucent, but preferably transparent, thereby allowing an operator or trainee to view the contents of the prop 10, e.g., to view the progression of smoke and / or fire through the rooms and corridors of the prop 10. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the plate 50 of the top panel 22 may be made of an at least translucent material, preferably a transparent material. For example, in one embodiment, the plate 50 may be made of glass, e.g., substantially clear or transparent glass, although colored, tinted, or coated glass may also be used. Furthermore, the material of the plate 50 may preferably be capable of withstanding the heat and / or temperatures expected to be experienced during use of the prop 10. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the plate 50 may be made of a heat-resistant transparent glass, e.g., a transparent glass-ceramic, such as the heat-resistant glass-ceramic sold under the name "Pyroceram" by various providers. In one embodiment, the Pyroceram used in the plate 50 may be provided by Corning Glass or an equivalent thereof.

[0036]

[0060] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the divider assembly 42 shown in Figure 9, and Figure 14 is a plan view of the divider assembly 42 shown in Figure 13. As shown, in one embodiment, the divider assembly 42 comprises at least one, but typically multiple, dividers or walls 44 that, together with or without sides of the housing 12, define multiple volumes or chambers 46. The divider assembly 42 is sized and shaped to be received by the housing 12. In one embodiment, the dividers 44 may be attached to one or more base plates 48, although in other embodiments, base plates 48 may not be provided.

[0037]

[0061] According to one aspect, the walls 44 of the divider assembly 42 may be positioned and shaped to define an opening or passageway 47, or may include an opening or aperture 49 that defines, for example, a window or door. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the opening 49 may include a movable cover or obstruction 64, representing, for example, a hinged door or window.

[0038]

[0062] According to embodiments of the present invention, the divider 44, base plate 48, and door 64 may be made of any suitable material, e.g., a flammable material such as wood, fiberboard, or particle board; however, in other embodiments, the divider 44 and base plate 48 may be made of a preferably non-flammable material and therefore may be repeatedly reusable. In one embodiment, the divider 44, base plate 48, and door 64 may be made of a heat-resistant metal or heat-resistant plastic. The heat-resistant metal may be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium. For example, in one embodiment, the divider 44, base plate 48, and door 64 may be made of aluminum sheet, e.g., 6105-T5 series aluminum or its equivalent.

[0039]

[0063] The divider 44, base plate 48, and door 64 may have a thickness ranging from 0.00625 to 0.50 inches depending on the size and / or load of the prop 10. However, typically, the divider 44 and base plate 48 may have a thickness ranging from 0.125 to 0.375 inches, for example, 0.25 inches.

[0040]

[0064] 13 and 14 illustrate one partition assembly 42 having one arrangement of partitions 44 and apertures 49 that may be used with embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that two or more, i.e., a plurality of, different partition assemblies 42 may be provided. For example, a plurality of different partition assemblies 42 may be provided, where each different partition assembly 42 may have a different arrangement of partitions 44 and apertures 49, representing, for example, different floor plans that may be used for training with the prop 10. In one embodiment, at least ten different partition assemblies may be provided, although it is contemplated that the number of different partition assemblies 42 may be unlimited.

[0041]

[0065] In one aspect, for example, a number of different partition assemblies 42 can be used in sequence and the resulting fire or smoke behavior observed and compared to optimize the floor plan to limit the progression of fire and smoke through the floor plan.

[0042]

[0066] According to one aspect of the present invention, the structure of the walls 44 within the divider assembly 42 and the assembly of the divider assembly 42 to the housing 12 allows for thermal expansion and / or contraction of the components during use. In one aspect, this structure is referred to as a "floating panel structure." Thus, in one aspect, the walls 44 and divider assembly 42 are designed and dimensioned with sufficient tolerance or clearance between elements, for example, in the horizontal plane (e.g., the XY plane) and vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction), to allow for thermal expansion and contraction without distortion or undesirable gaps or openings in the structure.

[0043]

[0067] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the housing 12 shown in Figure 9. Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of the housing 12 shown in Figure 15. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, in one embodiment, the housing 12 may be made from elongated horizontal and vertical support members 62 sized and adapted to support the front wall 14, the rear wall 16, the right side wall 18, the left side wall 20, and the bottom panel 24.

[0044]

[0068] In one embodiment, the elongated horizontal and vertical support members 62 may be any elongated structural element adapted to support the wall and bottom panels of the enclosure 12, such as, for example, channels, beams, angels, rods, or bars. These structural elements may be assembled with mechanical fasteners, welding, and / or adhesives. The elongated horizontal and vertical support members 62 may be provided in any suitable shape and size depending on the size and load of the enclosure 12. For example, in one embodiment, the elongated horizontal and vertical support members 62 may have a length between 3 inches and 10 feet, but typically have a length between 24 inches and 48 inches, e.g., between 30 and 36 inches. The elongated horizontal and vertical support members 62 may have a width or height ranging between 1 inch and 12 inches, but typically have a width or height ranging between 2 inches and 6 inches, e.g., between 2 and 3 inches.

[0045]

[0069] In one embodiment, the elongated horizontal and vertical support members 62 may be extrusions, such as aluminum extrusions assembled with appropriate fasteners. For example, in one embodiment, the horizontal and vertical support members 62 may include aluminum “T-slot” framing extrusions, such as the T-slot aluminum extrusions offered by 80 / 20 Inc. of Columbia City, Indiana (its website “8020.net”), or their equivalents. For example, the horizontal and vertical support members 62 may include one or more of the following serial numbers of extrusions offered by 80 / 20 Inc.: 80 / 20 T-Slot 1030-S, 80 / 20 T-Slot 1004-S, 80 / 20 T-Slot 1002-S, 80 / 20 T-Slot 1003-S, 80 / 20 T-Slot 1010-S (as listed in 80 / 20 Inc. Product Catalog 23, which is incorporated herein by reference), although other structural extrusions or channels and associated hardware may be used.

[0046]

[0070] 15 and 16, the housing 12 may include handles or similar hardware 63 and 65 to facilitate handling and transport of the gadget 10. The handles 63 and 65 may be compatible with the support member 62; for example, the handles 63 and 65 may be adapted to engage a T-slot aluminum extrusion.

[0047]

[0071] The elongated horizontal and vertical support members 62 may comprise any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, or even wood. However, because the enclosure 12 is repeatedly exposed to heat in one embodiment, the horizontal and vertical support members 62 may be at least flame-retardant, but preferably heat-resistant. Thus, in one embodiment, the horizontal and vertical support members 62 may be made from a heat-resistant metal, such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or titanium. In other embodiments, the horizontal and vertical support members 62 may be made from a heat-resistant plastic, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as Teflon® PTFE offered by Chemours, a DuPont spinoff, or its equivalent; or a thermosetting plastic, such as polyimide, such as Vespel® polyimide offered by DuPont, or its equivalent; or polyamideimide, such as Torlon® polyamide-mide offered by Solvey Specialty Polymers, or its equivalent.

[0048]

[0072] 15 and 16, the front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, and left side wall 20 may be provided in an appropriate shape and width depending on the size and load of the enclosure 14. For example, in one embodiment, the front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, and left side wall 20 may have dimensions, e.g., length and width, ranging from 3 inches to 10 inches, but may typically have widths or heights ranging from 6 inches to 36 inches, e.g., 12 to 30 inches. In one embodiment, the front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, and left side wall 20 may have thicknesses ranging from 0.0625 inches to 0.5 inches, but may typically have thicknesses ranging from 0.125 inches to 0.375 inches, e.g., 0.25 inches.

[0049]

[0073] In one embodiment, one or more of the front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, and left side wall 20, 24 may typically be transparent, or at least translucent, to allow a user to see into the housing 12, e.g., to see the space or room behind the wall and to see at least a portion of the divider assembly 42. Thus, in one embodiment, the front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, and left side wall 20, and the bottom panel 24 may be made from any one of the transparent materials disclosed herein, e.g., pyroceram or its equivalent. In one embodiment, one or more of the front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, left side wall 20, and the bottom panel 24 may be made from any suitable material, e.g., metal, plastic, or even wood, e.g., any one or more of the heat-resistant metals or plastics disclosed herein, e.g., aluminum.

[0050]

[0074] 15 and 16 , front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, and left side wall 20 may have one or more openings or apertures 26, 28, and 30, each having a hinged aperture cover 32, 34, and 36. Aperture covers, or door windows, 32, 34, 36, and 40 may be movably attached, e.g., hinged, to front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, and left side wall 20 by conventional means, e.g., by mechanical couplings such as one or more hinges 37 as shown. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, one or more of aperture covers 32, 34, 36, and 40 may be opened and closed as desired to provide a desired airflow into (or out of) enclosure 12, for example, to indicate the effect of a change in air supply to a fire source within enclosure 12. In one embodiment, aperture covers or doors 32, 34, 36, and 40 can be opened and closed manually, for example, by a trainer or trainee manually opening and closing doors 32, 34, 36, and 40 by grasping and moving handles or knobs 39 attached to doors 32, 34, 36, and 40. In other embodiments of the invention, aperture covers or doors 32, 34, 36, and 40 can be opened and closed automatically, for example, via one or more connectors attached to doors 32, 34, 36, and 40 that are moved by a trainer or by a motor or transducer, for example, a motor, pneumatic actuator, or displacement transducer, for example, a linear displacement transducer, operated by a trainer or by a controller, for example, a programmable logic controller, or the like.

[0051]

[0075] In one embodiment, the aperture covers, or doors or windows, 32, 34, 36, and 40, may be designed to automatically open to relieve overpressure during certain fire behavior phenomena (e.g., "backdraft") within the prop 10. For example, in one embodiment, the aperture covers, or doors or windows, 32, 34, 36, and 40, may include spring-loaded hinges or counterweights selected to allow the covers to deflect under a predetermined load on the covers, such as a predetermined pressure load on the interior surface of the covers. In one embodiment, the covers may be designed to have a predetermined weight that causes the covers to deflect under the predetermined load. In another embodiment, a pressure sensor may be used to detect pressure within the prop 10. The pressure sensor may be coupled to a cover-opening mechanism that activates and deflects the covers when a predetermined pressure is detected by the pressure sensor. Other methods for relieving overpressure within the prop 10 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0052]

[0076] According to one aspect of the present invention, among other things, walls 14, 16, 18, and 20, top 22 and bottom 24, and support members 62 allow for thermal expansion and / or contraction of the components during use. In one aspect, this structure is referred to as a "floating panel structure." Accordingly, in one aspect, walls 14, 16, 18, and 20, top 22 and bottom 24, and support members 62 are designed and dimensioned with sufficient tolerance or clearance between elements, for example, in the horizontal plane (e.g., XY plane) and vertical direction (e.g., Z direction), to allow for thermal expansion and / or contraction without distortion or the formation of undesirable gaps or openings in enclosure 12.

[0053]

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-8 , housing 12 of prop 10 includes one or more control rods 43, 45, and 47 mounted for translation and / or rotation within housing 12. In one embodiment, one or more control rods 43, 45, and 47 may extend outside of housing 12 and be accessible to a user, e.g., a trainer or trainee. In one embodiment, one or more control rods 43, 45, and 47 do not extend outside of housing 12 but may be positioned within housing 12 or beneath bottom panel 24 and be accessible to a control or operating mechanism, e.g., an automatic coupler and / or transducer, positioned within housing 12 and / or beneath bottom panel 24 of housing 12. FIG. 17 illustrates one means by which one or more of control rods 43, 45, or 47 may be used to operate an interior door within housing 12.

[0054]

[0078] FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of housing 12 illustrating one means by which one or more of control rods 43, 45, or 47 may be used to operate interior door 64. Interior door 64 may be attached to wall 44 of divider assembly 42 within housing 12 by hinge 66. Control rods 43, 45, and 47 may each be configured as shown in FIG. 17, although only control rod 45 is shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the isolated assembly of door 64 and control rod 45 shown in FIG. 17 with door 64 in a closed position, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the isolated assembly shown in FIG. 18 with door 64 in an open position.

[0055]

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, in one embodiment, control rod 45 (or rods 43 and 47) may include an elongated member 68 that extends through a hole or slot 72 in horizontal support member 62 and may have a knob or protrusion 70 for ease of handling. While it is envisioned that control rod 45 may be operatively connected to door 64 via a wide variety of mechanisms and / or hardware to perform the desired function, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, control rod 45 engages door 64 with a series of appropriate hardware. As shown in FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, in one embodiment, elongated member 68 of control rod 45 is attached, e.g., threaded, to a forked clevis or yoke 74 that rotatably engages a threaded eyebolt 76 via a pin 75 within clevis 74. Eyebolt 76 is threaded into a block 78 in which a threaded rod 80 is positioned. Threaded rod 80 extends into and engages door mounting block 82, which is attached to door 64, for example, by one or more threaded fittings. According to this aspect of the invention, forward and backward translation of control rod 45, as indicated by double-headed arrow 84 in FIG. 17, can open or close door 64, or any door similarly engaged by the control rod and attached to divider assembly 42 of housing 12.

[0056]

[0080] FIG. 20 is a detailed view of the rear wall 16 shown in FIG. 5 , identified by detail 20 shown in FIG. 5 . FIG. 20 illustrates one means for introducing a fluid, e.g., air, into the prop 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 20 , in one embodiment, the wall 16 may include holes, ports, or orifices 84 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 20 ) through which a fluid can be introduced into the prop 10, for example, to demonstrate the effect of introducing an oxygen-containing fluid, e.g., air, or the effect of a fire-extinguishing fluid, e.g., water, on an active fire present within the prop 10. While FIG. 20 relates to the rear wall 16 of the prop 10, it is envisioned that the holes 84 may be located in one or more of the front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, left side wall 20, top 22, and / or bottom 24 according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0057]

[0081] As shown in FIG. 20 , in one embodiment, hole 84 may comprise a cover 86, e.g., an easily removable cover 86 that allows a user to displace or remove cover 86 to expose and access hole 84. In one embodiment, cover 86 may include some form of sealing device or mechanism to minimize or prevent leakage or introduction of fluid, e.g., air, into prop 10 through hole 84. As shown, in one embodiment, cover 86 may comprise a plate, e.g., a circular or polygonal plate, attached for rotation or displacement relative to wall 16. For example, in one embodiment, cover 86 may be attached to side wall 16 by fasteners 88, such as rivets, bolts, or screws, such that cover 86 can be rotatably displaced relative to fasteners 88 to expose hole 84. FIG. 21 is a detailed view similar to FIG. 20 , but with cover 86 rotatably displaced, as indicated by arrow 90, from the position of cover 86 shown in FIG. 20 to expose hole 84. In one embodiment, the cover 86 may include a handle or pin 92 positioned and sized to facilitate displacement of the cover 86 , for example, manual displacement by a trainer or trainee using the prop 10 .

[0058]

[0082] While it is contemplated that any conventional means for introducing a fluid may be implemented to introduce a fluid through the hole 84, such as by connecting the hole 84 to a source of compressed air, connecting the hole 84 to a source of pressurized water, or simply blowing into the hole 84, FIG. 22 illustrates one example in which a fluid may be introduced into the prop 10 through the hole 84.

[0059]

[0083] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of wall 16 having hole 84 shown in FIG. 21 , taken along line of sight 22 in FIG. 21 . Additionally, FIG. 22 illustrates the presence of a fluid introduction conduit 94, e.g., a tube, pipe, or straw, that can be inserted into hole 84 and used to introduce fluid through hole 84, for example, by blowing through conduit 94. In one embodiment, conduit 94 may be operably connected to a source of fluid, for example, a source of compressed air or a source of pressurized water. Fluid flow from conduit 94 to the interior of prop 10 is represented by arrow 93 shown in FIG. 22 . As also shown in FIG. 22 , hole 84 may be provided by the inner diameter of a sleeve or grommet 96 attached to wall 16. While sleeve 96 may typically have a circular cross-section, sleeve 96 may also have a non-circular cross-section, such as a polygonal cross-section. Sleeve 96 may be made from any conventional material, but typically is made from a heat-resistant material, for example, any one of the heat-resistant metals or heat-resistant plastics disclosed herein.

[0060]

[0084] The holes 84 may have an inside dimension or diameter ranging, for example, from 0.125 inches to 1.0 inches depending on the size of the prop 10, but typically the holes 84 have an inside dimension ranging from 0.25 inches to 0.375 inches.

[0061]

[0085] Conduit 94 is typically circular in cross section and may have an outer diameter that matches the inner diameter of hole 84, although conduit 94 may have a non-circular cross section, such as a polygonal cross section. Conduit 94 may be made from any conventional material, but is typically made from a heat-resistant material, such as any one of the heat-resistant metals or plastics disclosed herein.

[0062]

[0086] Figures 23 and 24 illustrate a method of use of the prop 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 23 is a plan view of the prop 10 shown and described with respect to Figures 1-22. Specifically, Figure 23 illustrates the prop 10 having a housing 12, a transparent top panel 22 (only a portion of which is shown in Figure 23), and an interior divider assembly 42 having walls 44 that define a volume or chamber 46. Although not shown in Figures 23 or 24, one or more of the front wall 14, rear wall 16, right side wall 18, left side wall 20, and bottom panel 24 may be transparent to allow a user to view inside the housing 12. Control rods 43, 45, 47 having elongated elements 68 extend within the prop 10 and are operably connected to an interior door 64 pivotally attached to the wall 44 of the divider assembly 42. As disclosed herein, according to one aspect of the invention, each of control rods 43, 45, and 47 is operatively connected to door 64, whereby withdrawing, inserting, or rotating control rods 43, 45, and 47 opens and closes door 64. Door 64 is shown in an open position in FIG. 23 and in a closed position in FIG. 24. As also shown in FIG. 40, housing 12 includes aperture cover 40 pivotally mounted to housing 12.

[0063]

[0087] According to aspects of the present invention, a flammable material is positioned within the prop 10 and ignited, after which the progression of flames and / or smoke emitted by the ignited flammable material may be observed through the transparent top panel 22 of the prop 10, for example, by a firefighter or first responder trainee. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 , the flammable (or highly flammable or combustible) material is ignited in the chamber 46 of the enclosure 12, generating a flame 72. As known in the art, a “flammable” material is a material having a flash point below 100°F (37.8°C), and a “combustible” material is a material having a flash point above 100°F (37.8°C) and below 200°F (93.3°C). According to aspects of the present invention, the material introduced into the prop 10 for ignition may be a flammable and / or combustible material.

[0064]

[0088] According to aspects of the present invention, the flammable material may be a flammable solid, such as wood, paper, or other combustible material, and / or a flammable fluid, such as liquid gasoline, gaseous propane, natural gas (primarily methane), kerosene, alcohol (e.g., methanol, ethanol, or denatured alcohol), or the like. In one aspect, the flammable material may be positioned in a container within the prop 10, e.g., an open-top container such as a tray or can, and then ignited. The ignition source may be, for example, a match or a lighter, e.g., a long-reach lighter. In one aspect, the flammable material may be ignited automatically, for example, using an electric igniter or a spark generator (e.g., a “spark generator”). The automated igniter may be energized locally or remotely and may be operably connected to and controlled, for example, locally or remotely, by a control system.

[0065]

[0089] Figure 24 is a plan view of the prop 10 shown in Figure 23 as flame 72 advances or stagnates within room 46. As also shown in Figure 24, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an operator, such as a firefighter trainer or first responder trainer, may manipulate one or more of control rods 43, 45 and / or 47 to open or close one or more doors 64, open or close one or more sidewall doors 32, 34 and / or 36 on the sides of prop 10, and / or open or close one or more aperture covers 40 on the top of prop 10 to observe the effect on the advance or stagnation of flame 72.

[0066]

[0090] 24 , an operator withdraws control rod 47 from housing 12, as shown by arrow 74, thereby closing door 64 and preventing smoke and / or fire from flame 72 from flowing out of room 46, as shown by arrow 76. According to one embodiment, one or more aperture covers 40 on the top of prop 10 may also be manually opened by an operator, for example, as shown by arrow 41, so that further progress of smoke and / or fire from flame 72 may be observed through transparent top panel 22.

[0067]

[0091] In one aspect, the opening and closing of one or more doors 64 within prop 10 and / or the opening and closing of one or more of doors 32, 34, 36, and / or 38 may be used to vary and / or control the flow path and / or flow rate of air to flame 72. Additionally or alternatively, the opening and closing of one or more doors 64 within prop 10 and / or the opening and closing of one or more of doors 32, 34, 36, and / or 38 may be used to vary and / or control the flow path and / or flow rate of exhaust gases (e.g., smoke) from flame 72. According to aspects of the present invention, varying or controlling the flow path and / or flow rate of air to flame 72 and / or the flow path and / or flow rate of exhaust gases from flame 72 may enhance a trainee's understanding and appreciation of the impact these fluid flows may have on fire advancement and / or suppression during an actual fire incident.

[0068]

[0092] As disclosed herein, door 64, any one of covers 32, 36, 38, and 40 may be operated manually and / or by automated means, such as remote actuation and control.

[0069]

[0093] In one aspect, the prop 10 may be complemented with instruments, controllers, and / or sensors to further enhance operability and the training experience. For example, in one aspect, the prop 10 may be complemented with one or more sensors 84, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , such as sensors configured to detect at least one ambient condition, such as temperature (e.g., thermocouples), humidity, chemical concentrations, or explosive limits, among others. The sensors 84 may be adapted to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient condition and transmit the electrical signal (wired or wirelessly) to a receiver configured to receive the electrical signal. The receiver may be operably connected to a digital storage device adapted to store the electrical signal for immediate or future display.

[0070]

[0094] In some embodiments, image recording devices or cameras, e.g., video and / or thermal imaging devices, may be disposed on prop 10. For example, in one embodiment, prop 10 may be complemented with one or more image recording devices or cameras 86, e.g., devices configured to detect images, such as infrared (thermal) or visual images, either as still images and / or video images, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 . Image recording device 86 may be adapted to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the detected image and transmit the electrical signal (wired or wirelessly) to a receiver configured to receive the electrical signal. The receiver may be operably connected to a digital storage device adapted to store the electrical signal for immediate or future display.

[0071]

[0095] In one embodiment, the prop 10 may be configured to be capable of communicating with a monitoring system, such as the temperature monitoring system sold by Flashpoint Fire Equipment, Inc. of Troy, New York, and disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 377,438, filed April 8, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0072]

[0096] 25 and 26 illustrate further aspects of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a prop assembly 100, showing a plurality of props 10 as disclosed herein stacked one on top of the other. According to aspects of the present invention, two or more props 10 may be provided in the prop assembly 100, where the props 10 may be interconnected by suitable hardware; for example, conventional fasteners used with T-slot aluminum extrusions may be used to assemble two or more props 10 into the prop assembly 100. According to aspects of the present invention, three or more props 10 may be stacked and interconnected to provide the prop assembly 100. It is also contemplated that five or more props 10, or ten or more props 10, may be stacked and interconnected to provide the prop assembly 100. As also shown in FIG. 25, the size or shape of the props 10 within the prop assembly 100 may vary.

[0073]

[0097] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a prop assembly 110 in which a plurality of props 10 as disclosed herein are assembled in a horizontal array, with the props 10 assembled adjacent to one another. According to embodiments of the present invention, two or more props 10 may be provided in the prop assembly 110, where the props 10 may be interconnected by suitable hardware, for example, conventional fasteners used with T-slot aluminum extrusions may be used to assemble the two or more props 10 into the prop assembly 110. According to embodiments of the present invention, three or more props 10 may be arranged and interconnected to provide the prop assembly 110. It is also contemplated that five or more props 10, or ten or more props 10, may be assembled and interconnected to provide the prop assembly 110. As also shown in FIG. 26, the size or shape of the props 10 within the prop assembly 110 may vary.

[0074]

[0098] It is also envisioned that three or more props 10 may be assembled both in a stack as shown in FIG. 25 and in a horizontal array as shown in FIG. 26 to provide a three-dimensional assembly of the props 10.

[0075]

[0099] As disclosed herein, props, devices, assemblies, and methods are provided to facilitate and enhance training in the dynamic behavior of fire and smoke in structures and to illustrate the effectiveness of fire suppression techniques. While embodiments of the present invention may be useful for training firefighters and other first responders, the number of trainees who may benefit from access to training using the props and methods disclosed herein is limitless. Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique opportunity to observe fire behavior in tabletop scale model structures from above, with or without side or bottom perspectives. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention allow trainers and trainees to observe and compare the effectiveness of different fire suppression techniques and observe the effects of changes in air input and / or extinguishing fluids on fire behavior.

[0076]

[0100] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that as used herein, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0077]

[0101] The corresponding structure, material, acts, and equivalents of all means or step-plus-function elements in the following claims are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

[0078]

[0102] The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application of the present disclosure, and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the present disclosure in various embodiments with various modifications as suited to the particular uses contemplated.

[0079]

[0103] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, alternative embodiments may be implemented by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same purposes, and it is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover all alternative embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tabletop fire training prop (10), comprising: a heat-resistant enclosure (12) having a top panel, an aluminum bottom panel (24), a plurality of side panels, and aluminum support members supporting the panels; at least one heat-resistant interior partition (44) positioned within said heat-resistant enclosure (12) and defining a plurality of interior volumes within said heat-resistant enclosure (12); Equipped with the top panel of the heat-resistant enclosure and at least one of the plurality of side panels are heat-resistant transparent panels, and at least one of the plurality of side panels is an aluminum panel; the plurality of side panels, the top panel, the aluminum bottom panel, and the aluminum support member have a floating panel structure designed and dimensioned with sufficient clearance to allow thermal expansion and contraction without thermal distortion of the heat-resistant enclosure; When a real fire source is introduced into the heat-resistant enclosure (12), the flow of the real fire within the heat-resistant enclosure can be monitored by a user through the heat-resistant transparent panel. Tabletop fire training props (10).

2. 2. The training prop of claim 1, further comprising a divider assembly (42) positioned within the heat-resistant enclosure (12), the divider assembly (42) having the at least one heat-resistant interior divider (44).

3. 3. The training prop of claim 1, further comprising at least one control rod operably connected to an aperture cover in the at least one heat-resistant interior partition.

4. 4. The training prop of claim 1, wherein the training prop further comprises at least one aperture having an aperture cover attached to the top panel of the heat resistant enclosure.

5. A training prop (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the source of real fire comprises one of an ignited flammable material and an ignited combustible material.

6. 6. The training prop (10) of claim 5, wherein the ignited flammable material comprises one of ignited wood and ignited paper.

7. 6. The training prop (10) of claim 5, wherein the ignited flammable material comprises one of ignited gasoline, ignited propane, ignited natural gas, ignited methane, ignited kerosene, and ignited alcohol.

8. The training prop (10) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the real fire source comprises a fire source (72) and a smoke source.

9. The at least one heat-resistant interior partition further comprises at least one partition aperture (49) having an aperture cover (64), 2. The training prop (10) of claim 1, wherein the aperture cover (64) of the at least one partition aperture (49) is adapted to be operated by the user.

10. 10. The training prop (10) of claim 9, wherein the aperture cover (64) of the at least one partition aperture (49) is a door pivotally attached to the at least one heat-resistant interior partition (44).

11. 10. The training prop (10) of claim 9, wherein the aperture cover (64) of the at least one partition aperture (49) is adapted to be operated by the user by a control rod (68).

12. 12. The training prop (10) of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the training prop (10) is a scale model of a floor plan of a structure, and the multiple interior volumes (46) within the heat-resistant enclosure (12) are multiple horizontally adjacent rooms of the floor plan.

13. 1. A training method comprising: A training prop (10) comprising: a heat-resistant enclosure (12) having a top panel, an aluminum bottom panel (24), a plurality of side panels, and aluminum support members supporting the panels; at least one heat-resistant interior divider (44) positioned within said heat-resistant enclosure and defining a plurality of interior volumes (46) within said heat-resistant enclosure; Equipped with the top panel of the heat-resistant enclosure and at least one of the plurality of side panels are heat-resistant transparent panels, and at least one of the plurality of side panels is an aluminum panel; the plurality of side panels, the top panel, the aluminum bottom panel, and the aluminum support member have a floating panel structure designed and dimensioned with sufficient clearance to allow thermal expansion and contraction without thermal distortion of the heat-resistant enclosure; Providing a training prop (10); introducing a real fire source into said heat-resistant enclosure (12); and enabling a trainee to monitor the flow of the real fire within the heat-resistant enclosure (12) through the heat-resistant transparent panel; Training methods including:

14. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising manipulating the position of an aperture cover (64) of at least one partition aperture (49) in the at least one heat-resistant interior partition (44).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein manipulating the position of the aperture cover (64) of the at least one partition aperture (49) comprises one of opening and closing the aperture cover.

16. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the training prop further comprises at least one control rod operably connected to the aperture cover of at least one partition aperture, and wherein manipulating the position of the aperture cover of the at least one partition aperture comprises manipulating the at least one control rod.

17. The heat-resistant housing according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the side panels of the heat-resistant housing comprises a hole. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the method further comprises introducing a flow of gas into the training prop (10) through the hole.

18. At least one of the side panels of the heat-resistant enclosure (12) further comprises a displaceable cover (86) attached over the hole; 18. The method of claim 17, wherein directing the flow of gas into the training prop includes displacing the cover from the hole.

19. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein introducing the flow of gas into the training prop (10) further comprises inserting a conduit (94) into the hole and directing the flow of gas through the conduit.

20. 20. The method of any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising replacing a first partition assembly positioned within the heat-resistant housing (12), the first partition assembly having first heat-resistant interior dividers defining a first plurality of volumes within the heat-resistant housing, with a second partition assembly positioned within the heat-resistant housing (12), the second partition assembly having second heat-resistant interior dividers defining a second plurality of volumes within the heat-resistant housing, the second plurality of volumes being different from the first plurality of volumes.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: enabling the trainee to monitor the flow of the real fire within the heat-resistant enclosure (12) through the second partition assembly; and comparing the flow of the real fire through the second partition assembly with the flow of the real fire through the first partition assembly.

22. A tabletop fire training prop (10), comprising: a heat-resistant enclosure (12) having a top panel, an aluminum bottom panel (24), a plurality of side panels, and aluminum support members supporting the panels; a partition assembly (42) positioned within the heat-resistant housing, the partition assembly (42) having a plurality of partitions (44) defining a plurality of interior volumes (46) within the heat-resistant housing; at least one door (64) pivotally mounted to one of the partitions (44) of the partition assembly; at least one control rod (68) operably connected to said at least one door (64) and adapted to open and close said at least one door; Equipped with the top panel of the heat-resistant enclosure and at least one of the plurality of side panels are heat-resistant transparent panels, and at least one of the plurality of side panels is an aluminum panel; the plurality of side panels, the top panel, the aluminum bottom panel, and the aluminum support member have a floating panel structure designed and dimensioned with sufficient clearance to allow thermal expansion and contraction without thermal distortion of the heat-resistant enclosure; When a real fire source is introduced into the heat-resistant enclosure (12), the flow of the real fire within the heat-resistant enclosure can be monitored by a user through the heat-resistant transparent panel, and the flow of the real fire can be controlled by the user by opening and closing the at least one door (64) with the at least one control rod (68). Tabletop fire training props (10).

23. and at least one side aperture (28) and a side aperture cover (34) in at least one of the side panels of the heat-resistant enclosure. A training aid (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and 22.

Images