Flashover simulation for firefighter training

A method for simulating a flashover condition in a firefighter trainer having a generally enclosed burn room, the method comprising the steps of:

• producing a flame near the floor of the burn room to simulate a primary fire;
• monitoring at least a single firefighter operational parameter;
• and
• producing a second flame near the ceiling of the burn room in accordance with attainment of a predetermined threshold value of said monitored operational parameter.

A flashover simulation system for use with a firefighter trainer, comprising:

• a generally enclosed burn room having a main burner mounted therein;
• at least one auxiliary burner positioned adjacent to a ceiling of the burn room, the auxiliary burner being selectively operable to burn fuel supplied thereto from a fuel reservoir;
• a fuel ignitor positioned adjacent to the auxiliary burner to ignite fuel delivered to said auxiliary burner;
• means for sensing air temperature adjacent to the burn room ceiling and generating a digital signal indicative of said sensed temperature;
• control means comprising an automated data processing unit operable to receive said digital signal and generate a flashover enablement signal when said sensed air temperature attains a predetermined threshold value;
• and
• means for sensing flame height from the main burner and generating a signal representative thereof for communication to said processing unit, said flashover enablement signal being generated once each of said signals representative of said sensed temperature and flame height parameters has exceeded its respective predetermined threshold value.