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Computer Games to Be Used For Fire Safety Training
Researchers at Durham University have found that software used for violent computer games such as Far Cry, Quake III Arena, F.E.A.R, Counter Strike: Source, Doom 3 and Half Life 2 can be used to create highly effective fire safety training tools.
The study, which was funded in part by the Nuffield Foundation was carried out by the Computer Science team at the university, has had its findings published in the Fire Safety Journal. The findings show that the underlying programming code used to create this type of gaming software can be used to quickly and cheaply create sophisticated virtual worlds which can be used for emergency evacuation training. Traditional virtual reality software, which has been used for this type of training in the past is expensive and results can be slow.
During the period of the study, researchers set about building a three dimensional building model, which could then be used to rehearse emergency evacuation scenarios. A lone programmer managed to create three different scenarios and even managed to programme in smoke and fire. The process took approximately three weeks. Professional virtual reality toolkits require advanced programming knowledge to use them and can result in a lengthy and expensive process.
As part of the study, researchers recruited participants to test the virtual environments. During the tests, they were told that there was a fire and instructed to find their way out of the building. Feedback from the testers revealed that they had found the simulated environment to be realistic, although those who had gaming experience found it easier to navigate their way around.
The code used to program a particular gaming genre known as "First Person Shooter", was used for the research study. It lends itself very well to this type of application due to its ability to allow the player to experience the gaming environment from a first-person perspective, as well as its ability to be modified very easily allowing features such as fire, smoke, wind and water to be easily Incorporated into an environment. Games software has generally been rigorously tested for usability and performance and is easily available.
Fire safety professionals recognise that the use of virtual reality models is essential when it comes to training fire fighters. The Deputy Community Safety Manager at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Steve Wharton said "Virtual models also provide an effective way to train fire-fighters in a realistic, yet safe, environment". Problems in the layout of a building can be easily spotted, and users can be familiarised with evacuation procedures whilst learning good fire-safety practices.
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