Concept Smoke Systems Enhances Realism in Meir Underpass Emergency Exercise
In July 2024, emergency services conducted a comprehensive training exercise in the Meir underpass, a critical roadway infrastructure known for its reliance on natural ventilation due to the absence of positive pressure ventilation (PPV) systems. To authentically replicate the challenging conditions of a tunnel fire, Concept Smoke Systems, a UK-based leader in artificial smoke technology, was enlisted to provide their expertise.
The exercise aimed to evaluate and improve the response strategies of fire and rescue teams when confronted with smoke-filled environments where mechanical ventilation support is unavailable. Concept Smoke Systems was tasked with generating safe, non-toxic artificial smoke to create a realistic scenario for the participating emergency personnel.
Concept Smoke Systems specializes in producing high-quality artificial smoke for various applications, including emergency services training and airflow visualization. Their smoke generators are designed to produce dense, long-lasting smoke that behaves similarly to real smoke, enhancing the realism of training exercises without compromising safety.
Paul Diamond, Tunnel & DNP Manager, commented:
Many thanks for your assistance with the exercise, and for working with us to find the best solution for the smoke volume to use. Thanks to the guys on site too, they played a really good part in the exercise as they kept in close contact with the fire service to ensure they were happy with the smoke volume, please pass our thanks on to them both. The smoke worked really well and set the scene perfectly.
This collaboration between Concept Smoke Systems and the emergency services exemplifies the importance of realistic training environments in preparing responders for the complexities of real-world incidents.
Equipment used:
