Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And where there’s fire, there’s smoke. For a realistic staging, smoke is essential. We know all about it and are happy to share our knowledge with you!
Topics in this blog:
- How to create a realistic smoke layer
- Smoke and CBRNe exercises
- Comparing smoke machines
- Smoke fluids
- Staging training
- Maintenance of smoke machines
- What if you can’t use smoke?
How do you create a realistic smoke layer?
A realistic smoke layer is not created by simply filling a room with smoke. With some knowledge about training smoke, you can achieve much more effective and realistic results.
Training smoke is warmer than the surrounding air and therefore rises. With our FireWare Cumulus and FireWare Stratus smoke machines, you can release smoke directly upwards. For smaller smoke machines, you can easily deflect the smoke upwards. By doing this in a controlled manner, the smoke accumulates at the top of the room. The result? A convincing smoke layer where visibility is completely obstructed while standing, but where you can still orient yourself when moving low.
This way, a realistic staging contributes to effective training!
Smoke and CBRNe Exercises
In a hazardous materials incident, you may encounter escaping gases or evaporating substances. To simulate this realistically, use a smoke machine.
You can simulate gas leaks by strategically positioning the smoke machine. Consider the behavior of the gas in the air—it often mixes quickly with the surrounding air and becomes invisible. So, you don’t want a large smoke cloud but a subtle simulation. Our Smoke Fluid Fire Drill is ideal: it dissipates quickly and is widely used for fire and evacuation training but is also perfect for simulating gas clouds.
Want to simulate a large leak of an evaporating liquid? Then use a perforated smoke hose. This distributes the smoke over a longer line instead of from a single point. Hide the hose in tall grass or a ditch to make the leak more realistic. The effect will amaze you!
Smoke Machines
To generate training smoke, we use smoke machines. These vaporize a mixture of water and glycols (smoke fluid) and push it through a nozzle. When this hot mixture mixes with air and cools down, smoke is created.
The principle is almost the same for all machines. However, we offer different machines to meet various training needs. Here is an overview of each model with its advantages and disadvantages.
FireWare Nimbo smoke machine
The perfect entry-level smoker and our best-selling model. Part of the practice fire set.
Advantages
- Minimum warm-up time of only 2 minutes.
- Continuous output of 85m² per minute, without intermediate heating.
- Integrated liquid tank, so all in one.
- No worries about power consumption with an output of 800W.
- Optional wireless remote control.
Limitations
- Can operate at an angle of up to 30 degrees. To create smoke layers, the smoke must be directed upward.
- No adjustable output (on/off only).
FireWare Cumulus smoke machine
The powerhouse for any room. The best choice if you want to be flexible.
Advantages
- Huge output up to 1000m2 per minute.
- Continuous output of 300m² per minute, without intermediate heating.
- Can be used vertically for realistic smoke layers.
- Up to two machines can be used on one power group due to power output of 1300W.
- Bayonet connection for smoke hoses.
- Adjustable smoke output from 0-100%.
- Optional wireless remote control
Limitations
- Warm-up time up to 12 minutes. So put it on voltage somewhere in time. Moving warm is not a problem.
FireWare Stratus smoke machine
For heavy-duty work, such as industrial or tunnel fires.
Advantages
- Maximum output up to 2000m2 per minute.
- Continue output van 600m2 per minuut, zonder tussentijds opwarmen.
- Can be used vertically for realistic smoke layers.
- Bayonet connection for smoke hoses.
- Adjustable smoke output from 0-100%.
- Optional wireless remote control.
Limitations
- Warm-up time up to 12 minutes. So put it on voltage somewhere in time. Moving warm is not a problem.
- Only one machine per power group to connect due to 2600W of power.
FireWare Cirrus smoke machine (Battery)
Wireless battery smoke machine, ideal for quick staging. This machine should not be missing in your staging toolbox.
Advantages
- Battery-powered, so maximum flexibility.
- Instantly deployable due to a warm-up time of less than two seconds.
- Smoke output adjustable on the machine.
- Optional wireless remote control.
- Up to 10 minutes of smoke on one battery charge.
Limitations
- Higher operating costs due to special fluid, and nozzles requiring more frequent replacement.
Smoke Fluids
Under different circumstances, you use different smoke fluids. The base is the 'Universal' fluid. It's always a safe choice. However, for specific applications, there are specific solutions.
- Fire Drill: light smoke, perfect for first aid training, but also exercises with hazardous materials.
- Universal: for general use.
- Intensive: thick smoke for smoke layers in large spaces.
- Extreme: extra thick smoke specifically developed for outdoor use.
Staging Training
Do you get excited about these staging tips? Then check if you can attend one of our staging training sessions. They are organized in many safety regions. Discover how to create impressive flames with simple materials and learn why realistic staging is crucial for effective exercises. During this training – a full day or two evenings – we will guide you step by step through our world. This way, you’ll also learn to stage like a pro!
Maintenance of Smoke Machines
Smoke machines are the foundation of realistic staging. Proper maintenance is essential for optimal performance.
Our top tip: regularly flush with demineralized water (with the exception of the Cirrus smoke machine!). By regularly flushing the smoke machine, any residue of smoke fluid is dissolved. This keeps the full output of your machine available and prevents clogging, which could eventually lead to pump and heating element malfunctions. Check out our new how-to video where we show you how it works with a Nimbo smoke machine.
What if You Can't Use Smoke?
If you've studied this entire blog, you now know that a realistic staging cannot be done without smoke. Do you have a training facility but are not allowed to produce smoke? Ask yourself whether you want to train there. Sometimes the answer is "yes," because the building offers other important training objectives. There are then various ways in which you can work without smoke.
Use Flame Simulations Without Smoke
Although always more realistic with smoke, you can use the Mini Silkflame and the Phoenix Silkflame to create flames without smoke. The cloths dance in the air current of the fan. Light shines on the cloth, creating the effect of a flame. Place several of them to create depth, and you'll get a good depiction of the fire source. But know that it’s always better with smoke. Remove the cloth, place a smoke machine next to it, and let the light shine through the smoke column instead of on the cloth. This makes a world of difference.
The new FireSpot MK2 or XXL are also great to use without smoke. These have different programs onboard, which can be selected by tapping the housing with the included magnet. Choose a program with a steady or more flickering light and aim the spots at the wall or ceiling. Even without smoke, you’ll suggest that the room is burning fiercely! Combine this with the Silkflames for more realism.
Use Blinding masks
Do you want to learn to walk blindfolded or teach people to find their way in their own home or business premises? You can easily do this without smoke. We have the Blindfold Mask Emergency Assistance for light smoke and the Black Smoke Blinding Mask for thick smoke. Want to work with dynamic smoke densities? Then there is the Nebula AR Smoke Simulation Mask . These blindfolds can be made progressively darker using a remote control. This way, you let your trainees experience that it's easier to orient themselves further from the fire source. Or that when moving low, the visibility suddenly improves a lot.
Conclusion
Smoke is an essential part of a realistic staging. Choosing the right smoke machine and smoke fluid depends on your training goal. Want to get the most out of your simulations? Then take a training course and apply these guidelines!
With the right knowledge, you can make every exercise more realistic and effective!
