I'm trying to find a trainer in Scotland to discuss Digital / Laser-Driven Extinguisher Training in our workplace, I can find suppliers of the equipment, but not trainers.  Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Thanks

Jackie

Thanks, Brian.  I've sent messages to a couple of suppliers to see if they have any contacts in Scotland - as I need a trainer to bring the equipment with them for the session (no budget to buy it ourselves). 

I've made no decision either way as yet - I'm just information gathering at this stage, however as we are a city centre location with no car park/outdoor space to "play" with extinguishers, I felt it was worth looking into as an option.

I have a feeling I'm going to have to ship my fire marshals out somewhere for their practical training though due to the lack of information on the laser type training.

Thanks for taking the time to reply :-)

I will get off the fence on this one. I would never ever use one of these training aids as I do not believe they bring anything useful to the party.

I looked at purchasing one for a big contract I won. But it soon became clear that their main use would be for me to use them as a marketing tool to sell my training to an unsuspecting client using the technology as an advantage for his business. No mess, no refilling of his extinguishers, no need for outdoor space or good weather - what's not to like?

For me its is so unrealistic it's positively dangerous. Staff are using a lightweight electronic 'toy' , so get no value of the weight, size and difficultoes in moving an extinguisher thay will find in their workplace. The gimmicky one will not resemble it. The 'flames' are a joke and in any case, its the smoke one needs to concentrate on when training others. I honestly think a dry 'show and tell' supported by a quality video is sufficient for low and some medium risk premises. Staff get to pick the unit off the wall, judge the weight and see where the pin is. After that, its pretty much an aerosol can and we all know how to use them. Frankly operating an extinguisher is easy, its doing it safety that is the art. That includes where its to hazardous, not using it at all and evacuating, plus making sure your escape route is clear, smoke development  etc etc. This can all be done with a show and tell, lecture and roleplay, so there's no real use for the electronic game type traing aid It is just my opinion and of course others will have an alternative view. ​​​​​​​If you want to tick a box to say your staff are trained, use an electronic game. But if you want to deliver quality training with no gimmicks or distractions, there is no need (in low risk premises) for anything than a competent trainer and standard training infrastructure 

Thanks for highlighting yet another technological answer for a problem that never existed.

Having looked at this on-line must admit I am firmly with Messey.

Just as you don't learn to drive on a games console you won't learn extinguisher skills playing with torches.

So much is missing - the weight, the real swirling smoke/steam (not a static fog machine), the surge of heat & flame when you get it wrong, the general heat, the horror when the flames are still billowing and your extinguisher is discharged.

To some extent these are even potentially dangerous building false confidence in the trainees psyche.