The World's First Virtualized Fire Hose Reel for Immersive Fire Training
What if we could finally train people to use a fire hose reel as they would in the field, but without the constraints? With the Virtualized Fire Hose Reel for our augmented reality fire simulator FIRE AR, IRWINO has achieved a world first: the first educational fire hose reel designed for augmented reality (AR). An immersive and unprecedented tool, designed to transform fire safety training.
##What is a Fire Hose Reel? A Fire Hose Reel is a fire-fighting device permanently installed in industrial buildings, public-access establishments, warehouses, and large commercial structures.
It consists of a semi-rigid hose approximately 20 to 30 meters long, wound around a wall-mounted reel, connected to a pressurized water supply. Its nozzle can produce a straight or diffused jet to contain a fire in its early stages. Unlike a fire extinguisher, a fire hose reel can project water continuously, making it particularly useful in large high-risk areas.
Although its operation is intuitive, it requires rigorous training: opening the valve, controlling the flow, choosing the type of jet... all reflexes that immersive simulation from FIRE AR can now teach, without water or danger.
##What is FIRE AR's Virtualized Fire Hose Reel? A real fire hose reel in your hands, a fire in front of you, and total immersion in a real environment: the Virtualized Fire Hose Reel connects the real to the virtual for training like never before.
The Virtualized Fire Hose Reel is a version of a real fire hose reel, specially designed for our augmented reality fire simulator. It combines a physical, brand-new and transformed fire hose reel into a connected object that is interactive with the Meta Quest 3 headset. Thanks to a custom-developed controller mount integrated into the nozzle, every action by the learner (opening the valve, adjusting the flow/jet, aiming the jet) is detected and synchronized with the virtual elements of our fire simulation.
This technology allows real-time reproduction of water jet effects, straight or diffused, on a virtual fire, with behavior that adapts based on the type of fire (A, B, C, D, F) modeled and the connected tool used.
The goal: to deliver an ultra-realistic fire training experience, without risk, without consumables, but with all the educational value of a real field exercise.
##A Concrete Response to Field Needs In the field, fire trainers have repeatedly said:
"The extinguisher is essential. But for certain scenarios, we also need a fire hose reel."
This remark, heard multiple times during our exchanges and demonstrations, highlighted a real gap. The ability to train on fire hose reel usage in realistic conditions, without logistical constraints or waste. Unlike extinguishers, fire hose reels are rarely simulated in fire training because of the complexity of their installation.
At IRWINO, we tackled this need head-on. Thanks to our expertise in augmented reality and virtual reality, we designed an innovative and mobile solution that respects real gestures while eliminating material constraints: the first 100% immersive and interactive virtualized fire hose reel.
##An Immersive, Mobile, and Realistic Tool Designed to work in synergy with FIRE AR, the virtualized fire hose reel can transform a simple room into a training ground.
It faithfully reproduces the gestures of a real fire hose reel, including gripping the hose, unlocking the valve, and managing the flow (straight or diffused jet).
Thanks to AR, the learner sees the water jet (straight or diffused) in real time projected onto virtual flames, with dynamic behavior based on orientation, distance, or target surface.
The trainer can track movements, analyze reactions, and adapt feedback to closely match the trainee's actions.
A specially designed controller mount connects the physical fire hose reel to the semi-virtual environment. It was designed to integrate naturally into the fire hose reel handle, ensuring a smooth transition between real and virtual without disrupting the learning process.
All of this without any infrastructure: no hose to unroll, no water connection, no danger for participants. Just pure education in a real-world setting.
##A 100% IRWINO Innovation The Virtualized Fire Hose Reel is not a product designed in a laboratory, but in the field with the people who use it: trainers, developers, makers, and designers have combined their skills.
Adrien, Yahel, and Enzo worked together at every stage of 3D modeling, prototyping, testing, optimization, and printing of the various parts that make up the fire hose reel controller mount. Their goal was to design a mount that is robust, ergonomic, easy to assemble, and perfectly integrated into the user experience.
Gregoire and Alex were in charge of 3D modeling of the projected jets, as well as real-time synchronization between the trainee's actions on the fire hose reel (e.g., opening the valve) and the simulation reactions in the headset. They notably reworked the entire flame management logic so that flames react coherently depending on the tool used, jet power, angle, or distance.
Laurent, C.E.O. of 4D CREA, coordinated the teams, ensured compliance with specifications, and maintained product consistency between mechanical design, immersive logic, and educational experience.
Once the design was validated and the behavior tested in the simulator FIRE AR, Yahel and Enzo took over to launch production. From 3D printing of parts, to assembly of the virtualized fire hose reels, to quality checks, and finally shipping to customers.
Result: a simple-looking object of high technical sophistication, designed by and for field professionals.
##Local and Circular Manufacturing Each virtualized fire hose reel is designed, assembled, and tested in Guyancourt (78), in our FabLab. This local approach allows us to maintain rigorous quality control and close proximity to our field partners.
The fire hose reels used are new, then transformed in our workshop using 3D-printed parts produced on site. Once no longer in use by the client, they can be updated or reused in a resource optimization approach.
This approach is part of a genuine active circular economy logic:
No consumable waste,
Fire hose reels are refurbished internally,
Fewer disposable materials,
Local and on-demand production,
Reduced transport and associated waste,
More sustainable education.
An eco-designed, reusable, scalable, and truly useful tool.
##Designed for Trainers, Tested in the Field More than a simple accessory, the Virtualized Fire Hose Reel has become an asset for FIRE AR fire training. It enables more advanced scenarios: large-scale fires, progressive extinguishing strategies...
Designed to adapt to field realities, it naturally fits into a wide variety of training contexts where educational effectiveness must go hand in hand with flexibility and mobility:
Fire training centers, looking to enrich their pedagogy without heavy infrastructure.
Industrial sites and public-access establishments, for on-site simulations in a realistic context.
HSE managers, seeking innovative tools for effective awareness training.
Mobile trainers, who can take it anywhere thanks to its compact size.
The feedback is unanimous: it is an engaging, intuitive tool that promotes strong memory retention.
##Discover FIRE AR and Its Ecosystem The Virtualized Fire Hose Reel is not just an add-on. It is a logical and powerful extension of our vision of immersive training.
➡️ Discover FIRE AR ➡️ Also discover the Virtualized Extinguishers
Find more information on this topic, and about virtual reality in general, in the Immersive Learning Guide, published by France Immersive Learning:
View the page on the France Immersive Learning website
Learn more about IRWINO training modules
In a professional environment of over 200 m², including a kitchen, offices, or a meeting room, you can choose from over 18 different scenarios.
In a professional environment of over 200 m², including workshops, offices, or a storage area, you can choose from over 18 different scenarios.
In a hospital environment comprising 8 rooms, a break room, a kitchenette, and safety zones, respond to fire outbreaks, manage the fire safety system report, and evacuate patients.
Evacuation of a victim from a room on fire
The victim is choking
Care of a symptomatic person
The victim faints
The victim has been burned
The victim has been burned
Assault on a victim with an open wound
The victim has an epileptic seizure
The victim goes into cardiac arrest
The victim has a thoracic wound with heavy bleeding
The victim goes into cardiac arrest while carrying a heavy load
The victim is a child going into cardiac arrest