Building simulating apparatus and method for training emergency personnel

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for simulating a building environment through which emergency personnel may be trained by practicing search and rescue. The present invention provides an apparatus including a plurality of wall panels which can be joined together and simulate a floor plan of a building. The wall panels preferably are modular prefabricated wall panels adapted to be assembled and disassembled permitting the same wall panels to be adapted for use to provide different floor plans. Thus, a modular kit incorporating a plurality of different wall panels may be arranged and subsequently rearranged into as many different floor plans as desired thus providing a variety of different floor plans which will provide challenging training in search and rescue.

1 . A building simulation training apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of modular rectilinear wall panels capable of movement by one or two persons,   the wall panels adapted to be releasably coupled to adjacent wall panels to form a simulated floor plan of a building,   each wall panel being adapted for removable coupling to adjacent of the wall panels both in line with any one adjacent of the wall panels and perpendicular with any other adjacent of the wall panels to form a free standing structure,   each wall panel having a plurality of identical coupling mechanisms, one proximate each of the upper and lower corner of each end of the wall panel and adapted for releasably coupling with the identical coupling mechanism of adjacent wall panels both in inline and perpendicular configurations.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each coupling mechanism includes a catch rod with an end segment disposed horizontally along the end of the wall panel and two side segments, each disposed horizontally along a respective side of the wall panel, each coupling mechanism also includes a latch member movable from a retracted position within the confines of the wall panel to an engaging position in which the latch member extends from an end of its wall panel for engagement with either the end segment of a catch rod of an adjacent wall panel in line therewith or a side segment of a catch rod of an adjacent wall panel perpendicular therewith. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said wall panel comprises an interior framework having a top rail, a bottom rail and a plurality of vertically extending studs, extending between the top rail and the bottom rail,
 the framework being clad on each side by a sheet member.   
   
   
       4 . A wall panel as claimed in  claim 3  including wires extending through the wall panel to simulate wires in the wall of a building. 
   
   
       5 . A wall panel as claimed in  claim 4  including conduit pipe extending through the framework to simulate conduit pipe in a building. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the wall panels comprise a wooden framework clad with cladding materials selected from gypsum board and plywood and each panel has a construction substantially the same as the construction for a wooden building wall with a top rail, a bottom rail and a plurality of spaced vertical studs extending between the top rail and the bottom rail,
 the apparatus being supported on a floor.   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  including additionally, for any specific floor plan to be simulated by the apparatus, an information package comprising at least a partial description or representation of a building which the floor plan simulates, which information is to be received by a person in advance of entering the simulator having the specific floor plan. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said wall panel comprises an interior framework having a top rail, a bottom rail and a plurality of vertically extending studs, extending between the top rail and the bottom rail,
 the framework being clad on each side by a sheet member.   
   
   
       9 . A wall panel as claimed in  claim 8  including wires extending through the wall panel to simulate wires in the wall of a building. 
   
   
       10 . A wall panel as claimed in  claim 9  including conduit pipe extending through the framework to simulate conduit pipe in a building. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the wall panels comprise a wooden framework clad with cladding materials selected from gypsum board and plywood and each panel has a construction substantially the same as the construction for a wooden building wall with a top rail, a bottom rail and a plurality of spaced vertical studs extending between the top rail and the bottom rail,
 the apparatus being supported on a floor.   
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  including additionally, for any specific floor plan to be simulated by the apparatus, an information package comprising at least a partial description or representation of a building which the floor plan simulates, which information is to be received by a person in advance of entering the simulator having the specific floor plan. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the wall panels comprise a wooden framework clad with cladding materials selected from gypsum board and plywood and each panel has a construction substantially the same as the construction for a wooden building wall with a top rail, a bottom rail and a plurality of spaced vertical studs extending between the top rail and the bottom rail,
 the apparatus being supported on a floor.   
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  including additionally, for any specific floor plan to be simulated by the apparatus, an information package comprising at least a partial description or representation of a building which the floor plan simulates, which information is to be received by a person in advance of entering the simulator having the specific floor plan.