Fire Control Box

In firefighting, it’s essential to not only have the technical skills to extinguish fires but also to understand fire behavior. Modern homes are built with tighter seals and better insulation than older structures, which makes it critical to understand the dangers of smoke and heat, as well as to learn about the concept of “flow paths”—the movement of air and heat through a building.

However, since firefighters don’t encounter fires every day, it’s difficult to gain a deep understanding of fire behavior solely through real-life experiences.

That’s why the “Dollhouse” model was developed. In this training method, miniature models of houses are used to recreate various fire scenarios. It helps firefighters practice effective water application tactics and better understand the dangers of entering burning structures. This type of training improves firefighting skills.

In the U.S., this training is known as a “Dollhouse,” but in other countries, it’s sometimes referred to as a “Fire Control Box.” It was created by Matt Palmer, who works for the Stanford Fire Department in the U.S., and is now widely used in firefighter training programs across the country.

1-Compartment Fire Control Box

A simple, one-compartment structure allows easy observation of air intake and exhaust through the front window. Opening a back vent creates a flow path. This basic box model can simulate events like flashover and backdraft.

The model can be built using just plywood and screws, making it a cost-effective training tool.

How to Build a Dollhouse Model

Materials Needed:

Plywood
Power drill
Circular saw
Screws

Step 1:
Get a piece of plywood that is 12mm thick and 1800mm x 900mm in size.

Step 2:
Cut the plywood in half with the circular saw to create two pieces, each 1800mm x 450mm (labeled A and B).

Step 3:
From board A, cut two pieces measuring 500mm x 450mm (labeled ① and ②), and one piece 450mm x 450mm (labeled ③).

Step 4:
Trim ① and ② to 500mm x 446mm.

Step 5:
From board B, cut two pieces measuring 500mm x 450mm (labeled ④ and ⑤), and one piece 450mm x 450mm (labeled ⑥).

Step 6:
Cut a 200mm x 200mm opening in piece ⑥. (You can adjust the size of the opening as you like.) Use any leftover wood to make a cover and fuel. The cover should be larger than the opening, and adding a handle will make it easier to open and close.

Assemble the box using screws at the numbered locations:

① Left side
② Right side
③ Back
④ Bottom
⑤ Top
⑥ Front (with the opening)

If you make an opening in the back, you can observe the flow path.

Equipment Used

Wooden dollhouse (model house)
Water for extinguishing fires
Tongs
Fuel (newspaper, cardboard, wood scraps)
Pressurized spray bottle
Gas burner
Small fan
Thermal imaging device

Training Content

Observe how fires start and grow
Close openings to practice extinguishing fires by cutting off air
Practice gas cooling techniques
Observe the occurrence of rollovers and flashovers
See how neutral planes form
Observe how smoke behaves when openings are opened
Understand how firefighting from one direction affects the other side
Simulate a backdraft scenario

This method provides a practical and affordable way to train firefighters in real-world scenarios while improving their understanding of fire dynamics and safety tactics.

One-Gallon Can Fire Control Box

Typically, wooden fire control boxes are used for training, but they can only be used once and take time to construct. However, a fire control box made from a one-gallon can (about 18 liters) can be reused multiple times and is much more cost-effective.

Fire Behavior Observation Box

Window: 160mm x 100mm
Opening: 250mm x 160mm
Vertical hole: 50mm x 60mm

Door Control Observation Box

Doorway: 100mm x 180mm
Vertical hole: 50mm x 60mm
Window: 160mm x 100mm

Multi-Room Box

Doorway: 100mm x 180mm
Interior opening: 100mm x 180mm

Training Patterns

Pattern A: Vertical Setup (Fire Behavior Observation Box + Door Control Observation Box)

Pattern B: Multi-Room Setup (Fire Behavior Observation Box + Multi-Room Box)

Note: For the one-gallon can fire control box, attach plywood to the sides using screws.

This setup allows for cost-efficient, reusable fire training models that help simulate different fire behaviors and door control scenarios.

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