Firefighting competitions
Time measurement system in fire‑service competitions – from a system designer’s perspective
Introduction
Fire‑service sport competitions combine elements of firefighting tactics with athletics and provide an excellent field for testing modern measurement solutions. It is essential to ensure unambiguous start signal, precise time measurement and automatic registration of events (line crossing, cone knockdown, beam contact). In this article I will describe in detail the rules of the three basic competitions – Fire‑fighting Exercise, Fire‑service Relay and Barrel Run – and show how they can be integrated with the electronic time‑measurement system Sectro StartLotny and the chronometer Sectro TimeMaster.
Fire‑fighting Exercise
Competition rules
The Fire‑fighting Exercise (sometimes called “fire‑extinguishing drill”) is the most representative competition for the fire service. A team usually consists of 7‑9 firefighters, each with a defined role (laying hoses, operating the distributor, starting the pump, delivering water). The task is to prepare a firefighting line as quickly as possible and hit the water stream at a designated target (e.g., knock over a cone, fill an indicator tank or hit a target).
[gov](https://www.gov.pl/attachment/7d3da5e0-4e16-4d38-a425-49ecff045c7b)The start is given by a clear signal – whistle, siren or light signal (start siren). Firefighters run to the equipment, connect hoses to the pump and distributor, lay hose lines toward the target, start the pump and deliver water. The competition ends when the water meets the target criterion (e.g., the cone is knocked over).
[gov](https://www.gov.pl/attachment/3320e3b2-2769-4103-81ec-9ef278015968)Time measurement in the Fire‑fighting Exercise
The key moments are start (start siren) and completion (objective signal of the target). In the traditional approach the referee measures time with a manual stopwatch, which introduces a human reaction error ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 s.
[strazak](https://strazak.online/artykuly/zawody-sportowo-pozarnicze-wg-regulaminu-ctif/)In an electronic system it is recommended to use the Sectro TimeMaster chronometer as the central measurement unit. The start is triggered automatically by the start signal (e.g., siren connected to the TimeMaster start input, a starting pistol, etc.). Completion is detected by a sensor mounted at the target – a magnetic sensor reacting to cone knockdown. When the photocell is blocked (cones fall), the TimeMaster receives a META impulse, records the time with millisecond precision and the software displays the result on the LED scoreboard.
[gov](https://www.gov.pl/attachment/94db3d5f-9d80-4351-a734-88092874c4c7)Fire‑service Relay
Competition rules
The Fire‑service Relay is a team race in which each runner covers a section with a characteristic firefighting obstacle (e.g., jumping over a hurdle, carrying a hose, negotiating a balance beam, delivering water to a target). The team usually consists of six runners; each section is 50 m long, making the total course e.g. 6 × 50 m.
The start is given by the start signal (start siren). The first runner holds the relay baton, runs his section with the obstacle and passes the baton in the designated exchange zone to the next runner. An exchange outside the zone or missing an obstacle incurs a time penalty or disqualification according to the regulations. The last runner crosses the finish line with the baton – then the time measurement stops.
[gov](https://www.gov.pl/attachment/299b8623-ef1e-4d0e-8933-3e8e4ffede74)Time measurement in the Fire‑service Relay
For timing the Sectro StartLotny set is ideal – it is a complete time measurement system comprising a start unit, line sensors and the central chronometer (TimeMaster).
[pspzlotow.fundata](http://pspzlotow.fundata.pl/straz_files/sport/zawody_sprt_poz/regul_zaw_mdp.pdf)- Start: start siren or photocell triggers the start pulse to TimeMaster.
- Finish: the finish line is equipped with an optical barrier – breaking the beam by the last runner with the baton generates a STOP signal in TimeMaster.
- Accuracy: the system records time with a resolution of 0.001 s, which is incomparably better than a manual stopwatch (hand‑eye error 0.2‑0.6 s).
Additionally, simple sensors can be mounted on each obstacle (e.g., a magnet on the baton and a reed switch in the obstacle) to signal incorrect negotiation. These impulses are sent to TimeMaster and stored as auxiliary events, allowing referees to quickly verify penalties without reviewing video footage.
[pspzlotow.fundata](http://pspzlotow.fundata.pl/straz_files/sport/zawody_sprt_poz/regul_zaw_mdp.pdf)Barrel Run
Competition rules
The Barrel Run is an individual event whose course has a rectangular (barrel) shape. The runner starts from one corner, runs along the defined points (e.g., diagonally, along the sides, between cones) and must return to the start point, maintaining the correct direction of bypassing each cone.
The rules state that each cone must be passed on the proper side; its knockdown or omission results in a rerun or a time penalty. Both time and course precision count – a directional error is detected by incorrectly missing a control point.
[mccmedale](https://mccmedale.pl/sporty-pozarnicze-sportowa-rywalizacja-strazakow/)Time measurement in the Barrel Run
Here too the Sectro StartLotny set proves useful as a complete time measurement system.
- Flying start: the runner positions himself in the start zone; timing begins at the moment the start line is crossed, detected by a photocell (or start mat). Such a start removes the need for a quick reaction to the starter’s signal and guarantees equal chances for all participants.
- Finish: usually coincides with the start line or lies in the opposite corner – again detected by a photocell. Beam breaking generates a STOP signal in TimeMaster.
- Precision: thanks to electronic timing, the human reaction error is practically eliminated; the only remaining uncertainty is the sensor resolution (typically 1 ms).
To automate detection of course errors, magnetic sensors can additionally be installed at each cone. Their activation sends an impulse to TimeMaster, which is logged as an error event. After the run the referee has access to the list of events (time + possible errors), enabling transparent dispute resolution.
[gov](https://www.gov.pl/attachment/94db3d5f-9d80-4351-a734-88092874c4c7)Time measurement methods – comparison
| Method | Accuracy | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual stopwatch | 0.2‑0.6 s (human reaction error) | Low cost, simplicity | Large error, subjectivity, difficulty in dynamic competitions |
| Semi‑automatic (start/stop button + photocell finish) | ~0.01 s (limited only by reaction at start) | Better accuracy, simple implementation | Still requires fast press of the start button |
| Fully automatic (Sectro StartLotny + TimeMaster) | 0.001 s (sensor resolution) | Full objectivity, instant result, event logging, integration with obstacle sensors possible | Higher initial cost, need for sensor calibration |
Integration of the Sectro system with competition infrastructure
Central unit – Chronometr TimeMaster
In the architecture proposed by Sectro the central unit is the chronometr TimeMaster. TimeMaster receives START and STOP signals from external sensors (photocells, start sirens, target sensors) and processes them into time with millisecond resolution. It has built‑in memory for hundreds of starts, a PC interface for live result export and the possibility to connect an external LED display.
[gov](https://www.gov.pl/attachment/7d3da5e0-4e16-4d38-a425-49ecff045c7b)StartLotny set – complete time measurement system
StartLotny set – complete time measurement system
Sectro StartLotny is a ready‑to‑use kit consisting of:
- start unit (signal cable from the start siren or start button),
- line sensors (photocells or pressure mats) placed at start and finish,
- cables connecting the sensors to TimeMaster,
- optional modules for event inputs (to log obstacle errors, cone knockdowns, etc.),
- configuration software allowing to select flying‑start or classic‑start mode.
Thanks to this design the entire competition course can be equipped with a single central unit (TimeMaster) and distributed sensors, which simplifies installation and maintenance.
[gov](https://www.gov.pl/attachment/3320e3b2-2769-4103-81ec-9ef278015968)Links to official competition rules
- Regulations of Fire‑service Sport Competitions (PDF) – annex 1
- Regulations of Fire‑service Sport Competitions (PDF) – annex 2
- Regulations of Fire‑service Sport Competitions OSP (PDF)
- Regulations of Fire‑service Sport Competitions (PDF) – another version
Summary
Fire‑service competitions constitute an excellent and demanding test environment for modern measurement solutions. The detailed rules of Fire‑fighting Exercise, Fire‑service Relay and Barrel Run define precise start and finish points that can easily be automated using an electronic time‑measurement system.
Using the Sectro TimeMaster chronometer as the central unit and the Sectro StartLotny set as a complete time measurement system allows:
- reduction of measurement error from the range of 0.2‑0.6 s (manual stopwatch) to below 0.01 s,
- full automation of start and finish detection via photocell and start siren,
- logging of auxiliary events (e.g., cone knockdown, obstacle error) without referee intervention,
- instant display of results and archiving of data for further analysis.
For a system designer this means the need to design a reliable sensor infrastructure (photocells, start sirens, optional magnetic sensors) and its proper integration with the TimeMaster central unit. Thanks to this the competitions become more transparent, results more trustworthy, and firefighters can concentrate solely on their physical and tactical effort, knowing that the timer measures their performance with the highest possible precision.