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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) The Fireproof Tent is designed as a last resort for people trapped in a burning house or building with no escape route. It is a unit with a rapid deployment safety cover, using heat resistant materials that forms an 'umbrella' to insulate those underneath from the burning fires and smoke outside, providing a safety barrier until help arrives.Simple to use by anyone, the Fireproof Tent incorpoates GPS locator, smoke masks and temperature gauge. It is a compact portable unit that can easily be stored under the bed or in the cupboard and pulled out in an emergency. Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? According to the NRMA, annually there are over a 100,000 house fires in Australia, causing 1500 injuries and 70 deaths. Unfortunately, the highest at risk are the young and the elderly.An American research revealed that fire deaths of those aged 65 and over were twice as high as the national average and 3 times as high for those 75 and over. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the very young. 20-25 fire deaths in Australia each year are of children under five. Alarmingly, according to specialists, 19 out of 20 children under 16 sleep through a smoke alarm. While government enforcement of smoke alarms in every home has dramatically reduced the number of fire related deaths, the sad fact is, we still commonly hear news bulletins of families burnt to death in their homes. Tragically, there is perhaps nothing more frightening than waking up finding yourself trapped in a burning house with no route for escape. The design for the Fireproof Tent came about because I saw the need for a device that could help families in the drastic position of being trapped in a burning house where escape is no longer an option. The tent is simple to use, stored conveniently inside the canister is a canopy made from a heat resistant fiberglass composite able to withstand heat of up 1600 degrees Celsius while deflecting 95% radiant heat. Sandwiched in between is a coat of tiny heat absorbing gels (same gel found in baby nappies). This gel has been proven to absorb fire and heat. The tent unfolds much like an umbrella and, once deployed, protects two individuals underneath from the flame and smoke outside. Incorporated into the unit is a GPS signal locator that is automatically triggered once the tent is deployed, alerting the paramedics. Smoke masks stored on either side of the canister provide clean air. For manufacturing, the canister uses injection moulding using HDPE, a sturdy yet lightweight plastic. The tent canopy is designed to be replaceable, reducing manufacturing cost and waste. The ergonomic shape allows the unit to be carried by the handle. Alternatively, the concaved body allows it to be snuggled underarm. The unit stands 43cm in height. Once deployed, the canopy has a height of 98cm and diameter of 1.3m. Estimated manufacturing cost is $50 dollars and retail for $199. Visually, the design and graphics take cues from traditional emergency products, evidenced by the fire-engine red colour and white cross on the canister. This product is a potentially life saving device in a situation where we would never want to find ourselves in. There are not many, if any, products available that tackle this bleak situation. It is simple to use because the tent is deployed at the press of a button. Its portability means it can be stored and taken anywhere, left in the boot of the car, under the bed or in the cupboard. Apart from homes (particularly bushfire affected areas) and apartments, it has applications in nursing homes and child care centres. |
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