We will produce a cost-efficient fire-retardant for shacks as shacks fires in informal settlements claim lives and belongings of an already low-income community. We hope to do this for 1000 shacks.
The community are suffering loss of life and loss of belongings due to shack fires. Shack fires spread throughout informal settlements and occur on a weekly basis. The fires spread quickly as shacks are close to each other and are made and insulated with flammable materials such as cardboard and wood. The main cause of these fires is a spillage of a paraffin lamp. This means that the fires usually start on the interior of shacks. The fire then spreads as the cardboard interiors ignite.
The solution that we plan to produce is cheaper than the commercial one (almost a tenth of the price) and we have found that it works. We will apply it as a paint to the interiors of shacks in order to stop the fire spreading.
As we plan to provide the retardant to 1000 shacks the amount of people affected will be numerous. The solution could stop the spread of fires in informal settlements thus saving lives and money.
