Fireproof Refuges

Abstract

A dry refuge for a group of people in the event of a large fire front like a bushfire is a chamber with a roof, walls and doors made of a steel outer shell, a non-metal inner shell to accommodate people and a multi-layer ceramic fibre insulation layer between the shells capable of withstanding 1100° C. difference in temperature. When the refuge is mobile in order to accompany firefighters into a fire zone, it is built as an insulated water tank with entry hatches for personnel and a quick release water valve for dumping water from the inner shell. The tanks may be on road going trailers in order to be transportable by the authorities to where they are needed. An air portable version is transportable by helicopter. All may have smoke proof seals on hatches and doors and internal air supply, sight glasses to view the outside, interior lighting and a radio.

1 . A refuge for temporarily housing people in the event of fire, being a chamber with walls, a roof and a door constructed from an outer metal shell which is attachable to a fireproof base, and an inner shell which provide accommodation for people, the space between the shells being insulated with ceramic fibre. 
     
     
         2 . A fire refuge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic fibre is 60-70 mm thick. 
     
     
         3 . A fire refuge as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the fibre is installed as a blanket held in place by supports extending through the inner shell into the space between the shell. 
     
     
         4 . A fire refuge as claimed in any one of  claim 3 , wherein the metal shell is 1-2 mm thick. 
     
     
         5 . A fire refuge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell is made of one of plywood, synthetic polymer and fibreglass and resin. 
     
     
         6 . A fire refuge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell has a box for accommodating an air cylinder and the box has a duct leading into the inner shell. 
     
     
         7 . A fire refuge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell has a floor which is not insulated. 
     
     
         8 . A fire refuge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is of modular construction with like ends and a door in an end wall and an intermediate module of variable length attachable to the like ends. 
     
     
         9 . A fire refuge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chamber sits within an external structural frame in order to give protection from falling debris. 
     
     
         10 . A fire refuge as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the door has a labyrinth seal. 
     
     
         11 . A fireproof tank refuge for personnel having an outer metal shell and an inner waterproof shell with thermal insulation between the shells, multiple/at least one entry hatches for a person giving access to the inner shell, valve means to discharge liquid for the inner shell wherein the hatch has a closure with a labyrinth seal. 
     
     
         12 . A fireproof tank as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the multiple hatches each open into a person sized space defined by water baffles in the inner shell. 
     
     
         13 . A fireproof tank as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the tank's water content is released from the tank through an internal dump valve. 
     
     
         14 . A fireproof tank as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the dump valve is operated by opening one of the hatches. 
     
     
         15 . A fireproof tank as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein a compressed air supply chamber is fixed to the outer shell with a duct communicating with the inner shell. 
     
     
         16 . A fireproof tank as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the shells are of lightweight construction with lifting lugs for air portability. 
     
     
         17 . A fireproof tank as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the outer shell width is suitable for carriage on a road-going trailer. 
     
     
         18 . A fireproof tank as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the insulation is supported on the inner shell.