'Fair Air' Fire Mask
A$231
of $35,000 targetyrs ago
Closed on 21st Sep 2012 at 2:00AM.
If you know a bushfire fighter please send the link to them.
This project is to fund the first major production run of the 'Fair Air' Fire Mask, a reusable respirator designed specifically for fighting bushfires. The fire agencies are very slow to move and when they do will expect virtually instantaneous delivery. I need to produce a stock of these respirators so that we can protect as many firefighters as soon as possible. The fire season is nearly here.....
Pledged dollars will lower the cost to provide the masks by avoiding banks charging exorbitant rates for a loan - they call it venture capital as an excuse.
The mask has been fully tested for fire resistance and filtration efficiency by the premier scientific organisation in Australia, the CSIRO.
It is certified to two international standards for fire resistance and the CSIRO stated that "it is the only respirator that has, or could, pass" the requisite tests. One of these tests had the mask exposed to a 600+C gas flame and measured the time that it took the temperature to rise 25C on the other side. The standard requires it to take at least 17 seconds - the average for the Fair Air mask was over 33 seconds!
CSIRO testing showed the filter removes 100% of particles of 5 micron and above and for tiny 0.3 micron particles it still takes out 98.6%.
It was also tested against the requirements for AS/NZS 1716:2003 for particulate efficiency and passed. Even filters that had been machine washed ten times exceeded the P1 level for this standard. The test report (from TestSafe, part of WorkCover NSW) stated that although the mask passed the tests it cannot be certified to this standard because it only covers disposable masks, not reusable ones.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment, the fire agency for public land in Victoria, has trialed the mask and the feedback was very positive with many participants stating that it "was great in heavy smoke". The Department is now going through their internal purchasing processes. ACT Parks is now trialling the mask.
The filters are multi-layered with the external ones being a specially made needled alpaca material. Alpaca fiber is as fire resistant as wool but the structure of the fiber is such that it doesn't irritate the skin as wool can for some people.
The large scales on wool can cause skin irritation and piling
Australian manufacturers in regional Victoria will be producing the mask holders and filters. They are not going to be made offshore to ensure that the correct materials are used.
A Fair Air fire mask set comprises one holder and two filters so that users will have a spare available for immediate replacement until they can wash and dry the first. The filters last a long time before needing replacement (on the DSE trial some firefighters used the same one without washing wearing it at fire after fire). It is recommended that they actually be washed after each use.
Please note that the mask is not a replacement for SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and not recommended for use in low oxygen/ toxic gas environments.
Please make a pledge and help me to produce a supply available for our firefighters so as many lives are protected as soon as possible.
Your name on fair air masks website 'thank you' page
1 chosen
Est. delivery is Aug 12
A postcard to say thank you personally
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Sep 12
One 'Fair Air' mask set<br /><br /> Includes Australian postage <br /><br /> please add $10 for international postage
3 chosen
Est. delivery is Sep 12
Two 'Fair Air' mask sets<br /><br /> Includes Australian postage <br /><br /> please add $10 for international postage
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Sep 12
Three 'Fair Air' mask sets<br /><br /> Includes Australian postage <br /><br /> please add $10 for international postage
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Sep 12
Five 'Fair Air' mask sets<br /><br /> Includes Australian postage<br /><br /> Please add $20 for international postage
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Sep 12
Ten 'Fair Air' mask sets<br /><br /> Includes Australian postage<br /><br /> Please add $20 for international postage
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Sep 12