Do you put sunblock on when you go into the sun? Do you wear a lifejacket when you go out to sea?.... What about when you enter a bushfire prone area? Are you prepared for the ferocity of a bushfire?
120 people died and many more were injured during the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009. Many of the victims were not aware of the fires until it was too late to escape and found themselves trapped with no protection from the intense radiant heat.
What have we learnt from this horrific disaster? Do Australians continue to enter bushfire prone areas without protection?
If you live in a bushfire prone area; Are you prepared when travelling home? Are your visitors prepared?
For the cost of a woollen blanket, the multi-layer composite Bushfire Blanket provides effective protection against the three major bushfire heat killers; radiant heat, ember attack and thermal conduction. The triple-layer composite construction of the Bushfire Blanket is similar to that used in Space suits.
Weighing approximately 2.5 kgs, the Bushfire Blanket can be carried in the car or in a backpack ready for instant deployment.
The Bushfire Blanket has been subjected to a number of tests including full destructive testing. During this testing process we rejected many "wool" blankets from suppliers that, during our testing ignited due to the addition of other fibres. We also rejected many radiant barrier materials that despite being flame retardant were attached to scrim material that did not have adequate fire resistant properties. Our design is manufactured from high performing materials:
The graph above details the results of exposure to an average temperature of 240 degrees C. Temperature was measured at the surface of the woolen blanket lining. During this extreme test, the blanket inside surface did not become excessively heated.
The Bushfire Blanket has been tested by a NATA certified testing authority. Results from this testing exceeded the levels for radiant heat transfer, flame heat transfer, residual strength and heat resistance defined in AS/NZS 4967:2009 Protective clothing for firefighters - Requirements and test methods for protective clothing used for structural firefighting.
The Bushfire Blanket provides well over ten times the AS-4967 radiant heat protection level!
Unlike conventional woollen blankets, the Bushfire Blanket has a metallic outer layer that reflects radiant heat away from the user. Radiant heat is the biggest killer in a bushfire and can kill well before the fire front.
A second layer of woven fibreglass provides a fireproof barrier that protects the third woollen layer from large embers. The third layer, a 100% Australian wool blanket, provide thermal insulation from heat conduction.
The unique operation of the Bushfire Blanket is designed to be laid flat over the user. This creates an area around the user protected from radiant heat. This makes use of the natural insulating properties of the ground and reduces thermal conduction from the surrounding ground.
The Bushfire Blanket is a high quality product designed and made in Australia using 100% Australian wool. Patent pending.