New ball saves people from fire

By ALISON ANIS
THE newly-launched fire safety technology which comes in the shape of a ball could be an effective gadget to save many lives due to buildings catching fire.
The fire extinguishing ball weighs a mere 1.3kg and can be handled by women, elderly people and child above the age of four.
It is easily thrown into the fire or can be installed in any fire risk areas and activates within three seconds after getting in contact with the flame.
EastPac Ltd, the strategic business development partner for Oceania that specialises in advanced development in rural areas, introduced this new product in line with the New Guinea Islands (NGI)-based Flash Management & Consultant Ltd in Lae.
Manufactured in Malaysia, the product has a built-in fire alarm and could cover an area of 4 sqm when it is activated.
“One of the great benefits of this fire extinguishing ball is that it can self- activate in the presence of fire when no one is present.
If positioned in appropriate high-risk area where most fires are likely to start, it will self-activate upon reaching the set temperature and extinguish the fire,” East Pac Ltd general manager Melvin Ghwee said.
Mr Ghwee said the product has been approved and recognised by PNG Fire Service as a fire-fighting equipment and has clearance from the Department of Environment and Conservation.
The product has a life span of three years for a cold zone and five years for a tropical zone.
It has been proven to work on fires involving wood, cloth, paper, rubber or plastics and fires involving flammable and combustible liquids and electricity.
Francis Lamond, regional director for Flash Management & Consultants Ltd, an agent in NGI region, Francis Lamond said this was a stepping-stone to progress in saving properties, buildings and offices from fire and also saving the cost on servicing for the next five years.
“We believe this is an inevitable breakthrough for people who are willing to work together for a cleaner, safer environment by protecting lives and properties,” Mr Lamond said.
He said they have sold up to 600 extinguishing balls to Government departments and private companies since it was introduced.