Pharos Fire Shelter

Active Fire Protection Backpack Shelter

Fall 2022

Brief

Design a solution for an emergency wildfire scenario that increases the odds of survival for wildfire evacuees and improves search & rescue operations

Objectives

An ergonomic and accessible product
A product with a clear path for acquisition by UST
Meets the survival needs of wildfire victims

RESEARCH OBSERVATIONS | Why do we need fire shelters?

Mariposa County Resident, Sierra Nevada Oakfire

Wildfire evacuees are frustrated with the lack of time between the evacuation order, as many of them receive a call to evacuate with little time to spare.

Orange County Fire Chief, Brian Fennessy

Wildfires get so large that they don't have enough firefighters, airplanes, helicopters, and bulldozers to combat them and firehouses can become empty from exhausting too many resources and people to wildfires.

Data

A 10-year trend from 2010-2019 showed an increased fire death rate of 3.3% - FEMA
According to the UN, wildfires are predicted to increase by 14% by 2030. This means that the rate of death by fires can increase because wildfires will become even more common.

UST RE: fresh

The Story

UST BRAND ANALYSIS

History

UST was established in 1936, making survival, camping, and outdoor equipment. The company moved from Florida to Colombia, MO in the Spring of 2019. Formerly known as Ultimate Survival Technologies, the brand was recognized for survival products but has expanded into more outdoor activity products in the recent rebranding.

Current Strategy

Expand the brand into the greater outdoor market and ease into affordability by selling direct to consumer

Goals Sustainability

UST community, Accessibility, Affordability

Mission

"As a brand, our goal is to inspire and cultivate people’s love of all things outside. We set out on this path with strong intention going forward… to create gear that allows EVERYONE to enjoy the activities that give us so much happiness" - ust gear

Brand Aesthetics

The rebranding gave a fresh look to the product catalog, making them more recognizable with a bold logo with bright colors. The colors in their products give off a playful theme.

MARKET RESEARCH | Fire Protection

TARGET MARKET | Personas & Needs

Derrick

Age - 31 years old
Position - Fire & Rescue
Attributes - Trained in extinguishing fires, providing first aid, rescuing fire victims, and searching for victims

Cassandra

Age - 56 years old
Position - Retired Nurse
Attributes - Has first aid training and enjoys making jewelry. Lives with her husband in Northern California about half a miles from the nearest public road

Target Locations: California - Australia

SCENARIOS | Wildfire Survival

Shelter in Place - The victim is stuck in a wildfire zone with no other choice but to seek shelter.

Auto fire suppression shelter

Escaping the Fire - The victim is narrowly escaping the fire and being rushed by it.

Fire suppressing foam pack

Quick Relief - The victim is experiencing high smoke inhalation and blurred vision due to wildfire.

A deployable tent that gives oxygen

CONCEPT IDEATION

REFINEMENT

DESIGN DIRECTION

INSPIRATION BOARD

Robust

Reflective

Secure

PRODUCT DECONSTRUCTION

The final direction of my design began with an existing 2-person tent and a 21L Nylon Backpack. I deconstructed both products and tested ways to combine the two into one single model.

The area with blue tape is were I designated for the tent to be cut and sewn into the front pocket of the backpack

FINAL DESIGN

MANUFACTURING & PARTS LIST

Parts List

Materials & Manufacturing

INTRODUCING

Pharos Fire Shelter

by UST Gear

Active Fire Shelter Backpack

- Fiberglass w/ Aluminum Fabric
- Para-Aramid (Kevlar)
- FRX Polymers (Fire-resistant plastic)
25 lbs. (11 kg)
Stored Lithium-ion battery
- Low-power consumption in storage (6-month battery life)
- Rechargeable (Recommended replacement after 3 years)
- Fast-charging
Built-in Shelter
- Quick shelter release
- Fits up to 2 adults
Oxygen Concentrator
- Concentrates oxygen from the environment into the shelter
- Co2 extraction from inside the shelter
Fire Suppression
- Actively suppresses fire using high pressure Co2