New gel 'fireproofs' vulnerable homes
Date: 20/05/2008 12:00:00
Homeowners in the US have a remarkable new weapon in the fight against wildfires which could revolutionise methods of protecting property against blazes.
Thermo-Gel is a variant of the chemical dropped from tanker aircraft by firefighters battling large-scale blazes.
Families simply add water to a pack of Thermo-Gel and coat the resulting mixture on shrubs, houses and outbuildings.
Users can even surround property with a protective Thermo-Gel ring to create a fire-proof zone.
Developer Thermo Technologies said: "It creates a fire lane by coating all types of surfaces and vegetation. Once a fire passes, consumers can simply rinse their home."
A Thermo-Gel kit is now on the market in the US, providing a quantity of the substance along with spray equipment which can be used to coat large areas.
If it proves a success, the product could prevent the damage caused to thousands of North American Homes by wildfires each year and reduce
home insurance claims.