Fire Proof Shelters – Radiant Heat and the Effects on Human Health

Radiant heat and its effect on human health

Bushfires produce copious quantities of smoke that often disperses over long distances depending on the climatic conditions, topography and vegetation sources. As a result, smoke may affect human communities that are not directly threatened by bushfire or impacted by prescribed burning.

The presence of greater numbers of people living in or near the bush has increased the size of the at-risk population in the event of a bushfire. The population health impacts associated with smoke from bushfires are not well defined but are thought to have possible adverse effects on respiratory and cardiovascular systems and are therefore important considerations for public health, and for emergency and environmental agencies.

Smoke produced during bushfires or prescribed burning contains a complex mixture of particulate matter, water vapour and gases, many of which are known to be air pollutants or greenhouse gases. Particulate matter results from incomplete combustion of vegetation and varies in concentration, composition and size distribution.

The symptoms of smoke effects

Fine particles and gases can accumulate in the eyes, nose and lungs and cause a number of health problems including burning or itchy eyes, runny nose, sore throat, headache and general coughing. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, and shortness of breath or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe easily, deeply or vigorously and may develop symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, phlegm and chest discomfort.

With all the research Fire Proof Shelters has been conducting, many people are falsly under the impression a smaller Fire shelter is adequate to protect them! Unfortunately this is not the case. There a many sub standard Fire Shelters/Fire Bunkers on the market that are very missleading in the amaout of available breathing time. They don’t allow for the adverse effect CO2 expiation has on people in an air tight space and effectively reduces the REAL breathing time down dramatically!

Find out why Fire proof Shelters design is offen twice the size of most other fire shelters! Call 03 9444 1555 to find out more.

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