Safety: Fire Grip

FireGrip is a portable, easy-to-use extinguisher that delivers quick response, accurate aiming, and effective fire control.

Features include:
• One-handed operation
• Adjustable canister angle for balanced handling
• Durable, lightweight handle with a secure grip
• Simple canister-to-handle connection
• Slip-resistant, rubberized grip

FIREGRIP

+ Category: Safety
+ Date: April, 2015
+ Target: Age 13+

Challenges & Objectives

Current fire extinguishers can be challenging to use for many users because of its size and weight, and it requires two hand operation. Objective of redesigning fire extinguisher is to enhance the user experience and the results by making it easy to operate with one hand and portable.

Define Problems & Investigate

+ Not user-friendly
+ Two-hand operation
+ Heavy and conversum
+ Takes up space
+ Esthetically undesirable

Possible Solutions & Outcome

+ Simpler steps
+ Portability & light weight
+ One-hand operation
+ Center-weighted design for comfort
+ Quick canister connection
+ Easy to stored away

> 02. RESEARCH | TYPES, FEATURES & USE CASES ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Types of Fire Extinguishers

There are several types of fire extinguishers, each color-coded for easy identification. Using the correct type of extinguisher helps prevent potential hazards and ensures safe, effective fire control.

+ WATER: Class A fires
+ FOAM: Classes A & B fires
+ DRY POWDER: Classes A, B & C fires
+ CO2: Class B & electrical fires
+ WET CHEMICAL: Class A & F
+ M28/L2 POWER: Class D

Use Cases

+ General household use
+ Outdoor activities and camping
+ Commuters and road trips (cars and mobile homes)
+ Small business and studios

+ Class A: SOLIDS, such as paper, wood, plastic
+ Class B: FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, such as petrol, oil
+ Class C: FLAMMABLE GASES, such as propane, butane
+ Class D: METALS, such as aluminium, magnesium
+ Class E: ELECTRICAL fires
+ Class F: OIL, cooking & FAT

> 03. IDEATION SKETCHES | THUMBNAILS, MEASUREMENTS & CONCEPTUAL FORMS //////////////////////

> 04. FORM & STUDY MODELS | BLUE FORM, SANDABLE GESSO, PRIMER & MISC TOOLS /////////////////////

Building Study Model

To create a 1:1 scale model, I began with several orthographic sketches and used them as guides to carve a study model from a single block of blue foam. The most challenging part was shaping the entire piece as one unit; had I made the canister separately from the holder, the process would have been simpler and the forms more precise. Nevertheless, the final model worked well for further exploration of the physical form.

> 05. 3D RENDERING | SOLIDWORKS & KEYSHOT ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Building 3D Model in Solidworks

The orthographic sketches were imported into SolidWorks and used as guides to construct the FireGrip. The canister was modeled first, followed by the canister holder body, the grip, and then the remaining surface design details.