SA startup Lumkani devises clever kit to prevent massive shack fires and save lives

A South African startup is hoping to reduce the number of shack fires with a new technology kit intended to provide early warnings for fires.

Lumkani director of humanitarian projects, Francois Petousis, told News24: “We continue to look for large-scale grant sources to run funded projects, but our belief has always been that no one should have to wait for us to find funding if they want to get protection against fire.” There were 25,000 shack fires between 2010 and 2013, the Institute for Race Relations found and the Western Cape was the worst affected.“The fire detectors have two AA batteries and last for at least 10 years on that battery life. Our system has extremely low running costs because of our IoT mesh network, which allows one solar-powered SIM-based monitoring device to cover 1,000 homes,” said Petousis.

“The most hazardous of common energy appliances in use in SA is the non-pressure paraffin stove, which is also the main cause of fires and burn injuries,” wrote authors DK Kimemia and A van Niekerk.“We have very strong quality assurance systems and our system continuously status pings to ensure proper operation of each detector, so we can be proactive in avoiding any detector issues,” said Petousis.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

'Idols SA': Who will make the top 16?'Idols SA' Theatre Week season 15 ended last night on a high note. 32 contestants gave their best on the stage to fight for the top 16 spot.
Source: Channel24 - 🏆 48. / 51 Read more »

LOOK: Miss SA shows off new Sandton apartment | IOLAfter being crowned the reigning queen on Women's Day, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology graduate moved into her new R5-million Sandton apartment. IOL_Lifestyle Get your wife &husband back lost love spells caster in 0719992769Nelspruit Newcastle Pietermaritzburg Pinetown Polokwane Port Elizabeth Potchefstroom Pretoria Randburg Call / whatsapp Bring back lost lover no matter how long have been separated and make him or her to be yours forever divorce affairs. people facing financial problems, powerful muthi to clear all types of debts and loans or to remove a person from being blacklisted within 12 hrs. _Lifestyle ❤😢✊
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »

The simple reason no SA restaurant has ever been awarded a Michelin starSteve Steinfeld on the 'Great Michelin Myth', and why our obsession with this international food guide isn't doing our local chefs any favours.
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »

Here's how Miss SA, Zozibini Tunzi, is inspiring women to embrace their natural lookSignificantly for the black community, the 25-year-old sported her natural hair for the pageant, drawing praise from the public and influencers.
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

Idols SA twins Viggy & Virginia have their eyes set on winning the competition'This is what we want. It is what we dream about. When we wake up in the morning, the first thing we think about it music. I want to do what I love.'
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »

Inequality drives crime in SA, even at the workplaceThe Marikana tragedy would never have happened were it not for the severe levels of economic and social inequality between miners and mine bosses
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »