Ex Fire

In fire-prone, dense, URBAN settlements, external fire extinguishers are rarely available. So I aimed at designing bricks that fight fires named ExFire. Using Fusion 360 CAD design, I engineered a metallic micro-chamber embedded directly into ceramic bricks. These are  preloaded with fire-suppressant chemicals used in commercial fire balls. When a fire occurs, heat-sensitive plates trigger a pressure rise inside the chamber. Within 5–10 seconds, via a controlled micro-explosion, chemicals are released. Springs as shock absorbers strategically placed in the chamber, dissipate the energy - guaranteeing structural stability.

The design was biomimicry-inspired by an armadillo’s shell, rapid ejection of squirting cucumber and fire-chaser beetles response to heat. Testing and simulations show that ExFire-Brick reduce fire intensity by over 65%. Hence when embedded into multiple bricks, it ensures wall-wide suppression. Autonomous, reusable, and scalable — it requires no power, human effort, and added infrastructure.

By transforming entire walls into first responders against fire it offers a low-cost solution for disaster-prone communities.