Lumkani Fire Detector

Lumkani, a social enterprise I co-founded with close friends in 2014, aims to tackle the pressing issue of fires in informal settlements. Rapidly spreading fires in these areas result in significant devastation and perpetuate cycles of poverty. At the core of Lumkani's mission is innovative and cost-effective technology. We have developed a low-cost, mesh-networked heat detector, a robust solar-powered smart gateway, and user-friendly mobile applications for entry-level phones to register and manage customers.

Lumkani's commitment lies in enhancing the physical and financial resilience of individuals who have historically been excluded from the formal economy. Through the implementation of risk-reducing hardware, Lumkani is proud to offer groundbreaking, affordable household insurance to previously overlooked and deemed un-insurable households. 

At Lumkani, we engineered a cost-effective Rate of Rise Heat Detector to combat the widespread occurrence of shack fires. Through extensive community involvement, we tailored this product specifically for low-income, informal settlements – a setting that unfortunately witnesses numerous devastating fires globally each year.

Our focus was on creating a durable, low-cost solution paired with a sustainable business model; integrating the physical product with accessible insurance. The design process was iterative - with each revision we reduced costs and power consumption while responding to user feedback on functionality. Inspired by community input like, "It's crucial for me to know about a fire in my house and my neighbor's house. Can't they send each other a message?" we engineered an innovative mesh network which enabled communication between detectors.

The ability to rapidly spread a communal call to action within the community has significantly curbed the spread of fires. As of January 2021, Lumkani has manufactured and installed approximately 40,000 sensors, preventing hundreds of fires across South Africa, Kenya, and Bangladesh. The company continues to provide its innovative, affordable insurance products to thousands of South Africans.

The fourth iteration of the detector boasts several innovative design choices:

• The fire sensor calculates the rate of change of temperature, avoiding false alarms common in environments with frequent smoke.
• Our mesh network exhibits long-range reliability with minimal power consumption, enabling the device to run on 2 x AA batteries for 10 years.
• The detector can be assembled inexpensively and effortlessly, incorporating automated quality control to drive down costs and enhance accessibility.
• It can seamlessly pair with a Lumkani Smart gateway to provide regular updates on battery level and health, as well as send SMS alerts in the event of fires.

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