City rolls out fire mitigation pilot project
11 July 2023
The project, in partnership with Mandoval Vermiculite Pty Ltd, will see at least 300 informal structures in Overcome Heights coated in a fire retardant substance over the next six months.
Mandoval Vermiculite Pty Ltd first demonstrated its product during a simulation at the Epping fire station in 2021.
The pilot project in Overcome Heights will see the company provide the funding for the product, machinery, and training, while the DRMC will fund the employment of 11 persons from the local community through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The team will endeavour to apply the product to between 300 and 350 structures in a section of Overcome Heights over the next six months, under the supervision of Mandoval staff and a City project manager, representing between 10 and 15% of the settlement.
The aim is to help limit the spread of fire when it occurs, thus minimising the risk of injury, death and damage to infrastructure, property and the environment.
'We grapple with the risks of fire on a daily basis, particularly in our informal settlements, and so education and awareness have long formed part of our plans to mitigate these risks. This practical intervention is but one of the latest ways in which we are hoping to save lives and the overall toll that fires take on affected persons and communities at large.
'The growth of areas of informality is an international phenomenon, and housing projects are unlikely able to keep up with the growing demand for formal housing. It is thus imperative to work towards mitigating the risk of fires in informal areas, and save lives and property in the process,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Overcome Heights has a high potential for large scale fire incidents, which is why it was selected as the site for the pilot.
This year thus far, there have been eight fires in the area. In 2022, there were 20 fires recorded and 10 in 2021.
Mandoval has provided five days of practical training to the EPWP workers on how to apply the vermiculite product, which will include occupational, health and safety training.
Should this pilot project prove to be successful in preventing the spread of fires, it is hoped that funding could be secured by Informal Settlements Management in the Human Settlements Department, either through public or private channels, to fund similar projects in other parts of the city.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
