- Property Assessment: After our initial conversation to learn from you what your concerns and what your ultimate objectives are, we schedule your Property Assessment. During that appointment we visit your property to inspect and document all potential hazards that pose a risk now and in the future. We also take note of what resources you already have in place to complement our overall plan and design. We encourage the owners to be present and engage in the assessment, but ultimately it can be completed by our team alone.
- System Design: We draft a complete system design that includes all components of your system, associated timelines and milestones associated with the installation project, and a complete breakdown of all anticipated costs associated with the project. Where applicable, we also handle all permitting associated with the installation of your system.
- Installation: We offer wide variety of systems, ranging from:
- Fully Permanent Systems: comprised of external water tanks, pumps, water canons, fire retardant gel injection systems and completely buried water supply piping.
- Semi Permanent Systems: we can still bury your water supply piping, and mount your pumps and external water tanks, but you deploy the water canons when the need arises.
- Portable Systems: Usually these systems are possible when a property already has an alternate dedicated water source or storage. Utilizing a smaller pump, and several hundred feet of fire hose, you then have the flexibility to deploy your water canons where you see fit as the needs arise.
Headquartered in Santa Barbara on the front lines of wildfires on the central coast of California, FIREPODS also creates solution sets for large property owners to “harden” and protect their properties from wildfires. Whether your property is in or adjacent to the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), ember cast or direct flame impingement from the next wildfire to affect your area is a constant concern. FIREPODS offers a several different services and solutions to address your specific needs. Every property is unique, and accordingly each of our Estate Protection Plans is as well. The process is streamlined, efficient, and is broken down into three major stages:
We Support Our Firefighters. One Percent (1%) of the purchase price from the sale of each FIREPOD will be donated to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. For more information on the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation visit their website here: www.firehero.org
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What are FIREPODS?
FIREPODS are stand-alone, completely self-contained units for applying Thermo-Gel® fire retardant gel to structures of most sizes for structure protection in a wildfire event. There is currently a patent pending on it. 2. What does the name FIREPODSTM stand for? FIRE Protection On Demand Solutions. We call each individual unit a FIREPODTM. 3. How does a FIREPOD work? A FIREPOD turns water and Thermo-Gel® into a mixture that you (or anyone else) can easily spray on your home or other structures on your property. The mixture will stick to most building materials, including windows, and prevents ignition due to flying embers, heat, or direct contact with the flames of an advancing wildfire. 4. How big of a house will a FIREPOD protect? A single family residence with 2,500-3,000 sq. ft. of floorspace typically requires approximately 3.5 gallons of Thermo-Gel® mixed at a 3% solution. This equates to a little over 100 gallons of water needed. Therefore, a FIREPOD with a 200 gallon water tank (FP-200) would have plenty of water and Thermo-Gel® to protect a structure of this size. (Consult the Table to the right for more information) Part of the ordering process is to complete a Pre-Order Client Questionnaire where you're asked to make a rough sketch of your property and structures along with measurements so that we can better advise you on where to place your FIREPOD during deployment as well as the length of hoses needed. Also, there is the possibility that multiple FIREPODS may be needed to adequately cover all of your structures. |
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5. How big is a FIREPOD?
Our smallest FIREPOD measures approximately 4'W x 4'H x 6.5'L, holds 200 gallons of water and 20 gallons of Thermo-Gel®, and can fit in a full size short-bed pickup truck or a small utility trailer. Both would require adequate GVWR ratings to support the working load of the FIREPOD.
Our slightly larger FIREPOD measures approximately 4’W x 4’H x 7.5’L, holds 325 gallons of water and 30 gallons of Thermo-Gel®, and can fit in a full size long-bed pickup truck, or a medium utility trailer. Both would require adequate GVWR ratings to support the working load of the FIREPOD.
6. How much does a FIREPOD weigh?
Empty (no water or gel), a FIREPOD weighs approximately 750-800 pounds. Depending on the model (i.e. 200 or 300 gallons of water and 20 or 30 gallons of Thermo-Gel® respectively) a fully loaded FIREPOD can weigh from 2,700 – 3,800 pounds.
7. Is Thermo-Gel® fire retardant gel safe? Is it easy to wash off after the fire has passed?
8. Where can a FIREPOD be stored and/or deployed?
A FIREPOD can be placed next to the structure it is going to protect. If it is a house, it can be stored in the garage. For larger properties with multiple structures requiring protection, a FIREPOD can be placed in the back of a pickup truck or on a utility trailer as discussed in question 5 above.
9. Where is the best place to position my FIREPOD before spraying?
Ideally, you want to position your FIREPOD at a corner of your structure or wherever you can easily walk around the structure in both directions so you can reach and spray vulnerable surfaces. During the ordering process, we survey your property to help you determine the best location for deployment as well as coverage requirements.
10. How do I operate a FIREPOD?
Simply put, fill it with water and Thermo-Gel®, start up the pumps, pull out the hoses to the area you want to protect, rotate the water and gel valves from “Recirculation” to “Spray”, and begin spraying. FIREPODS have large easy-to-read instructions on the control panel as well as instructional videos to train you on how to use your FIREPOD.
11. When is the best time to deploy my FIREPOD?
As soon as you receive a wildfire warning or pre-evacuation orders for your area. Never put yourself or your loved ones at risk by waiting until the last minute to evacuate.
12. How long will the mixture effectively protect my house?
How long the water/Thermo-Gel® mixture lasts depends on a few weather conditions. Humidity, wind, and sunlight all contribute to the drying up and breakdown of the overall mixture on your house. Generally speaking, the mixture will last a minimum of 6-8 hours to a maximum of 24-36 hours. The mixture can be re-hydrated or “reactivated” by applying a light misting of plain water.
13. What comes with a FIREPOD?
Each FIREPOD comes with:
14. Can I order more Thermo-Gel®?
Absolutely, and we recommend that you do. We can assist with any additional orders for Thermo-Gel®.
15. How do you deliver my FIREPOD to me?
That generally depends on where you live. For most orders in Southern California, we will deliver the FIREPOD directly to you and spend some time training you one-on-one on its use. For those orders outside of Southern California, we will arrange to have it shipped to you for an additional shipping charge.
16. Should I practice using my FIREPOD?
Absolutely! You want to become very knowledgeable about your FIREPOD and be comfortable using it in all circumstances. We go over this in our training videos.
17. Do you offer training in how to use the FIREPOD?
Yes we do. We have instructional videos that we provide upon delivery of your FIREPOD as well as in person training.
18. Where are FIREPODS made?
FIREPODS are designed and manufactured in Santa Barbara, California.
Our smallest FIREPOD measures approximately 4'W x 4'H x 6.5'L, holds 200 gallons of water and 20 gallons of Thermo-Gel®, and can fit in a full size short-bed pickup truck or a small utility trailer. Both would require adequate GVWR ratings to support the working load of the FIREPOD.
Our slightly larger FIREPOD measures approximately 4’W x 4’H x 7.5’L, holds 325 gallons of water and 30 gallons of Thermo-Gel®, and can fit in a full size long-bed pickup truck, or a medium utility trailer. Both would require adequate GVWR ratings to support the working load of the FIREPOD.
6. How much does a FIREPOD weigh?
Empty (no water or gel), a FIREPOD weighs approximately 750-800 pounds. Depending on the model (i.e. 200 or 300 gallons of water and 20 or 30 gallons of Thermo-Gel® respectively) a fully loaded FIREPOD can weigh from 2,700 – 3,800 pounds.
7. Is Thermo-Gel® fire retardant gel safe? Is it easy to wash off after the fire has passed?
- Yes. It is non-toxic and completely biodegradable. It does not stain paint, stucco, cement, etc.
- Yes. It washes off with plain water. The higher the water pressure, the less time it takes.
8. Where can a FIREPOD be stored and/or deployed?
A FIREPOD can be placed next to the structure it is going to protect. If it is a house, it can be stored in the garage. For larger properties with multiple structures requiring protection, a FIREPOD can be placed in the back of a pickup truck or on a utility trailer as discussed in question 5 above.
9. Where is the best place to position my FIREPOD before spraying?
Ideally, you want to position your FIREPOD at a corner of your structure or wherever you can easily walk around the structure in both directions so you can reach and spray vulnerable surfaces. During the ordering process, we survey your property to help you determine the best location for deployment as well as coverage requirements.
10. How do I operate a FIREPOD?
Simply put, fill it with water and Thermo-Gel®, start up the pumps, pull out the hoses to the area you want to protect, rotate the water and gel valves from “Recirculation” to “Spray”, and begin spraying. FIREPODS have large easy-to-read instructions on the control panel as well as instructional videos to train you on how to use your FIREPOD.
11. When is the best time to deploy my FIREPOD?
As soon as you receive a wildfire warning or pre-evacuation orders for your area. Never put yourself or your loved ones at risk by waiting until the last minute to evacuate.
12. How long will the mixture effectively protect my house?
How long the water/Thermo-Gel® mixture lasts depends on a few weather conditions. Humidity, wind, and sunlight all contribute to the drying up and breakdown of the overall mixture on your house. Generally speaking, the mixture will last a minimum of 6-8 hours to a maximum of 24-36 hours. The mixture can be re-hydrated or “reactivated” by applying a light misting of plain water.
13. What comes with a FIREPOD?
Each FIREPOD comes with:
- The first batch of Thermo-Gel® (quantity varies based upon model of FIREPOD).
- Dual (2) 1" NFRA rated lightweight booster hoses that are connected together to make them easier to deploy and rewind. Hose length varies among FIREPOD models.
- One (1) 1” fully adjustable nozzle with independent and variable controls of water and gel with a ball shut off and 20 GPM Eductor, mixing valve and flow restrictor, and quick connect clean out/flush adaptor.
- Owner’s Manual and instructional training videos
- Certificate of Purchase & Ownership (for Insurance purposes)
14. Can I order more Thermo-Gel®?
Absolutely, and we recommend that you do. We can assist with any additional orders for Thermo-Gel®.
15. How do you deliver my FIREPOD to me?
That generally depends on where you live. For most orders in Southern California, we will deliver the FIREPOD directly to you and spend some time training you one-on-one on its use. For those orders outside of Southern California, we will arrange to have it shipped to you for an additional shipping charge.
16. Should I practice using my FIREPOD?
Absolutely! You want to become very knowledgeable about your FIREPOD and be comfortable using it in all circumstances. We go over this in our training videos.
17. Do you offer training in how to use the FIREPOD?
Yes we do. We have instructional videos that we provide upon delivery of your FIREPOD as well as in person training.
18. Where are FIREPODS made?
FIREPODS are designed and manufactured in Santa Barbara, California.