IFRC-SRU Newsletter 3 English

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NEWSLETTER 3 / English version The groundwork to set up the simulation is rather complex but once established the potential of the application is immense. It will allow to measure in detail the entirety of aspects, specific features and mechanisms of shelter solution and provide for example: - Simulations to compare the behaviour of different designs proposed by manufacturers without on site deployment. - A quick and easy way to explore alternative designs regarding climatic comfort and propose effective alternatives and upgrades for winterisation as well as heat reduction by introducing additional insulating layers for cold climates or shading layers to reduce the sun impact;

October 2013

THE IFRC-SRU

- Clear evidence for selecting existing shelter types according to specific climatic conditions; - Improving energy efficiency in order to reduce fuel/wood consumption and also to reduce fuel supply logistic and pressure on natural resources.

TESTING OF 3 TENT PROTOTYPES IN BURUNDI

As a first stage, a thermal simulation model of the IFRC/ICRC/UNHCR standard family tent is under development in collaboration with the Research Laboratory “Architecture et Climat” of the University of Louvain la Neuve (UCL). This model will be calibrated and verified by real life measurements and tests. Based on this model IFRC-SRU will start exploring winterisation solutions for different cold climate scenarios. Thermal performance simulation

UPCOMING EVENTS AIDEX IFRC-SRU will be exhibiting at the Red Cross stand F19/20during the AIDEX from 13-14 November 2013 in Brussels. Come and see the latest development sustainable shelter solution for the Sahel zone, developed by the IFRC-Shelter Research Unit with funding of by Luxembourg Red Cross an presented in previous News-letters. The thermodynamic simulation tool introduced in this Newsletter wills also me demonstrated at the stand and during a presentation/workshop session in collaboration with “Architecture et Climat” from the Catholic University of Louvain-La-Neuve (UCL).

INTRODUCTION NEXT CONFERENCE “CLADDING AND FIXING” IFRC-SRU is completing a series of comparative tests on different cladding materials (tarpaulin, polycotton, PVC, shade-nets etc.) from a variety of producers. In the frame of the Speedkits project, extensive lab-testing to a whole range of criteria, including fireretardency and UV-resistance, has been undertaken through Centexbel, one of the two accredited testing institutes of IFRC and UNHCR. In addition, IFRCSRU has field tested different materials and types regarding climatic comfort performance. A variety of fixing systems and items is also being tested for their usability and performance. Test-results

and analysis, field experience reports and the latest developments will be presented at the dedicated conference “cladding and fixing” in Luxemburg on 7/8 May 2014.

In 2011 the three largest entities operating in humanitarian sheltering, IFRC, ICRC and UNHCR launched an Research and Development project, to continue the efforts of defining a lightweight, self-supporting family-shelter solution for emergency operations. By begin of 2013 the prototypes of three different tent models were ready for field testing. Each of the three partners IFRC, ICRC and UNHCR, committed to organize the field testing of five samples of each prototypes in one particular context.

ANCHOR MANUAL As proposed by the participants of the last conference on “Anchoring and fixing”, IFRC-SRU has been working to summarize the relevant results of the conference and produce a simple field manual to help chose and correctly use of different anchor systems. Due to a whole series of field missions the finalization of the manual has been repeatedly delayed, our apologies! We hope to have it ready for dissemination before end of the year.

S EEDKITS

CONTACTS Cecilia Braedt, SRU Coordinator cecilia.braedt@croix-rouge.lu Vincent Virgo, SRU Research Officer vincent.virgo@croix-rouge.lu IFRC - SRU Cité Henri Dunant 10, L-8095 Bertrange Tél. : 27 55 - 8902

Graphic design: amandinegoineau.ultra-book.com

rapid deployable kits as seeds for self-recovery

The main objective of the field testing was to assess the usability and user satisfaction with the different models, the “Umbrella tent”, the “Dome tent” and the “Hexagonal tent” following a test-protocol proposed by the IFRC-Shelter and Settlements Department (IFRC-SDD).

Upon request by the ICRC, IFRC-SRU took on to undertake the field testing in Burundi on their behalf. IFRC-SRU conducted the field tests in collaboration with Burundian Red Cross and operational support and funding by Luxemburg Red Cross. The study conducted in Burundi during took place from beginning of July until end of August 2013, during the two months of the dry season.

METHODOLOGY The test-protocol established by the IFRC-SSD was followed by all partners on the different test-sites to collect qualitative data from the beneficiaries through pre-established questionnaires at the beginning (after tent set up of the tents) and at the end of the testing period. The beneficiaries living in the tents during the whole testing period actively participated in the evaluation of the tents through the preestablished questionnaires as well as feedback sessions organized weekly on site with the Burundi RC focal point

who reported directly the IFRC-SRU Research Officer. Another questionnaire served to document observations of Burundi RC focal point on specific topics like transport, setting up, performance towards climatic conditions and cultural acceptance. To collect relevant quantitative data, IFRC-SRU installed a number of log-tag thermometers for each tent to have continuous and exact recording of the temperature inside the tents and outside. A weather station was installed on the site to record the wind speed, rainfall, humidity and temperature. In addition to the set testprotocols for the comparative testing of the three prototypes, IFRC-SRU introduced some further tests to complement the basic protocol with general observations regarding rigidity and weather influence as well as more detailed testing on thermal comfort and translucency (privacy). IFRC-SRU also included the Standard Family Tent, in the

tests as a reference model to evaluate the performance of the new types.

As there is clear evidence that thermal comfort is a principal factor for beneficiary satisfaction and also has effects on beneficiary health, special focus has been on documenting and evaluating the influence of a shade net on thermal comfort. A shade net was introduced into the test-setup on one of each of the prototypes, to measure the effects of the shade net on inside temperature and perceived thermal comfort. Furthermore illumination levels inside the tent were measured using a luxometer.

Supported by the BENELUX Red Cross Societies

Newsletter 3 IFRC-SRU_EN-10-13.indd 1-2

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