IFRC-SRU Newsletter 3 English

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

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This data gives indications for comfort levels and allows some basic analysis of the effect of material translucency on the inner temperature, as well as the effect for privacy during night time.

TESTING The preparation of the sites and the setup of the tents was done by the beneficiaries themselves under supervision of the IFC-SRU Research Officer during his first field visit.

The Research Officer also assured correct installation of the measurement instruments and training of the Burundi Red Cross focal point to assure technical monitoring of the tents and measurement instruments during the testing period.

Throughout the whole testing period, the Burundi RC technical focal point reported on weekly basis to the Research Officer through pre-established monitoring formats, fotos and phone-calls. At the end of the testing period the research officer conducted a final evaluation visit and recuperated the data collected during the testingperiod.

While statements on technical performance,

based on quantitative data can be generalized, the qualitative data of beneficiary satisfactions might only be valid for the particular context.

SOME CONCLUSIONS Stability In terms of stability all the new models score better than the Standard Family tent, due to the different self-supporting structural systems. The Dome and the Umbrella tent are less rigid than the Hexagonal tent. The Hexagonal tent was particularly appreciated by the beneficiaries because the comprehensible structural system also allows for easy repair and replacement of pieces.

For all tent models the anchors provided were not sufficiently dimensioned for the soft soil of the test site.

Providing longer pegs or other anchoring systems, that cannot easily be removed by playing children, and perform well in different soil types, would improve the acceptance, and stability of all tested tents.

tent while they are away, to prevent unwanted intruders like animals, playing children or thieves from entering. The inclusion and design of a basic lock/security system for doors and windows presents only a minor adaptation and would be an added value highly appreciated by the beneficiaries.

A further issue for improvement is better provision of privacy through change of size and placement of window-openings, stated for the Umbrella and the Hexagonal tents and through less translucent cladding material for the Standard Family tent. More thought needs to be given to the windows/ventilation openings, to assure good ventilation and better thermal comfort whilst not compromising privacy and protections and at the same time prevent dust from entering. Particularly the Hexagonal and the Umbrella tent have too many extra pieces, to adjust windowopenings. The systems were not understood and used by the Beneficiaries.

Although the different tent models scored differently on the above mentioned criteria (ventilation, privacy), the general acceptance of the hexagonal models is the most positive.

Clearly inner partitions are very much appreciated in the prototype tents and mentioned as lacking in the Standard Family tent.

Beneficiary satisfaction The main concern brought up by the beneficiaries is the lack of a lock to close the

Thermal Comfort Regarding the measured temperatures (see table 1for average temperature data on 5 days during the testing

time) the Umbrella and the Hexagonal tent provide best thermal comfort.

The data during the whole of the two months testing period shows very similar results for both, on average staying some 1-2 °C under the average outside temperature during daytime.

It is remarkable that the standard family tent as well as the Dome tent exceed the outside temperature by an average 6°C (family tent) and 4°C (Dome) during daytime, with heataccumulation of up to 15°C higher than the outside temperature during the hottest hours of the day.

This is confirmed by the beneficiaries who perceived both Standard Family and the Dome tent as too hot.

sheeting materials. With shade net, the life span/ durability of these materials can be increased. More long term testing is necessary to make more exact statements regarding the extension

Further added value of the shade net lies in the protection of cladding materials, that are sensitive to deterioration through UVlight, like most plastic

SITUATION Gaya region, south of Niamey, suffered heavy flooding during the 2012 autumn. The damage to homes were significant, due to the fact that most of the houses in that area are built of sun-dried adobe blocks.

The Luxembourg Red Cross identified two villages and involved in a project to rebuild 200 “cases” simple one-room houses. IFRC-SRU was consulted to give technical assistance to ensure the quality and feasibility.

In the villages Bantali and Tounga Goumbi, located directly on the banks of the river Niger, around 90% of the existing houses were destroyed or heavily

damaged. The floods caused by heavy rainfalls and the overflowing of the river eroded the base of the walls, leading to collapse of the whole structure. This consequence is exacerbated by the use of dried earth or adobe not only for the construction of walls but often also for the roof, weighing heavy on the structure.

Although earth as construction material has many advantages, being a local resource, available in abundance at very low cost, and with very good thermal and hygrothermal behaviour, it does not withstand prolonged exposure to water.

SOLUTIONS The scenario that has received the unanimous consent is: - Provide the beneficiaries with adapted constructions integrating all these parameters

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present the results on the next conference on 7/8 May 2014.

- Protect the whole village by creating a peripheral dike to protect the whole community and communal infrastructure (administration, schools, health center) from future flood-hazards. This collective approach mobilises not only the selected beneficiaries but the whole community, in a joint effort to contribute to the holistic approach protecting their habitat environment.

STRATEGIES Individual approach for the houses : introduce rubble foundations for the houses and a moisture barrier layer (plastic sheeting) to prevent degradation and erosion of the base through rising humidity or flood waters.

Furthermore promote better proportioned adobe blocks to define more stable, thicker walls with greater thermal inertia.

Finally a light roof to relieve the walls while avoiding overheating.

Collective approach for the dike : production of gabion cages with galvanized steel wire by the villagers themselves and implementing the dikes surrounding the two villages concerned.

RESULTS After one year of the project is in it’s final completion phase and has already demonstrated positive results. The floods in autumn 2013 have barely affected the beneficiaries and the chosen villages.

The neighbouring villages, witnessing the effectiveness of the approach, have are intrigued by this project and want to implement the same measures.

THERMAL PERFORMANCE SIMULATION TECHNOLOGIES CONTRIBUTING TO SUSTAINABLE SHELTER INNOVATION BACKGROUND The improvement and the development of shelters that are better adapted to the specific conditions of a context where affected populations after disasters are in need support is a growing concern in emergency settings.

Therefor IFRC-SRU, as Shelter Research Unit, is studying and investigating new evaluation methods to better analyze the options available and facilitate the

Table 6: Temperature data recorded from 20.07 to 25.07.2013

To deepen the subject, IFRC-SRU is conducting a comparative study and lab testing of different shade net qualities as well as of the fixing methods and resistant structural systems and will

NIGER / GAYA PROJECT

OBSERVATIONS

Shade Net The Shade Net provides significant reduction of the interior temperature, for all models. Linked to the better thermal comfort, the beneficiaries’ acceptance of all the different tent models were better with the shade net.

of durability but already a this stage it seems safe to state, that the extra cost for the shade will easily be compensated by the longer life-span (=less additional distributions)of the tarpaulin.

development of relevant modifications and upgrades. Using specific engineering software for thermodynamic simulation is one way forward to realize this task. Once correctly calibrated this tool can provide objective measures indicating the performance of a shelter model for any given context and weather exposure.

identify the relevant specificities of the models to test, especially the real physical and technical aspects of cladding materials, structural elements and joints.

STUDY To develop this research, the essential first step is to collect and to clearly

Test-set up to calibrate the software

Table 9: Impact of shade nets on inside temperature on the three hottest days

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