Senik is a low-cost, technologically innovative fire extinguisher that was born out of a desire to make fire safety accessible to low-income settlements in India. It challenges the age-old design and presents a solution that is instinctive to use even in situations of extreme emergency, especially for users who are unaware of and untrained to use existing solutions.

Every aspect of the system has been designed to meet the constraints of low cost, accessibility and sustainability. It is a reusable system that combines water-mist fire suppression technology with a rapid gas generating chemical.

Design Team

Designer: Sailee Adhao

Abhishek Kumar Nirala Scale Prototype

System Overview The mechanism is fitted within a hard ABS body, and parts can be easily refitted

Chemical Technology Chemical reaction that powers the mist-based fire suppression

Final Product View

Nozzle Design The design is based on the venturi principle and took careful adjustments with 3-D printed prototypes to reach optimal engineering factors

Ergonomics & Usability Usability was given prime importance and had to adhere to functionality

Mode of Operation

Logo Design: Sneha Sankar

Senik addresses usability in two important ways. It is activated when an individual applies a single hit with brute force on the bold yellow button, which simultaneously powers the internal system and frees the product to be unmounted and used. This action is effective, simple and much more instinctive in situations of panic and fire emergencies than traditional instructions that require dexterity. Upon activation, the product assumes an angled form that is designed such that the user naturally aims the mist spray at the base of the fire—eliminating the need for another cumbersome instruction.

The system is also innovative in its proposal of a product-service model—the chemical components can be refitted and refilled, thus making the device reusable.

The nozzle is simplified and based on the Venturi principle. To achieve optimal misting conditions, it was 3-D printed and iterated with careful adjustments of engineering factors and constant testing. After extensive research on existing technologies, water-mist fire suppression was chosen and combined with a gas-generating system to achieve cost efficiency.

The final prototype and mock-up was tested with target users on small, controlled fires. Usability testing was pivotal in arriving at the simplicity of instructions proposed for this model.