A roof over ones head is one of the most elementary human rights. An increasing number of people in third world countries (more than 150 million) are homeless due to natural disasters, floods (68%), storms, earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, political violence or simply by lack of financial resources.

Expanded Poly-styrene (EPS) IGLOO

The availability of EPS to construct houses inspired Caribbean Business Consultancy NV (Bonaire) and Mano Properties & Investment Inc. (Africa) to develop a far reaching plan to design and build EPS Igloo shelters for rapid disaster relief. since the lightweight EPS building blocks do not require a skeleton the structure can be build with few people in very short time. The EPS igloo consists of a dome, including living quarters and a tunnel with access to bedrooms which simultaneously can serve as a warehouses. A window can be formed by PVC pipes that are easily sealed. When the roof is covered with a flexible solar panel-carpet, small electronics can work as lighting, radio, television, phone chargers and other useful equipment. A simple webstructure with pins keeps the dome at place.

This form of emergency shelter can be erected quickly, efficient and cost effective, even in most remote disaster areas to provide safe shelter with protection from heat, cold, rain, sun and other weather circumstances. Due to the high insulation value of EPS the interior climate will always be fairly pleasant. The EPS igloo is a cost-saving and quality of life-enhancing residential solution in emergency zones around the world.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

EPS-products can be fabricated in the shape of blocks, panels or a special shape. EPS- building product scan therefore also be fabricated as more or less ‘raw’ material, such as EPS insulation plates, EPS floor tiles, roof panels etc. EPS is used in all thinkable building sectors and knows many shapes and forms.

With houses built with EPS, the use of concrete is reduced drastically. This is very positive for newly built houses, but also for renovation projects where existing facades are taken out and are replaced by EPS. In this way, existing foundations are relieved eased of burdened extra.

By the special way in which walls and roofs are built, no lead or zinc is used with EPS houses. The pipes for electricity, water and heating are made of special plastics, which further reduces the use of copper. The connection between the EPS walls, the window panes and the concrete is realized by means of a special profile and glue.

Durable, safe and energy saving

In The Netherlands, construction companies in close cooperation with the Dutch Ministry have proposed a ‘Durable Construction Package’ which describes the methods and conditions of building durably. By applying EPS, the conditions and constraints are easily met, among which are the upgrading of RC-values of insulation constructions in order to meet the ever stricter energy-savings coefficient. An important feature is the durability of the EPS material. Tests have shown that even after years EPS will not suck up water in a wet environment. Also concerning the needed pressure sustainability and heat conduction, EPS will not degenerate. EPS is not sensitive to moist, fungus or mildew.