Olto Fire Defence

Project Brief

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, the urgent need for effective fire suppression in high-rise buildings has become clear. However, retrofitting traditional water-based sprinkler systems into existing structures is often prohibitively expensive and technically challenging.

Design a fire suppression solution specifically for high-rise buildings where conventional sprinkler systems cannot be installed. The product should safely and effectively extinguish fires while minimising damage to the surrounding area. As such, the system must avoid the use of water and instead employ an alternative, non-destructive method of fire suppression.

Project Outcome

Introducing Olto, an affordable safety device that detects heat from a fire and responds by launching small, targeted cartridges filled with fire-suppressing powder directly at the source. In the event of accidental activation, the system is easily resettable, with cartridges that can be safely reloaded and replaced. In the event that a fire is present in a different location, the user can take Olto off the wall and poor the cartridges directly onto the fire.

App Integration

Olto can be monitored via an app. It works as a home security camera, with the benefit of fire safety included. If a fire is detected, the user, and local authorities, will be informed.

Internal Mechanism

The cartridge collection and firing system was highly complex. Mechanisms had to be carefully engineered to ensure each cartridge launched with sufficient force and did not jam when entering the firing chamber.