Malibu Homeowners Receive Demonstration Of Protective Gel
POSTED: 11:48 am PST January 29,
2008
UPDATED: 1:09 pm PST January 29,
2008
MALIBU, Calif. -- Malibu residents received a demonstration Monday of a gel designed to protect homes from fire.The gel is a super-absorbent polymer that can hold many times its weight in water. It clings to vertical surfaces and glass.
The gel, produced by Barricade International of Hobe Sound, Fla., is mixed with water. It can be sprayed on homes with a truck-mounted hose or a backpack apparatus, or dropped from a plane.The substance is relatively new to firefighting, having been developed about a decade ago, and is not widely used. But some firefighters who have tried it are impressed, saying it offers longer-lasting protection than the foam retardants that have been around for many years.Authorities provided a demonstration of the gel Monday night for Malibu residents. Members of the Malibu West Homeowners Association requested the demonstration.
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