Last updated: 16 Apr 2024 | 2466 Views |
In 1997, a devastating fire occurred at the Royal Jomtien Resort in Chonburi Province, resulting in significant loss of life and property damage amounting to hundreds of millions of baht. Phanawatnan Kaimart (formerly Woradech Kaimart), who was present during the incident, was deeply moved by the tragedy. This inspired him to invent a firefighting device in the form of a ball, successfully developed in 1998 and known as the “FIRE extinguishing ball.”
Traditional portable fire extinguishers require skilled firefighting personnel to operate effectively. Unfortunately, such trained personnel are not available in every household, making it challenging for those present at the scene of a fire to act quickly. They must "pull, press, release, and shake" the extinguisher, actions that can take precious time. If action is delayed, the heat from the flames will increase in intensity and spread, making the fire harder to control and forcing those present to flee to save their lives.
To address the limitations of traditional portable firefighting equipment, which typically requires skilled operation, Phanawatnan Kaimart (formerly Woradech Kaimart) was inspired to invent a more accessible solution. This led to the creation of the ELIDE FIRE® extinguishing ball, a revolutionary fire safety device developed in response to a significant fire in 1997.
The ELIDE FIRE® extinguishing ball operates without the need for electrical power or manual pressure to activate its chemicals. Instead, it activates automatically when exposed to high temperatures from flames, effectively and immediately stopping fire spread. This innovative device is designed for simplicity and safety, allowing anyone, including children, the elderly, and those inexperienced with firefighting, to use it effectively. The ball can be thrown, rolled, or simply placed where it will activate by itself if fire occurs, releasing a loud alert to warn nearby individuals of the danger.
With its user-friendly design and automatic activation, the ELIDE FIRE® extinguishing ball ensures rapid response to fires, enhancing safety and preparedness without the complexity of traditional fire extinguishers.
Establish the company for research and development of inventions into commercial applications. The fire extinguishing ball was developed and entered into various competitions as follows:
In 2001, the invention was entered into competitions to win awards in Thailand, leading the National Research Council of Thailand to bestow a commendation on National Inventors' Day, February 2, 2001.
In the same year, the National Research Council of Thailand entered the "fire extinguishing ball" into the "Brussels Eureka 2001" international competition in Brussels, Belgium, held from November 8-20, 2001. The invention impressed the international panel of judges from over 120 countries, winning three major awards:
In 2002, the fire extinguishing ball was selected as one of the top 12 inventions by Far Eastern Economic Review magazine (Asian Innovation Awards 2002) and received The Best Product Award 2002 from The Nation Newspaper.
In 2003, the invention was selected by the International Trade Association to receive The New Millennium Award from Berlin, Germany, during the 33rd International Award for Business Leadership & Prestige Germany 2003.
In 2004, the Quality Products and Technology Committee in London, UK, awarded Siam Safety Premier Co., Ltd. the International Quality Crown Award London 2004 for its high-quality technology.
In 2007, Mr. Phanawatnan Kaimart was invited to the World Genius Convention, Japan 2007 the 21st, held in Tokyo, Japan, where he was awarded the Genius Bronze Medal by Dr. Yoshiro NakaMats, Chairman of the World Genius Convention.
In 2008, during the 1st International Inventor Day Convention (IIDC) Bangkok, Thailand 2008, organized by the National Research Council of Thailand in conjunction with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Federation of Inventors' Associations (IFIA), the fire extinguishing ball won the WIPO AWARD CERTIFICATE and a gold medal for outstanding inventors from WIPO and the Engineering and Industry Outstanding Award from the Prime Minister of Thailand, Gen. Surayud Chulanont, as well as the Excellence Award from the MINNESOTA INVENTORS CONGRESS USA.
In the same year, the invention was selected to compete in the Seoul International Invention Fair 2008, organized by the Korean Invention Promotion Association (KIPA), where it won the Semi Grand Prize and a high technical level creative idea award from the Federal Agency for Science and Innovations of the Russian Federation.
In 2009, during the 2nd International Inventor Day Convention (IIDC) Bangkok, Thailand 2009, the fire extinguishing ball was re-invited and won the High Impact Invention Award and the IFIA CUP for the best invention from NRCT & IFIA.
In 2011, Mr. Phanawatnan Kaimart was honored at the Oxford Leaders' Summit held from December 10-13, 2011, in Oxford, England, where political leaders, businesspeople, scientists, and artists from 30 countries attended. He was recognized as having the best technology and business development, winning the Best Enterprise award and being named Manager of the Year 2011.
In 2016, the fire extinguishing ball was ranked as one of the Top 100 awesome products for the first half of 2016 by AWESOME TECHS.
In 2019, at the World Genius Convention Japan 2019 The 33rd, the invention received the Tokyo Award and the Genius World Gold Medal, along with a certificate from Sir Dr. Yoshiro NakaMats, Chairman of the World Genius Convention.
In 2019, Mr. Phanawatnan Kaimart also received an award for outstanding research and innovation on the 60th anniversary of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.
These achievements not only earned Mr. Phanawatnan Kaimart six Genius World Gold Medals and recognition as an outstanding researcher and innovator in Thailand but also accolades as the "Outstanding Manager of the Year 2011".
The invention of the Fire Extinguishing Ball by Mr. Phanawatnan Kaimart is a significant achievement for Thailand, spotlighting the country's capacity for innovation and its contributions to global safety technology. This invention not only enhances fire safety, making it accessible and user-friendly but also positions Thailand as a leader in emergency response innovation. Mr. Kaimart’s contribution has brought international recognition to Thailand, showcasing Thai ingenuity and engineering prowess on the world stage. His work exemplifies how Thai inventors can impact global markets and standards, fostering a sense of national pride and inspiring future generations of Thai innovators.
