THE EMERGENCY RSK SHELTER
the emergency RSK shelter
The emergency RSK shelter is a multi-role shelter that both empowers individual families to prepare for recurring hazards and for Aid Agencies to respond to disasters on a large scale.
the emergency RSK is a 9 pole kit
SPECIAL FEATURES OF THIS SHELTER :
VERY LOW COST
The frame costs less then USD $5 making shelter preparedness affordable for the poorest and most vulnerable communities. Aid agencies can now provide a complete shelter kit for less than $30.
HIGHLY MOBILE
The complete bamboo frame shelter kit uses only 9 poles making it compact for storage, lightweight and easily carried.
thatching the RSK roof frame Myanmar Delta village
VERY STRONG
The load bearing reciprocal frame roof is capable of being thatched if tarpaulins are not available. The frame can also support wooden planks and CGI sheeting in an outright emergency.
ALL TERRAIN
The RSK can be pitched on sloping ground that is unsuitable for tents.
RSK kit poles used for stretcher demonstration by MSF Bangladesh
EMERGENCY STRETCHER
The poles can be used together with the tarpaulin in the kit to make stretcher for carrying possessions or debilitated family members.
STANDARD FEATURES ( ALL RSK SHELTERS) :
COST EFFICIENCY
All RSK shelters use 33% less bamboo than any equivalent span shelter. This is due to the efficiency of span of the reciprocal frame roof and not using bamboo lattice roofs. Transportation costs are also considerably reduced and bamboo savings have a positive environmental impact.
SPHERE GUIDELINES
All RSK shelters aspire to meet Sphere guidelines and the emergency RSK shelter is no exception. Unlike an "A" frame tent the restricted headspace can be corrected by simply lifting the lower edge of the roof frame onto any available materials ( masonry, stones, posts etc).
SIMPLE ASSEMBLY USING MINIMAL SKILLS
All the RSK shelters use only 2 different lengths of bamboo for their roof frames. These roof frames are lashed together ON THE GROUND thereby avoiding the usual overhead work. This not only results in stronger lashing ties but also enables family members to assist with assembly and then simply lift the roof frame onto its support posts when completed.
RSK storm shelter opened for demonstration Bangladesh MSF training
SAFETY
In very severe storms the roof of every RSK shelter can be lowered to the low wind profile " storm shelter" within minutes. Fire safety is greatly improved by reducing combustibility of materials and its unique fire break option.
EASY MAINTENANCE
Frame members are interchangeable and can easily be replaced without disassembling the roof frame
MODULAR
All roof frames are identical . This enables further modular space to be added to any RSK shelter as required.
UPGRADEABLE
The same roof frame can be lifted up onto posts to make a standard RSK shelter when further bamboo becomes available.
RECYCLABLE
Using complete bamboo poles instead of split bamboo and canes enables all materials in the kit to be recycled over time for animal shelters etc