Aussie bushfire invention scores duo $150k

A new Aussie invention that arose from the ashes of Black Summer is aiming to become a must-have item for any home in a bushfire risk area.

Bushfires are a fact of life in Australia but a new invention that arose from the ashes of the Black Summer fires in 2019-20 is set to become a must-have item for any home in a bushfire risk area.

Fire Halo, an innovative fire-prevention system that floods rooftop gutters with water, is the brainchild of Blue Mountains cousins Frank Inzitari and Frank Capomollo.

The product is designed to prevent homes catching fire from ember attacks, which are the cause of 80 per cent of bushfire damage to properties.

Fire Halo connects to a feeder pipe, which is connected to every downpipe on a house, and then to a water tank or mains water supply via a garden hose.

The simple device floods gutters with water to prevent debris catching fire.

Mr Izitari told news.com.au the idea was formed after their personal experiences during Black Summer.

“I personally was assisting my elderly customers who called me to help them block their downpipes and flood their gutters,” said Mr Izitari, who runs a home maintenance business.

“Many did not have access to close family or friends to help them prepare.

“I only managed to attend to several properties as time was being consumed doing this procedure.”

Meanwhile, Mr Capomollo, who works in concreting, was involved in many local rebuilding projects following the fires.

The two cousins, who meet every morning for coffee, began discussing the problem and wanted to design a simple, affordable, easy to install device that “elderly and vulnerable people along with everyday ordinary Australians” could use to prepare their own homes without the need to call for outside assistance, Mr Izitari said.

The Franks with Canadian investor Robert Herjavec after securing $150,000 in investment on Shark Tank. Picture: Instagram

They began developing Fire Halo in 2021, bootstrapping the research and development themselves prior to its launch a few months ago.

In September the cousins appeared on Shark Tank, which resulted in Canadian businessman Robert Herjavec snapping up one-third of the business for $150,000.

Besides selling Fire Halo – which retails for $299 – direct to consumers through their website, the cousins have been securing distribution for Fire Halo via specialist bushfire products and plumbing retailers.

But Mr Herjavec told them they should be thinking much bigger.

“This is such a great idea. It is brilliant! It is simple and it fits a need. It’s not just Australia, in California this would sell like crazy. In Home Depot, in Home Hardware, in all those retailers!” he said on the program.

Fire Halo connects to a feeder pipe, which is connected to every downpipe on a house, and then to a water tank or mains water supply via a garden hose.

When activated it floods rooftop guttering systems with water, stopping embers from igniting dry debris in gutters.

The cousins demonstrating Fire Halo on Shark Tank. Picture: Network 10

Mr Inzitari and Mr Capomollo said Fire Halo was more water efficient than a rooftop sprinkler system as it only used enough water to fill the gutters.

It also isn’t at the whim of high winds or low water pressure which sometimes plague rooftop sprinklers.

The cousins said Fire Halo also has a second, potentially lifesaving, function.

It can be used to flush debris from gutters, eliminating the need for homeowners to manually clear gutters and risk a fall at height while doing so.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, falls are the most common cause of injury-related hospitalisation and death from injuries in Australia.

In 2021-22, 6226 Australians were hospitalised due to a fall from a ladder and ladder falls caused 114 deaths.