RSK shelter preparedness for the monsoon and cyclone response
The risk of storm damage to bamboo and tarpaulin shelters in refugee camps during the monsoon period is high. In the event of a cyclone this damage can be devastating.
By preparing aid workers and the local community with some simple training in the use of RSK roof frames, we have the opportunity to considerably reduce this damage and potential devastation.
The RSK method is a practical response using minimal resources that can prevent aid organisations from being overwhelmed in the event of thousands of existing shelters being destroyed.
TRAINING TAKES ONLY 30 MINUTES
Basic training consists of a 15 minute practical demonstration of the reciprocal frame concept using 4 bamboo poles.
This is followed by a further 15 minutes of building the standard 8 pole reciprocal frame roof.
From this point onwards traditional methods are used to support these roof frames and make the shelters. Field workers and local communities will be familiar with these methods, so no further training is required.
Reciprocal frame
RSK roof frame
RSK ROOF FRAME ASSEMBLY
RSK roof frames require only 2 different lengths of bamboo.
This means that the bamboo for these frames can be pre-cut and stored in advance.
When required these roof frames can be assembled very rapidly on an industrial scale .
USING THE RSK ROOF FRAMES
1. TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO EXISTING ROOFS
RSK frames are assembled on the ground and then simply lifted into place and secured.
For details see IFRC technical sheets publication 1311400.
When required these roof frames can be assembled very rapidly on an industrial scale .
When required these roof frames can be assembled very rapidly on an industrial scale .
RSK shelter preparedness for the monsoon and cyclone response
The risk of storm damage to bamboo and tarpaulin shelters in refugee camps during the monsoon period is high. In the event of a cyclone this damage can be devastating.
By preparing aid workers and the local community with some simple training in the use of RSK roof frames, we have the opportunity to considerably reduce this damage and potential devastation.
The RSK method is a practical response using minimal resources that can prevent aid organisations from being overwhelmed in the event of thousands of existing shelters being destroyed.
TRAINING TAKES ONLY 30 MINUTES
Basic training consists of a 15 minute practical demonstration of the reciprocal frame concept using 4 bamboo poles.
This is followed by a further 15 minutes of building the standard 8 pole reciprocal frame roof.
From this point onwards traditional methods are used to support these roof frames and make the shelters. Field workers and local communities will be familiar with these methods, so no further training is required.
Reciprocal frame
RSK roof frame
RSK ROOF FRAME ASSEMBLY
RSK roof frames require only 2 different lengths of bamboo.
This means that the bamboo for these frames can be pre-cut and stored in advance.
When required these roof frames can be assembled very rapidly on an industrial scale .
USING THE RSK ROOF FRAMES
1. TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO EXISTING ROOFS
RSK frames are assembled on the ground and then simply lifted into place and secured.
For details see IFRC technical sheets publication 1311400.
USING THE RSK ROOF FRAMES
2. TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER WHEN EXISTING SHELTERS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED
-
Rapid response: families build in less than 1 hour
-
Easily carried: enabling relocation to high ground.
-
All terrain: can be built on sloping ground.
-
Highly efficient: Uses 33% less bamboo
-
Minimal skills: so all family can assist in building
-
Use of materials : Can support CGI sheeting
3. TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY MEDICAL WARDS, CLASSROOMS OR LARGE RECEPTION ROOMS:
When local infrastructure has been destroyed. These large modular units can be built in less than 4 hours by a team of 6 persons.
RSK shelter preparedness for the monsoon and cyclone response
The risk of storm damage to bamboo and tarpaulin shelters in refugee camps during the monsoon period is high. In the event of a cyclone this damage can be devastating.
By preparing aid workers and the local community with some simple training in the use of RSK roof frames, we have the opportunity to considerably reduce this damage and potential devastation.
With minimal training some simple training in the use of RSK roof frames, we now have the opportunity to respond effectively to this damage.
TRAINING TAKES ONLY 30 MINUTES
Basic training consists of a 15 minute practical demonstration of the reciprocal frame concept using 4 bamboo poles.
This is followed by a further 15 minutes of building the standard 8 pole reciprocal frame roof.
From this point onwards traditional methods are used to support these roof frames and make the shelters. Field workers and local communities will be familiar with these methods, so no further training is required.
Reciprocal frame
RSK roof frame
RAPID RSK ROOF FRAME ASSEMBLY
RSK roof frames require only 2 different lengths of bamboo.
This means that the bamboo for these frames can be pre-cut and stored in advance.
When required these roof frames can be assembled very rapidly on an industrial scale .
USING THE RSK ROOF FRAMES
1. TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO EXISTING ROOFS
RSK frames are assembled on the ground and then simply lifted into place and secured.
For details see IFRC technical sheets publication 1311400.
USING THE RSK ROOF FRAMES
2. TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER WHEN EXISTING SHELTERS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED
-
Rapid response: families build in less than 1 hour
-
Easily carried: enabling relocation to high ground.
-
All terrain: can be built on sloping ground.
-
Highly efficient: Uses 33% less bamboo
-
Minimal skills: so all family can assist in building
-
Use of materials : Can support CGI sheeting
USING THE RSK ROOF FRAMES
3. TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY MEDICAL WARDS, CLASSROOMS OR LARGE RECEPTION ROOMS
When local infrastructure has been destroyed. These large modular units can be built in less than 4 hours by a team of 6 persons.
AFTER THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Providing each family with 4 bamboo posts enables them to upgrade their emergency shelter to the more dignified living space of the standard RSK shelter.
RSK ASSISTANCE
IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
4. SHELTER PREPAREDNESS FOR THE MONSOON AND CYCLONE RESPONSE
Considerable improvements have been made since this photo was taken in 2017, but refugee families still remain in a precarious situation. Bamboo and tarpaulin shelters are very vulnerable to monsoon damage, and a cyclone would be devastating.
The RSK method of shelter construction enables aid workers and the local community to prepare and respond with a high degree of efficiency to this damage while at the same time observing social distancing to limit the spread of coronavirus.
After minimal training people can now repair their severely damaged roof with an RSK frame or use it to rapidly build their own emergency shelter.
Kutupalong Camp 2017 Photo S.Halbert
TRAINING TAKES ONLY 30 MINUTES
Basic training consists of a 15 minute practical demonstration of the reciprocal frame concept using 4 bamboo poles.
This is followed by a further 15 minutes of building the standard 8 pole RSK reciprocal frame roof.
From this point onwards traditional methods are used to support these roof frames and make the shelters. Field workers and local communities will be familiar with these methods, so no further training is required.
Reciprocal frame
RSK reciprocal frame roof
RAPID RSK ROOF FRAME ASSEMBLY
RSK roof frames require only 2 different lengths of bamboo.
This means that the bamboo for these frames can be pre-cut and stored in advance.
When required these roof frames can be assembled very rapidly on an industrial scale .
RSK roof frame assembly
USING RSK ROOF FRAMES
1. TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO EXISTING ROOFS
RSK frames are assembled on the ground and then simply lifted into place and secured to repair the damaged roof. Frames can easily be cut to fit any size of roof.
For details see IFRC technical sheets publication 1311400.
Roof frame in position
USING THE RSK ROOF FRAMES
2. TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER WHEN EXISTING SHELTERS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED
-
Rapid response: families build in less than 1 hour
-
Easily carried: enabling relocation to high ground
-
All terrain: can be built on sloping ground
-
Highly efficient: Uses 33% less bamboo
-
Minimal skills: so all family can assist in building
-
Use of materials : can support CGI sheeting
RSK emergency shelter 9 pole kit
USING THE RSK ROOF FRAMES
3. TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY MEDICAL WARDS, CLASSROOMS OR LARGE RECEPTION ROOMS
When local infrastructure has been destroyed. These large modular units can be built in less than 4 hours by a team of 6 persons.
4 unit RSK modular 40 sq m classroom
AFTER THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Providing each family with 4 bamboo posts enables them to upgrade their emergency shelter to the more dignified living space of the standard RSK shelter.
Providing 2 further posts and 8 bamboo poles enables larger families to upgrade their emergency shelter to the double RSK that can provide temporary shelter during the rebuild phase.
standard RSK shelter
double RSK shelter
THE FURTHER IMPACT OF
AN RSK RESPONSE
# The 9 pole emergency RSK shelter kit will enable families to build their own safe shelter in less than one hour.
# The RSK shelters have better ventilation than traditional build structures. This will further help reduce the spread of the coronaviris.
# Social distancing is easy to observe during assembly of RSK shelters.
# The bamboo poles used for the RSK shelters can all be incorporated into the final building of dwellings.
# RSK shelters can help reduce the incidence of fires in overcrowded camps by avoiding the use of split bamboo lattice roofs and providing effective fire brakes. Lattice roof shelters are difficult to remove whereas RSKs can be completely disassembled and moved within minutes.