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Fires caused by cooking oil and minor electrical faults can escalate rapidly in homes and schools1.
Although commercial fire extinguishers are effective, they are often heavy, relatively costly, and
require proper training to operate2. This study aimed to develop a Natural Fire Extinguisher Ball
using low-cost, readily available materials for early-stage fire suppression.
The ball contains a powder mixture of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), salt (sodium chloride),
and a small amount of cornstarch (amylose and amylopectin) enclosed within a gypsum (Plaster
of Paris) shell3. Baking soda releases carbon dioxide (CO2) when heated, helping suppress flames,
while salt improves powder dispersion, and cornstarch prevents moisture absorption, keeping the
powder dry and effective. The 3:1 baking soda-to-salt ratio was found to be optimal: lower ratios
produce less CO2, while higher ratios reduce powder coverage efficiency, making this proportion ideal
for rapid and uniform fire suppression3.
Experiments using controlled cooking oil fires showed that the gypsum-shell ball achieved an 84%
flame reduction within 10 seconds, outperforming a solid powder ball without a shell5. Lightweight,
non-toxic, and biodegradable, the Natural Fire Extinguisher Ball provides a safe, low-cost, and
environmentally friendly solution for rapid suppression of small fires in homes and schools3.
Keywords: fire safety; sodium bicarbonate; carbon dioxide; gypsum shell; small fire suppression4