F-shelter serves as IRRI’s field lab
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Thanks to the FPRDI's foldable shelter (F-shelter),the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) based in Los Baños, Laguna can now rely on a portable field laboratory for its experiments on salinity and soil breeding. FPRDI turned over the unit to IRRI last 07 October 2014.
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The F-shelter is a collapsible, shop-fabricated structure that can be folded, packed, stored and used repeatedly. With a floor that can be mounted on specially designed prefabricated footings, it can be erected by four medium-built workers using simple carpenter's tools. Doors and windows, similar to those in site-built houses, render the F-house more secure than a tent.
"The F-shelter will serve as a field laboratory, shelter and work area for our technicians," says Andy Sajise, Senior Associate Scientist of IRRI's Salinity Breeding Team. "We don’t want a container van since it's difficult to move. The F-shelter, however, can be easily transported to other areas here in IRRI that will need the field lab", he added.
According to FPRDI’s Engr. Albert O. Pareja, “The F-house offers the comforts and amenities of a permanent house because it is structurally designed to resist weathering, extreme temperatures, winds, and other harmful natural forces. Thus, it can also serve as emergency shelter, workers’ quarters, depot for food and emergency supplies during disaster relief operations, emergency classroom, mobile clinic for medical missions, field office for construction projects, or mobile vacation house.” (Maybell Mariella A. Amador, 08 October 2014)#
