Toby Jones

University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2025 > BEng students > Toby Jones

Firescape is a compact, self-evacuation fire mask designed to provide immediate respiratory protection and support during a fire.

Hi, I’m Toby.

I’m a 23-year-old Product Design and Manufacturing (PDM) graduate from the University of Nottingham, with a background in art, maths, and physics. Early on, I discovered a real passion for combining functionality, ergonomics, and aesthetics — creating products that not only work well, but feel purposeful and considered.

I chose to study PDM because it encapsulates this multidisciplinary balance, bridging mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and industrial design. It gave me the opportunity to develop a broad skill set — from engineering fundamentals and material understanding to concept sketching and ideating, CAD modelling, and high-quality rendering.

What excites me most is the early-stage ideation/development and problem-solving — finding the right balance between technical feasibility, user needs, and visual clarity. I enjoy taking a user or client on a journey: defining a clear brief, crafting the narrative, and delivering a solution that’s both effective and compelling.

I’m now looking to start my career in design, where I can work across diverse industries and apply a strong mix of creativity and engineering thinking.

Toby Jones, BEng Product Design and Manufacture with Year in Industry

Digital portfolio

Firescape – Self evacuation fire mask

Situation / Problem
Fire emergencies in high-rise residential buildings pose unique challenges, particularly for residents who attempt to self-evacuate before firefighters arrive. Events like the Grenfell Tower tragedy exposed critical gaps in current safety strategies — such as employing a “stay put” policy relying on inbuilt building fire containment, lack of user-accessible protection, and widespread exposure to toxic smoke and poor visibility. With over 1.3 million people living in high-rise flats in the UK, and many unable to evacuate safely due to smoke inhalation, disorientation, or mobility limitations, there is an urgent need for a user-led solution.

The Device
Firescape is a compact, self-evacuation fire mask designed to provide immediate respiratory protection and support during a fire. It empowers residents to act independently in the critical window between fire detection and firefighter intervention. The device features a modular, user-friendly design with interchangeable mask sizes (S, M, L) that snap onto a central casing, ensuring a reliable seal for a wide range of users — from young children up to elderly individuals.

Functionality and Ergonomics
The mask uses a multi-layer filtration system combining a particulate layer, HEPA filter, and activated carbon to protect against a full range of toxic gases and fine smoke particles typical in residential fires. Additional safety features include an integrated LED light for improved visibility, a piezo buzzer for sound signalling, and a USB-C rechargeable battery with low-power indicators. Ergonomic design was prioritised throughout — from intuitive strap placement to a soft silicone face seal and tactile button interface. These choices enable fast, low-stress deployment during high-pressure scenarios, supporting better user decision-making and survival outcomes.

Firescape fills a critical gap in personal fire safety by offering a portable, accessible, and effective tool for self-evacuation — designed around the realities of how people behave in emergencies.