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Preparation: Gutters

The waste matter in gutters and downpipes can be a major risk in bushfire conditions. Airborne embers are very likely to ignite any combustible matter and enable the fire to rapidly enter under the roof and destroy your home with frightening speed.

Click here for Bushfire Protection product information

WHAT TO DO:

There are several things that can be done to minimise risk in the gutter area:

WHAT WITH:

• Gutter shields
• External water sprinkler system
• Bushfire protection pump and hose kits
• There is a product available that can be laid into the gutter and wet down once, this will provide prolonged protection without the demand for constant topping up with water
• Downpipe plugs

Preparation: Doors

Solid doors do not pose a major threat in bushfire conditions, but gaps at the bottom of the doors do. Ignited embers can easily enter your home through such gaps. Glass doors, however, present a very high risk factor.

WHAT TO DO:

It is vital that the gaps are either permanently covered off or an temporary emergency cover product is used. This is a simple, yet very important protective step that should be taken on ALL external doors.

In addition, windows and glass doors may need to be toughened glass and may need to be protected with steel mesh, protective shutters or temporary bushfire curtains. Drenching (as achieved by bushfire sprinkler systems) may be advisable for all doors.

WHAT WITH:

• Permanent gap covers for doors
• Emergency gap covers for doors
• Permanent screens and shutters
• Emergency bushfire curtain
• External water sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Ignitable wall surfaces

Generally, the lowest sections of exterior walls are at the greatest risk of igniting due to the presence of fuel (vegetation and other material) and the build-up of embers against the base of the wall. The same ember problem occurs with re-entrant corners on decks, walls and roofs. The wall surfaces are also in danger of suffering from radiant heat and direct flame contact. It is unlikely, but possible that radiant heat will cause the wall material to spontaneously combust (material will spontaneously combust if the intensity of the heat reaches the flashpoint of the material used).

WHAT TO DO:

The walls can be painted with fire retardant intumescent paint (well prior to bushfire season), an emergency fire retardant spray coating can be used to temporarily protect the surfaces. If nothing else is available, drenching the vulnerable walls with water is better than nothing. External bushfire sprinkler systems protect walls well.

WHAT WITH:

• Fire retardant intumescent paints
• Fire retardant spray coatings
• Bushfire pumps, hoses and fittings
• External bushfire sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Wall vents and cavities

Wall vents and cavities may serve as an access point for embers. Any dry combustible matter gathered inside the areas ignite easily and increase the risk considerably. If an external water sprinkler system is installed, the effect of water ingress should be considered in the design.

WHAT TO DO:

Installing permanent metal flywire covers for appropriate areas should be seriously considered here.

WHAT WITH:

• Permanent vent and cavity covers
• Emergency vent and cavity covers
• External bushfire sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Roof eaves and fascias

Roof eaves and fascias are generally a high-level flat surface, and as such, highly vulnerable to direct flame impact in severe bushfire conditions.

WHAT TO DO:

If your eaves are lined with combustible material, they should be coated with a permanent fire retardant paint prior to bushfire season or a temporary fire retardant coating should be applied when bushfire attack is imminent, otherwise they should be drenched with water immediately prior to possible bushfire attack. If permanent sprinkler system is installed, the effect should be considered in the design.

WHAT WITH:

• Fire retardant intumescent paints
• Fire retardant spray coatings
• External bushfire sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Eave and fascia vents and cavities

Eave and fascia vents and cavities present a dangerous route for the ignited embers to enter the inner roof structure of your home with potentially devastating effects. The inner roof space is generally dry and dusty providing a dangerous area to introduce fire. In addition, you may have flammable insulation in the wall cavity that may take some time to ignite without any warning.

WHAT TO DO:

Permanently cover vent and cavity locations with fine stainless steel mesh fittings. The Australian bushfire code AS 3959 covers the requirements for these products. Make sure that the product you purchase is approved under the standard.

WHAT WITH:

• Stainless steel mesh fittings
• External bushfire sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Glass windows, doors and fixtures

Many homes that are lost in bushfires burn from the inside out. One of the most dangerous points of access for fire to enter inside the home is through the glass windows, doors and fittings throughout the building. Strong winds, high temperatures and larger burning debris may smash the glass leaving a direct route for other burning material to enter the house. Needless to say, this is VERY dangerous.

In addition, radiant heat passes through glass practically undiminished and can cause interior furnishings to ignite. Glass fixtures are one of the MOST VULNERABLE points of the house in bushfire conditions.

WHAT TO DO:

Just as in most of the other hazard points, you have a permanent and an emergency option: toughened glass can be used in all openings, bushfire rated permanent protective screens or shutters can be fitted, or an external bushfire sprinkler system installed. You can also purchase and have at hand emergency protection bushfire curtains that protect from both ember attack as well as radiant heat.

WHAT WITH:

• Toughened glass
• Permanent window screens and shutters
• External bushfire sprinkler system
• Emergency bushfire curtain
• See also protecting internal furnishings in next screen

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Internal window and door furnishings

All soft furnishings, such as curtains, drapes, carpets and rugs and even thin wooden blinds that are located close to windows, doors or under skylights are at a risk of ignition through radiant heat, as well as burning embers in case the glass has broken.

WHAT TO DO:

Prevent the radiant heat and embers penetrating the cavities by using correct glazing (see windows and doors), installing permanent screens or shutters, drenching or by using emergency covering. Additionally, all soft furnishings in high-risk locations should be fire retarded with a correctly certified fabric fire retardant. You can do this yourself, or there are applicator services available to do it for you. For generic fire safety, it is a good idea to fire retard all soft furnishings within the house. When bushfire approaches, remove all ignitable materials from near windows and doors.

WHAT WITH:

• Toughened glass, shutters, screens or emergency coverings, or water on the outside.
• Correctly certified fabric fire retardant
• Commercial fire retarding services

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Skylights

Skylights can pose a serious threat. Ignited ember attack is of greatest concern here and to a lesser degree radiant heat attack. Destruction of a skylight will enable direct access for ignited airborne embers into the roof cavity and into your home. Additionally, wetting down is advisable.

WHAT TO DO:

All skylights should be equipped with a permanent stainless steel mesh cover to protect them from direct ember contact, or covered with an emergency fire retardant cover when bushfire attack is imminent.

WHAT WITH:

• Permanent stainless steel mesh cover
• Emergency fire retardant cover (Please note that the person installing these covers shoud take great care on roof surfaces for slips, trips, falls, etc.)
• External bushfire sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Chimneys

Unprotected chimneys enable embers to enter your home and land on combustible flooring and fittings with disastourous results.

WHAT TO DO:

Check that your chimney has a spark guard, if not, cover all chimney outpoints with a fine stainless steel mesh certified to Australian Bush Fire Standards. Having your chimney protected has the added benefit of protecting the environment from a bushfire that gets accidentally started by embers coming OUT of your chimney, too.

WHAT WITH:

• Spark guards
• Australian bushfire certified stainless steel mesh

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Breaks in roof lines

Breaks and gaps in roof linings present a danger. Ignited embers may be able to access through the roof lining and into the inner roof area with potentially devastating results.

WHAT TO DO:

If the gaps are faults in the structure, all such faults should be repaired well before the bushfire season begins. Take care to repair loose and faulty tiles, since these can be blown away by the strong winds associated with bushfires leaving an entry for embers into your roof cavity. Some gaps may be by design and must be sealed off with non combustible materials or stainless steel mesh. It may prove to be an exacting task to locate all breaks and gaps throughout the roof but the rewards for the effort could be significant! Additional obvious approach is to wet down the entire roof area (taking care of safety, too).

WHAT WITH:

• Maintain your roof well, fix all structural damage as soon as possible
• Bushfire protection pump and hose kit
• External bushfire sprinkler system
• Cover gaps and openings that are by design with non-flammable materials or appropriate stainless steel mesh

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Airconditioning units

Different types of airconditioning units pose different levels of threat. Regardless of type, the units and their air-intake locations are well worth protecting. Of particular risk are roof-mounted units that provide a direct access for embers to enter the roof cavity or the building with potentially devastating results, name roof-mounted evaporative air-conditioning units.

WHAT TO DO:

All air conditioning air intakes should be fully covered with a stainless steel mesh certified to appropriate Australian standards, or an emergency fire retardant cover should be at hand to be fitted when a bushfire attack is imminent. For split systems with an exterior heat pump, it is worthwhile to get a temporary fire retardant protective hood for the duration of the fire. Be sure to turn all airconditioning OFF for the duration of the fire attack. Additionally, the unit can be wet down as bushfire approaches.

WHAT WITH:

• Australian bushfire certified stainless steel mesh *
• Emergency fire retardant cover *
• Emergency heat pump hood *
• External bushfire sprinkler system

* Please note that the person installing these covers shoud take great care on roof surfaces for slips, trips, falls, etc.

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Timber decking, pergolas, steps and structures

Ember attack and direct flame impact pose a threat to flat exterior timber structures. All of these usually butt directly onto the main dwelling and form re-entrant (closed) corners that tend to gather embers and debris in strong winds associated with bushfires. If these burning piles have enough time, they may ignite the surface material with disastrous results. Remember that wooden pergolas attached to the house may increase fire hazard.

WHAT TO DO:

There are several options available to protect these areas:

1. Construct with fire resistant timber
2. Wet down area
3. Permanent fire retardant coatings may be applied and maintained on timber surfaces. These coatings are designed to deliver nil flame spread and significantly retard ignition of the timber. Intumescent paints may be an appropriate solution for many areas.
4. Emergency fire retardant sprays are available, and can be applied to surfaces when bushfire attack is imminent.
5. Emergency fire retardant tarps can be used to protect such areas.
6. Where possible and practicable, ensure that all possible gaps and cracks are sealed up to reduce the amount of locations where ignited embers can settle. This does not apply to decking, however, as there is a minimum gap required to allow water and embers to pass through either from above or below.

If none of the above measures are possible, it is important that you are well aware of the risk these areas present, and wet them down regularly before, during and after the fire front arrives and leaves until the threat of ember attack has stopped.

WHAT WITH:

• Fire resistant timbers
• Coatings providing nil flame spread
• Intumescent paints
• Fire retardant sprays
• Emergency fire retardant tarps
• External bushfire sprinkler system
• Bushfire pump and hose kit

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Door mats

Door mats made out of combustible materials are an obvious danger in bushfire conditions. Airborne embers may ignite the mats that, in turn, may cause the floor under the mat and the surrounding doors, frames and walls to catch fire.

WHAT TO DO:

Remove the mats well before the firefront arrives. You can also replace your mats with a non-combustible type.

WHAT WITH:

• Non-combustible door mats

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Wooden posts and stumps on ground level

Wooden posts pose a potential threat. They may collect piles of embers causing them to ignite, or come into direct flame contact.

WHAT TO DO:

Either coat all such posts with a permanent fire retardant paint and recoat with desired top coat, or spray with a temporary emergency fire retardant spray. In addition, construction in flame resistant timber is recommended as well as wetting all surfaces just before the danger.

WHAT WITH:

• Fire resistant timber
• Intumescent paints
• Fire retardant sprays
• External bushfire sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Exposed timber flooring, joists and bearers

Flooring that is made out of combustible materials such as wood pose a real threat.

WHAT TO DO:

If possible, construct utilising fire resistant timber. Make sure you regularly remove all combustible debris from under the house. Don't use the underside of your house as a storage area that is so full that it is difficult to access or empty if the need arises. All exposed surfaces should either be coated with a permanent fire retardant paint or coated with temporary emergency fire retardant spray, or wet down, when bushfire attack is imminent.

WHAT WITH:

• Fire resistant timber
• Intumescent paints
• Emergency fire retardant sprays
• External bushfire sprinkler system
• Bushfire pump and hose kit

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Space under the house

Naturally NO combustible materials should be stored under a home during bush fire seasons. These include timber, firewood, chemicals and fuels. Areas must always be kept clear of combustible vegetation and litter.

WHAT TO DO:

Always keep the underside of the house clean of waste. Make sure that everything under the house can be easily removed if need be. In the event that such materials are to remain located under the home they should be stored in flame-proof closed off areas which ignited embers and flames can not access (no gaps or cracks, gaps under doors or re-entrant corners). If bushfire is imminent, spray the entire underside of the house with emergency bushfire spray or water.

WHAT WITH:

• Emergency fire retardant sprays
• Bushfire pump and hose kit
• External bushfire sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Gas bottles

LPG gas bottles are a direct and significant danger to a home in bushfire conditions. The average duration of a passing bushfire front is generally not long enough to cause a gas explosion, but any spotfires that may be left behind may cause the rupturing of the containers resulting in explosion of the gas with disastrous consequences.

WHAT TO DO:

Make sure that the safety valves (vents) of all gas bottles face away from the house. Either have a permanent fire proof cabinet built around gas bottles, cover them with an emergency fire retardant tarp or hood when bushfire attack is imminent, or keep them wet with bushfire sprinkler system. If no real protective options are available, and time allows, remove bottles to a protected location.

WHAT WITH:

• Permanent fire proof cabinets
• Emergency fire retardant tarps and hoods
• External bushfire sprinkler system

Click here for commercial product information.

Preparation: Gardens and surrounding areas

We are preparing an entire section regarding this issue. Join the bushfireinfo.com community to receive an alert when it is available. In the meanwhile, here is a short list of important things to do.

WHAT TO DO:

All combustible vegetation that comes into direct contact or very close proximity to your home is a danger. Plant only low shrubs close to the house and plant all trees in such a way that you don't provide a continuous canopy from the bushland to house. Plant the trees at least as far from the house as their fully grown height. Remove all dead material from under shrubs and trees.

Choose species that are inherently fire resistant. Lists and further information is usually available from your state's bushfire brigades or emergency services.

Keep all garden areas adjacent to your home well watered (where and when permitted) and green, avoid using combustible mulch, tanbark and wood chips in garden beds next to the house. Don't store anything combustible or explosive anywhere near the house.

When a bushfire attack is imminent, several protective options are available:

• Apply an emergency fire retardant spray over everything.
• Wet down all surfaces well. This is not an ideal option, though, as the water evaporates quickly requiring regular re-wetting. Using great amounts of water can diminish your water supply causing further danger. HOWEVER, an external bushfire sprinkler system with its own water supply is an ideal solution for garden protection.
• Apply a long life fire retardant product to appropriate areas and materials.

WHAT WITH:

• Emergency bushfire retardant spray
• Bushfire pump and hose kit
• External bushfire sprinkler system
• Long term fire retardant products for mulch, etc

Link to product information here