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Media Release
12 February 2010
TEN TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR A BUSHFIRE
If you live, or plan to build, in a bushfire prone area, there are many precautions you can take to
help protect your home and maximise your safety.
When planning to build or renovate, key steps include ensuring an appropriate building site
location, using suitable building materials, ensuring proximity to independent water resources
and managing the vegetation surrounding the building. It is also important to ensure your
property is accessible for emergency vehicles.
The following tips should help reduce the risk of damage to homes in bushfire prone areas:
1.
Use building materials appropriate for the conditions and your Bushfire Attack Level
(BAL) as required by the Australian Standard 3959-2009.
2.
Build your home using non-combustible materials such as brick, concrete and steel.
3.
If you prefer timber, there are a range of timber products available that offer various
levels of fire resistance appropriate for most BALs. The following timbers can be used but
must also have a thickness greater than 18mm: Blackbutt, Kwila, (Merbau), Red
Ironbark, River Red Gum, Silver-top Ash, Spotted Gum and Turpentine.
4.
As the main threat to the majority of homes is ember attack, it is suggested that
you install screens with an opening of less than 2mm, draught excluders around
doors and windows and ensure that any other gaps are less than 3 mm. This is
particularly important around eaves and window frames.
5.
Clear sub-floor spaces under decks and ensure that no debris or materials are
stored under or near the home.
6.
Remove any overhanging tree branches, take out shrubs over 1 metre next to or below
windows, keep grass short and clean up other debris near your building site or home that
could easily catch fire to help provide some defendable space
7.
Follow the step-by-step guide to protecting your home from fire by downloading the
Country Fire Authority (CFA) Fire Ready Kit from www.cfa.vic.gov.au or phoning the
Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for a copy
8.
Ensure you have a Bushfire Survival Plan in place and practise it regularly
9.
Get involved in community meetings about fire preparedness in the neighbourhood. Go
to the CFA website for meeting details
10. If you have a full rainwater tank near your home, ensure it is accessible and equipped to
fight fires. You also might consider installing a fire sprinkler system.
For information on assessing your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL), contact your building surveyor,
designer or the Building Commission on1300 815 127.
NEWS 
