Goal 10

Access

We need to ensure that emergency service vehicles can access your property, at the same time that you might be leaving the area. Are the roads wide enough? Is there enough room for a truck to turn around? Access roads can be public roads, property access roads and fire trails.

Water

Your home needs a water supply, like a tank, pool or dam, for firefighting purposes. A pump will help. This water supply is critical for firefighting operations, particularly where property protection is required.

Asset Protection Zones (APZ)

A buffer between your home and the vegetation helps protect it. You can still have a garden around your home. The width of your APZ will vary depending on the slope of your property, vegetation, Fire Danger Index (FDI) and construction level provided for bush fire protection. You can determine your APZ by using the methodology explained in PBP. The performance criteria and acceptable solutions for APZs can be found in the specific chapters of PBP relevant to your development type.

Landscaping

There are simple things you can do to maintain the landscape around your home:

1. Trim overhanging trees and shrubs.
2. Mow grass and remove the cuttings. Have a cleared area around your home.
3. Remove material that can burn around your home such as door mats, wood piles, mulch, leaves, paint, and outdoor furniture.
4. Clear and remove all debris and leaves from the gutters and areas surrounding your home.
5. Prepare a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach all around your home and make sure you've got a reliable source of water.

Design and construction

You can help protect your home through the design of your home and the types of materials you use. This includes parts of your house like walls, floors, windows and decks.

• Walls need to be built with materials that help ensure the house is more resistant to fire, and that there are no gaps where embers can get in.
• Water and gas supplies need to be provided so that any above-ground pipes are made out of metal.
• Windows need to have glass that’s thick enough to protect against the heat of a fire, and metallic screening may be needed to prevent embers from entering the building.
• Roofing needs to be made out of non-combustible material, with proper sealing.
• Floors and subfloors need to be made out of certain materials, unless subfloors are enclosed.
• External doors need to be made so that timber and glazing on doors is made out of certain materials that resist fire spread and have proper seals.
• Verandas, decks, ramps and landings that are unenclosed, such as decks and verandas need to be made out of certain materials that are more resistant to ignition.
• The type of construction required will depend upon the Bush Fire Attack Level (BAL) determined for your property.