How To Fireproof Your Home Australia
Fireproofing your home in Australia is especially important due to the high risk of bushfires in many regions. While no home can be entirely fireproof, there are many steps you can take to make your property significantly more fire-resistant.
π₯ 1. Understand Your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL)
- BAL is a measure of your home’s risk based on its location and surroundings.
- BAL ratings range from BAL-LOW (very low risk) to BAL-FZ (Flame Zone, highest risk).
- You can assess your BAL via your local council or hire a certified assessor.
π 2. Design and Construction Measures
For New Builds or Major Renovations:
- Use non-combustible or fire-resistant materials like:
- Metal or terracotta roofing
- Brick, concrete, or steel walls
- Toughened glass or metal shutters
- Install metal mesh screens on all windows and doors
- Enclose subfloor areas and seal gaps in eaves and roofs
Retrofitting Existing Homes:
- Replace wooden decking with fire-resistant alternatives
- Fit weather strips to doors and windows to stop ember entry
- Install bushfire shutters or toughened glass windows
π³ 3. Landscaping for Fire Safety
- Create a defensible space around your home:
- Keep lawns short and well-irrigated
- Remove dry grass, leaves, and flammable mulch
- Space trees and shrubs so they don’t form a continuous canopy
- Use fire-retardant plants (e.g., succulents, native bottlebrush)
π§― 4. Maintain and Prepare
- Regularly clean gutters, roofs, and downpipes
- Store firewood and gas bottles away from your house
- Have hoses long enough to reach all areas of the house
- Keep a fire survival plan and practice it with your household
π§ 5. Invest in Fire Protection Systems
- Sprinkler systems: Roof and ground-mounted to keep the house and surrounding area damp
- Fire pumps and tanks: Especially important in rural areas where mains water may fail
- Backup power source: In case of grid failure
π 6. Check Local Regulations and Grants
- Councils may have specific regulations or incentives for fireproofing
- Look into government grants or rebates (like those under the Bushfire Resilience Program)
π§Ύ Resources
- NSW RFS: rfs.nsw.gov.au
- VIC CFA: cfa.vic.gov.au
- Bushfire Building Council of Australia: bbcaproject.com
