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Roofs and roof cavities
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Damaged or poorly managed roof systems are vulnerable to all forms of bushfire attack: wind, heat, flame, and embers. As a rule, care should be taken to maintain watertight seals on all exposed surfaces to prevent embers from gaining entry to the roof cavity.
| - Routine maintenance should be carried out to remove leaves, twigs, bark, and other combustible materials from rooftops and gutters.
- Routinely check the integrity of gutters and gutter shielding. Damaged materials should be repaired or replaced.
- Check tiles and roof lines for broken or dislodged roofing materials.
- Maintain the integrity of sarking materials. Damaged materials should be repaired or replaced.
- Clear vents of debris.
- Maintain the seal between the roof and wall junctions. Damage should be repaired, and any gaps should be sealed.
- Avoid storing combustible materials in roof cavities.
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Walls and cladding
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The integrity of wall systems must be maintained in order to retain their effectiveness as a barrier to radiant heat, wind, smoke, and ember attack.
| - Damaged or missing panels, sheeting, and cladding must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
- Monitor external walls for cracks, gaps, and holes. Damaged surfaces should be repaired as soon as possible.
- Closely monitor the condition of any exposed timber surfaces. Decaying timber is vulnerable to bushfire attack, as embers may become lodged within gaps. Gaps in the timber should be sealed and any fire-retardant treatments or coatings need to be reapplied.
- Monitor painted surfaces for damage. Flaking, cracked, or chipped surfaces need to be repainted and any fire-retardant treatments need to be reapplied. Loose, flaking paint can readily ignite and create fine fuels which may also spread as embers.
- When under imminent threat of bushfire, do not wet masonry or concrete walls. These surfaces perform better when dry
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Floors and underfloor spaces
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Care should be taken to manage the integrity of floors and underfloor spaces – poorly managed underfloor spaces are vulnerable to bushfire attack
| - Where underfloor spaces are enclosed, cladding should be regularly checked for holes, gaps, or cracks. Any damage should be repaired.
- Routine maintenance should be carried out to clear vents and weepholes of debris.
- Avoid storing combustible materials in underfloor spaces.
- Store movable objects, such as lawnmowers, caravans and boats away from the house.
- Floor surfaces should be kept in good condition. Repair or replace any damaged surfaces.
- When under imminent threat of bushfire, store any combustible rugs or mats in cupboards and ensure that walkways are clear of trip hazards.
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Verandahs and decks
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Poorly managed verandahs and decks can ignite and spread fire to buildings or other parts of the property. We recommend using solid, noncombustible decking to partially ‘design-out’ this risk.
| - Routine maintenance should be carried out to remove debris which may have accumulated around decks and its supporting elements.
- Monitor all materials for damage or excessive wear and tear. Pay close attention to holes, cracks or gaps in surface materials which may provide a point of entry for ember attack. Repair or replace materials as required.
- Check timber decking and support columns for damage. Cracks or gaps in the timber should be sealed, repainted or replaced. Fire-retardant treatments should also be reapplied on a regular basis as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Maintain artificial lighting or navigation aids for use during low visibility conditions. Be mindful of slip and fall hazards around the perimeter of decks and verandahs.
- Minimise the number of plants stored on decks and verandahs. Ensure that any plants are well-maintained and are potted in fire-resilient containers (such as ceramic or concrete pots). Plants should be positioned away from doors, windows, vents and stairs.
- Keep decks and verandahs clear of excessive clutter. Maintain clear, open spaces, especially near to doors, steps, and stairways where clutter may form a trip hazard. Clear debris accumulating in corner and close to combustible elements.
- Minimise the number of plants stored on decks and verandahs. Ensure that any plants are well-maintained and are potted in fire-resilient containers (such as ceramic or concrete pots). Plants should be positioned away from doors, windows, vents and stairs.
- Keep decks and verandahs clear of excessive clutter. Maintain clear, open spaces, especially near to doors, steps, and stairways where clutter may form a trip hazard.
- Point LPG cylinder relief valves away from your house.
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Windows and doors
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Windows and doors can create problems in a bushfire, especially when under attack from embers and other burning debris. Most building losses can be attributed to failures in these systems, with faulty windows, doors, and vents providing a means of entry for embers or surface fire to ignite combustible
materials inside the house or within wall, floor, or roof cavities.
| - Maintain the integrity of door and window frames. Routinely check the materials for damage. Split, cracked, or broken frames should be repaired or replaced. Pay close attention to timber frames as they are particularly vulnerable to bushfire attack.
- Check for gaps in window and door systems (e.g. between the door and doorframe). Gaps should be minimised using draught seals or closefitting construction methods.
- Cracked or broken glazing should be repaired as soon as possible.
- Routinely check doors for damage and excessive wear and tear. Damaged surfaces should be repaired and repainted, and any fire-retardant treatments should be reapplied.
- Ensure that screens on windows and doors are kept in good condition. Tears or holes in screens need to be repaired. Consider installing steel wire mesh screens on windows, doors, vents, and weep holes.
- Where window shutters are installed, routinely check that they function as intended. Noncombustible shutters can enhance the bushfire resilience of buildings, so ensure shutters are properly maintained in order to retain their bushfire resilient properties. As a rule, shutters should be closed when the building is unattended, in case a bushfire occurs when occupants are away from home. * If timber window shutters are installed, ensure that fire-retardant treatments or coatings are reapplied at regular intervals as specified by the manufacturer.
- Keep the area around doors and windows clear of vegetation and other combustible elements, such as free-standing timber structures, piles of garden waste, and outdoor furniture.
- Regularly check the condition of door mats. Damaged mats should be removed or replaced as they can create a trip hazard. Ensure that mats are made of a non-combustible material to minimise the chances of them igniting and spreading fire.
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