Fire Resistant Homes Mainstream Housing Market
Summary
23/11/2009
Archicentre News Release
23
November 2009
Fire Resistant
Homes Mainstream Housing Market
.. Changing weather patterns and population moves increase risk
The growing
urban sprawl surrounding Australia's capital cities combined with the baby boomer
tree change and sea change phenomena has made fire resistant homes a major part
of Australia's mainstream housing market, Archicentre, the building advisory
service of the Australian Institute of Architects said today.
David Hallett,
Victorian State Manager of Archicentre said, the stark memories of the major
fires which swept through the suburbs of Canberra in 2003 and Black Saturday in
Victoria on 7 February 2009 when 173 people were killed, together with the current
fires in South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales, continue to place a
focus on the importance of life saving fire resistant homes.
"Traditionally
people have seen fire resistant homes as a regional or rural issue. The urban
sprawl is placing tens of thousands of new homes on the fringe of major cities
every year often interfacing with state forests. This situation is being compounded
as baby boomers explode regional populations in coastal and rural bush fire
prone areas.
"Building
fire resistant homes is just plain commonsense and a long term national community
safety and economic strategy which should not be ignored, especially with Climate
Change set to increase drought and bushfires.
"Anyone
building a new home or renovating on the urban fringe should ensure fire prevention
standards are included in their design and permit applications."
Mr Hallett
said that home-buyers should be aware of the new Australian Standard in Victoria,
they should complete a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment of their property
before they move in and consider upgrading the building to reflect current requirements.
"Information
on fire resistant home design should also become part of apprenticeship training
programs for builders and associated trades such as plumbers, electricians,
carpenters and landscapers in relation to fire resistant plants as a whole of
industry approach.
"A well
designed sited home including fire prevention measures stands a significantly
better chance of survival especially after the fire has passed."
Archicentre
pre-purchase inspections reveal the vast majority of homes built on the urban
fringe fail to have appropriate fire prevention measures built into the design.
These inspections often reveal an excessive build-up of leaves and litter in
roof gutters, storage of timber furniture, wood and other flammable material
near the home.
Basic
Safety Design Principles in Bushfire Prone Areas include:
* Keep the
exterior design of the house simple and avoid crevices or cracks where burning
material can lodge.
*
Avoid decorative timberwork such as trellis, and lattice-work on exposed areas
of the building. Remember timber balconies and decks are also high danger areas
for trapping burning debris and should be kept to a minimum.
* Make sure
you have any chimneys screened off to stop embers blowing down the chimney during
the fire and entering the home.
* In designing
the home ensure the use of leafless guttering or if allowed by council install
ground level rubble drain collectors.
Management
Issues:
* Do not store
firewood against or under the home
* Make sure
all doors have close fitting screens
* Clear all
debris from guttering and decks
* Have a fire
emergency plan - check with local fire brigade
Features detailed
from Australian Standard 3959 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas
Media Enquiries:
David Hallett,
Victorian State Manager Archicentre (03) 9819 4577 Mobile: 0439 439 115 Ron
Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201
