2 March 2009

Consumers Should Request Testing and Compliance Standards for Fire Bunkers

Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects said that Australia will need to have an urgent review of the design and building regulations of products being sold as fire bunkers.

Robert Caulfield

Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said fire safety bunkers would become a common addition to thousands of homes being rebuilt in bushfire areas. "There appears to be a number of fire shelters now being offered on the market that are constructed of recognized fire rated materials, but no performance data on how hot they would become inside during an intense fire, or whether or not there would be sufficient oxygen to sustain the occupants. There is no doubt that most of these products will not burn but the intensity of the Black Saturday fires could cause these to heat up internally to fatal temperatures. "The challenge that faces the community is to ensure standards and regulations are in place related to design, type of materials, operation and education for use to ensure people who will use these facilities in a fire storm are protected properly. "The issue is that there needs to be some real testing of these products, not just their components, to ensure they conform to appropriate performance standards in real fire situations."

Mr. Caulfield said that fire safety bunkers are life saving products that need to perform in life or death situations with families lives on the line.

"For this reason we believe it is important to review what regulations exist in relation to the performance standards of fire bunkers, including materials, design installation and operation.

"People considering installing fire bunkers should request details of performance testing and information in relation to compliance with current building regulations."

Mr Caulfield said that there are detailed guidelines for the performance ratings on fire doors and even plaster board in relation to fire and a similar approach needs to be applied to fire bunkers for a range of reasons, apart from safety, including the ability to gain product insurance, the issuing of permits for construction, health and safety and public education.

"The major issue is to get this done quickly so the information is available to coincide with the rebuilding of bushfire areas where these bunkers will be in high demand."

www.archicentre.com.au