Detailed Explanation of Access and Egress in Bushfire-Prone Areas
Introduction
Planning and designing for safety in bushfire-prone areas is crucial. Access and egress are vital for evacuating residents and bringing in emergency services during bushfires.
Planning and Design Principles
Vehicular Access and Egress
To begin with, design clear vehicular routes for safe evacuation and timely arrival of emergency services. These routes should guide people to safety before the bushfire arrives and allow emergency teams to work efficiently on-site.
Road Layout and Connectivity
Moreover, avoid dead-end roads as they can hamper evacuation and emergency response. Instead, use through-roads with multiple escape routes to ensure easy movement in and out.
Managing Landscape and Vegetation
Open Spaces
Creating open areas around homes can significantly increase bushfire resilience. Lawns, paddocks, paved paths, and driveways can act as firebreaks and provide safe exit zones during bushfires. Therefore, place these open spaces between the home and the bushfire hazard.
Landforms and Earthworks
Additionally, manage hills, slopes, terraces, earth mounds, and retaining walls to deflect flames, heat, and embers away from properties. These features can be very effective, especially on slopes.
Vegetation Management
Furthermore, keep a safe distance between buildings and dense vegetation to reduce fire risks. Plant low-flammability plants and place them away from buildings to protect against embers and heat.
Access Construction and Maintenance
Driveways and Pathways
Driveways must be built accessible to fire trucks while minimizing exposure to burning vegetation. Ideally, short driveways exiting directly onto public roads are ideal if the vegetation is managed. Besides, identify and remove obstacles that could hinder access.
Secondary Access Points
Instead of relying on a single exit path, create secondary access points through Emergency Accessways, adjacent properties or clear lands for alternative escape routes. Ensure vehicles can turn around easily to improve evacuation during emergencies.
Infrastructure Considerations
Water Supply
Equally important is ensuring a reliable water supply for firefighting. Consider ponds, dams, and water tanks as alternatives to reticulated hydrants, especially with non-combustible materials and diesel-powered pumps for continuity during a fire.
Ventilation and Perforations
Ventilation and perforations should also be designed to prevent ember entry. Use tight-fitting, non-combustible materials for all openings and keep gaps smaller than 2mm to stop internal ignition, this is a absolute must.
See our Retrofit for Bushfire Resilience page.
Siting and Layout
When placing buildings, maintain a safe distance from other structures and bushfire hazards, ideally separated by at least 12 meters. Additionally, use facades and barriers for extra protection against potential hazards.
Regulatory Compliance
Local Government Guidelines
Adhering to local government guidelines and bushfire management rules is also essential. These often include requirements for dedicated water supplies, firefighting equipment, and construction standards to enhance fire resilience.
Community Consultation
Furthermore, engage the community in planning and preparation. Regular awareness programs, community drills, and consultations help residents stay informed and ready for evacuation during bushfires.
See the DFES website for further information or the My Emergency Plan Site.
Conclusion
In summary, planning access and egress in bushfire-prone areas involves clear road layouts, landscape management, reliable water supplies, regulatory adherence, and community involvement. By implementing these actions, communities can ensure safe evacuation and support quick emergency responses, thereby protecting lives and properties.
Our Bushfire Consultants can provide site specific advice.