The immense destructive potential of a bushfire is something that is all too familiar to a lot of people, especially living in Australia. The mostly-uncontrollable blazes can burn through the entire countryside at an alarming rate.
But what is less known is that there are several effective bushfire protection and preparation methods. But the key word here is preparation. You have to be ready for them in advance because when there's a large fire coming at you it's not the time to start clearing leaves from your gutters.
But first, how do bushfires start?
How do bushfires start?
When a bushfire arises purely from natural causes, it is usually because of something like a lightning strike or other ignition source, with the weather conditions providing the right circumstances to quickly develop an out-of-control blaze. This is even more likely during peak bushfire seasons.
Of course, arson can also play a part in bushfires starting. Whether actively deliberate or simply negligent (throwing a cigarette out a window) this is harder to counteract, but the fire is no different to one created from natural causes.
Bushfire prevalence in Australia
Australia is one of the most bushfire-affected countries in the world. The hot dry summer temperatures experienced by most of the country are perfect bushfire conditions, and the changing climate has only increased the danger, making them more common and more devastating than before.
Meanwhile, regarding the question 'how do bushfires spread?', the most common way is that flaming embers carried on the wind ignite dry vegetation.
Don't wait until bushfire season to start making plans. An early start gives you the greatest chance of survival if you live in a bushfire-affected area.
Understanding the fire danger rating
The fire danger rating is a very important aspect of keeping aware of the danger posed to you by bushfires. Having just received a revamped categorisation system, the danger levels are as follows. Note that these ratings are based on the danger a fire will pose if lit.
Moderate
Remain vigilant. Ensure you have a plan and are prepared to enact it.
High
Be ready to enact your plan.
Extreme
Take action now to protect yourself and your home.
Catastrophic
Leave at-risk areas immediately.
How to prepare for a bushfire
The best things you can and should do to prepare for a bushfire include the following:
Clearing dry vegetation from your property well in advance, and removing other flammable materials as well.
Securing water stores to prepare for a defending scenario.
Ensure access to your property is available for fire trucks (four meters wide is a good minimum road width.
Have your first aid emergency kit well-stocked and available.
Speak to Australian Fire Control for BAL-FZ protection installed at your property.
Get in touch with your local emergency services for personalised advice.
Have your bushfire survival plan ready and ensure all members of your family are aware of it.
The importance of having a bushfire plan in place
A bushfire survival plan is an essential part of preparing for a bushfire. Every second counts during a bushfire, and you don't want to be coming up with a plan on the spot. Knowing what to do in a bushfire ahead of time is a crucial part of surviving. This also means that part of the bushfire plan includes your bushfire evacuation plan.
The importance of high-quality minimise passive fire protection
Most fire protection systems rely on passive fire protection as their primary component. The purpose of passive protection systems is to delay the spread of fire for as much time as possible, enabling the occupants to evacuate safely and minimising damage to the property.
When considering bushfires, keeping gutters clear and having firebreaks are common passive protection methods to slow the spread. But along with the procedures and precautions taken before a fire starts, there are a number of Australian-made passive fire protection systems you can have installed to increase the protection of your home. These include:
BAL FZ Defender Windows
BAL FZ Fire Windows are fully-functional windows that are made from borosilicate glass, so as to be able to withstand the effects of a bushfire for far longer than regular safety glass. They also remain clear at much higher temperatures, allowing for you to better appraise the situation in a 'stay and defend' scenario. You'll also find they make your house more resilient to an ember attack after the initial fire.
BAL FZ Defender Doors
The BAL FZ Fire Doors are much like the windows, being of a borosilicate construction and designed to give you the greatest visibility during the defence from a bushfire.
BAL FZ Manual Roller Doors
BAL FZ Manual Rolling Doors are fire-rated external additions that suit almost any window type. In the event of a fire, they can be manually deployed to protect your windows for longer, allowing you the peace of mind to leave your home during a bushfire.
BAL FZ Motorised Roller Doors
Similar to the manual roller doors, BAL FZ Motorised Roller Doors deploy via a motor but can be released via a manual override if necessary.
What to do during a bushfire
Keep an eye on the emergency alerts above all. Enact your bushfire plan, but be prepared to leave at a moment's notice if you have elected to not do so already. Don't take chances, waiting until it's too late to leave can be disastrous.
Who to speak to for more advice and where to source the best fire protection
Bushfires are deadly. You don't want anything less than the best advice and protection. Australian Fire Control is an Australian expert on fire protection and prevention, and all our products are Australian-made.
So if you need advice on the best bushfire preparation for your property, or if you would like to have installed any of the mentioned BAL FZ passive bushfire protection systems, get in touch with our expert team today.
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