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CFA Bushfire Fact Sheet Version 1 March 2009 This advice has been compiled from the current research available to CFA Sources include OESC, CSIRO, AFAC and CFA policy We recommend that it be read in conjunction with the “Living in the Bush” workbook revised edition 2009 |
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Bunkers/ Residential fire shelters Should we have a fire bunker on our property? CFA does not currently have a formal position on bunkers; however, CFA believes there is merit in examining residential fire shelters/bunkers as part of the Royal Commission. We expect the Commissioners will examine this matter taking into account all the available research.
Currently there are NO guidelines and NO Australian standards for bunkers/fire shelters.
To our knowledge there has been no scientific testing to indicate safe specifications and no research as to how a bunker should be constructed to withstand bushfire. The issue of toxic smoke from a bushfire building up in a bunker has not been researched in Australia.
Any proposed fire shelter would need to be built to an approved national Australian Standard for fire shelters to have Emergency Services support. The standard must be based on evidence and research.
Further information if required: The CSIRO (Australian Commonwealth Scientific & Research Organisation) has an excellent website which includes information from the Cooperative Bushfire Research Centre. The following information on bunkers is available from the CSIRO website: www.csiro.au
What research has CSIRO done on fire bunkers? CSIRO is not currently conducting research into bushfire bunkers or shelters. Previous research by the Department of Defence indicated that underground bunkers may not be safe in bushfires due to the accumulation of toxic gases coming from the bushfire itself.
Bunkers were recommended and used around the time of the 1939 Black Friday bushfires to provide some shelter to mill workers who had no other protection from bushfires when working in the forests.
Current research indicates that a well designed and prepared house can provide adequate protection during a bushfire.
The use, design and efficacy of current era bunkers has not been investigated by CSIRO.
As with any form of bushfire refuge, bushfire bunkers must be assessed in an overall context taking into consideration issues such as: expected bushfire behaviour design and construction criteria preparation and maintenance intended and probable use of the bunker establishing a safe path to the bunker.
As well as the technical issues, there are a range of other considerations including: decision making processes and education around when to retreat to the bunker when to close off a bunker how long to remain in the bunker how to determine when it is safe to exit the bunker.
CSIRO has the capability to engage in the underpinning science for future policy and regulation development covering issues like: circumstances where a bunker may or may not be appropriate position of the bunker and its proximity to other objects designing a bunker |
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