Bushfire, Be Gone! Building a Bush Shack in a Fire-Prone Area
Is your bush shack designed to resist the threat of bushfire? If you're considering a remodel or new build, plan ahead with these great tips
Briony Darcy
26 July 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. Principal of DE atelier Architects. I live and breathe architecture with my lovely husband and fellow architect, Leon Eyck. We travelled the world together seeking gastronomic delights and beautiful architecture. Homeward bound, we set up our practice and started our little family. My passion is family and the unique architecture that makes a home and soul for a family.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Principal of DE atelier Architects. I live and breathe... More
Why do people love a shack on a bush block? Many reasons come to mind: the beautiful scenery, hiking through the bush, breathing in the fresh clean air, star gazing at night and the idea of returning to a simple life with all the benefits Mother Nature can bring. Whether you are a tree changer or considering a bush weekender, there are a number of things to consider when building in the bush. Above all, you need to take careful consideration of the environment surrounding you – and that’s not just how best to take advantage of your setting, but also how to protect yourself and your home from adversity – especially so that your shack is both designed and positioned to withstand fire.
Where you locate the building will have a substantial impact on how it can be protected. In addition, you need to consider the materials it is constructed out of, the building’s final form and the immediate landscape surrounding your house. The decisions you make at the outset in the design of your home and how you maintain the surrounds of your building will influence how you can defend your home if a fire were to be in the vicinity. Here are some beautiful bush shacks and tips on how to make them safe from bushfire threat.
Where you locate the building will have a substantial impact on how it can be protected. In addition, you need to consider the materials it is constructed out of, the building’s final form and the immediate landscape surrounding your house. The decisions you make at the outset in the design of your home and how you maintain the surrounds of your building will influence how you can defend your home if a fire were to be in the vicinity. Here are some beautiful bush shacks and tips on how to make them safe from bushfire threat.
PLANNING PERMISSION
If you are planning on building on a bush block, there is every chance that your site will be located in a bushfire-prone area. This will trigger requirements for a planning permit and an assessment of your site in terms of bushfire risk. Your site will be assessed for Bushfire Attack Level (BAL), which will set minimum construction requirements for the building. Your architect can assist you with this process or a specialist consultant may be engaged if it is a complex site.
You will generally have a number of options when choosing the location for a bush shack on your property. The choice of location will be determined by an assessment of bushfire risk. Questions include: Is it on a hill? Where does it sit relative to vegetation? And, does the building sit on or above the ground? How you answer these questions will influence the ability you have to defend your shack from bushfire.
Bushfire management overlay
If you are planning on building on a bush block, there is every chance that your site will be located in a bushfire-prone area. This will trigger requirements for a planning permit and an assessment of your site in terms of bushfire risk. Your site will be assessed for Bushfire Attack Level (BAL), which will set minimum construction requirements for the building. Your architect can assist you with this process or a specialist consultant may be engaged if it is a complex site.
You will generally have a number of options when choosing the location for a bush shack on your property. The choice of location will be determined by an assessment of bushfire risk. Questions include: Is it on a hill? Where does it sit relative to vegetation? And, does the building sit on or above the ground? How you answer these questions will influence the ability you have to defend your shack from bushfire.
Bushfire management overlay
SITING CONDITIONS
Where you position your building on site to best capture the views and sun may not be the most appropriate or safest location with respect to bushfire protection. The top of a hill may command the best views but it can also be the most hazardous location. Fire travels faster uphill and, generally, the steeper the site, the faster the fire will travel. Depending on the prevailing winds, orientation and the extent and proximity of fuel (trees and underbrush) surrounding the site, you may need to consider a number of locations and weigh up expansive views with hazard mitigation.
Sitting on top of a hill
While the house pictured here is located at the top of the hill, which would not be the preferred location in terms of mitigating bushfire, it is improved with the expansive clearing of vegetation around the house – its lawn reduces fuel and therefore the home’s exposure to fire.
BENEFITS: Opportunity to see any encroaching fire on nearby ridges.
CHALLENGES: Fire travels faster uphill, especially on steep slopes.
Where you position your building on site to best capture the views and sun may not be the most appropriate or safest location with respect to bushfire protection. The top of a hill may command the best views but it can also be the most hazardous location. Fire travels faster uphill and, generally, the steeper the site, the faster the fire will travel. Depending on the prevailing winds, orientation and the extent and proximity of fuel (trees and underbrush) surrounding the site, you may need to consider a number of locations and weigh up expansive views with hazard mitigation.
Sitting on top of a hill
While the house pictured here is located at the top of the hill, which would not be the preferred location in terms of mitigating bushfire, it is improved with the expansive clearing of vegetation around the house – its lawn reduces fuel and therefore the home’s exposure to fire.
BENEFITS: Opportunity to see any encroaching fire on nearby ridges.
CHALLENGES: Fire travels faster uphill, especially on steep slopes.
Lofting above, uphill
Located on the outskirts of Hobart and poised on spindle steel legs, this building lofts above the bushland, leaving the native vegetation relatively untouched below. The dark charcoal legs blend with the green foliage. The rectilinear building stands as a single statement capturing expansive views.
BENEFITS: Minimal impact on local vegetation and native animals. Smaller footings require less excavation, which can be particularly advantageous on sites that are located in areas difficult to access.
CHALLENGES: Greater exposure to bush fires coming up the slope, which may cause the undercroft of the house to ignite. It could also be difficult to work at heights to erect the building and to crane materials, such as steel beams, or to position windows.
Located on the outskirts of Hobart and poised on spindle steel legs, this building lofts above the bushland, leaving the native vegetation relatively untouched below. The dark charcoal legs blend with the green foliage. The rectilinear building stands as a single statement capturing expansive views.
BENEFITS: Minimal impact on local vegetation and native animals. Smaller footings require less excavation, which can be particularly advantageous on sites that are located in areas difficult to access.
CHALLENGES: Greater exposure to bush fires coming up the slope, which may cause the undercroft of the house to ignite. It could also be difficult to work at heights to erect the building and to crane materials, such as steel beams, or to position windows.
Stepping down the hill
Nested in the bush, the architecture of this building has been created in three components. Firstly, two pavilions are set on the upper and lower level of the slope and host the bedrooms and living zones respectively. The two pavilions are offset horizontally opening the vista down the hill to the bushland. The pavilions hover just over the ground reducing the need for excavation. They are connected delicately with the last component, an open-air, lightweight steel stair covered with a butterfly roof.
BENEFITS: The components have been made of prefabricated steel, built off site, reducing the cost of construction.
CHALLENGES: Houses in dense bushland are located in high-fire risk areas. In this house, sprinklers on the roof can be remotely activated to reduce fire risk.
Nested in the bush, the architecture of this building has been created in three components. Firstly, two pavilions are set on the upper and lower level of the slope and host the bedrooms and living zones respectively. The two pavilions are offset horizontally opening the vista down the hill to the bushland. The pavilions hover just over the ground reducing the need for excavation. They are connected delicately with the last component, an open-air, lightweight steel stair covered with a butterfly roof.
BENEFITS: The components have been made of prefabricated steel, built off site, reducing the cost of construction.
CHALLENGES: Houses in dense bushland are located in high-fire risk areas. In this house, sprinklers on the roof can be remotely activated to reduce fire risk.
Modified hill, cut and fill
Located at Mt Toolebewong, Victoria, this building has been constructed on a level playing field. The site is partially excavated on the upper side and partially filled on the lower side to create a level site upon which to build. This can be seen where the earth has been battered away on the lower side of the slope.
BENEFITS: A concrete slab on the ground or enclosed sub-floor prevents embers from flying underneath the building, making it more difficult to ignite.
CHALLENGES: Be aware of water flowing downhill during heavy rain and ensure there is adequate drainage around your house to direct the flow of water with good landscape-retaining walls where required.
Located at Mt Toolebewong, Victoria, this building has been constructed on a level playing field. The site is partially excavated on the upper side and partially filled on the lower side to create a level site upon which to build. This can be seen where the earth has been battered away on the lower side of the slope.
BENEFITS: A concrete slab on the ground or enclosed sub-floor prevents embers from flying underneath the building, making it more difficult to ignite.
CHALLENGES: Be aware of water flowing downhill during heavy rain and ensure there is adequate drainage around your house to direct the flow of water with good landscape-retaining walls where required.
Bunkered in the slope
Set at the foot of Mt Buffalo, Victoria, this house has been fondly termed the Shed House, taking its design cues from the humble rural farm shed. The elements of prefabricated steel portals and sheet metal cladding are ideal in a high bushfire risk area. The grey Colorbond tray-deck metal sheet form of the building provides a complementary backdrop to the landscape.
BENEFITS: The central bay is dedicated to the entry and patios, linking the two halves. The large, rurally-inspired sliding doors enclose the patios and improve fire protection by excluding ember-attack into these areas.
CHALLENGES: Hilly terrain and/or heavily wooded areas can be difficult to clear. Removing substantial trees around the immediate vicinity of the house will reduce bushfire risk.
Set at the foot of Mt Buffalo, Victoria, this house has been fondly termed the Shed House, taking its design cues from the humble rural farm shed. The elements of prefabricated steel portals and sheet metal cladding are ideal in a high bushfire risk area. The grey Colorbond tray-deck metal sheet form of the building provides a complementary backdrop to the landscape.
BENEFITS: The central bay is dedicated to the entry and patios, linking the two halves. The large, rurally-inspired sliding doors enclose the patios and improve fire protection by excluding ember-attack into these areas.
CHALLENGES: Hilly terrain and/or heavily wooded areas can be difficult to clear. Removing substantial trees around the immediate vicinity of the house will reduce bushfire risk.
SIMPLIFIED BUILDING
Simple, clean roof forms and buildings are preferred in bushfire-prone areas. There are less nooks and crannies in which wind-blown embers from a fire can get caught and ignite.
DE atelier Architects have designed a rectilinear building with a simple gabled-end roof pitch running the length of the building. The open patios at either end have been designed with non-combustible materials as have the wall cladding. Partial excavation into the gently sloping site allows the building to be nestled within the site.
Simple, clean roof forms and buildings are preferred in bushfire-prone areas. There are less nooks and crannies in which wind-blown embers from a fire can get caught and ignite.
DE atelier Architects have designed a rectilinear building with a simple gabled-end roof pitch running the length of the building. The open patios at either end have been designed with non-combustible materials as have the wall cladding. Partial excavation into the gently sloping site allows the building to be nestled within the site.
Internally, the exposed galvanised steel portals run rhythmically through the building. They warmly contrast with the plywood timber cladding used as both the wall and ceiling lining. The windows, positioned to frame the bush view, are natural anodised aluminium windows from AWS. The windows were chosen for there suitability to a high fire-risk area.
WATER COLLECTION
If you are building in a remote area, collecting rainwater will be an important water supply to fight bushfire. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) may require up to 10,000 litres to be stored on site. If you also want to collect water for drinking, the garden, the flushing of toilets, etc., this will be in addition to the CFA requirements.
Landscape and vegetation
Managing the landscape that your building sits within will have a significant impact on protecting your asset during a bushfire. Creating a zone around your house that is clear of trees creates a natural buffer and provides no fuel for a fire. Beyond this zone, you can decrease the intensity of the trees and clear out lower-level vegetation, again reducing the fuel for a fire.
BENEFITS: The flat and cleared site allows for easy access around the property during construction, as well as provides access for emergency vehicles and fire trucks if ever necessary.
CHALLENGES: An exposed sub-floor below the deck could trap wind-blown embers from a fire.
If you are building in a remote area, collecting rainwater will be an important water supply to fight bushfire. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) may require up to 10,000 litres to be stored on site. If you also want to collect water for drinking, the garden, the flushing of toilets, etc., this will be in addition to the CFA requirements.
Landscape and vegetation
Managing the landscape that your building sits within will have a significant impact on protecting your asset during a bushfire. Creating a zone around your house that is clear of trees creates a natural buffer and provides no fuel for a fire. Beyond this zone, you can decrease the intensity of the trees and clear out lower-level vegetation, again reducing the fuel for a fire.
BENEFITS: The flat and cleared site allows for easy access around the property during construction, as well as provides access for emergency vehicles and fire trucks if ever necessary.
CHALLENGES: An exposed sub-floor below the deck could trap wind-blown embers from a fire.
TELL US
Do you live on a bush block or have a weekender in the bush? What measures have you taken to defend it against bushfires?
MORE
Red Alert: 10 Ways to Get Bushfire-Ready
6 Australian Bush Houses Redefine Rustic Charm
How to Prepare Your House for a Storm
Do you live on a bush block or have a weekender in the bush? What measures have you taken to defend it against bushfires?
MORE
Red Alert: 10 Ways to Get Bushfire-Ready
6 Australian Bush Houses Redefine Rustic Charm
How to Prepare Your House for a Storm
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Hi Rhaine.
Quite to the contrary re Paarhammer Windows. NSW are heading back in the direction of TESTED and AS3959 compliant products. The RFS support the use of Paarhammer windows in BAL FZ, as one of the 2 tested windows (Nilfire the other). We can assist if there are challenges to this.
With the timber framed window, you can still touch the inside of the frame at the end of the fire test. Gives you an idea how effective the timber is at protecting your from the heat. The whole window gives 6kW/m2 radiation inside at the end of the 30 fire cycle of the test, where AS3959 requires under 15kW/m2. The safest window on the market.
Our shutters will give you 6kW/m2 on the inside of the shutter, and around 3kW/m2 inside the window. This, plus mechanical protection from debris, our shutter system affords the highest levels of protection overall in the market. Most customers also use them for thermal comfort, shading, and security, more than a window will deliver.
I understand aesthetics is a very personal thing. Feel free to come and have a chat at Springwood Bushfire Rebuild Expo, 19th September.
Cheers, Bryce.
Hi rhaine
COLORBOND® steel can certainly be utilised in walling systems for use in BAL-FZ locations. COLORBOND® steel complies with the requirements of the NCC for non-combustible materials and can be readily incorporated as the external skin of a wall system which achieves an FRL of 30/30/30 or -/30/30. It is important to ensure appropriate support structure/material options are included in the wall design as these will ultimately afford the system with its insulation credentials.
Good article, thank you. Would like to see more on what materials to use.