Bushfire Resistant Buildings

Fire-Ed Up Scenario 4:

Welcome to the Bushfire Resistant Buildings supplementary page for the stage 5 iSTEM, Fire-Ed Up Unit of Work. This is a resource site setup to support teachers to implement the Fire-Ed Up Program.

Fire-Ed Up is funded by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, developed from Central Coast Council’s Award Winning program and produced by the Hunter Innovation and Science Hub.

Unit Background –
Australian Fire Danger Rating System

In 2022 Australia introduced a new fire danger rating system providing clearer and more accurate information to communities at risk of bush fire. The Australian Fire Danger Rating System brings together the latest science and knowledge of fire behaviour, is supported by extensive community research, and is the most significant change to the fire danger rating system in more than 50 years.

The previous fire danger rating system was found to be approximately 40% accurate whilst the new reporting system is now more than 60%, but there is room for improvement.

Scenario 4

Bushfire Resistant Buildings: Create a new or redesign an existing structure to enhance bushfire resistance, using fire-resistant materials and landscaping techniques to create defensible spaces.

Research & Design:
Find better solutions to create fire-resistant buildings

In their quest to create safer buildings, researchers are actively exploring innovative methods to make structures more resistant to fire. They are experimenting with new materials and technologies that can withstand high temperatures without collapsing or allowing the fire to spread quickly.

From fire-resistant barriers to advanced sprinkler control systems, These efforts are crucial because they help ensure that buildings are safer for everyone, reducing the risk of damage and loss of life in case of a fire.

Your Mission

Research and test materials and methods for creating bushfire-resistant buildings and communities.

Consider:

  • Landscaping
    How does landscaping affect the intensity of fires impacting a building?
  • Sprinkler controls
    How can sprinklers be better deployed in different building layouts?
  • Building materials
    What are the best materials for creating bushfire-resistant buildings
  • Innovative technologies
    Which new advanced fire control systems might be used to create a more fire-resistant building?

What can you do in your class to find better solutions?

Downloadable Resources

Technology Mandatory – Student Resource Folio

Download the Fire-Ed Up Technology Mandatory student resource folio.

Download Brief Document >>>

NSW RFS Firefighters Pocket Book

The NSW Rural Fire Service Firefighters Pocket Book Dec 2010 edition.

Download PDF >>>

Australian Fire Danger Rating System

Australian fire danger rating system – Fire Behaviour Index Technical Guide V2.1 Oct 2023.

Download PDF >>>

Retrofit your home for better protection from a
bushfire

Use the Victorian Building Authority guide to retrofit your home
for better protection from a bushfire

Download PDF >>>

Video Based Resources

The following are a mixture of Fire-ED Up original video resources and others that you might find useful.

President of the Australian Architecture Association and Director of Environa Studio Tone Wheeler explains to the ABC what a home’s weakest links are – through Lego (4:02 minutes).

Inside Edition speaks with Phoenix Architectural Services about foam & concrete blocks that can be used to increase fire resistance  (1:47 minutes)

Engineers at UNSW Sydney have become the first to pass a stringent Australian standard test that simulates a bushfire attack. (2:41 Minutes)

The American Chemical Society looks at a type of coating that could limit the flammability of wood used in construction (2:29 Minutes)

Other Resources

Websites

Busfire proof houses; raising the standards – CSIRO
https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2015/december/raising-the-standard-for-bushfire-proofing-houses

Bushfire-proof house design – UTS
https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-design-architecture-and-building/news/bushfire-proof-house-design

Building in a bushfire area – NSW RFS
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/building-in-a-bush-fire-area

Rebuilding after bushfires – VIC
https://www.vic.gov.au/rebuilding-after-bushfires

Resilient homes building guidance – QLD
https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/resilient-homes

Bushfire resilient homes and rebuilding – QLD
https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/disaster-types/bushfires/bushfire-resilient-homes-and-rebuilding

Fire Safety on Rural Blocks – Northern Territory
https://nt.gov.au/emergency/bushfire/prepare-and-plan/fire-safety-on-rural-blocks

How to build a fire resilient house – Australian Museum
https://australian.museum/learn/climate-change/mt-resilience/households-and-bushfire/ 

iTEachSTEM Resources

iTEachSTEM
https://iteachstem.com.au/

iTEachSTEM – Orthogonal Sketching
https://iteachstem.com.au/resources/143-orthogonal-drawing-fundamentals/ 

iTEachSTEM Pictorial Sketching
https://iteachstem.com.au/resources/142-pictorial-drawing-fundamentals/

iTEachSTEM Annotated rendered sketches
https://vimeo.com/413405563

iTEachSTEM – Making a Prototype
https://vimeo.com/413405563#t=240s

iTEachSTEM – Iterate and Test
https://vimeo.com/413403698

iTEachSTEM – Communicating Design Solutions
https://vimeo.com/413401270
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghi1Ye3-1hk

Other Resources

Bushfire Survival

Online RFS Bushfire Survival plan
https://www.myfireplan.com.au/

Bushfire Survival Plan PDF version
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/2933/BushFireSurvivalPlan.pdf

Apps

NSW RFS Firefighter Pocketbook – Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tiltandco.pocketguide&hl=en_AU&gl=US

NSW RFS Firefighter Pocketbook – IOS
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/nsw-rfs-firefighter-pocketbook/id872370884

Hazards Near Me – Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.nsw.rfs.firesnearme.nsw

Hazards Near Me – IOS
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/hazards-near-me-nsw/id370891827

Software

Spatial Information eXchange
https://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

NSW Department of Education – Digital Learning Selector
https://app.education.nsw.gov.au/digital-learning-selector/?cache_id=e6c80

Drawing

Splat3D
https://www.youtube.com/@Splat3D

Splat3D – Drawing the core 3D Shapes Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQjzh9hlXz-IUfatrs39YUKBGGX8fVbxU

Other Videos

AVA Define and Identify – Dr Nick De Leon from the Royal College of Art
https://vimeo.com/742931303