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You should pay attention to preparing your home and property for bushfire season if you live in Sydney. You are likely to face unique challenges regarding electrical safety during bushfire season.
A shift in weather, changing energy consumption patterns, and potential hazards can lead to typical electrical problems during this period. That is why you must take special steps to prepare your electrical systems for Sydney's bushfire season.
This electrical safety guide will discuss the fire danger rating system, climatic changes of bushfire seasons, bushfire mechanisms, and standard electrical system problems in bushfire season.
You can also learn about preparing your home for bushfire season, identifying and planning for electrical emergencies, and where to get help on bushfire safety.
The need for bushfire protection
Like other Australian fires, bushfires can affect natural and artificial environments. Australia's southeast and southwest regions have dense populations close to bushfire-prone areas. In fact, rural communities in NSW and Victoria experience ravaging bushfires.
The December 2019 bushfire led to thick smoke affecting air quality across towns and cities in eastern Australia. This bolsters the need for excellent fire detection systems and bushfire smoke procedures in critical facilities like hospitals and data centres.
Assessing bushfire risk
A system is used to assess the fire risk, known as the fire danger rating system. It makes use of the Grassland Fire Danger Index (GFDI) and the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) and calculates indices that include the following:
- Daily drought conditions
- Current rainfall
- Local temperature
- Wind speed
- Humidity
The risk of bushfires creating extensive spot fires that stay ahead of fire fronts is higher if they burn in heavy fuels on hot, dry, and windy days. Extreme fire dangers lead to difficulty controlling firestorms, while catastrophic fire dangers produce higher risks of lethal injury or death to humans and significant damage to properties.
Climatic changes in bushfire seasons
The bushfire season strongly links with summer in Australia's southeastern and southwestern areas. Meanwhile, the fire season in the northern region of Australia is connected with the dry winter period.
The progression of the bushfire season each year tends to shift from north to south, only to begin in the north every autumn. Climate shifts also show a trend towards more days of bushfire conducive weather conditions in some regions of southern Australia.
Bushfire mechanisms
You need to understand bushfire attack mechanisms to address them and properly provide bushfire protection.
Bushfire attacks operate through the following means:
- Ember attacks
- Flame contact
- Radiant heat
- Wind
- Smoke
Ember attacks
Ember attacks are a standard mechanism through which bushfires destroy or damage buildings. The embers lead as the fire front passes through gaps in homes and ignites the interior of buildings. Moreover, embers can still be generated even after the major firefront has passed.
Flame contact
Here, a direct flame attack arises from the main fire front. It is the supreme bushfire attack level, which can place high heat stress on all building structures.
Radiant heat
The firefront can release heat energy as radiant energy to the environment. Radiant heat from bushfires can lead to heat build-up that, in turn, leads to the ignition of combustible materials.
Bushfire-related winds
An approaching fire front from bushfires can, under extreme conditions, produce fire-generated winds, which can also cause high-pressure downdrafts. These conditions can result in the removal of roofs and toppling of buildings.
In addition, buildings that exist in bushfire-prone areas can suffer high wind speeds due to severe bushfire events. Designing such buildings according to cyclonic standards is a practical protective measure.
Bushfire-related smoke
Smoke from bushfires can penetrate buildings and lead to property damage and human health risks. Such smoke can poorly affect indoor furnishings and the breathing and vision of household members.
Fire permits and bushfire dangers
You must get a fire permit if you intend to perform acts of burning on your property. You must obtain a fire permit from NSW Fire and Rescue or the Rural Fire Service (RFS). Such a permit is especially needed if the burning process may endanger a building in a Fire and Rescue NSW district or during a bushfire danger period.
Common electrical system problems in bushfire season
You usually have a lot of outdoor activities that take place during the bushfire season. As such, there is a corresponding increase in energy consumption. People use outdoor lighting in the evenings and run their air conditioning units.
This, therefore, places a demand on electrical systems and can possibly lead to the following electrical system issues:
- Tripped breakers
- Overloaded circuits
- Electrical fires
Preparing your home for bushfire season
You must ensure your home and property are well prepared for a possible bushfire. Here are some steps to take to prepare your property for bushfire season.
Identifying and planning for electrical emergencies
Electrical emergencies can indeed occur without warning. That is why you should prepare and equip your home for such emergencies. Examples of electrical system emergencies include sudden power outages and sparking outlets. You could also have household fires or sparking wires.
A step you can take during electrical emergencies like sparking wires is to turn off the main circuit breaker quickly. This will help prevent further damage.
You can also ensure that a fire extinguisher is always easily accessible. You should certainly know how to use such fire extinguishers.
Precautions during power outages
- Switch off and disconnect electronic equipment from power outlets.
- Also, switch off your three-phase motors. This includes garage doors and air conditioners.
- Avoid doing electrical work within your property during outages.
- Meanwhile, candles can pose more fire risks. As such, you should choose to use battery-operated flashlights during electrical emergencies.
Using bushfire sprinkler systems
Setting up a sprinkler system is a wise precaution, especially if you live in a bushfire-prone area. Such sprinkler systems effectively wet down your property before fire outbreaks. Be sure to consult a sprinkler specialist.
It is also important to consider power supplies and water sources or water supplies. Fire sprinklers require large amounts of water, and in cases of main power failure during bushfires, water pumps may not work. Similarly, you need to check that fire hoses, hose reels, spray systems, and fire hydrants are all in good order.
Tips and help on bushfire safety
Keep reading for some ways to get information and help regarding bushfire safety.
Online maps of bushfire-prone areas
Confirm that your property is not in a bushfire-prone area. Government agencies and local councils may have maps you may access online.
The AIDER program
Get help from the AIDER (Assist Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents) service program if you can assist in preparing your home for bushfire season if you cannot do it yourself.
Fire service authorities
Your state or territory has a fire service authority that can help you with bushfire safety preparation and actions. These services in New South Wales include the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.
Electricians can help with bushfire safety
After reading this guide on preparing your electrical systems for Sydney's bushfire season, you know more about the need for bushfire protection, fire permits, bushfire dangers, and precautions during power outages. Your local electrician in Sydney can play a role in helping you prepare and act during bushfire seasons.
They can fully maintain your electrical system and perform electrical safety inspections that assess fire alarms, circuits, wires, and other electrical hazards. They can also advise you on vegetation management, bushfire survival plans, and the proper protective clothing for bushfires.
