With effect from 11^th November 2009, the Victorian government released interim fire bunker standards for the state of Victoria. Apart from certifications, the regulations incorporated provisions for amenities to ensure safety and health of the people who use the fire bunker as an alternative to leave the bushfire. According to the regulations, the design and construction of a Class 10c building associated with a Class 1 building provided for use during the event of a bushfire must take into account the requirements necessary to make reasonable provision for the,

• Safe access to the building.
• Sanitary and other facilities.
• A way to determine the external environment.
• Safe egress from the building.
• A way to identify the location of the fire bunker.

In particularly, such a structure should specify,

• The number of occupants it can accommodate maximum.
• Actions to which the building may be subjected.
• The effect of nearby vegetation, buildings and topography.
• The effect of external fire intensity.

The prevention of conditions within the building that are untenable

Fire bunkers are meant for the safety of the entire family including pets and livestocks.There should always be extra care for children if a fire bunkers is installed in the house. The fire bunkers are kept idle in non fire times for long periods and therefore it should not be a play ground for the children. On seeing a fire bunker too young children may not recognize the importance of such a structure and therefore there is the possibility of getting panic. Some precautions that need to be taken to protect children from danger are,

• It is better not to allow children to play inside a fire bunker. If accidently locked there is a chance of suffocation if trapped for a long time.
• Open vents need to be fitted which is always kept open during non fire times.
• The doors need to be checked regularly for its functions and movements. If there is a door jam it should be serviced.
• Do not leave any dangerous items inside a fire bunker.

After the Black Saturday bushfire, the demand for fire bunkers has considerably increased in Australia. The Victorian Royal commission heard several evidences of both survival and death reports about fire bunkers in Australia. A large number of bunker manufacturers are making these fire shelters and many do not meet the agreed standards as they claimed. In this situation the lawyers assisting the Royal commission demanded urgent measures to regulate and prepare common standards for fire bunkers in the country.

In her submission to Royal commission, Melinda Richards, the counsel said that fire bunker standards should be developed by April 1, 2010 and be in force by not later than May 1.According to her, the Victorian government through the Building Commission (BC) should develop such standards to Victoria.

The Royal Commission observed that Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has begun its work on fire bunker standards for the whole in Australia. Since such a national standard would be coming only on a future date, Ms.Melinda requested an interim accreditation system for the Victoria state till such a national standard actually come into practice.

Mr. Steve Whan, the emergency services minister, New South Wales government, has urged the people living in bushfire prone areas to try the Bushfire Household Risk Assessment tool. This is an online service available at the website of Rural Fire Services (RFS) www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, which is a statutory fire service body of the New South Wales government.

“This is an important feature and will assist residents with assessing the level of bush fire risk to their property and help them prepare for bush fire season,” Mr. Whan said.

How the Bushfire Risk is Measured?

The online tool tries to get answers for some comprehensive questionnaires on the preparation for the bushfire. The data on property, house, vegetation, slope and other details are taken from the individuals. The data is then analyzed for a possible risk level to ascertain that a direct threat is there either from a flame, or from a radiant heat. The tool further investigates an individual’s ability to defend fire in case he is not willing to leave the spot. The tool helps to make a written survival plan for the bushfire. The RFS strongly warn the people not to rely completely on the Assessment Tool and advices to leave early especially when an extreme or catastrophic fire warning has been declared.

During a bushfire, it is essential to take extreme care of our pets as we do in the case of our children. In such a situation the pets may get panic and try to run away when they see the arrival of fire. Letting them free may be dangerous because they may get caught in the fire. Pets like dogs, cats and other animals may be brought into the fire bunker and keep a note on their behavior.

It is better to have separate cages for pets inside the bunker. If kept open, they are likely to bite or cry unnecessarily because of the stress during such natural hazards. It is a theory that animals have more perception than human beings about the changes in nature. The food and water may be provided to the pets and try to put them at ease. To protect from smoke and heated air, a wet rug may be put over their cages. Try to keep them for a long period till the situation outside reaches almost normal. If released early, they may run and sometimes they may get burns from the fallen debris or other burnt objects

Manufactures make different types of fire bunkers. The effectiveness of any fire bunker is measured in its capacity to protect the inhabitants during a bushfire. Some bunkers are installed into a slope or side of an excavated area. The main advantages of these types of fire bunkers are,

• The earth provides the greatest insulation from fire.
• Circulation of cool air inside.
• The exposure to fire and radiant heat is lower.
• Not visible as an independent tall structure.
• Flames can pass over it without affecting the occupants.
• For easy access side doors are provided.

Some notable drawbacks of these bunkers are,

• The fire bunker needs to be transported to the site from the manufacturer.
• A well maintained drainage is needed to clear water.
• The excavation is a must and it is a waste of money and labor.
• The installation requires some construction engineering knowledge.