It's "wildfire" in the United States. "Bushfire" in Australia. Whatever the name, these quick-spreading fires are destructive—and fire season is getting longer. 

Here are steps you can take in advance to help protect your facilities that may be in the path of fire.

Now:

  • Keep gutters free of debris.

  • Cover vents with wire mesh to keep burning embers out.

  • Remove all combustible yard storage.

  • Develop a written contingency plan with the public fire service.

  • Fully train and equip your emergency response team (ERT) to deal with bushfire emergency.

Soon:

  • Replace any combustible roof shingles with noncombustible materials.

  • Create a clearance zone around buildings and structures. The clearance zone should be a minimum of 100 ft. (30 m) from a grassland exposure and 330 ft. (100 m) from a woodland or forest exposure.

  • Protect windows and frames with permanently fitted one-hour fire rated shutters.

  • Consider protecting any combustible exterior walls with outside sprinklers.

  • Provide an adequate and reliable water supply to meet automatic sprinkler and hose stream demands.


For further details:

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