Ways to make your home more resistant to bushfires - Kangaroo ...

• All gaps under corrugations in the sheetroofing should be sealed or protected inone of the following ways:o fully sarking the roof.o covering gaps with a corrosionresistantsteel or bronze mesh with amaximum aperture size of 1.8mm.o using a profiled metal sheet.o using a neoprene seal orcompressed mineral wool.• Cappings on sheet roofing should be preformedor the gaps between the cappingand the sheeting should be sealed orprotected.• Tiled roofs should be fully sarked with aflammability index of no more than 5,including the ridge, and the sarking shouldbe located directly beneath the battens.Eaves and Fascias• The roof/wall junction should be sealedwith a fascia and eaves lining or the gapsbetween the rafters at the line of the wallshould be sealed with a non-combustiblematerial.• Penetrations through the roof cladding forvent pipes and the like should be sealedwith a non-combustible collar or fireretardantsealant.SkylightsSkylights and other shafts through the roofspace should be sealed with a noncombustiblesleeve or lining. Thermoplasticsheet in a metal frame may be used, providedthat the diffuser at ceiling level is made ofwire or toughened glass in a metal frame.Openings in ventilated skylights should becovered with corrosion resistant steel orbronze mesh with a maximum aperture sizeof 1.8mm.Roof VentilatorsAll components of roof ventilators, includingrotary ventilators, should be made of noncombustiblematerial and have their openingsprotected by corrosion resistant steel orbronze mesh with a maximum aperture sizeof 1.8mm.Gutters and DownpipesMaterials or devices used to stop leavescollecting in gutters should have aflammability index of no more than 5.Service Pipes (water and gas)Piping for water and gas supplies should beburied at least 300mm below the finishedground level, or be made of metal.Verandahs and DecksVerandahs and decks should be made ofconcrete and the posts, columns orsupporting walls must be adequatelyprotected. If you want a timber deck, the gapsbetween the boards should be no smallerthan 5mm. So that a fire under the deck canbe put out. The perimeter of the deck shouldnot be enclosed.Kangaroo Island CouncilPhone: 08 8553 4500Fax: 08 8553 2885Email: kicouncil@kicouncil.sa.gov.auWeb: www.kangarooisland.sa.gov.auPO Box 121Kingscote SA 5223Information GuidePlanning & Building