On Friday 16 October, Dick Davies, President of the Warrandyte Community Association, was interviewed by Jon Faine at about 1030am. Coverage was also included in The World Today program between 12 and 1pm.

You can read the transcript or listen to the item on The World Today program by going to:

CSIRO researchers have developed a new fire-resistant coating that can withstand temperatures of over 1000C. Current commercial coatings used on building materials and structures usually break down at between 150-250°C.

This news was published in the Future Materials and Australian Nanotechnology Alliance August Newsletter No [...]]]> Thanks to Terry Oakley for passing on this information:

CSIRO researchers have developed a new fire-resistant coating that can withstand temperatures of over 1000C. Current commercial coatings used on building materials and structures usually break down at between 150-250°C.

This news was published in the Future Materials and Australian Nanotechnology Alliance August Newsletter No 34 and forwarded to PWF.

About The New Product – HIPS

“The material is knows as HIPS which is short for ‘hybrid inorganic polymer system’. HIPS coatings contain an inorganic geopolymer resin, and a small component of polymer additives.

Project leader, Dr Damian Fullston of CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering, says CSIRO is seeking coatings manufacturers interested in partnering with CSIRO to customise HIPS to meet product specifications for selected applications.

Geopolymers To Transform Building Products Industry?

“They are not only fire, blast and acid-resistant, they are also strong, castable, sprayable, and extrudable, making their potential uses almost limitless,” he says. “Geopolymers are an emerging class of ceramic-like inorganic polymers produced at room temperatures that have the potential to transform the building products industry..

The polymer additives in HIPS improve the flexibility and waterproofing properties, and provide stronger adhesion, which are important properties for a coating.”

HIPS has the potential to form thin fireproof coatings on timbers such as weatherboards, and on metals such as structural or galvanised steel. It can also protect brickwork, either as a thin coating or as a render. HIPS can be applied by spray equipment, roller or brush, and cures from ambient temperature to below 90°C.

HIPS are water-based materials so coatings are free of volatile organic compounds, do not burn or produce heat, and do not release smoke or toxic chemicals at temperatures up to 1200°C.

Geopolymers Are Cost Effective

Geopolymers are cost-competitive, since they are made from readily available raw materials. They can also be derived from industrial by-products such as flyash and blast furnace slag. They can be cheaper than organic resins and coloured with pigments or dyes.

The strength of HIPS materials is comparable with that of phenolic resins in heat-sensitive applications, but HIPS retains higher strength at higher temperatures. HIPS formulations are tailored to be interchangeable with phenolic resins, and have higher fatigue resistance than normal phenolics. CSIRO also sees potential for the manufacture of fireproof wood composites and fire seals from HIPS technology, but has not fully explored these applications to date.

For More Info Contact: damian.fullston@csiro.au

2009-08-27 Safer Neighbourhood Places – R Comsn Interim Report

Many of you will know of Joan and her publications which have become a vital referrence for many living in Bushfire Risk areas.

“Having lived in East Doncaster for 37 years, during which time I was a general [...]]]> Thanks to Joan Webster for the provision of the attached article A lot of bunk about bunkers

Many of you will know of Joan and her publications which have become a vital referrence for many living in Bushfire Risk areas.

“Having lived in East Doncaster for 37 years, during which time I was a general activist from 1960, foundation member of the Doncaster and Templestowe Municipal Civil Defence for Bushfire (1964), and local journalist for 25 years from 1965, I am very familiar with Warrandyte, where I still have many friends.” Joan Webster

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)* will begin work immediately on a national standard for the design and construction of bushfire bunkers for personal use. Announcing the decision today, ABCB Chairman Mr Graham Huxley AM said the ABCB [...]]]> A media release from the Australian Building Codes Board….

NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR BUSHFIRE

BUNKERS

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)* will begin work immediately on a
national standard for the design and construction of bushfire bunkers for personal use.
Announcing the decision today, ABCB Chairman Mr Graham Huxley AM said the
ABCB concurred with 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s intention to
bring forward as a matter of urgency interim recommendations on building regulation
matters, including the regulation of bushfire bunkers.

“If government is to adopt policies that encourage voluntary construction of bunkers
by individuals, or mandate their use in bushfire prone areas, it will first need a robust
set of performance standards to draw on,” Mr Huxley said.

“The ABCB, as the custodian of the Building Code of Australia (BCA)*, is well
placed to facilitate the timely development of the performance standards. It will also
classify bunkers as a structure according to the BCA.

“The ABCB has followed closely evidence tendered to the Commission. It is also
aware of community concerns, which it shares, about the lack of national standards
for bunkers at a time of heightened anxiety about the risk of further bushfires.”
Mr Huxley said the ABCB will begin its work supported by the work already done by
the Victorian Building Commission.
The Victorian Minister for Planning, Mr Justin Madden MLC, had taken the initiative
to alert the ABCB to the desirability of national standards and for the Board to take a
leadership role. While the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission was dealing
comprehensively with these and wider issues, it was nonetheless important for
governments to explore opportunities to increase the safety of communities at risk of
bushfires.

National action using sound technical and BCA regulatory principles will provide all
States and Territories with the essential platform to act quickly.
“The ABCB will draw on a wide range of expertise including Californian fire
authorities, who are the only other authorities in the world that have bushfire-related
building standards,” Mr Huxley said. “It will also look to other applications of bunker
technology across the globe. In that regard, the Board today uploaded on to its website
a paper by a senior US specialist in bushfire mitigation, Mr Jon Traw, on international
comparisons of bushfire standards.

“The ABCB recognises that a number of policy issues need to be resolved, and the
views of the Royal Commission taken into consideration when available. A wide
range of challenges face designers of such bunkers, including protection against heat
and flame, the need to maintain tenable air quality and a means to communicate with
the outside world.

“Without technical standards some products and building materials used to construct
bunkers could be dangerous.”
Mr Huxley said the ABCB fully appreciated that bunkers are not a stand alone
solution. Building standards needed to be part of a wider set of measures to deal with
the mitigation of bushfire risk, including effective coordination of efforts by
authorities and communities, prediction of fire spread, better education of home
owners, clarity in community notification procedures and sound planning and fuel
management strategies.
Nevertheless, fire can be unpredictable. Help from the fire defence effort may not be
available to individuals. As the Royal Commission heard, even the best prepared still
lost their lives in some cases. Bushfire bunkers, therefore, may offer a place of last
refuge in cases where the only other option would be to leave late with all the
attendant risks that entails.

The ABCB expects that the standards will be available for use in six months.

* About the ABCB and the Building Code of Australia
The ABCB is a joint initiative of all levels of government in Australia, with the building industry. Its oversees issues relating to
health, safety, amenity and sustainability in building. The ABCB promotes efficiency in the design, construction and
performance of buildings through the national Building Code of Australia (BCA).
For more information: Ivan Donaldson, General Manager, 0417 213 722
Australian Building Codes Board
Ph: 1300 134 631 Fax: 02 62137287
Email: ABCB.Office@abcb.gov.au
Web: www.abcb.gov.au

If you go to http://www.warrandytechat.com/dr-tolhurst-videos/ you will find that after you have logged in you can either download the video in parts from the site [...]]]> Dear Fireguard Members,
Just to let you know that the video of the talk given by Dr Tolhurst at Warrandyte Community Church on 6th August is now available.

If you go to http://www.warrandytechat.com/dr-tolhurst-videos/ you will find that after you have logged in you can either download the video in parts from the site or you can order a DVD from me at a nominal charge of $5 to cover costs. The whole video lasts 2 hours and I am just about to add 2 more videos of 15 minutes each with presentations by Professor David Karoly and Dr Tolhurst of The University of Melbourne from April 09.

Also from this page on the site you will be able to download the Prediction models used by Dr Tolhurst.

Please pass this on to your friends/family that might be interested

Dear Fireguard Leaders

Hope that everyone is OK.

Enclosed is the Fireguardian Sept 09 newsletter for you to distribute to the households in your Community Fireguard group.

CFG courses during October & November require booking, the number of attendees at each is limited and we anticipate the demand for these courses [...]]]> [Edited letter from CFA]

Dear Fireguard Leaders

Hope that everyone is OK.

Enclosed is the Fireguardian Sept 09 newsletter for you to distribute to the households in your Community Fireguard group.

CFG courses during October & November require booking, the number of attendees at each is limited and we anticipate the demand for these courses will be high so it is important this information is out.

10/30 clearance rule.

Since the newsletter was written this has been gazetted. Over the past few days we have seen a very strong reaction against this on both the environmental impact and the fact that fine fuels are the primary fuel that sustains fires. Removing trees is no guarantee of your personal or house survival and can be counter productive to bushfire safety with increased wind speed, removing ember traps etc . How you prepare the building structure against ember attack is just as important as evidenced by homes in cleared paddocks burning down.  The issues that have arisen out of this announcement include concern that a “one size fits all” vegetation clearance option takes no account of actual risk of individual properties which varies immensely according to fuel type, slope, aspect and location. Whilst it is important to manage fine fuels as part of your bushfire safety plan please consider very carefully the impacts of clearing all vegetation, take the time to assess your risk and develop a plan that considers the many factors of risk and the full range of preparation that contributes to safety.

Networking with other groups and local brigades.

Many groups are wanting to network and share ideas with their neighbouring CFG groups. Due to privacy laws we cannot provide CFG leaders contact details unless you have given us permission to do so. If you have not filled in the form please contact us and a form will be posted to you. I encourage you to do this as the benefits of networking are many.

CFG Forums

There will be CFG Forums again this year – probably late Oct / early November. Once these are organized I will send you invites for your group.

Lets hope for a safe summer, get prepared now, and thank you for your continuing commitment to the CFG Program as your group’s leader.

Regards  Helen Wositzky. CFG Coordinator Yarra Area.

Dear Warrandyte Resident,

Today I sent the following email to the major stakeholders concerned with developing the bushfire protection plan for Warrandyte. I forward a copy for your information.

——————————————————————————————-

I attach a summary of Warrandyte residents’ views on bushfire protection which should be taken into account in [...]]]> From Dick Davies (31 August 2009)

Dear Warrandyte Resident,

Today I sent the following email to the major stakeholders concerned with developing the bushfire protection plan for Warrandyte. I forward a copy for your information.

——————————————————————————————-

I attach a summary of Warrandyte residents’ views on bushfire protection which should be taken into account in developing the proposed Township Protection Plans. The initial WCA Bushfire Forum was held in May, bearing in mind that the next bushfire season could be only five months away. It is now one month away, six months since the fires, but residents have yet to receive any information on local emergency planning.

The obvious point to make is that whilst the Premier’s media release identified both Warrandyte and North Warrandyte as townships under threat, the local community regards it as one area and expects it to be treated as such. This will require close liaison between all authorities with responsibilities on both sides of the River and high quality communication to deliver a consistent message to all residents on how to be better prepared.

The Warrandyte Community Association and local Community Fireguard Groups are ready and willing to participate in this planning and communication process which is so far without tangible outcome.  I would urge State and Local Government to give this utmost priority and would welcome your views on how best to progress it with the involvement of the residents concerned.  (The WCA Bushfire submission is available on www.warrandyte.org.au ).

Kind Regards

Dick Davies

President

Warrandyte Community  Association Inc.

Thank you for helping to facilitate this meeting tonight.

This is the first time that my partner and I have attended any Warrandyte Community Meetings and we were grateful for the opportunity.

I personally would have been happy to make [...]]]> From Jan & Peter to Warrandyte Community Association, Warrandyte Community Church and Warrandyte Chat:

Thank you for helping to facilitate this meeting tonight.

This is the first time that my partner and I have attended any Warrandyte Community Meetings and we were grateful for the opportunity.

I personally would have been happy to make a Gold Coin donation for such an event for the wear and tear on the Church premises.  Maybe next time.

I think that so many of us attended the meeting looking for a solution to our own personal issues with the fires, and there are none that any one person can give, except the divine providence itself.  I believe the answers lie with ourlselves.  That is, help yourselves, find out what is necessary and do the best that you can to preserve life and property, and if you cannot, then get out! (In plenty of time!).

We have been a spoon fed population for far too long, and it is time we got a grip and took up things for ourselves instead of looking to others (government etc to do things for us.)  We have become far too soft as a nation.

It was very sobering to hear Dr Tolhurst say that if he was in Warrandyte when the fires broke out in Kilmore, then he would have left then, presuming that he did not have a fully defendable property, and a bunker to go to if it got too “hot”.

I will take his advice, and if a fire is within 20ks [of Warrandyte], I am gone!
(if we do not have a bunker that is).