A Sprinkler System Could Save Your Home
Sprinkler Systems can be extremely valuable in defending your home against
Wildfire, provided you have sufficient water supplies. You will need at least
22 000 litres of water from a tank, dam or swimming pool. Do not rely on mains
water as power could be cut, except to help replenish the water tanks. The
system need not be elaborate. An extension of your gardening watering system
can be used to wet the most vulnerable areas of the house, such as the
immediate surrounding garden or lawn area, under floors, roofs, eaves,
verandahs and timber balconies.
In designing a sprinkler system, be sure to use metal sprinkler heads. Metal
pipes are best, but if plastic pipes are used they must be installed 300
millimetres underground so they will not melt.
Position the sprinklers so that the water canopy will not blow away or
evaporate in high winds. You will need an appropriate portable pump to ensure
sufficient water pressure to operate your sprinkler system effectively. Use a
high pressure, low volume self powered diesel or petrol pump adequate to
pressurize the number of sprinklers you have for your system. Make sure the
pump can be operated by any member of the family. Check the pump weekly during
the Fire Danger Season to be sure it is fuelled and starts readily. A key
start ignition system is ideal. The pump should be housed in a readily
accessible shed in a protected area on the side of the house, preferably on the
side least threatened by Wildfire.
Garden sprinklers on the windward side will aid your survival.
When planning a sprinkler system remember that fires are accompanied by high
winds and high temperatures which can reduce the effectiveness of fine sprays.
Keep the sprinklers operating until well after the fire has passed.
Verandahs and balconies can be vulnerable areas of your home with their expanse
of timbers open to spark and ember bearing winds. Sprinklers spraying up
towards roofing on verandahs can help save your home. Consider sprinklers
placed on the leading edge of guttering so the spray is blown down over the
walls and windows and back onto the roof.
Garden sprinkler systems can aid your fire prevention effort. Placement around
from North to South-West can help retard fire progress towards the house area.
The sprinkler system should be designed for 50% water pattern overlap to allow
for elliptical wetting pattern under strong wind conditions.
Your local council Fire Prevention Officer and CFS volunteer brigade can help
you with planned protection for your property.
Disclaimer
© Copyright 1998 Montacute CFS
URL: http://users.senet.com.au/~dstrebil/mont_cfs/fireprevinfo5.html
Last Updated: 08/07/2000
Please send any corrections, comments or complaints to the
Administration Officer
