Roofs

Guiding principles

When retrofitting your home, efforts should be made to limit the build up of debris, and to ensure the roof system (as a whole) is protected.

Roofs are vulnerable to ignition through direct flame contact or by the burning of debris that builds within the roof cavity or on the roof. This burning can damage surface elements creating gaps in the roof system and allow flames and embers to penetrate the building’s envelope. In a combustible roof cavity, flames can them develop, entering the living areas through the ceiling. To prevent this, it is important to maintain the buildings envelope by sealing gaps and replacing combustible materials with non-combustible alternatives.

It is also important to note that even the most well built home is vulnerable to bushfire if there is a weakness or flaw in the buildings design or maintenance. No home is guaranteed to be 100% bushfire safe.

Retrofitting for bushfire protection

The following table contains information on retrofitting a roof system. These measures will provide some protection against most bushfire hazards, however they may not protect against direct flame contact from burning vegetation or consequential fires.

If you have identified a source of Consequential fire, consider removing or relocating the source or installing a wall or other barrier. The risk of a consequential fire (e.g., fire spreading from a neighbouring house) is often not economically viable to mitigate through house design. For example, mitigating the risk completely may require drastic changes in building materials and design, whereas removing the source of the consequential fire may be more practical and cost effective. As such, it is important to acknowledge the risks of a consequential fire and include it as a factor in your bushfire plan.