Integrated solutions for bushfire-adaptive homes

Bushfire risks are increasing in Australia due to a complex combination of environmental, social and political processes. It is now clear that we must learn to coexist and adapt to bushfire risks. Nearly 3,000 homes were destroyed in the 2019/20 fires, and many of these households remain in temporary accommodation, particularly in more socially vulnerable locations where people have struggled to rebuild or to rent elsewhere. In many regional areas, this has compounded an already challenging housing crisis.

Homes are also an important place of refuge for those who either decide to stay and defend their properties, or, for those who are unable to evacuate in time. Research following the 2009 bushfires identified that sheltering within homes was far more common than had previously been known. There are therefore significant economic, social and moral obligations to identify how we can better build and retrofit homes. Current building codes are not enough, and there are many loopholes where changes to buildings following construction weaken the original design. We must also take advantage of technological innovations around additional safety measures that can be applied.

Furthermore, the interplay and connection between structural design and safety measures and the attitudes and actions of homeowners is fundamental to home tenability. However, these aspects are usually explored in silos when guidelines and policy that consider their interrelationship are vital.

This interdisciplinary project will:

• provide a better understanding of the causes of the failure rates of homes built to AS3959
• investigate what physical building material, housing designs or additional safety measures would best reduce failure rates
• explore which social levers can be better utilised to influence and support communities to better protect homes from bushfires

The project will have five phases:

1. A review of the literature and post-event assessments from Australia and internationally, to provide a current, consolidated understanding of what is known about positive and negative outcomes for the protection of residential properties from the effects of bushfire.
2. An exploration of the feasibility, efficacy, cost effectiveness and key stakeholder views of what physical building material, housing designs or additional safety measures would best reduce failure rates.
3. An exploration of how social and policy levers (e.g. insurance incentives) can be utilised to influence and support communities to protect homes from bushfires.
4. Assessment of the interrelationships between structural / permanent physical safety measures and the actions of homeowners.
5. Development of integrated guidelines in collaboration with key stakeholders that can inform new standards, policy and practice for fire adaptive homes.