**Please note Versatile Tanks DO NOT repair water tanks**
Australia is a country that experiences very hot and dry summers, making it very prone to bushfires which can be utterly devastating and can take years for communities to recover from. With a sub-Mediterranean climate, Victoria is especially at high risk. In fact, the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office states that Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world.
This highlights the importance of installing a fire fighting water tank in Victoria. In 2009, the Black Saturday Bushfires was one of Australia’s worst bushfire disasters. The bushfires ravaged 430,000 hectares of land including over 2,000 homes destroyed and 173 lives taken.
In response, the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission implemented a series of regulations in areas prone to bushfires to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.
One such regulation was for each property to have a static water supply if it falls under the BMO (Bushfire Management Overlay). So, what do you need to consider when installing a fire fighting water tank?
What is the limit of water you will need to store?
If your property resides in the BMO, then the amount of static water for fire-fighting purposes that you will be required to store will depend on two factors: whether a hydrant is available within a 120-metre radius of the rear of the property and the size of the property.
500 square metres
For properties less than 500 square metres, owners are required to store a minimum of 2,500 litres of static water. Owners are not also required to provide fire-fighter access or install special fire authority fittings.
500 – 1000 square metres
If your property is 500 to 1000 square metres, owners are required to store a minimum of 5,000 litres of static water if there is a hydrant at the property. No access or fire authority fittings are required. However, if there isn’t a hydrant at the property, owners are required to store a minimum of 10,000 litres of water for fire-fighting, provide vehicle access and install relevant fittings.
More than 1000 square metres
If the property is greater than 1000 square metres, owners are required to store a minimum of 10,000 litres of static water. Owners are also required to provide clear access for fire-fighting vehicles and install relevant fire authority fittings.
Where to store the water supply?
Your static water supply is required to be stored in a location which can easily allow firefighters to safely access the stored water. If there is fire authority access required, such as a building that is larger than 500 square metres and has no hydrant servicing the property, then fire trucks and other fire fighting vehicles must be able to reach the water tank outlet within 4 metres.
If you are building or renovating a property that is located within the Bushfire Management Overlay and require a fire fighting water tank, then contact the concrete water tank experts at Versatile Tanks.
Call us today on 1300 783 344 to find out how we can assist your needs or explore our website to view our entire range of concrete rainwater retention tanks, OSD tanks, underground wine cellars and much more.