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Access

BMO Bushfire Protection Measures

WHAT IS

Access

When you are building in a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), and your project requires a 10,000 litre water supply, it will also require 'Access' which means allowing emergency service vehicles (a CFA tanker for example) to be able to get within 4m of your water supply.

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To achieve this, minimum design and construction requirements apply to your driveway. These include the construction method, width, steepness, radius of any bends, and clearance to allow emergency vehicles safe access.

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It's not only your driveway that needs to comply, but any road to your property, such as gravel roads or tracks in rural areas, that also need to meet this requirement.

a water tank with a C F A truck close by it

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

Access

Access Requirements (Table 5 of Clause 53.02-5)

  • Fire authority vehicles must be able to get within 4m of the water supply outlet.

 

The following access/driveway design and construction requirements apply:

  • All-weather construction.

  • A load limit of at least 15 tonnes.

  • Provide a minimum trafficable width of 3.5 metres.

  • Be clear of encroachments for at least 0.5 metres on each side and at least 4 meters vertically.

  • Curves must have a minimum inner radius of 10 metres.

  • The average grade must be no more than 1 in 7 (14.4%) (8.1°) with a maximum grade of no more than 1 in 5 (20%) (11.3°) for no more than 50 meters.

  • Dips must have no more than a 1 in 8 (12.5%) (7.1°) entry and exit angle.

 

If the length of access/driveway is more than 100 metres, but less than 200 metres, these additional design and construction requirements apply:​

  • A turning area for fire fighting vehicles must be provide close to the building by one of the following:

  • A turning circle with a minimum radius of 8 metres.

  • A driveway encircling the dwelling.

  • The provision of other vehicle turning heads such as a T or Y head - which meet the specification of Austroad Design for an 8.8 metre service vehicle.

 

If the length of access/driveway is greater than 200 metres, this additional design and construction requirement applies:​

  • Passing bays are required at least every 200 metres and be a minimum 20 metres long and a minimum trafficable width of 6 metres.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In a major fire event you should not rely upon CFA to assist. However in some circumstances firefighters may be available to provide support (CFA 2023).

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Access and egress to the road network is crucial to safety during an emergency event for both occupants and emergency services. Properties must provide safe passage for emergency vehicles.  Access must comply with requirements Australian Design Rules for vehicles. 

Servicing all of Victoria

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