Water Supply
BMO Bushfire Protection Measures
WHAT IS
Water Supply
When you are building in a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO), your project may require a water tank, reserved solely for firefighting use in the event of a bushfire. The water supply is known as a "static water supply'. This is an above ground water tank that must remain full and reserved solely for the use of firefighting.
​
The size of the water tank and its location is determined by the size of your land, and if required, the location of any fire hydrants available in the street.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
Water Supply
Water Supply Requirements (Table 4 of Clause 53.02-5)
-
A static water supply of either 2,500 litres, 5,000 litres, or 10,000 litres.
-
Be stored in an above ground water tank constructed of concrete or metal.
-
Have all fixed above ground water pipes & fittings required for firefighting purposes made of corrosive resistant metal.
-
Include a separate outlet for occupant use.
Where a 10,000 litre water supply is required, the following must also be provided:
-
The outlet/s of the water tank must be within 4 metres of the accessway and unobstructed.
-
Be located within 60 metres of the outer edge of the approved building.
-
Be readily identifiable from the building or appropriate identification signage to the satisfaction of the relevant fire authority.
-
Incorporate a separate ball or gate valve (British Standard Pipe (BSP 65 millimetre) and coupling (64 millimetre CFA 3 thread per inch male fitting).
-
Any pipework and fittings must be a minimum of 65 millimetres (excluding the CFA coupling).
​
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A larger water tank can be used to store the required firefighting water and household use water as long as the volume required for fire fighting is reserved at the bottom of the tank, by placing pipes for household use above the reserved fire fighting water line.
​
Sometimes where a 10,000 litre water supply and CFA emergency vehicle are required to get to within 4 metres of the the tank cannot be achieved, the use of a seperate CFA outlet can be used, these means you could have a tank located in the rear of the property, with an underground pipe from the tank to an up stand at the front of the property, this type of system is known as a 'remote outlet'.
WATER TANK SIZES AND SHAPES
Water tanks can be purchased from any company as long as they meet your sites specific BMO requirements, most builders or building companies will have there own preferred supplier so it may not always be possible to get your own as its a requirement to get the building permit.
​
Tanks can be any shape, round, slimline or other, and most come in a variety of 'height x length x width' configurations to suit your needs.
​
If you require 2,500L or a 5,000L you won't need a CFA outlet on the tank, just a single outlet is needed for personal firefighting use. If you require 10,000L you will require the additional CFA outlet and a separate outlet for personal firefighting use.
​
It's important that the amount of water you need, is above the level of the CFA outlet, in some cases you may need a slightly larger tank to ensure that the full amount of water needed can be accessed, best to confirm this with the tank manufacturer.
​
Some examples of compliant tanks can be found here:
​​
​
​
-
S/S 10,000L 'squat' round (2.9m wide)
-
S/S 10,000L "mid' round (2.55m wide)
-
S/S 10,000 round (2.4m wide)
-
S/S 10,000L 'tall' round (2.05m wide)
​
Always refer to the requirements of your own Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) and ensure that your tank manufacture get this info to ensure its compliant.
Bushfire Protection Measures
