Bushfire Sprinklers
Protecting buildings from bushfires
We have been working with Dr Alan Green from the Sustainable Building Research Centre at the University of Wollongong to create resources sharing the latest research on bushfire sprinkler systems. This includes building a bushfire sprinkler demonstration wall to compare different sprinkler performance in bushfire conditions and efficiency of water usage.
Part of that work has been to design a strategy to protect the Planetary Health Centre from fire. The first recommendation is to take passive measures like sealing all gaps that are 2mm or more and removing fuel loads from near the building.
After passive measures, sprinklers are an active measure. We have installed Flat Fan bushfire sprinklers over the Centre’s windows. These have been tested to provide sufficient coverage in bushfire conditions, using a minimum amount of water. Water is pumped to the sprinklers from our water tanks.
Bushfire Sprinkler Design Guides
Bushfire Water Spray System design guide
Design Spec for the Planetary Health Centre’s Bushfire Sprinkler System
Bushfire Sprinkler Demonstration at the Planetary Health Centre
Daniel Brown from DB Plumbing describes sprinklers in our Sprinkler Demonstration Area, including an impact sprinkler and the Flat Fan sprinkler which has been used on the Centre’s windows.
Latest Bushfire Sprinkler Research
Dr Alan Green from the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at Wollongong University assisted the Planetary Health Centre to design a Bushfire Sprinkler System informed by his latest research conducted as part of his PhD. He gave this presentation at the Future Proofing with Circular Water Symposium at the Planetary Health Centre in July 2024.