Your Preparedness CheckA 5-step process for building resilience to extreme weather events Step 1. Map your location Step 2. Your personal situation Step 3. Your property Step 4. Your neighbourhood Step 5. Information for your plan DO NOT MODIFY - Ready Check Tool - Your Property Step 3. Your Property Draw a mud map of your property and the immediate surrounding area on a piece of paper (or drawing tool on your computer) – just to get a rough idea of the characteristics of your place and surrounds (see example). Include in your plan your house and any other sheds, buildings, trees, vegetation, water tank, pool, fences, gates (& if locked), decking, BBQs & gas bottles, mulch & garden waste, sprinklers, shutters, gutter guards, overhanging trees, driveway, roof material, wall material, verandahs, decks, vegetation, pet enclosures, side access, slope, road, paving, large windows, window frame material. YOUR PROPERTY'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Use the information below to assess your property’s strengths and weaknesses for events such as bush fire, flood, heatwave and storms. The list will give you an indication of strengths and weaknesses of your property but is not comprehensive. Refer to the links to access more ideas on strengths and weaknesses of your home and property. Remember a strength may improve resilience across multiple hazard types, for example fire rated storm shutters on windows facing the bushland can reduce to the impact of bushfires, storms and heatwaves as well as improve home security. Click on the sections for the hazards identified for your property in Step 1 to check your property’s strengths and hazards for each. Bushfire Legend RoofHouse & roof design Many re-entrant corners where leaves and embers can collect; Complex roof with gables and valleys Additions with valleys or channels between roofs Simple building design with few re-entrant corners; Simple roof structure Further informationRoof material type & age Old metal with gaps; Old timber shingles; Tile pre 1980 with gaps, mortar not replaced Tile, pre 1980, mortar replaced >15 years ago Metal, no gaps Tile, post 1980, mortar replaced within 10 years, no gaps >3mm; Roof fully sarked Further informationRoof sprinklers No water supply No sprinkler system Sprinklers on mains water & power Sprinklers with independent water source and pump; Regular testing Further informationRoof lights, skylights, roof ventilators & vent pipes No sarking; Not sealed; Open vents; Combustible material (plastic or acrylic); Missing fins; No ember guards Laminated safety glass; Flashing fire-retardant material; Aluminium ember guards Toughened safety glass; Sealed with non-combustible lining; Corrosion-resistant steel or bronze mesh Further informationEaves & fascia Eaves not enclosed Eaves with gaps Eaves enclosed with fibre-reinforced cement or aluminium sheets Eaves enclosed with fire-retardant-treated timber or steel Further informationVents, weepholes & chimney Open holes or broken vents; Open chimney top No ember guards; Unsealed chimney pot Aluminium ember guards; Sealed chimney Corrosion-resistant steel or bronze ember guards; Unused chimney sealed with steel Further informationGutters and downpipes Blocked gutters; Combustible material No gutter guards Gutter guards; Ability to seal downpipes & fill gutters with water Metal gutter guards; Leaf-free; Non-combustible Further informationWallsHouse external wall material Timber with flaking paint & gaps Timber well maintained & sealed; Cladding Single brick Masonry; Concrete; Rammed earth; Fibre cement (>9mm); Steel sheeting Further information / Further informationExposed timber Rotten timber; Peeling paint Good condition; Protective paint Fire-retardant-treated timber Further informationWindows & frames Timber frame with flaking paint; Old glass; Large panes; facing hazard; Old; Plastic mesh or no screens Timber frame well maintained & painted Fire-retardant-treated timber frames; Aluminium frames; Laminated glass; Corrosion-resistant steel or bronze mesh screens Metal window frames and hardware; Non-combustible shutters; Toughened glass Further informationExternal doors Old timber wooden doors with flaking paint; Gaps under the door; No screen on door; Plastic mesh screen Timber doors, no screen door; Glass sliding door without screen Glass sliding door with safety glass & metal screen; Screen door with aluminium mesh; Wooden door with 400mm metal kickplate on bottom Fire-retardant-treated timber; Non-combustible shutters; Weather strips; Tight fitting door screen with corrosion-resistant steel or bronze mesh Further informationGarage doors Attached to house; Old wooden door with flaking paint; Gaps >3mm around & under door Roller door without guide tracks or nylon brush; Ventilation slots in door Easy to open without power; Gaps <3mm Non-combustible door; Weather strips, guide tracks, gaps <3mm Further informationFloorSub floor space & posts, stumps Old dry timber; Unenclosed; Items stored under house Leaves & dry material under house Sub-floor space enclosed with steel mesh <3mm Fire retardant treated timber; Enclosed sub-floor space Further informationFloors Suspended; Older, dry timber floor unenclosed; Gaps Suspended floor with flammable insulation Suspended floor with fire-retardant timber or non-combustible sheeting; Unenclosed Concrete slab on ground; Suspended floor with enclosed sub-floor space and fire-retardant timber or non-combustible sheeting Further informationVerandas and decking Old Wooden deck; Unenclosed; Wooden outdoor furniture; Store for firewood; Leaves accumulated Enclosed with fine steel mesh Deck frame & decking non-combustible; No spaces between decking (or 3mm spacing) Concrete or non-combustible material; Fire-retardant-treated timber; No flammable furniture Further informationOutdoorsVertical barriers to shield the building Bulk of building oriented towards hazard with no barriers Partial shield <1m high Continuous screen of low-flammability vegetation understorey to canopy Solid masonry wall >2m high to shield building Further informationLandscaping Trees over house; Bark hanging; Highly flammable plants; Mulch, leaf litter & dead branches against wall of house Vegetation & mulch within 1m of house wall Fire-retardant trees as a barrier blocking ember attack; High moisture content & low oil level; trees >10m away; Rock or gravel mulch Low plants with low flammability; Lawn kept short; Raingarden Further informationWater supply No tank; Very small tank; No hoses; No taps Empty tank; Plastic valve fittings; Plastic tank on hazard side of building; Taps only on hazard side of building; Short hose Medium capacity tank (3000L); Metal tank; No SWS sign at front; Long hoses; Taps & long hoses at each corner of property; Metal connections Large capacity (≥5000L) tank metal or concrete; Diesel pump connected to tank; Storz fittings; SWS sign at front; Permanently installed long hose reels; Metal connections Further informationPool Pool, no access Pool, no pump Pool with diesel pump Fence & gate Brush fence; High gate padlocked; No access Timber fence; Low gate padlocked; No access Timber treated with flame-retardant paint; Closed but not locked Brick or metal fence; High to shield house; Solid metal gate, closed but not locked Further informationGas bottle – house & BBQ Gas bottle relief valve facing house; Gas bottle on hazard side of house Gas bottle valve away from house; Gas bottle on non-hazard side of house Gas bottle stored away from house No gas bottles Further informationOtherHouse age & standard Built prior to bush fire standards (pre 1991) 1991 – 2009 built to bush fire standards New house (post 2009) built to current bush fire standards Further informationAir conditioner Evaporative a/c without ember screens on intake vent Wall mounted a/c Evaporative a/c with non-combustible ember screens; split system a/c A/c external operating temperature 50°C Further informationDoor mats Door mat easily ignited Door mat low-flammability No door mat, or non-flammable material Pets & enclosures Permanent fixture, exposed to fire dangers; Pets not easily relocated; No shelter Pets difficult to relocate; Pets not compatible together for relocation; Pets can’t be handled by strangers Pets easily relocated; Easy to catch, handle & transport Pets easily relocated; Alternate safe space readily available; Pet survival plan Further information / Further informationBush fire attack level Flame zone; BAL 40; BAL 29 BAL 19; BAL 12.5 BAL Low Not in bush fire prone area Further informationFlood WallsLoad bearing walls Timber wall frame Steel wall frame Double brick Concrete panels; blockwork; poured in-situ Exterior wall cladding Weatherboard; Fibro; Plywood on stud frame Brick veneer on stud frame Double brick Concrete Internal wall material & skirting boards Plasterboard; Particleboard; Wallpaper; MDF skirting boards Wet area plasterboard; Plywood; Fibre cement sheeting Brick; Solid timber skirting boards Rendered brick; Exterior-grade sealed timber boarding Skirting boards & architraves MDF Unsealed timber Solid timber screwed in (not nailed) None; Removable metal or aluminium skirtings Window frames Wooden with PVA glues; Mild steel fittings Timber - fully sealed with stainless steel or brass fittings Aluminium or metal frames with stainless steel or brass rollers Garage wall material/ strength Lower strength than rest of house Walls same strength as rest of house Further informationFloorGround floor Low suspended particleboard or plywood floor Low suspended timber floor Slab on ground Raised concrete slab Floor & coverings Particleboard; Hardboard underlay; Carpet; Grass matting; Linoleum; Cork Plywood flooring Carpet tiles & rugs Hardwood timber (polished); Exposed concrete; Tiles (with water-resistant adhesive) Sub floor space No drainage or ventilation; Garden beds close to house blocking ventilation gaps; Low areas where water pools Poor drainage and ventilation No pooling of water; Good ventilation Concrete slab; Good ventilation and drainage; Evenly graded OutdoorsLandscaping Garden beds blocking drainage; No plants; Clay soil Rock; High runoff Free-draining soil Raingarden to manage water flow and runoff; Free-draining soil Further informationRainwater tank Overflow compounding drainage issues; Unsecured – ability to float away Overflow nearby Anchored securely Elevated & anchored securely to footings; Overflow to stormwater or raingarden; Inlet high Plumbing system History of return flow from sewer pipes Gully trap; Manual gate valve; Valve installed but not checked Sewer & irrigation backflow valves installed, checked & maintained Further informationHard surfaces & driveway Hard surfaces channelling water into/under house or neighbour’s Porous paving Pervious surfaces with good drainage & water flow is well managed Further information / Further informationOtherInternal doors and frames Hollow core doors Solid core doors with glue not water resistant Solid core doors with water-resistant glue & plywood Solid doors; Metal door frames; Water resistant paint and varnish Power points, switches & wiring; Electrical meter box Located below maximum flood level; Meter box low & open to elements Power points high on walls Wiring in the roof space; Meter box & power points above max flood level Insulation Batts (fibreglass, polyester, rockwool, sheep wool) & loose fill below max flood level Concertina-type foil/paper laminates Reflective foil perforated with holes Polystyrene, polyurethane & closed cell foams below flood level Joinery & built-in cupboards Particleboard, MDF; Boxed-in void between floor, wall & cupboard; Minimal airflow Hardboard & MDF; Few supports widely spaced under joinery Marine grade plywood; Supports to prevent distortion & buckling; Removable kickboard Solid timber; Cupboards on frame with legs; Flood-resistant materials; Free flow of air Fixed electrical equipment Air conditioner & electric hot water at ground level Air conditioner & electric hot water system mounted high Pets & enclosures / Pet survival plan Permanent enclosure exposed to floodwater; Pets not easily relocated Pets not easily relocated; Pets not compatible together for relocation Pets easily relocated Pets easily relocated; Alternate safe space readily available; Cages & equipment for relocation available Further information / Further informationReference: Reducing vulnerability of buildings to flood damageHeatwave RoofRoof Dark coloured tiles; Flat roof; No sarking Light coloured metal; Light coloured tile Light coloured; Metal with reflective paint; Shaded; Roof space as buffer zone Further informationInsulation & thermal mass No insulation; Thermal mass storing heat No insulation Insulation in roof only Bulk & reflective insulation in roof & walls; Thermal mass storing coolness Further informationRoof lights & skylights Skylight not sealed; Open vents; Direct sunlight & heat gain Heat-absorbing tint; Insulated glazing; Low e-coatings Translucent or reflective insulation between glazing layers Further informationVerandah and decks Eaves None; No eaves Narrow eaves Porch shading entrance Wide verandah & deck shading entrance; Wide eaves shading walls & windows Further informationWallsExternal house wall Dark colour, west facing South facing Light colour; Shaded Insulation & thermal mass No insulation; Thermal mass storing heat No insulation Some insulation in western walls Bulk & reflective insulation in all walls; Thermal mass storing coolness Further informationWindows; Window coverings (curtains, blinds, awning, shutters) Large windows facing west; Normal glass; No coverings inside or out Large windows facing N or NW; Light coverings inside Tinted windows; Metal blinds with reflective side facing outwards; Temporary car windscreen reflectors on windows; Lined curtains Double glazing; Reflective glazing; Heat minimising glazing; Shutters; Shaded windows (external blinds, verandahs, trees); Lined curtains Further information / Further informationOutdoorsLandscaping No trees; No plants; Large areas of hard surfaces; Dark coloured driveway Large paved areas; Driveway storing heat Grass and vegetation surrounding Shade trees; Gardens; Plants that retain moisture around house; Shaded driveway Further informationOtherPets & enclosures / Pet survival plan No shaded shelter; Not easily cooled; Not easily relocated Not easily cooled Pets easily relocated to cool place Well sheltered & cool; Further information / Further informationVentilation & air conditioning Closed windows at night; No cross ventilation; No fans; Reliant on a/c; Limited airflow; Large windows facing NW & W; A/c heat blowing under house or near entrances; Outdoor temperature operating range of <45°C Reliant on a/c for cooling; Limited cross ventilation Open windows at night; No a/c; Good airflow & cross ventilation; Ceiling or pedestal fans Open windows at night; Security screens or grills; A/c set at 25°C; Good airflow & cross ventilation; Ceiling or pedestal fans; A/c outdoor temperature operating range >50°C; Outdoor part of a/c shaded in cool place Further informationStorm RoofRoof covering type & age Tile, pre 1980, mortar not replaced; Cracked or missing tiles; Loose tiles; Metal with nails; Loose metal sheets; Non-standard tie-downs Metal with screws, no seals Roof condition recently checked by professional; Roof well maintained Metal (screws with seals intact); Tile (mortar replaced within 10 years; tiles tied down); Secondary water barrier over joints; Hail-resistant roof cladding Roof shape Flat, skillion roof Complex pitched roof Gable roof Hip roof Roof to wall connection method Warped walls; Unaligned Pre 1980; Rafters/trusses nailed to frame; Battens not anchored to structure Roof battens anchored to roof structure; Rafters/ trusses clip-connected to frame Rafters/trusses connected to frame with galvanised metal straps Gutters and downpipes Loose or rusted gutters; Few downpipes; Gutters tilting back towards roof; Leaves and debris on roof & gutters No downpipes or gutters; Roof valleys filled with leaves; Vegetation covering drainage grate Rainwater tank to hold water; Overflow to stormwater or raingarden Additional gutter clips & downpipe connections; Water flow directed away from house; Gutter guards keep leaves out Roof lights & skylights No sarking; Not sealed; Open vents; Plastic or acrylic; Leaking from unsealed joints Laminated safety glass; Polycarbonate; Flashing & curb around skylight to deflect water Toughened safety glass; Sealed joints Lightning protection High metal objects protruding from roof; No earth protection No surge protection Surge protection system Lightning protection system Solar panels Fixtures not secure Panels at different angle to roof slope; Panels at edge of roof Fixed securely; Panels at same angle as roof; Watertight fixings WallsDoors & seals Large panels of old glass; No seals; Large gaps around windows & doors; Do not close properly Large panels of safety glass; Small gaps Solid door with tempered safety glass panels; glass with solid screens or shutters No glass; Solid door (metal, fibreglass, solid wood); Seal & lock securely; Weatherproof seals Windows & frames Cracked glass; Large panes of old glass; Facing storm hazard; Old, rotten timber frame with flaking paint; No screens; Plastic mesh Shutters not closed; Old glass Safety glass; Double glazing; Timber with water resistant paint or varnish; Aluminium or metal frames; Corrosion-resistant steel or bronze mesh screens Toughened safety glass; Impact-resistant window shutters (closed) Garage door Double width non-reinforced Non-reinforced Reinforced Reinforced & storm/cyclone rated OutdoorsLandscaping Plants holding water close to foundations; Trees overhanging house; Hard surfaces channelling water into/under house or neighbour’s Trees near house; Recent earthworks in root zone of trees; Hard surfaces with drainage pipes or channels Trees well maintained, inspected every 2-3 years Pervious surfaces with good drainage & water flow is well managed; Low trees & shrubs Rainwater tank Overflow compounding drainage issues; Not secured Very small tank; Overflow nearby Medium capacity; Anchored securely Large capacity; Anchored securely to footings; Overflow to stormwater or raingarden Sheds No footings; Unsecured; Door doesn’t close No wind rating Anchored to a footing system Anchored to a concrete slab; Appropriate wind rating; Door closes securely Further informationOutdoor furniture & items Not secured; Large items (trampoline) Items secured Items put away & stored in a secure location Plumbing & irrigation system History of return flow from sewer pipes Backflow valve installed, checked & maintained OtherStrong room for shelter during storm Windows or glass door Large room No windows; Small; Ground level Pets & enclosures / Pet survival plan No shelter; Permanent enclosure exposed to weather; Pets not easily relocated Permanent enclosure partially exposed to weather Safe space available for pets Safe space readily available for pets to access independently Further information / Further informationElectrical meter box In exposed location; Open to elements Watertight service panels & meter box Located in protected area; Watertight service panels & meter box Results will not be saved when the browser is closed as information is not saved on this web site. Step 1. Map your location Step 2. Your personal situation Step 3. Your property Step 4. Your neighbourhood Step 5. Information for your plan
